With 34.4% of the last vote, Tari Eason is off the board. He joins Jeremy Sochan, AJ Griffin, Dyson Daniels, Bennedict Mathurin, Keegan Murray, Jaden Ivey, Shaedon Sharpe, Paolo Banchero, Chet Holmgren and Jabari Smith Jr.
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.
This poll ends at 5 AM tomorrow. The next one will begin shortly thereafter. We will go roughly 20 picks deep.
We’re officially out of players that I’m intrigued with. I’m going with Johnny Davis, who seems to be the most boring but safe pick here.
Same. The only thing that concerns me is that he has the name of baseball player, not a basketball player.
He has the exact same name as a very good NBA player, and a Dayton Flyer to boot.
You aren’t intrigued by prospects like Davis, Jovic, Agbaji & Dieng?
Wouldn’t say they intrigue me. Interesting to a degree, but I’m not draft heavy in my interest overall when it comes to the NBA.
As a Kings fan, the draft inevitably plays a large role for me. I’ll be happy if the Kings makes the playoffs often enough to change that.
Sure. I get that. For many, that’s what this time is year is for. For me, it’s just another month in the business of basketball.
Of course, having been a Kings fan since the early 90s, my viewpoint is different.
I’ve been a fan since the mid-90s & remember the golden age. The draft wasn’t as important to me then, but it started playing a large role again during the last few years of the previous owners.
I remember back in the day the draft was important then the Kings drafted some stoner from Florida a kid named Predrag from another country. Lord help this franchise.
Yep. I really never got into the draft much until the late 00s and the StR years.
Even then, after awhile, that interest waned. Partly what makes this draft so compelling is not only the Kings situation, but the players available. This might be the bellweather draft we look back on and say ‘Yeah, this really did change everything.’
Or it might be a major league dud. Hoping not, and if I’m honest, I believe Monte McNair and this FO has a feel for talent. So I’m more optimistic than I would be if Vlade Divac were still in charge.
Davis will have a better career than Murray.
Wow… care to elaborate?
Sure. Just my opinion, but while I credit Murray for rapid improvement, I say he was used brilliantly in a great system at Iowa. I like how Davis can score down low and will take open 2’s and not always be looking at 3’s. I like his mind-set, defense and really like his competitiveness.
While I like Davis, I don’t think he’ll be better than Murray. Hitting open mid-range shots is good, but hitting open 3’s is more important to me.
Thank you for the honest opinion.
I chose myself. I can sit on the bench with the best of them.
THIS WAS AN OPTION?!?
Nice move, pal.
Davis here. Like the defense and hustle.
It’s between Davis and Jovic here for me. Went with Jovic for his size.
At worst, I think Davis will provide Will Barton levels of contribution but still with significant upside.
Went with Dieng this time, even though I think Davis is the smarter choice. JD is going to be a good NBA player who will contribute early, and is likely to improve. He looks like a player who is going to be a solid contributor, and is going to make people look dumb for passing on him. At #12, the Haliburton comparisons are apt, assuming that anyone has made any.
Dieng is a crapshoot, and seems overhyped, but he is intriguing.
Sorry, wrong reply.
15,000-word reply to you is in progress.
I look forward to skimming it.
I didn’t know you had doctorate thesis writing in you Sims. Good to know.
It hasn’t been easy. Ignore the typos and formatting, I’m using Corel WordPerfect from 1991.
You’ll always be scarier than that King guy to me, you Gemcity Moronabus.
This would not be a good deal IMO but I’m hearing the Kings are entertaining this trade with Cleveland. It apparently is a draft night move if the first three picks go according to form. So maybe Johnny Davis slips to 14.
Hmmm, hard to see the Cavs move Allen after how much success they had with him in the line-up this year.
I’m inclined to agree. They’ve got a very nice chemistry in Cleveland, and they can afford to add a cheap, complimentary piece at fourteen, instead of a primary player at four.
I do want to add that Allen is a god damned delight, and I would love to have him here, even though he wouldn’t help in stretching the floor, which is probably job one right now.
