Looking ahead to the 2023 Draft

I mean what do you want at PF next to Sabonis? You want someone who is…
  • Big & long
  • Athletic
  • A good & versatile defender
  • A good weakside shot blocker/rim protector
  • A good rebounder
  • A good shooter
  • A lob threat
  • High IQ

He seems to check a lot of those boxes.
Yup! Trevon Brazile checks those boxes too he got hurt though, n he's even taller and longer.
 
6'3 180lb freshman combo guard Aiden Mahaney at St. Marys is probably the best prospect in college on the west coast thats yet to be mentioned in this thread


40% 3pt shooter n he's good off the dribble..

Had a nasty gamewinner vs BYU few weeks back(2:34 in these highlights). He's from Lafayette, CA.

Seen more of as a 2024 draft prospect, I'm gonna mention him here. St. Mary's is ranked 17th and will be a relatively high seed int he tourney so he's gonna have a big opportunity to showcase.

Seems clutch when they were getting smacked by Houston this kid almost led them back.

He does a great job staying low and compact while also keeping his head up as a triple threat.

I like what I see, he looks very interesting for the Kings as a backup IMO. He's not a pure PG but it sure seems he'd do just fine next to Monk, or Huerter. Kinda feel like he's gonna end up better than Reece Beekman whos projected 35th by ESPN rn..
 
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We need more Iowans on the team so I’m in favor.

I am really curious what Monte does this next draft. I highly doubt he makes 3 selections as we might not have the roster space but who knows. Metu, Len and KZ are not likely to be back. TD is a tough call but I’m guessing he lands elsewhere. Can we afford to bring Lyles back? My guess is it’s an either or with Sasha. Delly might stick due to his coach/player status. Do we give minutes to Ellis who looks like he can be a player? What decision are we making on Queta? My guess is we sell off our second rounder and use the Indiana pick. Tucker could be be a candidate in that range
Hmm, I actually think we do have roster spots we need to fill. Only the starters+Davion/Monk/Holmes have guaranteed contracts for next season. And as soon as Holmes is able to be traded, he's out of here.

I do think Lyles should be a priority to be resigned. He's fit extremely well this season and especially if he can start taking some small-ball C minutes effectively? That increases his value even further. That also leaves room for Vezenkov to come over as well, potentially in a starter role? And Barnes moves to the super 6th man bench role?

So:

Fox || Mitchell
Huerter || Monk
Keegan || Barnes
Vezenkov? || Barnes/Lyles
Sabonis || Lyles

Along with a FRP, a few 2nd round picks, potentially dangle Mitchell, see what it takes to get rid of Holmes.
 

6'5 3rd year Sophomore Sion James at Tulane could be a player to keep an eye on in the 2nd rd as well.

He's shooting 35% from 3 but first and foremost James is a defensive maven. He gets a ridiculous amount of steals. To just post a highlight package liek the one above where he makes his shots and thats what you see is doing him a disservice. Hustle plays like the one below are more of his calling card.

 
Keyontae Johnson: SF/SG, 6'6", 229 Lb's, 6'11" wingspan, Senior, Kansas St.
33.2 mpg - 17.6 ppg - 51.3% fgp - 41.1% 3pp - 7.6 rpg - 2.1 apg - 1.1 stl's. - ORtg-108.8 - DRtg-94.6

About 3 years ago, Keyontae was one of my favorite players to watch. He was a highly touted player coming out of highschool and most projected him to be a 1st rd pick. He was having a steller year, when on Dec 12th he collapsed on court face down and almost died. God was watching out for him that day, because there just happened to be a cardiolgist at the game, and he saved Keyontae's life. As I said, that was in 2020 and now, he's back, and he's looking like the player he was before the incident. They now call him the walking miracle!

Because of his current age, and his prior health problems, I would think all chances of him busting into the first rd are slim and none. However, he's a very talented player, who is a three level scorer, and an excellent defender. He can play both SF and SG. Although he's only 6'6", he has a huge wingspan, and he's as strong as a bull as well. He's a very good passer, and a very smart player. In a way, because of his age, he fits into the Kings timeframe.

Obviously he's been medically cleared to play, but I have no idea whether the medical standard he's being held to now matches NBA standards. But if you watch him play, you'd have no idea that he almost died on the court. I think Johnson is NBA talent and could be a solid rotational player for some team, and I wouldn't mind if it were the Kings. But then I'm biased. He was one of my favorite players a few years ago, and to my eye, he looks like the same player. Plus, he's an older player with experience and more ready to step in and contribute than a 19 year old player who is likely a year or two away from being a solid contributer.

