The 2024 NBA Draft will be held on Wednesday, June 26th and Thursday, June 27th. Our resident draft expert Bryant has semi-retired from draft scouting, so we won’t have his usual in-depth breakdowns to rely on. So we’re going to do our draft coverage a little differently this year. We’ll present some prospects, share some highlight videos, and share some general thoughts before opening it up to the group to discuss.
Fox40’s Sean Cunningham reported Monday that the Sacramento Kings hosted a sizeable group workout, headlined by Purdue center Zach Edey.
Kings hosted a big pre-draft workout in Sacramento today. According to league sources, Zach Edey (Purdue 7’4 C), Kel’el Ware (Indiana 7’0 C), Jamison Battle (Ohio St. 6’7 PF), Boogie Ellis (USC 6’1 SG), RayJ Dennis (Baylor 6’2 PG) & Jonathan Mogbo (USF 6’9 PF) participated.
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) June 17, 2024
We’ll use this news as an excuse to talk about Zach Edey!
NBA Position: Center
General Info: 22-year-old Senior, played at Purdue. From Toronto, Canada.
Measurables: 7’3.75″ w/o shoes, 299.0 lbs, 7’10.75″ wingspan, 9’7″ standing reach.
2023-2024 Season Statistics: 25.2 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.3 SPG, 2.2 BPG, 2.3 TPG (39 games played, 32.0 minutes per game), 62.3% FG, 50.0% 3P (made one of two attempts for the season), 71.1% FT
I’ve got to be honest, I am not a big fan of Zach Edey’s game. He’s huge, and he has good touch around the basket, but I reeeeally wonder how much of it will translate to the pros. So many of Edey’s highlights boil down to him being so much bigger than his opponents. And while Edey will still be bigger than plenty of guys in the NBA, the NBA is full of guys who will either be closer to Edey’s size or stronger and more experienced at dealing with big bodies. I know the old adage of “you can’t teach size”, but as someone who grew up watching 90s basketball Edey reminds me of dozens of big lumbering centers that NBA teams drafted way too high in an effort to slow down Shaq. You can’t teach size, but size alone does not make you good at basketball. And to clarify, Edey isn’t quite as lumbering as some of those 90s stiffs. But Edey does play with a stiffness to his offensive game, a very slow and methodical style that I is rarely successful in the NBA, and seems like an especially poor fit for the Sacramento Kings.
If the Kings were to draft Edey, I struggle to see how he and Domantas Sabonis would share the floor. Sabonis has not shown a willingness to shoot from distance at enough volume to make opponents leave the key. Sabonis at the top of the key with Edey would clog the lane and stifle any offensive flow. Defense would be an even greater issue. Sabonis can handle a 4 on a switch, but he’s not quick-footed enough to have forwards be his primary defensive assignments. So, if they don’t play together, are you drafting Edey to be a backup center? A backup center who is at his best when the ball is consistently being fed to him with his back to the basket? This would mean a fundamental shift to the offensive system when the backup center is in the game.
Now, here is where it’s important that I reiterate that I am not a draft expert. The advanced stats love Edey. He led the NCAA in PER, Win Shares, Offensive Win Shares, Win Per 40 Minutes, OBPM, BPM, Points, Total Rebounds, and Offensive Rebounds. He had a marvelous college season last year, and maybe it will translate better than my casual eyes think. I think Edey would be a tough fit in Sacramento, and I have my doubts about his NBA prospects as a whole, but he could prove me wrong on both accounts. It certainly wouldn’t be the first time.
Zack Edey would be Awesome in Sac! Give Domas some credit! He’ll figure it out!
Agreed. Domas is a really good passer. If he can make the entry pass down to Edey, they should be unstoppable.
The dribble hand-off up top with Domas/Fox doesn’t even have to change. Edey will be down low ready for a lob once Fox beat’s his man. This forces Edey’s defender to either step up or stay with Edey which should give Fox a lot of good looks.
Defensively we’ll probably be in the top 10 with Edey.
On D the pairing would be great, my concern is on O, I just don’t see Domas and Edey co-existing until one of the two can spread the floor. If MM feels there’s potential for Domas to improve in the shooting dept or for Edey to develop some range, then it’s a worth while pick in a weak draft.
I wouldn’t hate the pick but I’m hoping we go for a high risk, home run type swing.
