Sacramento Kings: 5 options for pick No. 5 in 2017 NBA Draft
Dec 7, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks with guard De'Aaron Fox (0) and guard Malik Monk (5) during the game against the Valparaiso Crusaders in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Valparaiso 87-63. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Holding the fifth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings will have their pick of the litter to add a high caliber prospect to their promising foundation. The question is, who that player will be?
It's more than what they could have asked for, but getting the fifth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft came at a price for the Sacramento Kings.
Heading into the draft lottery, the Kings had a 72.4 percent chance of landing eighth overall in regard to their own pick, since they finished with the eighth-worst record in the league this year. But with their selection tied to pick swaps with both the Philadelphia 76ers and the Chicago Bulls, the Kings couldn't afford for any draft lottery surprises.
As it turns out, one of those pick swaps ended up going into effect on the night of the lottery as the Kings' pick vaulted into the top three, leapfrogging Philadelphia's pick at No. 5 overall. Regardless of how we got here, the Kings now stand within the top-five of what is a highly regarded draft, which is a surefire upgrade considering where they were being projected.
Of course, that inevitably brings up the question of who the Kings will target at that spot.
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With the decision to deal DeMarcus Cousins at this year's trade deadline, the Kings pressed the reset button and decided to start anew.
Luckily for them, they had the makings of a jumping off point with a foundation in place as all three of Buddy Hield, Skal Labissiere and Willie Cauley-Stein displayed their promising potential over the second half of the season.
Now with not one, but two chances to add a premier — and possibly franchise-changing — talent, the Kings have clear needs they have to address in this year's draft.
The timing to fill those needs and the surprising jump into the top five couldn't have worked out better in the Kings' favor and there's a good chance for them to fill out their starting five of the future by the time the draft wraps up.
So without further ado, let's take a look at Sacramento's top five options with the fifth overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft.
Phoenix Suns
Mar 19, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) reacts after a three-point basket against the Wichita State Shockers during the second half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Joseph-USA TODAY Sports
5. Malik Monk, SG, Kentucky
College stats: 38 GP, 19.8 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, .9 SPG, .5 BPG, 2 TOV, 45 FG%, 39.7 3P%, 82.2 FT%
For the potential he possesses, there's no doubt Malik Monk will be on the Kings' radar on draft night in some capacity.
In his lone season at the University of Kentucky, Monk displayed an incredible scoring prowess, scoring in bunches from all levels of the floor for the majority of the season. Combining that scoring ability with his splendid athleticism and quickness, Monk has the makings of a one-of-a-kind scorer if he ends up realizing his full potential.
With questions over how he'll impact the game in other ways though, Monk has a long way to go in a number of different areas and as a result, his draft stock may not fall in line with the type of player the Kings can potentially nab with the fifth overall pick.
Above all else, however, is that Monk plays at a position the Kings have locked down for the foreseeable future.
They have a serviceable veteran in Garrett Temple under contract for the next two seasons and based on how they value Buddy Hield and, to a lesser extent, Malachi Richardson, adding Monk would feel out of character for a team that is trying to forge a new path. On top of that, reports have long indicated that the Kings are keen on bringing over Serbian international Bogdan Bogdanovic for the coming season.
All in all, shooting guard is far from a position of need for the Kings in the draft and therefore, it makes the possibility of him landing in Sacramento highly unlikely. Though, stranger things have happened when it comes to the Kings…
Portland Trail Blazers
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
4. Jonathan Isaac, SF/PF, Florida State
College stats: 32 GP, 12 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 1.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.5 BPG, 1.5 TOV, 50.8 FG%, 34.8 3P%, 78 FT%
Versatility is the most valuable trait teams are looking for in today's NBA and Jonathan Isaac may be the epitome of that in this year's draft.
While he has the appearance of a new-age center, Isaac boasts an incredibly intriguing skill set in regards to his athleticism, movement and fluidity that helps him hold his own when defending bigs, wings and even guards. Combining that with his defensive awareness and high intensity, Isaac stands as one of the most versatile and high-level defenders in this draft class.
Offensively, Isaac possesses a similar versatility, possessing an array of skills that are becoming the norm for a player of his caliber and size.
Although consistency is a bit of an issue for him at this point, Isaac is an effective offensive threat without the ball, can space the floor reasonably well and has the makings of being able to create his own shot and for others to some extent.
But the level of player Isaac can become offensively is one of the bigger concerns revolving around him in this process. Some of that may be due to his role with the Seminoles this year, as he played as more of a complementary piece rather than a featured option. There are also the issues over his strength and his physicality, which will certainly be addressed when he reaches the next level.
When it comes down to it, it'd be curious to see what use the Kings would have for Isaac, despite the diverse range of skills he possesses.
That isn't to say Isaac wouldn't be worthy of being selected fifth overall, but considering they have other positions of need as well as a promising frontcourt in place, the Kings might be better served looking elsewhere if they can take a high caliber player at a position of greater need.