I’m still of the opinion that simply adding high end talent is job one right now. I’m also optimistic that Sabonis will add a bit of range to his game. I don’t think he will or should start shooting 5 3s a game. But shooting 2-3 on decent efficiency would change the roster complexion a bit.
Sabonis should definitely be working on that, but as I’ve said the past few offseasons, so should Richaun Holmes.
Holmes has decent mechanics, and shoots free throws well. I truly believe that he can shoot close to league-average from distance, and I’ve been disappointed each season that he takes those shots so infrequently.
That could be about coaching, of course, but even that shit-head Luke Walton would allow a player to take shots if the player showed a facility for making them. I think. Maybe not. I guess it’s hard to say what Gentry would have permitted, since Holmes was unavailable while AG was calling the shots.
If Holmes has good looks, he should be taking 3-4 threes per game, until we have a body of work from which extrapolation might be possible.
I’m going to disagree. Holmes has a huge mechanical issue. He has a big hitch in his shot that has actually gotten worse over the years. He’s going to have to make big adjustments at this point. Now, he has good touch and should be able to make those adjustments, but it will take commitment and probably at couple seasons before it’s a weapon of any sort. Sabonis, on the other hand, just has to extend his range a bit and, more than anything else, adjust his mentality to seek out quality 3s.
Good points, thank you. My concern with Sabonis’ ability to get better from distance is that his shot is very flat, which means that if he doesn’t swish it, it’s more likely to bounce out than to fall in. It’s understandable, given how big he his, since when he takes shots in the paint, at the point of release, the rim is often below where his shot starts. If he’s going to make threes, he’ll need to create a wholly separate kind of shot mechanics. He’s very talented, so I do think that it’s possible.
I hope Sabonis surprises all of us with a very pretty-looking shot from the arc when training camp commences.
Brook Lopez is a good example of a post player who found an outside shot over time. He didn’t start shooting 3’s until his 9th season and has become a very respectable outside threat. He is now career better shooter from 3 than Fox is. I think that is the best would could hope for in Sabonis.
That’s an excellent analogue for Sabonis.
I think because Sabonis is such a dangerous passer, I’d rather him take 16 footers consistently.
I’d be fine with 2-3 3PA, though. He’s capable of that.
This. I don’t think you’d ever want him transitioning to the 3pt line as much as Lopez has. But a few a game to keep people honest on the PnR and help defense would be good.
He also gobbles up an average of 3.2 offensive rebounds per game last year. That’s 9th best in the league. The more he moves to the perimeter, the more you hinder one of his greatest strengths.
This is an important point Adam. Domas is so wonderful on the boards, taking him from those had better be worth it.
Holmes is a long long way from being a range shooter. There’s nothing in his technique that has major flaws that would suggest he will be a perimeter shooter.
keep in mine the team went backwards this year and that’s with the addition of Mobley who performed beyond expectations.
What do you mean they went backwards this year? They were 22-50 last season and 44-38 this season (35-21 with Allen in the lineup).
LOLOLOL. The only reason they missed the playoffs was because Allen AND Mobley missed so many games down the stretch.
They were a top 6 team before that. Even with their real offensive issues.
Garland, Mobley, Allen, Okoro, LeVert, Markkanen, Love is a pretty interesting top 7. We’ll see what happens with Sexton. Personally, I expect them to try to retain him on the cheap because of his injury, and otherwise SnT him. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them try to use Okoro & Markkanen as trade bait to get a fully-formed 3-and-D wing or two.
Yep. They overachieved quite a bit, too. But next year? I highly doubt that applies. The Cavs are a very interesting team to watch this summer and beyond, that’s for sure.
Right I was posting two different responses and got them mixed up. I was thinking of Atlanta. My mistake.
No problem. I figured it was something like that.
Allen and Sabonis would be a horrendous fit on the offensive end, I just don’t see how that would work. And if you’re the Kings, you can’t pass up the chance for a real talent at 4 for Allen. Allen’s a very good player, but again I don’t see the fit on offense, although on defense it would be legit.
This is the conundrum of building around an extremely flawed player like Sabonis who you have to cover for on defense with the right big whilst having to find the floor spacing big on offense. It’s tough to find a big who can do both.
