With 32.1% of the vote, LaMelo Ball is off the board. He joins Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman, Deni Avdija, Killian Hayes and Tyrese Haliburton.
When a choice comes up, pick who you’d want the Kings to pick given all the players remaining. Note: THIS IS NOT A MOCK DRAFT. This is a draft board, a ranked list of prospects you’d like to see the Kings pick. In other words, if we were the Kings front office, when our pick came up, we’d take the top name left on our board. So pick your choice, not who you think Monte McNair or anyone else would choose in a slot.
Explain your choice in the comments, and lobby for who should be added to the next pick’s choices.
LaMelo over Isaac Okoro for a Kings team that hasn’t had a good defender in a decade… now you’re all just purposely trying to hurt my feelings.
Jokes aside, I’ve understood (if not agreed) with each pick up to this point, but Isaac Okoro is absolutely the best player left on the board.
I’m with you on Okoro on 8, as I would’ve been at 7, 6, or 5.
I’ve been pretty shocked at how many (I know this isn’t a) mock drafts that have Ball going first. One unremarkable season in Australia, and he’s the best prospect?
He could have a nice career, but kudos to LaVar Ball. He’s an insufferable prick, but he seems to know how to get NBA writers to drink his Kool-Aid.
Ball-Aid¢. Patent pending.
Agreed Andy. I understand that Ball can be exciting, but it is hard for me to translate that to the NBA game, especially with quality choices still on the board.
The questions for me is will he develop his offensive game in the coming years, or will he be another O.G Anunoby, Justice Winslow, MKG type of player. If he becomes an average offensive player, then he will be extremely valuable.
Yeah, I think there’s an offensive tier above those guys for someone with Lamelo’s level of size, ballhandling, vision, and athleticism even without a reliable jumper. OG, Winslow, and MKG don’t bring that full package as initiators on offense to counterbalance their poor shooting.
Rubio has had a long career with scoring that ranged from terrible to serviceable, Shaun Livingston was extremely hyped and still effective enough to salvage a great career after a devastating injury. Even Lonzo is a disappointment as a 2nd overall pick, but probably will end up the 7-8th best player in his draft. That wouldn’t be a bad outcome for someone picked 4-10 in what’s regarded as a terrible draft.
And obviously at the top end there are guys like Ben Simmons ad Russell Westbrook who are all-star level initiators while still being bad shooters. I’m not saying Ball is a perfect mirror of any of these guys, but the precedent is there for something better than a defense-only role player.
Wait, I’m not sure you two are talking about the same person.
Oops – thanks for the correction!
I like Okoro enough, but I guess I just don’t see him as a unique player. I’m not entirely certain he’s a significantly better prospect than, say, Bane or Green or Mountain Time Zone Bey or Trevelin or….
I vehemently disagree that he’s anywhere close to that tier of players – and if my daydreams of trading up pan out, I’ll enjoy reminding you of this take when he’s wearing purple and playing at a near NBA All Defense level!
If that happens I’ll be happy to laugh at myself about it.
Going with Okoro, again.
Obi Toppin again.
I’m also surprised Ball was taken ahead of okoro or okongwu. Offense hasn’t been as big a problem as the defense. Maybe folks see Ball as a better trade down target with ball than anyone else on the list.
Playmakers are the most valuable players in the game. We don’t have nearly enough of them. Last season, the Kings were 18th in the league offensively and 20th defensively. The previous season they were 16th and 20th. I’d say they need to improve both sides equally, but I’d also argue that improving team defense is easier to do with lower picks and value trades/signings than improving offense is. All that said, yes, we’re into trade down territory here.
I agree that high level playmakers are super valuable. I guess we just disagree about ball being that kind of guy. I’m all for getting as many lotto tickets as possible outside of getting a can’t miss player like a lebron or zion.
Trae Downs
I think a lot of GMs won’t buy into the Ball (or even Deni) hype.
Ball: + playmaking + slashing – shooting ability – defense
How on earth would that benefit the current Kings lineup over the rest of the prospects who have a more complete game?
2 words
////////////TRADE VALUE//////////////
I picked Okongwu. Athletic, strong, 2 way potential. Plus he doesn’t have a mid foot sprain.
Obi time.
v
I’m an Okongwu guy at this spot. At this point, I think my top 7 is Ball/Hayes/Avdija/Okoro/Haliburton/Okongwu/Williams in some order. Wiseman/Edwards just give me the underachiever vibes.
I’m with you. I kind of feel like I’d prefer to pick in the 3-6 range as opposed to having the #1 or #2 pick. Give other teams the risky option of taking Edwards or Wiseman.
Listening to Zach Lowe’s podcast, Hayes may be the only one in my top 7 that’s actually available at #12. The ESPN guys think he’ll get drafted in the late lottery at this point.
P.s. One thing I’d like to read is how a backcourt with two lefties could work. If both guards prefer to operate on one side of the court then spacing may be kinda awkward. On the flipside, maybe it forces both players to adapt. I honestly can’t think of an example in which as many as 3 starters were all left-handed.
I’ve seen teams like that playing in VA leagues.
TWO LEFTY GUARDS!!! THAT’S SOCIALISM!!!
That’d make me happy. I think Hayes is the best prospect in the draft.
Interesting but not sure if he actually drops to #12. But man if Hayes is the falling knife , I’ll be happy to grab him.
OT: The draft is getting close and not a report on the Kings actually working out some prospects. Yes, I’ve heard some reports about the Kings as one of teams that are “high” on a certain prospect but not an actual report of them interviewing or working out a certain player.
Makes me wonder if we would actually make a pick at 12 or Mcnair already has a trade partner in which it involves a certain kings player + the 12
Voted Vassell.
Ball? Really? Easily the most overrated/overhyped person in this draft. I simply do not understand why this kid is rated so highly. He’s a poor man’s Ricky Rubio who can’t play defense.
At this point, I like Nesmith’s combo of shooting & defensive potential.
Badge Legend