Regardles, I hope he gets drafted by some team and his dream comes true!
yup, bigtime plus rebounder for his position too which we sure could use.
 

This player is born september 2004 so he'd be one of the very youngest in the draft. 6'9 with a 7foot wingspan, can do a bit of everything, plays with a ton of heart. i he seems to be climbing draft boards. max effort guy, plus rebounder, he's one of those guys whos seemingly always around the action.

He stood out for sure when watching Turkey's youth team this summer at the fiba tournament, was the heart and soul of the team n with the tournement being held in Turkey, a big crowd favorite.

His game seems to me like its somewhere between Juancho Hernangomez and Eduardo Najera, but he's more light footed than these players and built more for todays up and down game, might have a twist of David Lee in there..
 
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bajaden

Hall of Famer
Kobe Brown: SF, 6'7", 240 Lb's, Wingspan NA, Senior, Missouri
28.1 mpg - 16.5 ppg- 57.0% fgp - 46.1% 3pp - 78.6% ftp - 6.1 rpg - 2.7 apg - 1.4 stl's

Kobe is likely to go in the 2nd rd, or perhaps go undrafted, which would be a slight surprise, but he is a senior and teams tend to downgrade those players. Kobe is having a terrific year this year, especially from beyond the arc. Which also makes me a wee bit skeptical since he never broke 30% from three his first three years. But word is he really worked hard on his shot, and for at least this year, he's shooting an outstanding 46% from three. He also takes over 3 a game, so it's a credible figure. When you add in that he's shooting 57% overall, he's a very very efficient player.

He's also a good defender and an above average rebounder. He's another one that's built like a linebacker. He does like to play bully ball on occasion, but is hindered a bit by his ballhandling skills. Sometimes his post ups are an adventure. He is a good finisher and knows how to clear space with his big body. He's mostly a straight line driver, and he has a surprisingly first quick step. He can play above the rim, but seldom does. I can't help but think that if he could get his weight down from 240 to around 225/230, he would be quicker and it would help his lateral quickness.

Missouri, my home state by the way, is having a very good year this year in the SEC, and Kobe is one of the main reasons. When I look at Kobe I see a possible 3 and D player. He could be more than that, but I think that's the ticket for him to ride to get his foot in the door. He's proven to be a clutch player, and having seen him play multiple times, I'm starting to believe in his shot. He's the type of player the Kings should be looking for in the 2nd rd.

 
Kobe Brown: SF, 6'7", 240 Lb's, Wingspan NA, Senior, Missouri
28.1 mpg - 16.5 ppg- 57.0% fgp - 46.1% 3pp - 78.6% ftp - 6.1 rpg - 2.7 apg - 1.4 stl's

Kobe is likely to go in the 2nd rd, or perhaps go undrafted, which would be a slight surprise, but he is a senior and teams tend to downgrade those players. Kobe is having a terrific year this year, especially from beyond the arc. Which also makes me a wee bit skeptical since he never broke 30% from three his first three years. But word is he really worked hard on his shot, and for at least this year, he's shooting an outstanding 46% from three. He also takes over 3 a game, so it's a credible figure. When you add in that he's shooting 57% overall, he's a very very efficient player.

He's also a good defender and an above average rebounder. He's another one that's built like a linebacker. He does like to play bully ball on occasion, but is hindered a bit by his ballhandling skills. Sometimes his post ups are an adventure. He is a good finisher and knows how to clear space with his big body. He's mostly a straight line driver, and he has a surprisingly first quick step. He can play above the rim, but seldom does. I can't help but think that if he could get his weight down from 240 to around 225/230, he would be quicker and it would help his lateral quickness.

Missouri, my home state by the way, is having a very good year this year in the SEC, and Kobe is one of the main reasons. When I look at Kobe I see a possible 3 and D player. He could be more than that, but I think that's the ticket for him to ride to get his foot in the door. He's proven to be a clutch player, and having seen him play multiple times, I'm starting to believe in his shot. He's the type of player the Kings should be looking for in the 2nd rd.

Yep this is a good player, n Mizzou has performed admirably in the SEC n hes a big reason why. N yeah he's built like a brick house.


born January 1st, 2000 So that could very well limit his draft range.


Obviously he's not quite as good a 3pt shooter as 46% would indicate, but who knows just how good he is, it'll be interesting to see how he shoots it moving forward as the games get more important. Worth keeping an eye on for sure.


