While 16 teams play on for basketball’s highest honor, the Sacramento Kings are again waiting for the yearly dance of the ping pong balls to set the 2021 NBA Draft order. With the draft on the horizon – July 29 at the Barclays Center – it’s time for Brenden and I to kick off the Kings Pulse and Kings Herald draft coverage.
While both of us have plenty of research still to do, we talked about all the lottery-range prospect we’ve reviewed and answered questions from twitter, including:
- Jalen Suggs or Jalen Green at pick 3?
- Our concerns with Jonathan Kuminga
- The massive depth of wings and forwards in the range of the Kings draft pick – including Scottie Barnes, Moses Moody, Jalen Johnson, Franz Wagner, Keon Johnson, and Josh Giddey
- Our least favorite realistic lottery picks – Davion Mitchell and Corey Kispert
- Why the 2021 draft class isn’t as deep as the 2020 draft class – and where guys like Tyrese Haliburton would have ranked in this draft class.
Who are your favorite lottery prospects in the 2021 Draft? Who are your sleepers who may rise to be in the lottery by draft day? Let us know in the comments below!
The Kings Pulse podcast is available on all major listening platforms.
Let’s go big and grab EJ Onu at #9.
That’s a SPICY take.
(IDK who I thought you were talking about, but I’ve just educated myself on EJ Onu)
He sure looks like a guy who has all the tools to be effective in the NBA. He could be available in the second round, but I have a feeling as the draft get closer, he’s going to be showing up on a lot of teams’ radar.
On the plus side, he still has room to improve, but on the other hand, he’s still a bit raw in some aspects. The Kings are pretty terrible at developing players, but if he starts in the D-league, improves his post game, and dominates against legit prospects, he could find himself an important cog in the Kings’ young core.
I think he would be available with our second pick but thats risky imo
I’d think an organization like the Spurs might have the structure in place to turn him into a great player, although with them being in the lottery instead of the high twenties, they might not want to make that high of a reach.
I’d think that any of the last 8-10 teams to pick in the first round will be in a pretty good position to grab him up as a high-upside project, so I agree, the second round could be too late.
I think it’s more likely that he goes undrafted than he goes in the 1st round.
Not seeing him on any boards, however, that probably has more to do with the small school. He might be able to make some noise in the draft camps.
We’ll see. He has some glaring issues beyond just being out of the D1 spotlight. You’re right that camps and summer league will go a LONG way to determining where he lands for next season. He’s going to have to prove that he isn’t just beating up on smaller, weaker competition, that his shot is at least to some degree real, and that in his other skills are at least good enough to let his strengths play.
I haven’t seen any clips yet, but maybe he can be this year’s poku.
This is the most comprehensive report on him that I’ve seen:
A very nice shooting stroke, a former track athlete with quick feet, good instincts on defense, and a 7’6″ wingspan.
I like hearing of that 7’6 wingspan. Quick feet is also a great thing.
His speed on closeouts, and ability to make up ground even if the ballhandler goes by him is almost startling. I think he’s going to do well at pre-draft events, and will improve his stock.
Plus, his parents are Nigerian, so he’s not scared of hard work.
Why is being out of the D1 spotlight “a glaring issue”? Marvin Bagley was was in the D1 spotlight and he is a collosal bust.
Great players come out of nowhere and bely conention. I said back in the day, after he shot like 42% FGs, Donovan Mitchell is a STUD.
I saw that potential in him before the draft and look at him today. I see that same potential in Kai Jones and “gurus” are dismising him.
Though I have to study him more. EJ Onu looks like a very intriguing prospect to me and being out of the D1 spotlight is the least of my concerns.
I could be wrong but I think BHE was pointing out the weaker competition as well as the lack of spotlight. I didn’t take it as an assessment of his talent. During the combine we will see him against better competition so we can get a better assessment of his talents then.