I’m not a big fan of Allen. I’m not concerned about fit, I just don’t think he’s a difference maker. The Kings need to find someone who could potentially be a top 15 player and Allen isn’t the answer. That would be a good deal for Cleveland given how well Mobley played.
While I like Allen, I don’t think Allen & #14 would be close to being enough for Barnes & #4.
Yep. Allen is a very good overall player. He would absolutely improve the Kings. Honestly, adding him and Davion to the starting lineup could go a LONG way to making the Kings a decent defensive team. But I don’t think that’s what the Kings should be doing with their #4.
This. I love Jarret Allen, but I think that’s a bad way to utilize a premium asset.
That’d be awful & a horrible mistake.
Agree but I fear it might happen.
I would fear Vlade doing that deal, but I don’t think Monte would do it.
Try not to be afraid, it’s only basketball.
I’m afraid this is far too deep and philosophical for him to understand. I wish he did, but I rarely get what I want.
What about Holmes and the 4th pick for RJ Barrett and the 11th?
Holmes is a cheaper option than re-signing Mitchell Robinson, and he is probably an upgrade from Nerlens Noel. Knicks can pick Ivey if he is there to help out at the PG position.
Kings get a real starting SG in Barrett, or even a SF if they choose to play that way. Kings would also have the 11th pick for Sochan or whomever they think is BPA.
That’d be awful. There’s a massive difference in the talent available at #4 & #11. I’d want a legit All-Star to move down that far, not Barrett. The lowest I’d be willing to drop w/o getting a legit All-Star is #6.
I wouldn’t do this deal either. RJ Barrett just isn’t that good IMO.
Maybe the idea of RJ Barrett is better than actually having RJ Barrett. He seems like he should be much better.
100% agree.
100% on this trade, I think RJ is a future allstar for years to come.
No chance Monte pulls the trigger on that deal
Sooooo, uh, what do we think the price on Donovan Mitchell would look like? For what it’s worth he and Fox are on the exact same contract, except it looks like Mitchell’s last year is a player option.
I think we don’t even make an offer. We’d want a third star to pair with Fox/Sabonis, so I don’t see us giving up either (and if we did, we’d have to include enough additional assets that it’s probably not worth it).
But a Fox/Mitchell/ Sabonis core would be such a poor defensive fit that it would basically limit our ceiling to a first-round exit (great for Monte/Vivek, bad for retaining our Fox/Sabonis/Mitchell core). Not to mention we’d need to include the #4 pick and a plethora of other picks and swaps to get a deal done.
I’d prefer to sit this one out.
I agree that the Kings won’t make an offer. But if they WERE to consider it, I personally wouldn’t be trying to create a Fox/Mitchell/Sabonis core. Rather, I’d be looking to move Fox in the deal and give up fewer draft assets.
Yup, I could see a Fox for Donovan Mitchell package that doesn’t include the #4, and Monte going all in on a Mitchell squared backcourt.
Davion and Donovan are a better backcourt pairing than Fox and Donovan.
Donovan, De’Aaron, Davion, Donte, Davis and Domantas could be delightful but defensively, disastrous.
But ultimately unlikely.
So Fox plus future picks? Then draft your Fox replacement in Ivey at #4 and hope it works out?
I’d be open to that.
Honestly, I don’t see Ivey as a Fox replacement, he’s an off guard and would hopefully be a cheaper version of Donovan Mitchell/Brad Beal/DWade.
Ultimately, if you really want Donovan, just draft the cheaper version of him at #4, move Fox elsewhere (if you can) and start Davion next to Ivey.
As I say above in so many words,
Ivey isn’t the cheap version of Mitchell. He’s the pupal version of him and there’s a very good chance he never develops to Mitchell’s current level. I’d rather pay market rates for the fully-formed version of Mitchell than draft Ivey and hope that he someday makes the huge leaps needed to reach that level.
IF you were to swap Fox for Mitchell and somehow retain the #4, I don’t think it significantly changes any draft priorities.
Yeah, I agree with that. In a perfect world you move Fox and future assets for Donovan and keep the #4 off the table.
