According to Sean Cunningham of Fox40, the Sacramento Kings are continuing their interviews at the NBA Draft Combine, having spoken with AJ Griffin (Duke), Tari Eason (LSU), Kendall Brown (Baylor), Wendell Moore (Duke), Terquavion Smith (NC State), and Trevion Williams (Purdue), among others. Earlier in the week, Sacramento’s front office spoke with and attended the workout of Shadeon Sharpe.
If the Kings elect to stick in the lottery, AJ Griffin is the only listed name who could realistically make his way to Sacramento. Griffin is a classic 3-and-D wing out of Duke who managed to knock down 44.7% of his 4.1 three-point attempts per game, and his addition would provide some quality shooting and defensive acumen for a Kings squad that made just 11.4 long-balls per game last year, ranking 25th in the NBA. Griffin’s biggest knock may be his lack of explosiveness and injury history, as he’s sustained several minor to major knee injuries over the last 24 months, and he currently ranks 8th overall on The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie’s big board.
Eason is a bit of a different prospect, and it would be pretty shocking to see the Kings take him fourth overall, or really anywhere in the early lottery. Unlike Griffin, the LSU forward isn’t a volume shooter, having attempted only 2.4 three-pointers per game last year, and his percentages weren’t exactly exciting, as he sunk 35.9% of his attempts. But where Eason isn’t much of a shooter, he is one of the draft’s best perimeter defenders, and his fit with Sacramento’s lack of defensive identity is easy to see. If the Kings were to move back to the teens or early twenties to acquire a veteran contributor, Eason could very well be a target for Monte McNair and his crew, as he currently ranks 18th on Sam Vecenie’s big board.
Kendall Brown and Terquavion Smith are also potential trade back candidates for the Kings, although they may come toward the latter part of the first round. Brown is made up in sort of the same mold as Tari Eason. He’s a non-shooting (34% from deep on 1.2 attempts per game), 6’8″ forward who can defend multiple positions and thrive above the rim and in transition. If the Kings are looking for a lower-usage wing who can get into the open court with De’Aaron Fox, Brown could make a lot of sense.
Smith is one of the risers of the 2022 NBA Draft, and his strong play at the combine has continued to impress scouts, often drawing comparisons to Bones Hyland out of Denver, who was just named to the All-Rookie Second Team. Smith’s biggest drawback is quite literally easy to see, as he stands at 6’4″, but he weighs in at just 165 pounds. He’s a high-usage, high-volume shooter who wants to put up points more than anything in the world. Last season, Smith attempted 8.1 three-pointer per game and posted a usage rate of 27.5%. With De’Aaron Fox and Davion Mitchell already on the roster, it might be a little hard to see room for Smith as well, but if the Kings are seeking a straight-up gunner off of the bench, Smith might fit that bill.
There is still over a month to go before the NBA Draft on June 23rd, and the Kings will undoubtedly continue their due diligence to explore all avenues before making their final decision come draft night.
Report….Kings have a draft pick and players are trying to get drafted.
Here we go with what is now the ubiquitous 3 and D description. That’s become a very loose term. Griffen is far from meeting my criteria of 3 and D which is an elite shooter from range and a lock down defender.
Agreed. 3-and-D has become grossly overused. At the very least, the player should be above average at both of those skills.
The soft bigotry of low 3&D expectation.
GD it! This is a great comment ruined for me by the association with NCLB.
You should never let GWBj ruin anything for you. Jes’ sayin’.
What if we just switched it up a bit?
“Range and cage”
“Deep to Sleep”
“From Downtown to Make You Frown”
“Three and pee”
“shooter and pooter”
“downtown and clown”
”deep and eeek”
“on fire and dyer”
“fame and lame”
“maker and faker”
“bucket and fuckit”
“From Highlight to Off Night”
Definitely an elite shooter though!
just saw most of the combine scrimmage with team Erman vs. team Johnson. Roddy and Jalen Williams combined for the game winning steal against Gillespie, which led to a fastbreak bucket. Roddy is interesting. I do think he’ll be available in the 2nd round. depends on his role. he’d have to be involved as a playmaker in the offense to utilize his superior IQ and decision-making. his path might be to have that role in the G League and if he thrives, to have that role in an nba bench unit, and see how he fares.