I see home run potential in Edey If he can just dominate in Stockton while the new stretch 5 ( J Smith, maybe J Collins) acclimates to the big club. Then he comes to Sac with no pressure and comes in when the offense bogs down. The opposition puts a tough defender on Domas and they start playing the passing lanes aggressively, which is basically the formula the Dubs wrote in the playoffs a year ago, and the Kings have struggled with it since. Give Domas a rest and bring in a fresh 7’4″ 300lbs iso scorer and let him do his thing until shots start falling again for some other guys. The scoring droughts killed this team last season. Next season (’25-’26,) he takes over A Len’s rotation minutes and they start mixing in a few minutes on the floor with Domas, as Sabonis’ long-ball begins to be more of a threat. If his role out-grows the roster they can trade him at that point.
Use a first round pick to build a G League roster?
Use the G League roster to build the parent club. That’s what it’s for. Big men take more time developing, and Edey is BIG! The Kings have spent two years trying to play w/o the lumbering big, but Len keeps working his way back into the rotation. Apparently, they need that guy, and they could use a better version of him. The goal is an 8-10 man rotation of solid NBA vets, and superstars. What are the other 5-7 spots there for? They are for developing players, or minimum level vets brought in to support them while they are developing.
Use the big club to support the Stockton team. If I’m right, and Edey is everything Len is, only more of it, Len (he’s coming back no matter, don’t kid yourself) continues his role while Edey develops. As Edey learns the NBA game, Len becomes insurance. Edey’s strength is on offense, Len is one of the best paint protectors in the league. It could take half a season for Edey’s defense to catch up. He didn’t get to play much defense in college because he was Purdue’s entire offense, and they couldn’t afford to risk him fouling out. In Sac, in short minutes, he’s the Kraken, released! And he may foul less with NBA spacing, and the new officiating style.
I think this is reasonable expectations for a two time NPOY, and a #13 pick, in a weak draft. There likely isn’t anyone available to come in as an immediate star, but a low lottery pick spent on a guy who could be a star in a few years may be the best investment, at this time. Any other questions?
So draft a player with pick number 13 and send him straight to the G league.
Makes sense.
You do know that Hamlet1989 is most likely not Monte McNair’s alter ego, right? He’s simply speculating on one possible approach. As a fan. You’re free to disagree – this is a discussion forum. We all know your feelings about the G league since you’ve made hundreds of similar posts about it.
So you want to see the Kings use a first round pick to build a G league roster?
…this is the discussion part you mentioned.
Do I? No.
I want another impact player who takes the league by storm like Haliburton, given that Fox and Sabonis are just entering their prime.
But bigs usually take time. If Monte grabs a 7 footer and that player takes a year in the G league but develops into our third best player in year three, I can dig it. I don’t feel the need to paint that option as “building a G league roster”. Rather, it would be using the G league for player development.
Personally, I’m not into that idea with the #13 because the Kings’ needs are more immediate. But I’m not here responding with the same tired tropes.
Fox and Sabonis are well within their prime. I personally think Fox has started the decline.
Winning organizations don’t draft in the top 20 and get a G league player. No matter who the Kings take at 13 if they cannot make an NBA roster that is a failure of the organization. Second round picks and unrestricted free agents often should go to the G league to develop.
Who are the “same tired tropes” that you are so much better than?
Well within, just entering, whatever.
I guess you’re in luck. There’s nothing in MM’s history that suggests he’s going to draft a first round G league stash. Maybe turn down the sensitivity on your G league radar a bit?
You could have a more appropriate view of the G league, like that it’s a good place for the Kings to develop the Ellis, Jones, and Slawson’s of the world. The Kings have used it to good effect in the MM era, which makes your G league aversion all the more puzzling to me.
The G league is great to develop players. It is not meant to be one third or more of an NBA teams roster. Nobody thinks the Kings are a deep team.
Maybe they should get more NBA players on the NBA roster?
Jones and Slawson on are not NBA players on any other team. This fan base has accepted the hopes and dreams of G league players in lieu of a winning record.
I have no issues with the G league. I have issues with an organization dependent on the G league to fill out an NBA roster.
“This fan base has accepted the hopes and dreams of G league players in lieu of a winning record.” I don’t get that out of anybody who posts here, to be honest. We’re all stoked to get a diamond in the rough like Keon, but nobody’s thinking to themselves that they would rather have him over a championship. Your statement is ridiculous and comes with zero proof. It shows your own hatred of the fanbase for reasons unknown.
