Best/Worst Draft Scenarios
(#6 pick)
Best Case Scenario: Drafting PF/C Kristaps Porzingis (Latvia, 19)
Porzingis is rising quickly on draft boards, and him being available at number six would be optimal for Sacramento. They have been longing for a quality stretch-four to pair next to superstar C/PF DeMarcus Cousins that can also help take some of the load off of Cousins’ shoulders on defense. Look no further than Porzingis, a perfect match for the Kings, who can defend with the best of them (combined 2 blocks and steals per game this season in Latvia), and shoot from three-point range (a nice 37%). He has the potential to be the next Dirk Nowitzki, and perhaps a better defender than Nowitzki as well. He’s still a work in progress, as his lack of strength has limited both his rebounding and inside scoring abilities. Still, the reward greatly outweighs the risk with this international star.
Worst Case Scenario: Drafting C Willie-Cauley Stein (Kentucky, Junior)
It is rather odd that more than a few experts suggest that the Kings opt for Cauley-Stein over Porzingis here, because frankly it just makes no sense. While in theory the idea of taking the best rim protector, which would be the Kentucky product, to pair next to Cousins makes a ton of sense, the position doesn’t. Cauley-Stein plays center, and so does Cousins. It would be unnatural to have Cousins play power forward, and if the Kings are truly trying to build around their franchise star, why make him play a position that isn’t his most natural one? While Porzingis vs. Cauley-Stein in terms of which basketball player is better is an interesting debate (though it’s still probably Porzingis), Porzingis vs. Cauley-Stein in terms of who is a better fit for Sacramento is not [an interesting debate].
(#6 pick)
Best Case Scenario: Drafting PF/C Kristaps Porzingis (Latvia, 19)
Porzingis is rising quickly on draft boards, and him being available at number six would be optimal for Sacramento. They have been longing for a quality stretch-four to pair next to superstar C/PF DeMarcus Cousins that can also help take some of the load off of Cousins’ shoulders on defense. Look no further than Porzingis, a perfect match for the Kings, who can defend with the best of them (combined 2 blocks and steals per game this season in Latvia), and shoot from three-point range (a nice 37%). He has the potential to be the next Dirk Nowitzki, and perhaps a better defender than Nowitzki as well. He’s still a work in progress, as his lack of strength has limited both his rebounding and inside scoring abilities. Still, the reward greatly outweighs the risk with this international star.
Worst Case Scenario: Drafting C Willie-Cauley Stein (Kentucky, Junior)
It is rather odd that more than a few experts suggest that the Kings opt for Cauley-Stein over Porzingis here, because frankly it just makes no sense. While in theory the idea of taking the best rim protector, which would be the Kentucky product, to pair next to Cousins makes a ton of sense, the position doesn’t. Cauley-Stein plays center, and so does Cousins. It would be unnatural to have Cousins play power forward, and if the Kings are truly trying to build around their franchise star, why make him play a position that isn’t his most natural one? While Porzingis vs. Cauley-Stein in terms of which basketball player is better is an interesting debate (though it’s still probably Porzingis), Porzingis vs. Cauley-Stein in terms of who is a better fit for Sacramento is not [an interesting debate].