Surprised you arent a bigger Kalkbrenner fan he's from Florissant, Missouri


One of my friends was a 6'8 240lb 4-star recruit from Missouri many years ago, actually got recruited by Quinn Snyder, n whenever we talk we go over the best players from Missouri.
 
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So let’s talk big swings in the second round. If the Kings use both of their second rounders should we go for potential? I’d assume if we keep our first round pick it will be used on someone who can help us right away. Maybe at least one of our second rounders should be a swing for the fence type or maybe a pure scorer type.
 
So let’s talk big swings in the second round. If the Kings use both of their second rounders should we go for potential? I’d assume if we keep our first round pick it will be used on someone who can help us right away. Maybe at least one of our second rounders should be a swing for the fence type or maybe a pure scorer type.
I think it certainly stands to reason that if the 2nd rd pick is a PG or a C they'll probably be a 'potential' guy whos sent to the g-league to polish for some time, like what we've done with Queta. Though Charles Bassey signing a 4 year 10 mil deal today does shows the quality of some of the bigs who go undrafted, seems like theres sure gonna be talented C's that go undrafted this year.


we could land a player who can help us right away and also has potential and is also young in the first round and is also a pure scorer type. Few names that come to mind are; Kyle Filipowski, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Jordan Hawkins, Terquavion Smith, Kel'el Ware and Emoni Bates and that Freshman PG I just posted from St. Marys seems like a darkhorse candidate.


Back to the 2nd rd picks -- With the way the field is now, and the way the players can declare and then undeclare its quite a daunting task to name big potential picks becuase many of them will move up the board n many of them will pull out of the draft to try and go higher in a draft perceived to have much less depth next year.

There certainly will be swing for the fence guys, players who are pretty much in consideration just because of their offense. The way things stand right now it seems they'll be more 3pt shooting available in the 2nd rd than years past.

Tristan Vuckevic sure stands out as a swing for the fences offensive type in the 2nd rd. Ousmane Dieng too but he requires lots of polish. When it comes to the Kings im including us looking for really good backup PG and C as "swing for the fences" as both of those can be developed as bigtime trade chips as well, so we cna keep snowballing value.
 
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So let’s talk big swings in the second round. If the Kings use both of their second rounders should we go for potential? I’d assume if we keep our first round pick it will be used on someone who can help us right away. Maybe at least one of our second rounders should be a swing for the fence type or maybe a pure scorer type.
From the looks of some of the college ball I've watched, I'm glad this is the year the Kings got good. I'm not impressed with the depth in the 1st round at all. I still think that 1st being used to cut some cap is the best option. Nobody I've seen around the Kings pick will be a rotation guy next year and the C spot looks pretty thin this draft even if the Kings were looking to fix that hole with the pick. I see as good of talent in the 2nd round. Draft and stash plus selling one per usual is probably going to be the deal.
 
So the Team USA roster for the April 8th Nike Hoop Summit has been announced, Bronny James will be there thats the big headline, though really Cody Williams( Jaelen Williams[lotto pick from last year] younger brother) and Isaiah Collier are the big headliner at the camp as far as prospects r concerned.

our Iowa guy in this thread will be pleased to see that Omaha Billew made Team USA.

Seems like they'll field several international rosters at this years summit for each fiba group - africa, asia, oceania, europe and americas.


Now usually the big headliners for the upcoming draft are the international players and team usa is comprised of HS seniors that will be selected 2 drafts from now and certainly this year will be no different.

However there is one name announced today, Eric Dailey Jr., whos about 6'7 maybe 6'8 and 220 lbs ish who I've heard is eligible for this years draft. He's a guy with Team USA experience already winning gold medals at the the U18 Americas championship and also at the 3x3 U18 world cup in 2021. Dailey is the son of 2 basketball players, dad played in college so did mom, his Mom also was the head coach at TCU and an assistant in the WNBA. ESPN has him rated as a 4-star and the 51st best player in the class of 2023, he's a lefty with broad shoulders and solid bounce n some decent skill/all around game.
 
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Everytime I watch Duke Dariq Whitehead makes his 3's.... There's simply no way this kid falls to the bottom of the 1st rd, past the kings, when he's shooting like this...

Its so weird... It's not quite AJ Griffin last year at Duke proportions of hes making all his 3's, but every game like this one tonight it does creep further into that territory..


I must really be missing something.. at 6'7 220 lbs with faceup moves and defensive potential, and hes shooting like that from 3... something doesnt add up..