Jones and Slawson were second round picks. Colby looks like he could be a bench contributor – maybe. Slawson was drafted 54th. I never expect anything out of the second round. I would guess maybe 15% of second rounders ever see regular playing time. If you think Jones and Slawson are a third of the Kings roster, you oughta take some remedial math.
Also, google the word “trope”. It’s not a who, it’s a what.
It definitely is a what.
You should attempt remedial math again. Counting seems to trouble you.
Keon worked out great. This team should ever count on that to happen. There is a long history of G league talent being regarded as future hall of famers here.
Great chatting with you.
What evidence do you have for Fox’s decline? Because, it’s not statistcal.
He is a substantial man, that’s for sure.
Yeah it’s not just the height it’s the width and he’s muscular not just fat. He’s like double the size of Chet and Wemby.
He is big, better than Boban. Ceiling- Jonas Valentunas.
Trends are just that trends but the trend in the current NBA is against big centers and toward more mobility and fluidity and “position-less” basketball. Edey is a center and will never venture far from the hoop. Walker Kessler is like that- he is now a bench guy in Utah. Edey would be a bench guy in Sac. In some places he would start but just not here. Clingan is the same (Memphis wants him)
If this was the Kings prior to DS- ok, maybe.
The #13 pick is just too valuable to use in an attempt to get a starter or in an attempt to get leverage in trade to use on a guy where there are questions and plays the same spot as DS.
If Kings use pick- I would prefer one of the guys who fall or Carter or even TDS. Carter is redundant but BPA. There are bigs at #13.
Option- Raptors may be interested in the Canadian Edey. They have #19 I believe. Pick Edey, trade down and get an asset of the trouble. #19 may still have value- like DaRon Holmes, Ware or Filipowski or even one of the guards- McClain, Walker or Collier. Make Raptor give up Scottie Barnes (that’s a joke)
I love the idea of trading down to see which big man falls. Ware also could fit the bill.
I’d pass on Ware also. slow processor.
How much college bball do you watch?
I’m spending more time with a cognitive neuroscience textbook lately.
Kool!
J/K. The boy just graduated with a biology neuroscience double major. That stuff farther over my head than Zach Edey’s standing reach. Good luck with the studies!
congratulations! and excellent choice of topic!
For us older folks, it’s never too late to work on our game!
Who knows what a year or two with the Kings and their coaching can do for a guy.
in the 2nd round, maybe.
It’s hard for me to take your assessments of players seriously.
easy tiger
He will go in the First – book it .
Check Kessler’s college stats and record compared to Edey . His ceiling is a better scoring Gobert and floor is Valentunis .
no thanks. slow reaction time.
Mogbo could be a fun player to draft in the 2nd round.
Zach Edey sounds like an Impossible pasta dish to me. “I’ll have an order of the Zachidi, hold the flavor.”
Maybe a cucumber-like vegetable?
Zook-Edey
Trade #13. It is a valuable trade chip. The Wizards want another lottery pick. The Spurs have #4 and #8. I’ll bet they would love #13 to go along with the other 2 picks.
I just posed in the the other thread that I’m not a fan of using a lottery pick and guaranteed money on a guy you know is going to backup your best player and may only get 12-15 MPG. That position and contract is better suited to a vet on a minimum deal. Alex Len would cost the Kings half as much, and you know what you are going to get.
Pass.
It’s a bad use of salary. That’s why I like Filipowski, Salaun, Ja’Kobe Walter (I don’t think Davion and Duarte will be around much longer, and Huerter is on the fritz, so that opens up a spot for Walter), guys that can play with Fox, Murray, Sabonis…eventually.
I totally agree with your point here. Use the lottery to find potential starters not guaranteed backups.
James Ham has been on the radio saying how a lotto pick is not going to be of any use next season and that it’s a terrible use of cap space. Hopefully that’s just his idiotic take and that he’s not just parroting what he’s hearing from the org.
Good teams use the draft to find cost controlled assets who can contribute
long term.
You described James Ham perfectly.
Comps I’ve seen for Zach Edey:
Brook Lopez
Boban Marjonovic
Al Jefferson
Yao Ming
and in this thread, add
Jonas Valanciunas
who knows?
Georgios Papagiannis?
Can we draft him again?
Probably not, perhaps Sim Bhullar?
That is one that is almost forgotten.
A truly brilliant marketing decision.
