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2017 NBA Draft: Live analysis and tracking rumors, picks, trades for the NBA Draft

By Lukas Harkins

Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the podium and stage before the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 23, 2016; New York, NY, USA; A general view of the podium and stage before the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield (24) watches a free throw during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Kings won 123-117. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 1, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Buddy Hield (24) watches a free throw during the second half against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. The Kings won 123-117. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

Sacramento Kings

Record in 2016-17: 32-50 (12th in the Western Conference)

Draft picks: 5th overall, 15th overall, 20th overall, 34th overall

Jonathan Givony Projections: De’Aaron Fox (#5), Zach Collins (#10), Jordan Bell (#34)

Lukas Harkins Projections: Jayson Tatum (#5), Donovan Mitchell (#10), Bam Adebayo (#34)

Draft Outlook: The Kings have two picks in the top-10, and that is a really great thing. They have a couple of nice young pieces, including Buddy Hield and Skal Labissiere, but adding more is key. At #5, the hope is that De’Aaron Fox is still on the board to pair with Hield in the backcourt and then they can add a big man like Zach Collins or Lauri Markkanen at #10. Yet, if the Suns pounce on Fox at #4, then things change for the Kings and they will have to go a different route, likely with Jayson Tatum or Josh Jackson as their selection. Both of these would work out just fine in Sacramento, but at some point their youth needs to develop together and become a powerhouse on their own, not through free agency.

#5 overall: PG De’Aaron Fox, Kentucky

Adding Fox next to Buddy Hield in the Sacramento backcourt makes a lot of sense. He has elite quickness and gets to the basket very effectively. Fox needs help in terms of getting his three-point shot up to average at the point guard position, but he should immediately help to get Hield open looks. This pick fits well with the future plan of the Kings as they progress forward with each move since trading DeMarcus Cousins. Grade: A.

#15 overall: SF Justin Jackson, North Carolina

After trading down from #10, the Sacramento Kings were able to get a wing player in Justin Jackson. They are now reasonably set for a starting lineup of the future with De’Aaron Fox, Buddy Hield, Justin Jackson, and Skal Labissiere as pieces for the future. Jackson won the National Championship a season ago and he has solid size with the ability to shoot in traffic. Grade: B+.

#20 overall: C Harry Giles, Duke

As the Kings move up the positional scale with each pick, they go big with a player with outrageous upside. If Harry Giles can return to the form he was in prior to injury, he could be a massive steal at #20. Yet, if the injury bug continues to bite him and he never sees the floor regularly, the pick could turn out to be a waste. As the third selection so far, taking a high-risk/high-reward player makes sense. Grade: B-. 

#34 overall: PG Frank Mason, Kansas

Oh, this is a fun pick to be the backup to De’Aaron Fox. He is another quick guard who can score and shoot the three. The Kings are having a very cool draft so far, and this just makes it better. Grade: A-.

To go back to the draft order/selections, click here.

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