The Sacramento Kings stayed at pick 9th at the 2021 NBA lottery, and we did an instant mock draft to give a first-impressions look at how the draft landscape might look when Monte McNair and the Kings are on the board at pick 9.
In this episode, we discussed:
- How I was a false prophet, clinging to denial and praying the Kings would end up with a top pick
- Instant reactions to the draft lottery outcome, including how happy we are for Detroit and Toronto fans
- What are the odds of the pick being traded?
We finally ran a mock draft using our own personal boards, with the following selections:
- Detroit Pistons: Cade Cunningham, Oklahoma State
- Houston Rockets: Evan Mobley, USC
- Cleveland Cavaliers: Jalen Green, GLeague Ignite
- Toronto Raptors: Jalen Suggs, Gonzaga
- Orlando Magic: Jonathan Kuminga, GLeague Ignite
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Scottie Barnes, Florida State
- Golden State Warriors: Moses Moody, Arkansas
- Orlando Magic: Franz Wagner, Michigan
And with the 9th pick, we selected former Duke player Jalen Johnson for the Sacramento Kings. Johnson is a 6’9 forward with playmaking skills on both ends of the court, a strong rebounder, and some promise on his long range shot. His stats from his time at Duke are wonky, considering he only played 13 games at Duke before choosing to leave and prepare for the draft, but he averaged 11.2 points, 2.2 assists, 6.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 1.2 blocks, and 2.5 turnovers per game. Those defensive numbers are pretty dang impressive even considering the small sample size, as he finished his collegiate career with a 6% block rate and a 3.1% steal rate.
As the draft gets closer, we’ll run more mock drafts, hopefully with more insight into how these teams feel about these players. Who would you have picked at number 9 given this order? Let us know in the comments!
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I like Jalen Johnson, but think as of now, I’d go with Sengun.
I’d probably opt for Keon Johnson, but I know nothing. I’m going to be hard-pressed to be all that upset over who we select at 9.
McNair would have to go pretty far down the draft board to find a player who I wouldn’t understand taking at 9.
What I really want is Marcus Bagley at 39.
I mean once Marvin is gone which player is going to inspire 200+ comment threads?
Marcus is the Bagley TKH deserves, but not the one it needs right now.
you are mean. Dad’s gonna kill you.
Agreed. That’s why this is one of the first years, I didn’t sweat out the crappy wins at end of the season. I usually do. I never thought they could get below maybe 6th record wise.
I’d prefer 6 obviously, but barring real luck whether they were 6th or 11th, this range of players (5-12) always felt about the same to me.
I’ve seen at least one mock that had Johnson coming here. On the other hand, since yesterday, I’ve not seen one with Fritz going any higher than ten, with some having him out of the top 14 entirely.
Hoping that the best player available isn’t an undersized guard, although there are some intriguing prospects in that category. Then let’s grab EJ Onu at #39, and run fast and far.
Bleacher Report has Wagner to GS at 7. Rookiewire has him coming here. The Ringer puts him in Orlando at 8.
I’ve seen a lot of questions about Frans’ lateral quickness, i.e. he’s not a wing. But he’s not a physical player either. And that he’s limited with his off hand. Sounds like a guy an opponent can hide their bad defender on, at least during his rookie contract.
how about JT Thor instead?
Question: without talking about player rankings, what do you think of Jeremiah Robinson-Earl as a prospect? He measured 6’9 in shoes and looks like a PF who can guard 3s and 4s. High IQ. Quick feet, always dialed in. Good rebounder. The only questions are his 3-point shot and does not jump high. Are there good indicators that he will develop a 3-point shot? (eg., mid-range shot) (eg., catch and shoot %) who are some comparable players who make up for their lack of hops with positioning and IQ? How would he look in the team’s rotation of forwards? (eg, playing with Barnes at the two forward spots)
next to Harrison Barnes, not Scottie
I think he’d be an excellent grab for the 2nd round pick, regardless of fit with other players. I do believe in his shot, and think he’s got good feel on both ends of the court. Could be an excellent addition to the big man crew. Probably gonna end up one of my prefered 2nd round grabs, unless someone insane (Edwards for one) falls.
Good to know you believe in his shot. If that’s true, he’s already a lot better than Bagley and could join the rotation of forwards immediately. There aren’t many guys in this draft I can say the same thing about, which means he’s being undervalued and overlooked.
Great episode. I wouldn’t be mad at all with Jalen, assuming his background / interview go well. High upside pick they definitely has downside, but high upside as you guys spelled out.
Although, my guess is that he’ll be gone by 9 unless his background / interviews are terrible. The same way Pat Williams moved up to 4 last year, there are just some GMs who will aggressively go after a player with great physical traits, high block/steal rates, and nascent dribbling /passing / shooting skills. Even if his basketball IQ is questionable and some of those emerging skills are underdeveloped.
One scenario I could see is the Magic. I agree with you they would like another playmaker, but this FO alreasy acquired Fuktz, Anthony, and Hampton. With Vuc gone, another frontcourt playmaker. So I could see them taking Barnes at 5 and being happy with Kuminga, Johnson, or Moody at 8. Would fit John Hammonds MO of drafting/acquiring long, athletic players like Giannis, Middleton, Thon Maker, Isaac, Bamba, Hampton, etc. even with skill/basketball IQ question marks for some of them.
Obviously if they think Kuminga is BPA, he fits that mold as well. But there’s going to be other good wings at 8, while a playmaking, long, athletic big is unique.
Sengun is my worst fear. We already wasted a lottery pick on Bagley. We don’t need another skilled big who can’t play NBA defense. No one is talking about Garuba and he’s gonna be good. After the combine, I looked up JT Thor and I like him much better than Sengun as well.
I’d like to see more of Garuba. His defensive highlights look good.
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