OK, the Kings are likely to be looking at SG's in the draft, unless they have a deal in the works to acquire one through a trade. So here is a list of those I would be interested in with just a short analysis. And I have them listed in my order of interest.
1. Buddy Hield: 6'4.5", 214 lbs, 6'8.5" wingspan, Oklahoma, Senior.
35 mpg - 25.0 ppg - 49.6% fgp - 46.4% 3pp - 5.6 rpg - 2.1 apg - 1.2 spg
Hield is arguably the best shooter in college. He's was solid his first three years, but this year he took it up a notch. He can score from anywhere on the floor. He's a solid ball handler which enables him to get to the basket where he's a good finisher. He's an excellent spot up shooter, and equally good coming off screens. He can create for himself, and for others. As a defender he has good lateral quickness and fights through screens well. He's a good, but not a great athlete, but can play above the rim. He's an excellent rebounder for a SG. I think he'll be an very solid NBA player. Whether he'll be more than that is anyone's guess, but the potential is there.
2. Jamal Murray: 6'5", 185 lbs. 6'7" wingspan, Kentucky, Freshman.
35.2 mpg - 20.1 ppg - 45.6% fgp - 42.1% 3pp - 5.1 rpg - 2.1 apg - 1.0 spg
For starters, Murray is a very smart player. He simply knows how to play the game. Like Hield, he's a very good rebounder for the position. Murray is a converted PG, a position he played in highschool, but with two PG's already on the Kentucky roster, he was switched to SG. A switch that's a success. Like Hield, he's one of the best shooters in college and is capable of hitting some ridiculous shots at times. He's great coming off of screens or off the dribble. Although not an above average athlete, he seems to be able to weave his way to the basket any time he wants. Basically he and Tyler Ulis have carried the team on their backs this season. For me, it's a toss up between Hield and Murray as to who I would take first. Murray is an excellent passer, and a remarkably good defender. At least at the college level.
Denzel Valentine: 6'6", 220 lbs, 6'10" wingspan, Michigan St., Senior
32.8 mpg - 19.4 ppg - 46.4% fgp - 44.7% 3pp - 7.6 rpg - 7.6 apg - 1.0 spg
Valentine had an incredible year and would probably be higher on the draft boards if he was a freshman. With Valentine your getting a PG in a SG's body. He's a terrific passer with great court vision, and Michigan St. wouldn't be where they are right now without him. Along with his PG skills, he's also a very good shooter from the three, and excellent at getting into the lane where he can create havoc. Once in traffic, he's one of the most creative players out there, capable of throwing up a floater, a hookshot, a fall away jumper, or a dish to a teammate. Because of his ability to score around the basket, he gets a lot of easy baskets for his teammates. He's also a terrific rebounder averaging 7.6 boards a game. The major question facing Valentine is can he defend SG's in the NBA? He's not blessed with great lateral quickness.
Grayson Allen: 6'4.5", 195 lbs, 6'6.5" wingspan, Duke, Sophmore.
36.3 mpg - 21.6 ppg - 46.7% fgp - 41.7% 3pp - 4.5 rpg - 3.6 apg - 1.4 spg
Allen's stats look good, and there's no doubt he can shoot the ball, but I have serious doubts about his ability to create a shot on his own. In two games this past season, when confronted by a good aggressive defender, he struggled big time. In his game against Kentucky in particular, he was clearly frustrated as he was smothered by the Kentucky guards. My fear is that he'll be confronting that every night in the NBA. I hate to make comparisons, but Jimmer Fredette keeps leaping up in my mind. For his sake, I hope I'm wrong. That aside, he's a decent defender, and a very good passer. His ball handling is average at best, which is why he struggles to create his own shot.
Caris LeVert: 6'6", 200 lbs, Michigan, Senior
31.1 mpg - 16.5 ppg - 50.0% fgp - 44.9% 3pp - 5.4 rpg - 4.9 apg - 1.0 spg
LeVert would be much higher on my list if he wern't a senior, and if he hadn't been injured not only this season, but last season as well. He's had both foot and leg problems, missing the last 15 games this season. Hopefully he'll be recovered in time for the combine and individual workouts.LeVert is another SG that's a converted PG, a position he played his first season at Michigan. It's a shame he got injured this season because it was his best season by far. He has all the tools you look for in a SG. Good shooter, good passer, good handles, great court vision, good rebounder and excellent defender. I'm sure that if teams felt confident about his health, he'd be a top ten pick. Right now, I see him going in the bottom of the first round, and it wouldn't shock me to see him slide into the second round, where he'd be a steal.
These are my favorites but there are some others who could turn out to be better down the road. Like Tyler Dorsey of Oregon, Rodney Purvis of UCONN, Wayne Selden of Kansas, Jabari Bird of Cal, Ron Baker of Wichita St., Allonzo Trier of Arizona, Danuel House of Texas A&M, and finally, another of my favorites, Malcom Brogdon of Virginia.
