The NBA Finals are over and now the NBA’s attention turns to the NBA Draft, just one week away. New reports are coming in all the time, so here’s an update on where we are at right now as far as the Kings go:
Darius Acuff Jr. worked out for the Kings
Sean Cunningham reported yesterday that Darius Acuff Jr. worked out for the Kings in Sacramento last week. Acuff Jr. has widely been reported to be Scott Perry’s favorite target in the draft but it remains to be seen if he’ll actually be available at 7. Both the Clippers and Nets have seemingly expressed interest in the Arkansas guard as well, with most mock drafts having him slotted at either 6 to Brooklyn or 7 to Sacramento. In addition to Sacramento, Acuff has reportedly worked out for the Nets (6th), Bulls (4th & 15th), Bucks (10th) and Jazz (2nd). The only other top prospect that has reportedly worked out (or will work out) in Sacramento that we have heard anything on is Keaton Wagler, although that report hasn’t been confirmed by anyone local.
Kings don’t appear interested in trading up
In ESPN’s latest mock draft, they had Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr. slated to go to the Kings at 7, noting that the Clippers and Nets both have interest in Brown at 5 and 6 as well. Jeremy Woo and Shams Charania note that though Acuff appears to be the Kings top target, they don’t seem that interested in moving up from 7 to grab him if he does indeed go before them, instead seeming comfortable taking the best remaining guard that falls to them. That’s probably the right move given the Kings general lack of long term assets. Woo also mentions Flemings as a potential Kings target here.
Giannis trade market could shake up the draft
The Giannis Antetokounmpo saga continues in Milwaukee with all indications appearing to be that the Bucks want to have some closure on this by the draft. The most interested teams appear to be Miami, Boston, Portland, Minnesota and Orlando. One rumor indicates that a Boston deal would send Jaylen Brown to Milwaukee, who would then look to flip Brown for even more assets. That’s where teams like the Clippers or Nets could get involved which are ahead of the Kings in the draft order and might indicate why the Bucks have worked out several players that seemingly won’t be in their current range at 10 like Acuff.
Kings have had exploratory talks with Charlotte about Sabonis
Another rumor that came around recently was that the Kings and Hornets were talking about a deal for Domantas Sabonis, with the Kings insistent on getting one of Charlotte’s two first round picks back (14 or 18) in any such deal. By all accounts, the Hornets don’t seem willing to include any picks for the All-Star big man but maybe that changes come draft night.
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