Fk it let’s get Edey. He’s generational. Will change the West.
We need a Wemby stopper. Edey is the man!
Wemby w/o the skinny!
Spurs will draft him at 8
Damn, a Wemby and Edey front on D would be wild. The sheer size would entertaining. Would love to see that. It would be an interesting pairing long term.
No. And why?
Sabonis is definitely a player that can play as a power forward when Edney is in the game.
I like it.
Get a serviceable power forward and Edney. Let Sabonis use his athleticism.
Two non-shooters doesn’t work.
Sabonis cannot score?
Edey doesn’t score either?
Scoring and shooting are two different things. Shooting spaces the floor. Sabonis and Edey are both best at scoring inside 8 feet. Neither can space the floor. Even with Sabonis’ improved outside shooting, he’s still hesitant to take those shots and defenses have been happy to live with them.
The finding a 4 that fits next to Domas conundrum in a nutshell.
The combine had Edey shooting the 3 easily and well . Was never allowed to at Purdue due to dominance inside . Think bigger version of Brooke Lopez .
The guy shot two 3s in four years at Purdue. He could certainly develop an outside shot, but banking on him being a good outside shooter is a reach I’m not willing to make.
Remember Brook Lopez in his early career ? Edey better in every way at same stage . Huge and skilled as well as a late developer .
Brook was 3rd in ROY voting at age 20 and was an all-star at 24, Edey will be 22.5 by the time the season starts. Their comparison begins and ends at height.
They definitely thrive inside 8 feet. With another big it will force someone pull off of a double team on Sabonis. This will at least free him up more often.
Having a starting point guard whose only skill is driving to the basket doesn’t help us. Easy to defend us.
May as well take another flyer on Tyus Edney and see what he has left in the tank.
Edney is the spelling of choice for Apple I guess?
My dumbass relied on it…
I like the idea of a true big playing some minutes with Sabonis. An interesting mix for 15 minutes a game?
OT: meanwhile Xavier Tillman and Neemias Queta are now NBA champions.
They happened to be on the team that won, congrats?!
Better to be lucky than good.
Watched the highlight reel on Edey. This dude is big af. I see the Yao Ming and Brook Looez comps the way he moves at that height and weight.
Seems like a good prospect to me that should be a defensive menace. If he can develop a jump shot the way Ming had in the mid range and Brook has from three, he’d be a beast.
He’s not shown as much defensively, but I love the way he just takes up so much space.
Yeah there’s something there. I just wouldn’t want to take him at 13. If he drops to the 20’s perhaps trade up with some future 2nds to nab him and see what he can become.
I’d be happy with Edey. Intriguing player. Finally a rim protector. Let’s get him.
Keegan had about the same amount of blocks per 40 minutes.
blocks per 40 minutes in college:
Walker Kessler – 7.1
Chet Holmgren – 5.4
Jaren Jackson Jr – 5.5
Hassan Whiteside – 8.2
Zedey – 2.7
Ware – 2.3
Clingan – 4.4
Draft Zack Edey. He’ll be the bpa if he’s still on the board. Sabonis is a keeper.
Think Rick Smits, Dale and Antonio Davis.
Think Rodman, Bill Lambier and James Edwards and John Sally.
If the Kings can’t get great reliable shooters, then they got to own the paint.
In my opinion, you are referencing a bygone era of basketball. The game just isn’t played that way anymore.
Two paint bound scorers isn’t going to get you very far. It’s the complete antithesis of what we are seeing in this year’s NBA finals.
I see the resurgence of some post game dominance. Much more athletic though. Jokic exists in the paint but made himself impossible to stop with his ability to pass.
I miss the 80s and 90s era of bball too my friend. So much so that I passed on watching the Finals. Bring back the bigs.
Steven A. Smith ruined it for me tonight. When he has nothing of value to say he simply yells louder, Bad look for the NBA Finals.
SAS sucks the joy out of all sports . Just a loud mouth know it all that doesn’t !
I turned it off then waited about twenty minutes to make sure his shit show during half time was over.
I think of Rik Smits a lot. Edey is nothing like him other than tall.
Greg you are 100% right. Edey will not be an impactful pro, especially in Sac. In the National Championship game UConn ran rings around him and scored at will. What do you think an NBA team will do. My idea of a slow NBA big is probably someone like Valuncunias and he’s a freaking gazelle next to Edey. The only saving grace is I think the Kings brain trust is not stupid enough to draft him with 13. Take a flyer in the second if he’s still there? Sure. Otherwise hard pass.