So I saw Jalen Williams play in November against Fullerton State. At that time I didn’t know anything about him and I went to the game to see a player I coached at Fullerton State. As I watched the game I became very intrigued with his overall athleticism so I began following him a bit. Later on I think in late January I again saw him play against UOP and he had a very underwhelming performance scoring 8 points. Very confused by this guy because he does a lot of things well and is a tremendous athlete with great physical tools but you’d expect his production to be much more especially given some of his competition. Certainly worthy of a close look and he looked the part in the combine recently. Idk I think he’s an early second round pick but it will be interesting to see how he gets evaluated going forward.
Interesting. It seems like he’s been rising on the draft boards recently, into the first round.
If you’re interested, Spinella just posted a new video about Jalen:
That’s good stuff. When I saw him I was impressed with his court presence and vision. He played unselfishly almost to a fault. I kept wanting to see him take over the game which he appeared fully capable to do in the games I saw him but it didn’t happen.
This is the guy that has been shooting up draft boards right? Gone for a second rounder to a possible lottery selection, right?
Sam Vecenie has Williams at 21 in his current mock.
what are your thought on Dalen Terry?
He kind of gets overlooked because of Mathurin and Koloko. I think he ultimately returns to Arizona for one more. For whatever reason he chose not to participate in the 5 on 5 drills during the combine. I like him but I think he’d be better off returning to Arizona.
There’s an interesting “tall-initiator-guard-with-questionable-shot” archetype that’s appearing more and more. Not that it didn’t exist before. It just seems more prevalent now. And it’s a good one IMO, because I tend to believe (given the right baseline) shooting is more likely to improve than things like BBIQ and, obviously, size/length. Guys that I like to varying degrees in that category this year:
Daniels
Terry
Williams (though his shot isn’t bad)
Hall
I think someone of that archetype would help the roster. It’s like having Marco Scutaro on your baseball team.
It’s sooooo difficult evaluating these guys so I don’t have any strong opinions on who they should draft. I’m more focused on how the Kings utilize the pick either to parlay it into multiple picks or combine it with something to perhaps get us Jabari Smith. To me, we really need to find that player who can be a top 20 NBA player. Whether moving up or getting multiple bites at the apple is the best way, I’m not really sure. I would however be a proponent of moving Fox for another high draft and a serviceable player. That trade with the Knicks is something that interests me.
For you, at least, this is true. I agree there’s difficulty involved, but the real difference in opinion in teams comes down to need. Fair or not, that’s the reality.
You don’t have an ounce of the basketball knowledge, playing experience or coaching experience I have and that is the reality something you’re not familiar with despite your proclamations to the contrary. It’s difficult evaluating these guys and even the most knowledgeable and experienced evaluators get it wrong often but somehow we’re supposed to believe a habitual blogger like yourself. My god you need a massive reality check about what you think you know.
You give me the giggle fits. Thanks. Good way to wake up on a Monday morning.
Kings could get him in second round.
Griffin seems like a logical pick if the Kings trade back.
Griffen is okay, but for a trade up for anywhere at 10th pick or better and that is only if Murray and Sharpe are both off the board.
Murray looks NBA ready and Sharpe looks like a good early bench player that could earn a starting position by January.
However, I still think the Kings need to resign D. Jones and start him at power forward until/if someone can earn the position.
Great breakdown Tim! I completely agree with these assessments. and the paragraph on AJ Griffin is especially poignant, and insightful.
BTW, Davion Mitchell got Boned out of his spot on the All-Rookie Second Team, in favor of an undeserving Nugget, named Hyland.
Meh. Mitchell was 9-12 in his rookie class. Had he missed fewer wide open threes the outcome would have been different.