You’d be banking on Davion, Donovan, Barnes, #4 and Sabonis making the team significantly better to where those future assets aren’t as valuable down the road.
I wonder if Fox and top 3 protected 2023 pick for Donovan is enough? Maybe a lottery protected 2025 as sweetener?
Me too. And reality says it’s not that complicated. The real trick is finding your own Donovan Mitchell.
Ivey isn’t a replacement for Fox, and you don’t really need to replace Fox because your backcourt is Mitchell/Mitchell. Donovan is really your “Fox replacement.” Ivey, in your more optimistic of dreams, may someday become as impactful as Donovan Mitchell.
I’d do a swap if the Jazz would entertain trading Donovan which does not seem to be the case right now.
Fox, Barnes and the 4th pick for Mitchell and O’Neal.
If possible, I’d rather give up multiple future picks (even unprotected) than the #4. On a sidenote where I’m nitpicking fantasies, I don’t think the money works on that deal.
With Quin out, I could see the Jazz trading both Mitchell and Rudy and seeing what they can get for Conley, basically just starting a rebuild, especially with how stacked the West currently is.
I’d love to see Donovan and Rudy on different teams.
Suffice to say, the draft and trade season should be fun this year. I can see a few teams simply capitulating and starting rebuilds or semi rebuilds. Of course we are in a perpetual rebuild even though our FO doesn’t know it.
You wanna get crazy? You could probably build a reasonable trade that sends Fox to UTH, Mitchell to SAC, and Gobert to CHA. Obviously with other pieces and picks.
That’s crazy. Doubt Utah does that.
Oh, I agree. I actually fully expect both Gobert and Mitchell to stay in Utah. And, of course, I fully expect Fox to stay in SAC.
As usual, what I would consider doing and what I think will actually happen are two very different things.
So people ripped Fox for not playing defense, so they want to get Mitchell, who plays just as bad in defense and has worse court vision. Like why? He shoots better, but slashes worse. And he takes so many bad shots and doesn’t have that high of an IQ.
People like Donovan Mitchell because he plays on 50 win teams. But I do wonder is he the most valuable player on that team?
And1: Utah’s problem is they are good, not great, to use a phrase used around here a time or two, and now they are stuck in neutral. And, as so often the case in the professional world, if you aren’t moving forward, you’re moving backward.
What every team does does have ripple effects, but Utah’s might be a 9 or 10 on the Richter scale if they move on and tear it all down since that seems to be the ultimate plan anyway. I mean, I know they are saying they are keeping Gobert and Mitchell, but that roster is maxed out. Nothing would shock me with the Jazz at this point.
I don’t think that, or really any, roster is maxed out. A great draft pick or smart second tier signing could make for a leap forward. They have two top 20 performers in their prime years. That’s a great place to start. While they may have stalled a bit, I’d be really shocked if a team that’s consistently been a middle seed blows it up.
The 1990s Bulls and 2015-19 Warriors might really disagree with you on that.
I disagree. Gobert is not one of the 20 best players in the NBA, and he’s absolutely not one of the 20 best values, either. Unfortunately for Utah, he’s a lot closer to Domantas Sabonis in actual value but he’s making a lot more money IMO.
Mitchell isn’t versatile enough on either end to be a top 20 guy, and he isn’t so great at what he does to require you building a roster around him either.
I don’t know this will be the year but I can definitely see next year being that year.
Eh, they’re pretty neck-and-neck. I wouldn’t argue too strongly either way.
I would love Donovan/Sabonis much more than Fox/Sabonis.
In a straight up trade between Fox and Donovan, the Kings would obviously have to add something to it whether that is the 4th pick in exchange for the Kings getting a future pick or players I don’t know. It’s hard to ascertain both Fox and Donovan’s value around the league. But it’s clear that Donovan holds more value. If the FO is looking to make the playoffs this season at all costs, make sense to try and trade for Donovan.
I’m guessing Utah would probably ask for Fox & #4.
As I mention above, I wonder if two future picks would do it instead of this year’s 4. Utah isn’t really a rebuild type of team, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they were interested in Barnes as well.
That could work, but I’d hope that they’d only need to give up 1 future 1st rounder if they also traded Fox. Trading Barnes would probably require giving up multiple 1st rounders.