Correct, I was explaining why you don’t see him on many of the mocks and big boards. Being out of the D1 spotlight clearly impacts his exposure. Add that do the competition level questions and the usual age bias and you have a guy that isn’t likely to show up in those places regardless of what you think about his ability. It will be interesting to see if he decides to enter the draft or use his extra year of eligibility to build on his resume. Perhaps by transferring to a higher level. A number of big D1 programs (Indiana, LSU, THE Ohio State, etc.) are reported to be interested. He’s pretty young for a 4th year guy, so I can see him seeing if he can push his name way up the draft boards by showing he can do this at a higher level.
agree- undrafted
That guy is a beast, I am not immediately opposed to your idea, though I never heard of him until 2-3 minutes of clips ago, so know very little of him except a few impressive highlights.
I agree with the guys on the Pod this draft gets thin after Top 5.
I am souring on Jalen Johnson, and sweetening on Kairie Williams (sort of), but I got to bring my own “spicy take”.
Scottie Barnes game is TRASH. So the guys who have a “crush” on said player or want to put him in a tier of 6-10 draft range is a JOKE.
Scottie Barnes is a 2nd round pick. Taking a flyer on a seriously flawed player is worth it around this point of the draft. If you think Barnes is a legitimate prospect at 6-10, where our Kings will be picking most likely, every other opinion you offer is seriously suspect.
Scottie Barnes is a loser sham player. If McGenius wastes our pick on Banres (which he won’t), his new name in my book will be McDunce! Don’t do me dirty McGenius!
The last time there was a wing with “dominant” defensive potential who went high in the lottery his name was Marcus Smart at #5.
Smart was a 36% FG shooter for the first 3-4 years of his career, a meadering player who was a unsightly to witness, and only figured out his offense after quite the tumult to become a capable player.
Barnes is NOT nearly the prospect of Smart.
The team that drafts Scottie Barnes in the lottery deserves what they get….a BUM!
Oooh, he has muscles, the physique, the “tank” body……haha, he sucks, and he is NOT a fluid athlete.
I was FOOLED by Robert Woodward because he had the physique, and I thought he could defend all over the floor. But when it became obvious he could only defend 10 feet from the basket, and no further out, his value depreciated preciptously.
If Scottie Barnes was a fluid athlete, then we could talk about his “upside”. Then we could talk about the Dennis Rodman – like potential. Hes not that guy, nowhere close!
Here’s the problem with these draft “analysts” who assert Barnes is good, tantilizing, and offer cliches like he can guard positions 1 through 5. Opinions get regurgitated out of uncertainty and insecurity of one’s own ability to do independent analysis.
It is a circle jerk of nonsense.
So again, Scottie Barnes is high on your draft board? Everything else you say is discounted.
This is why I do NOT listen to media, with few exceptions. I don’t listen to “draft gurus”. I am my own guru, with track record to trump them all 🙂
Scottie Barnes is HOT TRASH. He’s worse than DaQuan Jeffries, and we waived him. But the power of the collective turns his alleged merit as a prospect into forgeone conclusion.
Why did the guys on the Pod not mention Kai Jones.
Kai Jones is a BEAST.
Kai Jones may turn out to be the better player than Mobley.
You want defense? Kai Jones is your man, NOT Scottie Barnes.
As an aside, if Vlade was still our GM, he would draft Scottie Barnes, then after the decision was made, he’d confess “oops I thought I was drafting Scottie Pippen”. 😉
Kai Jones or Franz Wagner is who I am looking at #9.
And that is most likely who McGenius has his sights on too (and maybe EJ Onu)!
Wouldn’t it just be easier to write a book about it?
No, I have written books, two to be exact, but this topic is not book worthy
Top 5- Cunningham, Mobley, Green, Suggs and Kuminga in that order although I have some questions about Kuminga.
The next 7-8 are all over the board but thoughts:
S. Barnes cannot shoot
J. Johnson has been a flake
Kings don’t need Mitchell
The three SG’s are all solid in this order: Moody, K. Johnson and Bouknight
The wings are solid- Wagner and Giddy
Kai Jones and I. Jackson are risks.