Interesting that Edey had better speed and agility times at the combine than Clingan, but Edey is the one seen as being slow.
I’m not a big fan of Clingan either, personally. It just seems likely he’ll be off the board earlier, for whatever reason.
The Championship game was rough to watch. Edey put up 37 of his team’s 60 points, which is insane on paper, but it made me less impressed with his stats overall. Purdue’s only game plan was to feed Edey over and over, which is an ok plan against most college teams who have smaller centers. I just don’t think it’ll be the same at the NBA level. But who knows, maybe he’ll still just be so much bigger and stronger than most guys and he’ll still be good.
I think the league still values mobile bigs who can defend on the perimeter more than the slower guys that protect the rim. Bigger, slower defenders tend to get pulled out to the perimeter and are forced to defend in space, which has shown to be an advantage for the offensive team.
The talk of Clingan going top 5 seems to be cooling, but still probably top 10, but he may also slide as his archetype is not where the league seems to be heading.
Clingan’s comp is Rudy Gobert, the 4 time DPoY.
I just don’t understand how a guy that big and strong doesn’t absolutely dominate on the defensive end. His rim protection is basically average and his length really didn’t disrupt offenses. For perspective, Sim Bhullar was better at blocking shots. If Edey didn’t do well on that end of the court in college, I think he’ll get destroyed in the pros.
neither do I, but the topic of cognitive neuroscience is fascinating. In basketball terms, it might be called processing speed or reaction time or anticipation.
Sam Vecenie has Bub Carrington in his top 8. Said his three point percentage was over 40% in the final 20 games. over 50% on midrange pull-ups. good assist-to-turnover ratio. Highlights are amazing. With his footwork and pump fakes, (and processing speed?) he has some Jaime Jaquez in his game. Kings already worked him out. He should be a prospect to discuss.
A Jaquez type player would do wonders for this team. That fourth or fifth best player that is the glue. D. White also comes to mind. We really don’t have a player or prospect like that.
That’s a big part of my love for Tristan da Silva.
Second.
have you looked at Baylor Scheierman?
yeah, the comparison I’m making is more about the precision, the footwork, the advanced move sequences, the midrange jumpers and fadeaways. It’s impressive.
Sim Bhullar was probably Vivek’s biggest grift since he’s been owner. Sign an Indian player to lure Indian King’s fans. Bhullar had no business ever stepping foot onto an NBA floor.
He is perfect for a franchise that has never played defense.
Purdue’s guards really let them down in that game. They had lived on an inside out game all season. Feed Edey sure, but then he will kick out to the open man when he inevitably draws the double team. But, UConn closed out so quickly that none of Purdue’s guards were willing to shoot the three the way needed to to be successful. Thought their guards played a bit scared to be honest.
Not true and u conn could not guard him at all with a top defensive center . He will be taken at 8 to the Spurs .
I think Edey would be a terrific pick at 13 . May not be a perfect fit early but he has skill to go along with massive size and Domas has the ability to make it work . A lot of hi-lo post play and more zone D would be possibilities . Kings need to think outside of NBA box. . Take a swing Monte !
The path the Mavs took to reach the Finals when it was completely unexpected during the regular season is pretty instructive for the King’s FO. Does the FO remain patient and take the slow approach or do they finally make some all in type moves this offseason?
https://www.theringer.com/nba-finals/2024/6/18/24180855/luka-doncic-dallas-mavericks-mark-cuban-nba-finals-2024
OT: Boy, what a disappointing, lopsided NBA Finals. Dallas had no business making it that far.
A Cinderella story like the Miami Heat from last year is nice, until fans realize they have to sit through a championship series against a clearly superior team.
Two years in a row.
I watched bit and pieces of games 1, 2, 3, boring. Then I watched most of game 4…also not entertaining.
Your Celtics won.
Zach Edey College Stats | College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com
Go to this site and scroll down and look at how many firsts Edey has. It’s incredible. Two-time college player of the year in consecutive years.
If he’s available at 13, I would take him. He’s bigger and stronger than anybody in this draft and I personally think that with his great attitude and BBIQ would fit in with the Kings.
But that’s just my opinion.
And you might certainly be correct. But the college game and the Pro game are not the same. Heisman Trophy winners are not necessarily NFL stars. Even the record setting ones.