I don’t think Fox and this years first and next years first would be enough so I don’t think the Kings have a shot at Mitchell.
I get why Eason’s intriguing, but that seemed way too high for him. I’m voting for Davis again.
I think at this point, the Draft Board has run its course. Time for TKH to bless us with the fun stuff like trades and rumor mill chatter.
There are still interesting prospects on the board. They can still do the draft board & also do articles about rumors & evaluating prospects.
“I’m still on the TKH draft board?”
“They chose Eason instead of me?!”
If the Kings want to swing for upside – Jalen Duren and Nikola Jovic are interesting choices.
Jovic might be a Hedo/Peja/Galinari type that would be a welcome addition to the outside shooting deficient Kings.
On the other end – a rebounding, physical, rim running presence like Jalen Duren is intriguing – though Richaun Holmes is that already and is on the roster.
I voted Jovic this time. The Jovial version of The Joker.
I am Jovic too
Duren for me this time.
simply for size/age/defensive potential
Standing 6-foot-11 with a 250-pound frame and a 7-foot-5.25 wingspan
I went with Duren. Raw physical specimen in the Deandre Jordan/Tyson Chandler mold. NBA ready body. Needs reps and coaching on defense. Lob threat. Rim Protector. Good/Great effort on plays. Doesn’t need to have plays called for him to be effective. Wish he rebounded a little more.
I hate it here sometimes (in Sac, not KH)…
https://twitter.com/NBCSKings/status/1533922325946679298?s=20&t=8OMd7PYyxBk_IGSuylyvpg
It all depends on who the Kings have on their big board. If their #4 is pretty on par with their #7, then they should strongly consider trading back and getting an asset to boot. Their #4 might even be available at #7.
Spitballed ideas:
#5 and Grant for the #4, filler (Holmes, Harkless and/or Holiday), and a future lottery protected first.
#6 and Brogdon for #4 and filler (Holmes, Harkless and/or Holiday)
#7 and Hart for #4, Holiday and Harkless
#8 and Ingram for #4 and Fox
#9 and Keldon Johnson for #4 and Harkless
FML… unless they fleece someone Murray or bust!
Eh, this don’t mean shit. It’s rumor SZN, that’s about it.
and only another 17 days to go…
lots of smoke and little chance of fire.
since anything goes…
Klay Thompson (and Kevon Looney) ($43M) for Richaun Holmes, Harrison Barnes and Justin Holiday ($37M) and the #4 pick. It might work with James Wiseman ($9M) in place of Looney, I don’t know how to adjust the trade machine for the #4 pick.
This is my choice for Ranadive dream trade #1. He gets a diminished ex-Warrior at $37M/yr and gives up the #4 in the process. It’s so Vivek!
I think Jovic is the one that will be picked much higher than any of the mocks. He’s 6’10, fluid ball handler, high bbIQ playmaker, can shoot, and defend multiple positions. I know he’s got challenges with on-ball defense, but he plays well off ball with help defense and in passing lanes (High BBIQ traits). His effort looks solid and will certainly improve. The only thing keeping him from being picked higher is the lack of lateral foot speed, which doesn’t look terrible on tape. He’s certainly faster than the guy whose name is eerily similar and had a nearly identical scouting report when he was drafted. Reading some of Nikola Jokic’s scouting reports from 2014 are hilarious. “will be limited to an offensive role player” “limited upside due to his limited athletic ability” “a poor-man’s Diaw” “Unfortunately, his defense will likely prevent him from ever playing 30-plus minutes or starting. However, there’s no shame in being a respectable reserve on a winning team in the future.”
I think Jovic’s most likely outcome is becoming a somewhat similar player to Bjelly.
Bjelly with a higher motor and more athleticism could be a very good player.
Other than his last season w/the Kings (when he was understandably upset), I don’t think Bjelly had a problem w/his motor. I think Jovic could easily be a starter in the NBA.
Voted Orlando Robinson….just to put his name out there for 2nd rd lobbying purposes.
Um, we’re far from the 2nd round.
Voted for Davis – a classic bucket getter with some defensive capability
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