Sengun is interesting. Not Kispert.
My preferred order after the top 5: Moody, K. Johnson or Bouknight ( have not yet decided) then Wagner and then Giddy. Then Sengun and then Mitchel. That gets Kings down to #12. I suspect #9 and that one or two of the ones I don’t like will take up some of the slots. I suspect K. Johnson, Barnes and Moddy will be gone, leaving Bouknight, Wagner or Giddy. That’s not too bad.
Second round: around #39– BPA – consider one who drops or a Euro.
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say you’re probably the same guy who liked to write about “Folley” non-stop, just to see the nickname you coined being used, never mind you were the only one using it.
Your nickname game is whack. Please stop forcing them down our throats.
Also, for a moniker like “Kings4Ever” you rarely have anything nice to say, ever, Grant. Are you not getting enough attention on your podcast?
If we jump into the top 3 I’ll take Kuminga. If we stick in the 9-12 range then its Josh Giddey or Alperen Sengun.
You’d take Kuminga over Cade, Mobley, and Green?
I’d take Kuminga over Mobley and Green for sure.
Are you going based off needs or BPA?
For me it’s always BPA. That is why I have Suggs ahead of Green.
I like Kuminga but probably after Mobley. Heres to hoping the lottery works in our favor.
Yup let’s hope we could strike lightning in a bottle twice and jump into the top 3 and hopefully get the 1st pick.
That would make 3 times in the last 4 chances.
and just off law of averages, my bet is Vivek would find a way to screw this one up solid. Here’s to staying at 9…lol
Mobley feels like a guy who can really fill some of the holes here. I think that getting a center-sized center is the most pressing need, but we’ll have to jump up pretty high to have a shot.
Kuminga looks like he’s going to be good, but will require a lot of time and development, and I’m doubtful that either are available here.
I would expect Mobley to play more at PF early in his career. I think you’d still want to add another center-sized C.
If the Kings jumped to 2 and draft Mobley (which is my clear and obvious preference), I’d hope they’d still find a way to retain Holmes. I think Mobley can play next to a more traditional center early in his career.
I agree. Similar to the way JJJ plays with JV. That said, I don’t see Holmes as a traditional center and, while they CAN play together, I don’t think that’s the ideal fit.
How interesting. The guys I’d target would be cade, Mobley, kuminga, barnes, ziare, and garuba, in that order.
For me aside from the top 5 players I’d like the Kings to get Sengun, Giddy, Ziaire Williams if it would be in the 9-12 range. If we trade down to the 20’s to late first round then target guys such as Josh Christopher, BJ Boston, Kessler Edwards
I’m all about trading down if you can’t get the top guys from the draft.
DON’T TRADE DOWN. RARELY WORKS OUT
I would replace Ziare and Garuba with Keon Johnson and Moody. Keon just because he looks like he will surprise a lot of people in a year. Moody has a 7’1 wingspan….the potential.
Kings might be able to get garuba with their 2nd pick potentially. Moody and johnson seem a pipe dream to fall that far. Ziare, who knows. I’m sure someone in the teens to twenties will pick him up.
I have it slightly different: Cunningham, Mobley, Green ( who seems better than this year’s Edwards), Suggs and Kuminga
I’m hoping Scottie Barnes drops to 9 if we stay put in the draft.
Can’t shoot.
Wagner shoots it much better and plays a slightly less brand of D but over all better for the NBA
Josh Giddy is definitely an interesting prospect and one that I would love some deep analysis on. My worry with him is his shooting. He’s seems like a bigger version of Ricky Rubio. All that said, a 6’8″ playmaking wing is intriguing.
Keep in mind that Rubio is a bit of an outlier when it comes to shooting development. It’s actually kinda crazy that a guy with his skills and FT% hasn’t been able to find a serviceable outside shot.
