The eighth pick in the upcoming NBA Entry Draft is certainly going to be an interesting one. This particular pick seems to signify the tipping point among the lottery teams in so much as Sacramento can not only nab a decent talent here but they could also greatly change the thought process of the remaining lottery teams. Adding intrigue to this pick is the fact that the Kings brass have made no bones about the fact that this pick is available for the right price.
The Kings have the luxury of shopping this pick as they already have a young nucleus to work around and if they can convince Rudy Gay to sign an extension and free-agent Isaiah Thomas to stay as well then they will really have something moving forward in Sac-town. Adding yet another lottery pick to this equation, particularly one who might be more of a project player than an immediate impact player, really doesn’t offer any immediate help to the roster.
Assuming Gay and Thomas both stick around, they along with all-star DeMarcus Cousins, Ben McLemore and Jason Thompson they have a fairly competitive starting five. If the Kings don’t feel that Gay and or Thomas intent to stay then that drastically changes their approach to this draft as they will need to address those needs as best they can with the pick.
The unfortunate problem here for the Kings is that they are right up against the salary cap and that is without procuring Thomas’ services. Add an extension to Thomas in there are they are all of a sudden a luxury tax team on the outside of the playoffs looking in and that is certainly not a favourable position to be in.
Biggest Draft Day Need
The Kings need experience here and this is a need that isn’t going to be addressed through the draft. I don’t foresee the Kings keeping this pick and I expect it to be moved come draft day or at very least the selection will be made and then subsequently traded away.
There is some talk of the Kings making a play for Kevin Love and that this pick could form part of that compensation. In a word, that is highly unlikely. Talks have also surfaced about the Atlanta Hawks being involved here as well. It isn’t known exactly what the Hawks would have to surrender but they do have enough pieces to make this work if they wanted.
A very interested component to these rumours involve the Milwaukee Bucks who could look to acquire a second top-ten pick in the draft. Food for thought; if Andrew Wiggins or Jabari Parker come off the board with the top pick then that would leave Milwaukee in a position to take Joel Embiid. If Embiid becomes a Buck then look for Milwaukee to actively shop around the services of Larry Sanders.
Sacramento could be interested in the oft-misbehaving Sanders and this might just work to the benefit of both clubs moving forward. Although pairing Sanders and Cousins together might either make a fortuitous frontcourt or a fraucus of epic proportions; either way tickets could be sold to watch the fun unfold.