Chicago Bulls
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
3. Jayson Tatum, SF, Duke
College stats: 29 GP, 16.8 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.1 APG, 1.3 SPG, 1.1 BPG, 2.6 TOV, 45.2 FG%, 34.2 3P%, 84.9 FT%
Of the wings in this draft class, Jayson Tatum stands above the rest from an offensive standpoint.
The 6'8″, 20- pound swingman displayed his expertise as an efficient midrange scorer and tough shot-maker for the Blue Devils this season. While he has to make strides in becoming a consistent three-point shooter as well as a facilitator, there are signs to suggest that it will only be a matter of time until both skills are featured parts of his game to varying degrees.
In terms of his theoretical fit with the Kings, they don't have to look far to see how the 19-year-old would slide into the rotation from day one.
Based on his physical profile, skill level and tendencies, Tatum has naturally been compared to Kings' free agent-to-be Rudy Gay for some time now. Although the door is reportedly open for Gay to make a return to Sacramento, as ESPN's Marc J. Spears relayed, Tatum represents a new beginning for the Kings at a position that has to be overhauled considerably.
With that being said, there are questions over whether playing at the 3-spot will end up being his best position in the long run since Tatum has already shown the ability to play as a small-ball power forward. If that's to be the case, that could create a problem, because the Kings have a promising power forward in place already with Skal Labissiere.
Overall, Tatum has more than enough qualities that make him a worthy selection should he fall to the Kings when they are on the board. Where they go from there in regard to how they would use and handle his development could be another question entirely.
Feb 25, 2017; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack guard Dennis Smith Jr. (4) drives to the basket as Virginia Cavaliers guard Devon Hall (0) defends during the first half at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
2. Dennis Smith Jr., PG, North Carolina State
College stats: 32 GP, 18.1 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 6.2 APG, 1.9 SPG, .4 BPG, 3.4 TOV, 45.5 FG%, 35.9 3P%, 71.5 FT%
The point guards in this draft class, or more specifically, the ones that have been projected to go in the top-10, stand out in very distinct ways. In the case of Dennis Smith Jr., there may not be a point guard, much less another player in this draft class, that can match what he has to offer in regard to his athleticism and explosiveness.
While his lone year at North Carolina State was a disaster on multiple fronts, Smith nonetheless showcased the qualities of being a commanding, high flying, score-first point guard that makes him an incredibly tantalizing prospect in this year's draft.
With that being said, Smith still has to make considerable strides in becoming a more complete, traditional point guard, though his supporting cast didn't exactly work in his favor in that regard.
For how much of an offensive force Smith projects to be, his capabilities on the defensive end are not as rosy, to put it nicely.
Smith's energy and effort level defensively has been under scrutiny well after the completion of his season and with average measurements in terms of his wingspan, Smith has to up his intensity to show teams he can hold his own on that end of the floor at the very least.
Of course, there could be other factors in play for why that was, considering Smith was over a year removed from tearing his ACL and again, the cumulative effect of what was an absolutely dreadful season for the Wolfpack.
All of this makes for an interesting dilemma for the Kings. Smith certainly checks many of the boxes they're looking for in a point guard, but the concerns he carries may be too much for a Kings team that is refreshing its approach in terms of team building.
Smith is undoubtedly a talent worthy of being selected fifth overall (or even higher, frankly), but it's fair to wonder if he is truly the type of player the Kings have their eye on.
Phoenix Suns
Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De'Aaron Fox (0) drives against North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (left) in the first half during the finals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
1. De'Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky
College stats: 36 GP, 16.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.5 SPG, .2 BPG, 2.4 TOV, 47.8 FG%, 24.6 3P%, 73.9 FT%
The movement to bring De'Aaron Fox to Sacramento started in earnest long before the results of this year's lottery and it's only strengthened for multiple reasons in the time since.
It's not just from fans either. Fox spoke highly of the Kings at this year's NBA Draft Combine and is rumored to have a desire to land in Sactown, as NBA.com's Scott Howard-Cooper noted last month. With Fox making an official visit with the Kings earlier this week, the momentum is starting to reach new heights as we inch closer to the draft.
While his fondness to play for the Kings gives him a leg up on other prospects in this range, it's what Fox brings on the court that makes him a perfect fit for the Kings at fifth overall.
It's no secret at this point that the allure Fox has as a prospect lies primarily in his athleticism, as he possesses blazing speed in both half court situations and in the open floor. Combining that with his incredible ball handling ability, Fox will open up the Kings' offense in multiple ways if that is where he winds up.
Like his strengths, the questions that hang over Fox are also very well known.
Fox has to make considerable strides with his jump shot and while he has the ability to be a plus-defender at the next level, he will have to build up strength to stay above water with the jump in physicality.
With that being said, pairing him with natural shooters of the likes of Buddy Hield and hopefully Bogdan Bogdanovic would help ease his fit even more and give him a well-suited backcourt partner (or partners) to grow with in the future.
Whether he'll be available is another question entirely, and the Kings will have to plan accordingly should Fox be off the board by the time they're on the clock. However, taking him at fifth overall would do wonders for a team that is in need of finding its point guard of the future.