Jason Kidd is another one that comes to mind…Ben Simmons too, minus the FT%
Kidd finally found a consistent outside shot (though not a versatile one) in his 30s. Before that it would really come and go. Simmons is a weird one because he just won’t take it. But when he does it actually looks pretty okay.
Not worried about Giddy’s shot. The stroke looks good. Plus having a playmaking wing would be really good for this team. Would love to see him together with Haliburton. Guys like Bagley (if not traded) would really benefit having 2 playmakers on the lineup together.
I’d hope Giddy fills our missing role lost with Bogadanovic. He is taller with handles & Point guard skills. I don’t know what his 3pt shooting looks like though? He’s an interesting prospect. Mysterious. The rest I’ve seen.
But we have 4 guards better than Giddy. You want to add a 5th guard inferior the 4 guards we have (presuming we re-sign TD)?
Are you saying Giddy is better than Wright or Davis? No friggin way.
Our problem is we dont have any wing depth besides HB and maybe Lou King. That is why we need to look long and hard at Franz Wagner as a PF/SF and Kai Jones at PF/C if we keep the pick and dont jump up.
And perhaps more prefentially trade this pick in a package for Sabonis or Siakum . This is the priority and focus of McGenius in my estimation and I know how he thinks.
Josh Giffy is a scrawny little wannabe. Not a serious lottery propsect. Are you talking about a 2nd round pick? Even that may be a reach.
What don’t you like about Giddey as a potential nba prospect? I dont like that he has a negative wing span to height, but he looks like an otherwise smart player that can do a little of everything.
Are you saying you want us to spend our lottery pick on him? And do you think he’s better than Wright or Davis as backup guards?
Even if I grant that he has skill, which he seems to have to have, I am not seeing where he is an upgrade in any way.
Giddey would get destroyed trying to guards 3s, which is also why I would be hesitant about a guy like Zaire Williams, though he does have better length and agility than Giddey to get through picks.
Do you know one reason Luka is so good? Dude is like 240 pounds. That is why a guy like Franz Wagner can be an immediate impact player for us, he’s got the bulk to go with the skillset.
Just based on my superficial impressions, if Giddey was to make it in the NBA, it would be as a SG, but Terrence Davis is already better than him, so HARD PASS.
I was asking why you didn’t like giddey as a prospect because you seemed very against it right off the bat. The answer is you see him as a shooting guard, and he’s much too thin to be impactful without more beefing up.
I’m not advocating for the kings to take him at 9 or 10. If the kings traded down one or two times and he’s still around, maybe? Giddey, to me, seems to be in that smart player that does a little of everything well mold. Kings got that guy last year in haliburton.
I feel like the kings need to shore up on defense this draft. Kings always draft offensively inclined players.
Giddey is a defensive player? He did not impress me as a defensive stopper thugh admittedly I only watched his clips for a tad.
I am with you if we can get him beyond the lottery and with our 2nd rounder, #40 or whatever, then that is okay, but do you envision him as better than Wright or Davis, or do you envision him as a backup SF behind Barnes?
Because unless you can make this progniscation with confidence what is the point? It is important to think practically instead of theoretically.
Hypothetically if we drafted Giddey with our 2nd round pick, he is NOT the difference between our pathetic team performance and respectability. Sp why does it even matter? Our relevance and potential prominence as a team has nothing to do with his addition or absence so why is it even if a relevance to you?
If Giddey played D like Rubio did before he came to the nba, I’d draft him in the top 5. I think defense is his biggest question mark.
I had to watch some tape on Giddy. He doesnt look quick so I need to see more lateral quickness videos for his defense. He reminds me of Grevis Vasquez but you can see the IQ/creativity easily.
I like Kuminga, but the guys on the Pod did not make valid points about his low effenciency. That cannot be ignored. And same goes with Zaiare pathetic scoring effeciency. It shows a lack of refinement and polish.
Jalen Green was 61% TS%. By conrast Zaire was 47% TS%. Pathetic! How can you make a claim to be a formiddable lottery pick and you cannot feast against Division 1 competition?