And is being omitted from the 9th or 10th slot on an all rookie team really getting “boned?”
Fox didn’t make all-rookie either, but Dennis Smith Jr. did. /Shrugs
ok
Yeah, he was a fringe candidate. If he had squeezed in nobody would have complained much (except, of course, a few fan base members of the guys that got squeezed out). But the guys that did squeeze in deserve it just as much or more than him.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter in the least.
Generally speaking, I’m more intrigued by what a guy does in year two than year one. You have a year of experience, there’s a book out on you, and so forth. Davion always profiled as a guy who was always going to make a very important leap from year 1 to year 2, IMO, and the Kings will be huge beneficiaries (obviously) of that if that’s true.
For my understanding, Sharpes perfect destination is OKC.
They can bet on him. If hes the star everyone is talking about, they trade their zilion draft picks for good players and can contend.
If he needs time, they have plenty of other oportunities via draft.
And McNair is looking for a right-now cobtributor = Chet or Smith.
Give the Thunder our 4th and next year top 5 protected first, move up…Orlando may take Smith, cause hes REALLY good, and tall, and smooth…
Welcome to Sac Hell Chet Holmgren!
I only do that if Orlando picks Chet
As a prospect, Griffin reminds me of Moses Moody a bit, whom I loved last year. Moody was a bit underwhelming, but still has a lot of growth ahead of him. Griffin is a bit bigger, and should be able to guard 2-4. His floor spacing would really help at the 3.
Admittedly, Sharpe looks better and better. I’m concerned he doesn’t look strong enough yet, physically, for the NBA, but with those hops, he could be special.
He seems unguardable in one on none drills .
Lakers coaching short list…
No Mark Jackson and the other 3: Kenny Atkinson, Terry Stotts and Darvin Ham – all 3 notably absent from the Kings search or crossed off quickly.
My guess? “skip Sac, listen to L.A. first”
end result: no Darvin Ham, true, but I’m still very pleased Mike Brown, and his incoming staff are to be in place wearing the Kings coaching crown this Summer and next season
Maybe waiting would have presented different opportunities, but doubtfully better.
Maybe the candidates like Ham and Hardy said “no” to Sac because the GM might not be there after this season, and they wanted to be with an org that was more stable? Take the initial interview to explore their options, then opt out after getting the information.
Noticing on reddit chatter about Sacramento essentially having a deal in place to move up in the order, but there are no other details, and no sourcing I could locate. In all candor, I didn’t actually look.
I’m not sure what the odds are of one of the consensus top three guys falling to four, but it wouldn’t be a gigantic shock. My assumption is if the Kings actually want to move up, it’ll be for Smith, since he seems like the least likely to be around at four. The question then, is, what would the cost be to get into the top two? Best guess would be something that included the four pick, and at minimum, Off Night. Smith sure looks like a world-beater, but I’d prefer him defending behind Mitchell, not against him.
This is a trade being proposed. I would do it if the Knicks took Fox instead of our 4 pick and we picked up the contracts of Noel and Burks.
New York Knicks Receive: C Richaun Holmes, SAC 2022 1st Round Pick (Pick #4)
Sacramento Kings Receive: G Kemba Walker, G/F Cam Reddish, NYK 2022 1st Round Pick (Pick #11), DAL 2023 1st Round Pick (Top-10 Protected, via NYK)
Walker, Michell
Burks, TD
Barnes, Reddish
Sabonis, Lyles
Noel and Koloko
Snatch Murray with pick 4 and maybe Mathurin falls to 11.
We then have two first round picks in 2023.
Is there any particular reason why everyone seems to think we need to trade Barnes and extending him isn’t an option?
He’ll take less for his next deal without question, how much no one knows. The guy is still a quality piece for a good team, only 29 and his game doesn’t rely on extreme athleticism.
If he would take a 4/48 ish type deal I think it’s a no brainer.
I’m all for trading down to get another vet and still maintain a high pick but don’t want to trade Barnes as the kicker, it needs to be Holmes.