On the NCAA side, the 2011 College Player of the Year was James Taft Fredette. (#7 in a Kings uni)
I might be in the minority here, but I think we need to seriously look at bringing in a guy like this and sliding Domas to the four. Yes, it would mean Domas would have to get more comfortable with his outside shot. But we NEED rim protection and Domas is never going to provide that. I’ve heard people say the Domas couldn’t guard 4s, but I think he’s actually better at guarding athletic bigs than people who overpower him.
Domas also dominates centers who are aren’t as powerful as him, so playing against 4s he’d be amazing. True, we’d have to see how Edey does against NBA centers, but his game is not just based on backing down smaller players. There’s a reason he’s received all the recognition he has.
I would still rather package the pick with other pieces for a starter. But if we are going to use it, I wouldn’t have a problem at all with going for a player that could totally change the team dynamic. With a guy like this at center, Domas at PF, and Keegan at SF, we would no longer have an issue with bigger front courts dominating us.
There are far better rim protectors than Edey. He’s just not very good defensively.
On the offensive end, both Domas and Edey make their money in the paint. Having both of them down there will just clog things up and defenses will just sag down low giving Fox all the 3pt shots he can muster. It won’t be pretty.
Just to clarify, I don’t think we are ever going to get very far in the playoffs until we can seriously protect the rim. Just too hard to play playoff D without that. And we clearly can’t win against big longer teams. (See NO.) So, you either have to bring in a PF who can guard big centers, which is really hard to find. I mean there’s a reason why Green was on a championship team even though he is a a jerk.
Or you have to slide Sabonis to the 4, which means he has to take the outside shots he’s been shying away from. I just don’t see any other way we make the next jump.
Now, you can argue whether or not Edie is the guy. I honestly don’t see him as just a lumbering 7 footer. But great, give me a guy who can protect the rim against guys who overpower Domantas and stretch the floor, and I’m sold. But since those are so freakishly rare, I’m okay with bringing in a guy who needs to score at the rim and trusting that Domantas can stretch the floor if he doesn’t have to be hunting rebounds because no one else is.
I totally see you point, but Edey isn’t that guy. His DefRTG is actually quite poor. If you want rim protection and a guy who can knock down 3pt shots, instead of moving Sabonis to the perimeter, go for a guy like Holmes. Leave Sabonis in the paint where he excels and can create for others. Sabonis needs shooters and cutters around him and Edey just doesn’t fit the bill.
Yeah, I admit that I don’t know enough about Edie. He might not be the guy.
But I’m sorry, I just don’t see a 6’9″ PF guarding the centers that abuse Sabonis. He is not bringing us any closer to stopping a team like the Pelicans.
I love Sabonis and I’m so glad we have him. But there’s a reason that long teams abuse us and he really struggles offensively against powerful centers who take the close shots away from him. The only way I see that working would be if we brought in someone like Lopez or Green who could take on that task. I don’t see Holmes as that person.
But if we can slide Sabonis and Keegan down to 4 and 3, we could handle that kind of length. IF Sabonis really can’t start making the outside shots, then I guess we have to live with it. But I’m not convinced that’s the case.
Domas doesn’t need to score. Often, he doesn’t even look to score. He is a Point Center or Point Power Forward. He rebounds the ball, he passes the ball and he mostly scores from down low. That’s his game and he is darn good at it. He looks to score if needed to.
Finding a scoring – shooting, front court mate who can aid low post defense and will thus also rebound the ball would be ideal.
Naz Reid always comes to mind for me. In this draft, I can’t see looking to draft a starter. It’s a weak draft and the Kings are mid-first round. Even in a strong draft, mid-first rounders have a higher chance of becoming starters, but they are still hopefuls, not expecteds.
Drafting Zach Edey as a back up isn’t such a bad idea. He would replace Alex Len at the worst, IMO. For the Kings to get starter level front court talent, and have them in the line up by next season (or the season after), they will have to acquire that player by trade or FA signing. Otherwise, just plug Trey Lyles in – he fits the description as well as DaSilva, DeRon Holmes.
If you want something different, Kyle Filipowski.
Kel’el Ware is a different version of the Zach Edey back up- mobile, shot blocker version, but also a low post player primarily.
Just my opinion.
I agree as it pertains to Sabonis.
Here you have a guy that has made All-NBA the past two seasons. Maybe taking this round peg and trying to pound him into a square hole is not the answer.