And yet Zaiare has very nice shot mechanics and a 1-2 step mid-range pull-up. He has nice footwork and shot form so what is the problem? You cannot fall into the “Ben McLemore Trap” lurred and deceived by seemingly sound fundamentals when players has the yips on the Big Stage.
Ziare Williams is very much a suckers bet as is Scottie Barnes. And I want to like Ziaire bc he has the slithery ability to get into the crease of the defense, get around picks to defend, and has the nice arc on his shot.
But if this does not translate into production then you are just likely too stuck in your head, too overcome by pressure of the moment, unlike a fearless player like Terrence Davis!
Ziaire and Barnes are high risk prospects likely to result in regret whomever makes the bet upon them. Yeah it could work out, but we are talking about probabilities, and Kai Jones and Franz Wagner are the higher probabilities, the better risk vs reward. Clear as day.
Correction. I meant to say the guys on the Pod did make valid points re: Kuminga.
Ultimately Kuminga will be off the board when we likely pick at #9, so his fortunes are irrelevant to Kings Land.
The bottom line is the best thing we can do, barring a trade package for Sabonis or Siakum, is draft Franz Wagner or Kai Jones.
It is SO obvious but I do like EJ Onu and certainly want to throw him into the mix as well.
Now is time in the draft process to be inclusive not exclusive towards any viable candisate and that is my mindset.
As I detailed 10-14 days ago, we need a C/PF, PF/SF. and SF/PF, or if you prefer two combo Fs and one combo C to our 7-man core, presuming Holmes and Davis reupped.
This draft decision takes skill and prudence, unlike when Fox was available at #5. Any dummy could have made that pick.
The #9 pick in this year will be comparable to the #10 pick we had back in the day when foolishly traded down for Giles and Justin, a collosal failure that set back the franchise 5 years or more.
That situation at #10 took skill and deft touch, of which our GM was seriously lacking, a clown pretending to be a prince.
This time around, our GM is salivating at the challnge, to validate his worth, and will likely bely convention because that is where the homerun payoff exists. The homerun pick is where the conventional sentimental is least likely to lie per the draft gurus, the Scottie Barne sycophants.
This is what makes this draft intriguing, more than normal, the mental dullards are likely to express outrage on the day of the pick, only to eat crow and disappear into the woodwork when the proper prospect emerges valiantly.
If we move up on lotto day, the pick is easier. If we stay put that is when the real work officially commences.
Read through this thread and I shouldn’t ask, but why do you engage the board in the pompous/asshat way you do? You obviously spend a lot of time on your posts and trying to give information, so it doesn’t feel like your just trolling in reading through all these. Feels like you want to engage and possibly receive validation from some of your opinions, which aren’t all ridiculous.
This community seems important to you by the amount of time and effort you put into it…why do express yourself in such a dickish and know it all manner? Probably could get more engagement from others on actual topics which you are interested about, rather than just getting thumbs downed by everyone because they don’t want to deal with the non sense. It would be nice for people to want to engage with your takes instead of the odd persona you have taken on here.
I won’t respond back, but just thought I’d ask since many members are ignoring your posts mostly and this is assuredly the reason why. Which is a bit unfortunate because you obviously put some effort into them.
I like this Rap 87…my initial thought weeks ago on Sengun, was no way in hell. The more I read and watch clips he seems like a high floor and possibly a high ceiling. Not a ton to like about the measurables, but lots to like as a basketball player/skill. Just seems unlikely to be able to fail while putting up those kind of efficiency/stats in that good a league.
Yup and with us picking around the 9-12 range that is perfect for a guy such as Sengun. Has all the skills to be successful in the modern NBA. Can shoot (although most of his clips show his play down the post) but with having such a sweet stroke I doubt that he cannot be a plus shooter from the outside. Has good handles (probably even better than Hield), great mobility, plays competitive, and a decent playmaker from the post. This guy has no problem passing the ball unlike Bagley when he gets the ball in the post 9/10 he gets tunnel vision and would try to shoot the basketball even if defense is over him. That is not the case for Sengun. Probably in the minority here but if we end up picking 9-12, I have no problem if the Kings draft Sengun or Giddy.