Grant + #5 for Holmes + 4.
Draft Sharpe or Murray.
Fox, Davion
DD, TD, (Sharpe)
Grant, (Sharpe)
Barnes, (Murray)
Sabonis, D Jones
I doubt Barnes would take a 4 years/$48M deal w/the Kings. He might do that deal w/a better team. I’m not really interested in trading for Grant.
Even a 4/60 I feel like he’s worth it to this team to retain. He is being thrown in trade ideas as salary filler and I think it’s a huge mistake to trade him unless the upgrade is significant.
I’m only a fan of trading for grant if we retain Barnes and still have top 5 pick.
He would be an obvious upgrade to our forwards.
Why Barnes. His contract is up and you can lose him for nothing or trade him for something.
I see no reason why Barnes would want to stay in sacramento.
He’ll take less for his next deal without question
I would question why he should take less on his next contract. Evan Fournier signed a 4/78 last year, the cap will be higher next year, and Barnes’ current contract isn’t viewed as an overpay. He’s been one of the few players that were able to rehab his value while on the Kings.
As to why he’s included in hypothetical trades- he’s the best and highest paid player that the team isn’t explicitly building around.
I just don’t really like Grant that much. His usage went up and his efficiency dropped drastically. I would rather look at a Christian Wood trade. He might be more of a 5, but he could probably get it done next to Sabonis.
Definitely, was just looking at trade back but still top 6.
Wood would(no bun) be a very good #4 along side Domantis Sabonis.
SuperShaka has a good point. Fournier got an overpay of 3/78M from the Knicks. Barnes is looking at his last good deal, and it might not be in Sac. I think it would take a minimum of 4/64M to keep Barnes, and it might be front-loaded.
Having said all that, I think you see where you’re at with Barnes before you really consider an extension, and I think you consider where you’re at with this pick before you make a more concrete decision.
This is yet another example, MM, of why I think it’s a mistake to not align McNair with Brown. And why it’s a mistake to allow your GM, at least under these circumstances, to make a trade for Sabonis if you aren’t keeping him long term.
I can see the Kings trading down because there might be a player there they like. But I highly doubt they’ll trade Barnes to accomplish a deal.
Agree!
Sacramento is talent poor in comparison to the Western Conference teams they hope to compete against for a playoff spot. Removing from this roster a solid NBA starter level talent in Harrison Barnes does not make them better. This would not be an addition-through-subtraction change, as many felt to be the case with Buddy Heild and Marvin Bagley III. I don’t see much difference in talent between West Conf. starting 5 All-Star forward Andrew Wiggins and Harrison Barnes. Different players, sure, but I get the impression that substituting one for the other would yield different but very similar results these playoffs. It helps to be on the Warriors, of course.
I hope to see GM McNair add to the Sabonis, Fox, Barnes starters with better SG (3 and D!) and a frontcourt addition that can rebound as well as 3 n’ D (!). T Davis, D DiVencenzo, Davion are a decently adequate backcourt bench.
Watching this season’s playoffs there is lots of 3 and D, sure seems to be a popular flavor. So very many 3s. And man, I am seeing some gritty D as well. Make it so, Monte.
Excellent points throughout. But some stuff that sticks out especially (to me anyway).
There is a notion that letting Barnes walk would be ‘losing him for nothing.’ (Ahem, Adam.) And, while I don’t mean this to be discourteous to Adam (actually, yeah, I do, who am I kidding, I’m after his blogging soul!!!! We play for keeps around here), I think if Barnes walks it’s to a better situation where he’s winning more than what he is in Sac at this point. And maybe getting more playing time.
But there’s another element of it, too. Let’s say you draft a Shaedon Sharpe, Jeremy Sochan, Keegan Murray even, or whomever in the draft. You don’t know who you draft will end up being a starter out of those guys. With Harrison Barnes, you know if you have a young guy who is outperforming him there’s chances he could be an All-Star level player. Mainly because Barnes is a solid NBA player himself. Barnes will aid that players transition to the NBA, and, as we saw with Davion Mitchell, being an older prospect doesn’t come with an automatic reduced learning curve.