Yes, it would be nice if he added to his perimeter game, but you can’t add pieces as though he is there already (or ever will be).
A stretch 4 that can provide weak side rim help. That, and the defense as a collective playing better and more consistent basketball, thus slowing the onslaught of wings flying to the basket. Sabonis is at least capable as a man defender. It is as a help defender where he is not as strong, but jeebus he is tasked with helping much more than he should be.
I think that whoever is taken at 13 is a core bench player at best for this season, and I think that the pick needs to be spent (either directly or via trade) on someone that will crack the core rotation. I don’t think that the difference between Edey and Len would be significant this coming season, so I’d rather re-sign Len for cheap and use the pick where it is more needed, and that is at the stretch for and/or the wing.
But it is entirely possible that I am sleeping on Edey.
I agree. Moving an all NBA center to 4 would be a massive risk. But if we don’t, we have to get a player that can fill in for his weaknesses.
And I also agree that is highly unlikely to come with the 13th pick unless someone like Edey or Filipowski is a sleeper. I just really hate seeing us talking about trading for/drafting wings or guards who aren’t going to solve the biggest glaring problem we have.
I’ll stop arguing it, but I really do think that if we already had a big rim-defending center, and had the opportunity to being over Sabonis as a PF who could rebound, pass, and play point big man, I think we’d be looking at this differently.
I see him as a great player who could dominate at the 4 or 5 depending on who he was playing with. I know that didn’t work in Indiana, but I don’t believe that means it couldn’t work.
There is a type of player that would be a great fit in between Sabonis and Murray (again, provided that the guards get much better at defending their assignments at the point of attack). Most are not available, but they exist. And this is by no means the entire list:
Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith Jr., Jaren Jackson Jr., John Collins, PJ Washington, Jalen Williams, maybe Jaden McDaniels, maybe Tobias Harris, Naz Reid (as untouchable as Chet and JJJ at the price, imo), Herb Jones, Jerami Grant, Brandon Ingram.
Again, not all are available, and most are not perfect. But I think that they all represent a superior fit and therefore an upgrade over Barnes, who I think is still a fine player, but a wonky fit between Sabonis and Murray. I think that this path is the way to go compared to making a 4 out of Sabonis, at least until such time that Sabonis shows opposing defenses that they have to come out and get him.
Someone like that would definitely help.
What centers do you list as “abusing” Sabonis? I could see Jonas Valanciunas possibly fitting the bill or just negating Sabonis, but I really can’t think of any other. “Abusing” would lend me to think of someone who shuts Sabonis down while dropping a 20 and 10 game on him.
Holmes is actually the same size as Sabonis, but with a longer wingspan.
I think Sabonis is athletic and will surprise people as power forward for moments.
He lives in the paint because he doesn’t have a choice.
I agree…
He won’t be ready straight out of college but for 15 minutes a game this could be interesting.
I think there’s a place for Edey in the NBA. I get the concerns, but I think he’s more skilled and mobile than he gets credit for. He’s giant, but he’s also more than that. He’s not Sim Bhullar. That being said, I felt Mo Bamba was going to be a legit NBA center. And I was high on Bol Bol. So what do I know?
It’s still a fun exercise to list some of the Giants of the NBA –
Mark Eaton, Shawn Bradley, Georghe Meuresan, Bryant ‘Big Country” Reeves, Rik Smits (not “our” Rik Smits, who is a giant of this community, though)
Chuck Nevitt!
The Pels don’t currently have a center and there are 5 legit ones available in the first round: Clingan, Filipowski, Edey, Ware, and Missi. Clingan is likely gone in the top 10, but if the Pels are desperate for the best center available, I could see Monte picking said player at #13 and flipping him to the Pels in a package for Ingram. Now, whether that’s Edey, Filipowski, or whomever remains to be determined.
Pels have 21 I believe. The distance between 13 and 21 is quite a bit. If the Pels covet a specific player, they might be tempted.
At 21, TDS, Filipowski, Edey, ? Ware will be gone but Missi and DaRon Holmes could easily be there and the kings would have ingram.
I see a similar path with Washington who holds 23 and Kuzma.
or the NYK who own 2 late first round picks + Randle (although I don’t like Randle at all)
I could totally see the Kings simply trading the #13 for the Knicks #24 and #25, especially if they like guys projected to go late in the first round.
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