Your boys are flying up Vecenie’s Big Board:
https://theathletic.com/2627461/2021/06/03/vecenies-2021-nba-draft-big-board-3-0-five-rising-prospects-and-why-entry-numbers-dont-tell-full-story/
Am I crazy to think Suggs should go #2?
He looks like a huge talent.
Anyone 2nd pick and on who needs a primary ball handler should be licking their chops for this guy. Dude is a winner.
Not at all. Honestly, I think any of the Suggs, Mobley, Green, Kuminga quartet could reasonably go 2nd. Especially since they’re all such different archetypes.
I think he should go #3 at the latest (whether Mobley or him should go #2 depends on the needs of the team picking #2).
Favorite prospects and favorite sleepers? Assuming our pick is 9-10, I’m still trying to figure that out. There’s a steep drop off after those few players at the top. I’d be happy if we got the BPA regardless of position. I’d also be happy if we get a dependable 2-way forward who gives us 20 good minutes a night off the bench. Are there any solid players considered bigs in college who are quick enough to change their role and guard 3s in the nba? BHE, what do you think?
Kessler Edwards
Love this. One of my sleepers as well
If the Kings trade down or can get a mid to late first via trade, I hope they select Edwards. A legit 3 and D wing who loves to play defense.
Why not select him at 9 or 10?
Sure why not, throw Kessler Edwards into the mix, along EJ Onu, because a guy like Scottie Barnes is a friggin joke, a fraud and phony, and so is Zaire Williams if you look at his stats.
The field is wide open after the Top 5, and that is why I am happy McGenius is at the helm.
Who will be the better nba player, Kessler Edwards or Corey Kispert?
Kispert
Depends on role and opportunity. Kispert is a turn-key floor spacer. So on a team that has playmakers and defenders in place, he’ll step in and play a key role like guys like Duncan Robinson and Joe Harris. But Edwards offers more 2-way upside IMO. Personally, for the Kings, I’d rather have Edwards. Which means I would MUCH rather have Edwards PLUS the extra assets from trading down than take Kispert at 9.
Of course, whenever reading my BS, you should keep in mind that I’m a big fan of BBIQ 1st and versatility 2nd. So specialists like Kispert are always going to slide down my board. Probably farther than they should.
I agree on Jalen Green at 3. For Green, I would hope to emulate the Jazz with Mitchell, Conley, and Clarkson. Fox, Haliburton, and Green would be fun. I definitely want to see his height and length measurements.
I like Holmes and Mobley but I think they are both 4s primarily. Maybe we can sign Alex Len, I wish we would have resigned him last year.
Jared Butler is my under the radar guy. I am intrigued with Kai Jones and would be excited for Moody. I would be nervous/scared of a Jalen Johnson/Scottie Barnes pick.
Moody would be great but someone has to pick from 6 to 8–K. Johnson (6) + Barnes ( can’t shoot)(7) + one other– Mitchel or J. Johnson. Then Moody drops to 9.
if he does not drop- then Bouknight or Wagner or Giddy or Sengun. Not Barnes, Mitchell or Johnson or even Jones
A season with a top-heavy draft, the FO decided to go all-in (and fail) on the Play-in tournament, and we are likely to pick around #9….brilliant.
Thank you for getting all of us up to speed on what happened a few weeks ago.
Never forget the bad decisions… Kangz.
OT: This could get ugly in Minny.
https://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/1399844139559272453
I said it when all of the talk about this began: Alex Rodriguez is a cheating piece of shit, and is as comfortable with lying as he is with breathing.
The only thing worse than a bad team is having no team.*
*I will concede that it’s possible that a lot of us might be better off had the Kings remained in Kansas City.
