Sacramento Kings select Robert Woodard with the 40th pick in the NBA draft

The Kings selected the high-flying Mississippi State star, and YES HE CAN PLAY SMALL FORWARD!

By Bryant West | 11 Comments | Nov 18, 2020

With the 40th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings selected Mississippi State forward Robert Woodard, a 6’7″ swingman with highlight hops and an excellent defensive motor. Woodard averaged 11.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.0 blocks per contest for the Bulldogs in 31 games this season.

Woodard made a huge jump in shooting success this season, nailing 42% of his three point attempts and finishing in the 69th percentile for catch-and-shoot shots. If his shot continues to develop, he provides clear value as a 3-and-D wing, although he lacks the handle and decision making to be more than a role player offensively. On defense, Woodard is a high-effort player who has the quickness, fluidity, and length to be a disruptive impact defender.

Woodard was the 30th ranked player on my Big Board, so I’m clearly a big fan of this selection. And most importantly – YES, HE CAN PLAY SMALL FORWARD!

[Editor’s note: I am quite sad his name is not Bob Woodward. -Greg]

2020 NBA Draft / Robert Woodard

The Kings Herald Newsletter

← A final look at Sacramento’s draft prospects Sacramento Kings select Jahmi'us Ramsey at pick 43 →

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TitleChaser

November 18, 2020 8:42 pm

Two versatile guys who can play defense. Delicious.

Last edited 4 years ago by TitleChaser

MidtownMike

November 18, 2020 8:43 pm

Love it!

MaybeNextYear

November 18, 2020 8:48 pm

Does anyone have the details of the trade with the grizzlies?

Admin

TonyXypteras

November 18, 2020 8:49 pm

Reply to MaybeNextYear

https://twitter.com/ChrisVernonShow/status/1329278448980856833

Ellimist

November 18, 2020 8:48 pm

I’m not seeing details on the trade of #35, can anyone provide a link?

andy_sims

November 18, 2020 8:52 pm

I guess an extra grab in the 22 double draft is a small price to drop five and still get a good player.

PejaVu2

November 18, 2020 8:52 pm

You had Woodard at 30 on your board and the Ringer’s KOC had him at 20. Everyone had Haliburton in top 10 on their boards, usually top 7. So with the Kings selecting Haliburton at 12 and Woodard at 40 I think for once we are going to be called among the winners of the draft. Plus Ramsey is at least interesting and we’ll see about the last one (though unlikely to make the league long term/ even Ramsey is unlikely but you never know)

MaybeNextYear

November 18, 2020 9:04 pm

Reply to PejaVu2

And Sam Vecenie from the athletic had him at #21. His full scouting report is behind a paywall. Here’s his summary:

The skills are pretty clear for Woodard. I think he’s going to shoot it off the catch, which means I think he’s going to be a good 3-and-D player at the three and four positions. Ultimately, as mentioned above, the difference between starter and rotation player will be his ability to make reads after teams start closing out on his 3-point shot heavily. I don’t think he’ll ever be a shot creator at the NBA level, but if he can knock down shots and keep the ball rolling along the string, that’ll be enough for him given his defensive versatility. Given that Woodard is also regarded as an elite character kid who is intelligent and the kind of guy you want to have in your locker room, I’m willing to bet on him figuring out that game off the bounce to the extent that it’s not a disaster. At the end of the day, a guy like Woodard is a winning player in today’s NBA. Good character guys who also defend multiple spots and can shoot off the catch aren’t actually that easy to come by, especially guys with his kind of size.

GRADE: First Rounder

Last edited 4 years ago by MaybeNextYear

BestHyperboleEver

November 18, 2020 9:07 pm

Vernon is obviously dialed in to the Griz, but neither NBA or ESPN are showing this trade.

MichaelMack

November 18, 2020 9:14 pm

JJ had a good write up on him at The Athletic. Sounds like a very intelligent young man. He sure looks like he has an NBA body already. I like this pick.