I agree, and I think it’s a testament to how much better Wiggins has becomes since arriving in San Francisco, and how good Barnes really is as a player consistently. People are more mad that Harrison Barnes isn’t an All Star level player than they appreciate he simply is a good player on a team that needs more talent.
I’m going to disagree slightly and say that I think McNair and the FO see’s Mitchell as a starting G with Fox coming into the season. But your points are certainly valid and reasonable from where I stand.
This makes the NBA boring to me. I’m tired of watching the constant stream of 3’s. Teams shoot them far too often, far too frequently. Sure, I get the analytic element of it, but I still hate it stylistically. It’s fun to watch great shooting talent like the Splash Bros shoot, but it’s less fun to watch every player on Miami collectively add up to 40 3’s taken. It’s where the game is at, I get it, but I still hate it.
That said, gotta go with what brung ya, and I do think it’ll be up to the Kings to figure out a way to buck that trend effectively if they do so. Otherwise, you gotta go with the trend.
Excellent comment, again, FF.
Starters would be Fox, Duarte, Murray, Wood, Sabonis. Backups would be Mitchell, Divincenso, Davis, Warren/Lyles and Jones/Queta. Appreciate any comments.
Thanks for the idea…
But I think
1) 2023 1st round pick is way too more valuable than Wood (Who only got 1 year contract left), which means, we gave up 3 serviceable players and one pick for one year rental of Wood. (I highly object it)
2) Okay trade
3) I would do that in a heartbeat if Pacers willing to give up Durate (As Pacers think Hali and Duarte is their future backcourt)
4) Okay
Instead what about dopping Warren and Jones and inserting Portis as the power forward? Would be the only free agent as he would demand most of our money. How we have the other assests mentioned for Wood for futher considerations.
#1: No.
#2: Also no.
#3: I’d be curious to the Pacers thoughts on Duarte.
#4: Duarte, Warren, Jones and, yeah. I’m clearly a dumbass in this regard. But yeah, that, too.
I think Wood’s a very good player, but that’s too much for a guy who’s contract is expiring. Why not just trade #4 & Barnes for #6 & Duarte?
Some serious money would have to be thrown in to make that deal work, Richie. Barnes makes about 12 million more than Duarte and looking at the cap sheet of Indy, you’re basically looking at TJ McConnell, Goga Bitadze and Duarte to pull that deal off.
I suppose Brogdon could be included, but then you have a much larger deal going between Indy and Sac at that point.
Yeah, I know some filler would have to be involved in that trade (it looks like Barnes will actually make $14M more than Duarte next season), but the most important part of the trade would be #4 & Barnes for #6 & Duarte.
Good question. I like it.
What are some collective thoughts on Jonathan Issac? Orl def taking a big which means they likely let Bamba go, OR trade Issac. Hasn’t played in 2 seasons so hiiigh risk but man what potential reward? Anyone here taking that risk? What’s the cost?
Does NBA allow conditions on picks like the NFL?
I wouldn’t want the Kings to trade too much for Isaac. The NBA allows picks to be protected. I’d want any pick traded for Isaac to be strongly protected. However, I’ve read that Orlando would prefer trading Bamba to trading Isaac, so I don’t think it’s likely that the Kings would trade for Isaac.
Bamba would be a really good backup to Sabonis.
The one thing that gives me concerns about Sharpe is that he is another Harden or Doncic.
Weird concern that he may be a league mvp or mvp candidate…
Although I think you mean general playstyle
It’s definitely a weird concern, but I don’t think Sharpe’s handle or playmaking is good enough for him to be a player like Harden or Luka.
You mean he could take the playoffs out of Fox’s hands?
What about trade Barnes and #4 to Portland for Hart , Simmons ad their #7
Well played, AN, well played.
Any chance Wendell Moore slides into the 2nd round?
Badge Legend