We’re trading the pick.
I fully expect that after Brenden and I do a dozen or so prospect profiles and a ton of pods on this topic – that Monte will trade the pick.
Or trade back to the late first round and some 2nds then draft players you never got to do a profile on.
Another interesting yet raw prospect would be Makur Maker. 7 foot with point guard skills. Definitely could be had in the late 2nd round. Bring back the “twin towers” with Maker and Onu….
Makur Makur = Bol Bol.
They’re pretty different players. Maker has a much better frame and is a more fluid athlete but, obviously, hasn’t shown that he can impact at a higher level like Bol did at Oregon. Personally, I would be happy to take buy a late 2nd and take a flyer on Maker. I was saying the same thing about that 52nd pick last year. Though, in hindsight it would have been great to have just kept Martin, Jr.
Agree with comment on Martin- he turned out well so far. and Kings traded Trent a year or so previously for other picks. Bad decision.
And, I agree that Makur and Bol are different. I just liked the symmetry of the equation. However, not sure if Makur is worth #39/40 second round.
I agree. If I were targeting Maker, I’d probably just try to buy something like the Nets #59 on the cheap. Or pursue him heavily as an UDFA.
Corey Kispert is worth a 9th or 10th pick. Think Dan Majerle or Kyle Korver.
Korver is a ceiling comp. His median comp probably looks a lot like Doug McDermott. Which isn’t a terrible thing. Doug is a useful player in the right role/system. Though that isn’t really something I would want to spend the 9th or 10th pick on. Majerle was a different type of player. Much more of a high level athlete and defender. Much less of a shooter.
Agree with all of this. If we had the defensive infrastructure to handle another neutral-at-best defender (Kispert is smart, but he’s going to absolutely be limited against NBA athletes), I’d value Kispert more than I do. As he is, he’s outside the lottery for me. I just really don’t want the Kings to draft another questionable defender.
agree. Lucky ceiling is Korver but doubtful. I think Wally Szerbiak. and agree not worth a 9 or 10. Let the duds have him at 14- they want “immediate” impact guys.
and yes, he does not defend.
Revised draft opinions:
Top 5- Cade, Mobley, Green, Suggs, Kuminga in that order.
The next 10-12 are fluid. Most draft “experts” have Barnes and K. Johnson next. Vecenie does not.
In order, I like Sengun, Moody, Wagner and Bouknight.
I hope that Barnes ( can’t shoot) (6), Mitchel ( don’t need a PG) (7), and J. Johnson (? attitude) (8), and K. Johnson ( still raw) – all go before Kings pick at 9 or 10.
The rest of my lottery is Giddey, . Then Jones, followed by Garuba, Kispert and I. Jackson. Kings should get a good pick-even one of my top 4 and a choice of two of them if somebody takes K. Johnson, Barnes or Mitchel which seems likely.
Sengun is a risk. Multi-skilled on offense, a work in progress on D. My other three are high floor with some ceiling potential. Wagner has the best mix of offense and defense.
I know that the Kings are simply terrible defensively but I would not draft a guy because “he plays good defense”. i.e. Barnes Take BPA and sort it out later.
Second round- BPA but look at Euro players. Some are ranked lower this year because of lack of scouting and exposure.
I’m not sure of the rest of the equation, but I would happily take Prkacin in the 2nd half of the 1st or early 2nd. There’s a chance (though maybe not a great one) that he falls to the Kings’ 2nd round pick. I think he, Edwards, and Herb Jones are all really good targets at that 39 spot or, more likely if you really want them, after acquiring a pick in the 20s somehow.
Herb Jones may be around at 39. Prkacin probably late first. There is a Belgian guy ( long name) who will be around at 39- tall, rangy, versatile
Edwards gone last first.
Picks between 6 and 14 are all over the place.
Vrenz Bleijenbergh. Yeah. I’ve been talking about him for a while as well. He’s also a guy to consider buying a late-2nd for.
Badge Legend