He's also somehow 14/15 from the ft stripe..


also its just a crying shame, n im still pissed after all these years, that ESPN took Dick Vitale off the UNC-Duke games. How dare they do that to this guy whos worked for them for so decades. truly that story is worthy of a post/shaming on /r/antiwork
 
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Score a decisive victory for 6'4" freshman G Judah Mintz at Syracuse over Terquavion Smith at NC State. N they desperately need every win they can get.

20points on 7-12 shooting 5/5 from the ft line, 3rebs 9asts 1turnover.

Mintz for those uninitiated is a fantastic scorer of the ball, really gets downhill n can finish in all sorts of acrobatic ways n he draws fouls, the big caveat with his game is he's considered a non-threat from 3, so there's some similarities with his game at a similar stage to Ayo Dosunmu who's a recent 2nd rd pick that would go much higher in a redraft.

Jesse Edwards finished with 18pts 16 rebs 2stls 2blks...
 
From the looks of some of the college ball I've watched, I'm glad this is the year the Kings got good. I'm not impressed with the depth in the 1st round at all. I still think that 1st being used to cut some cap is the best option. Nobody I've seen around the Kings pick will be a rotation guy next year and the C spot looks pretty thin this draft even if the Kings were looking to fix that hole with the pick. I see as good of talent in the 2nd round. Draft and stash plus selling one per usual is probably going to be the deal.
Using a 1st round pick to dump salary would be a huge mistake. Why do we need to dump cap? Who do we dump it for? Very rarely do you ever see teams use a 1st round pick to dump salary... that's what a horrific GM like Vlade does. There's a big difference between picking #23 and #36.. 13 players of a difference.
The Kings have a lot of holes to be plugged and we could definitely use the 1st round pick to help.

Going into next year, we'll need a backup PF/C, long-term SF/PF to replace Barnes, backup wings, and possibly a backup PG.

Some options I can think of off the top of my head around our pick:

Backup PF/C:
  1. Dereck Lively II
  2. Kel'el Ware
  3. Noah Clowney
SF/PF:
  1. GG Jackson
  2. Taylor Hendricks
  3. Kris Murray
Wings:
  1. Dariq Whitehead
  2. Jordan Hawkins (pure SG)
  3. Colby Jones (can play PG)
  4. Keyontae Johnson
Backup PG:
  1. Marcus Sasser (combo-guard)
  2. Jalen Hood-Schifino (can play wing)
 
Everytime I watch Duke Dariq Whitehead makes his 3's.... There's simply no way this kid falls to the bottom of the 1st rd, past the kings, when he's shooting like this...

Its so weird... It's not quite AJ Griffin last year at Duke proportions of hes making all his 3's, but every game like this one tonight it does creep further into that territory..


I must really be missing something.. at 6'7 220 lbs with faceup moves and defensive potential, and hes shooting like that from 3... something doesnt add up..


He's also somehow 14/15 from the ft stripe..


also its just a crying shame, n im still pissed after all these years, that ESPN took Dick Vitale off the UNC-Duke games. How dare they do that to this guy whos worked for them for so decades. truly that story is worthy of a post/shaming on /r/antiwork
Whitehead is definitely becoming my favorite prospect if he lasts until the Kings' pick. Extremely young player with high defensive IQ and can shoot the ball at the wing position?? This isn't even mentioning his untapped offensive potential. I would 100% take him over a guy like Brice Sensabaugh.


Score a decisive victory for 6'4" freshman G Judah Mintz at Syracuse over Terquavion Smith at NC State. N they desperately need every win they can get.

20points on 7-12 shooting 5/5 from the ft line, 3rebs 9asts 1turnover.

Mintz for those uninitiated is a fantastic scorer of the ball, really gets downhill n can finish in all sorts of acrobatic ways n he draws fouls, the big caveat with his game is he's considered a non-threat from 3, so there's some similarities with his game at a similar stage to Ayo Dosunmu who's a recent 2nd rd pick that would go much higher in a redraft.

Jesse Edwards finished with 18pts 16 rebs 2stls 2blks...
If Mintz could shoot even just 30% from 3pt, I think he'd be a lock for the lotto. This feels like a weaker lead-guard class.
 
Using a 1st round pick to dump salary would be a huge mistake. Why do we need to dump cap? Who do we dump it for? Very rarely do you ever see teams use a 1st round pick to dump salary... that's what a horrific GM like Vlade does. There's a big difference between picking #23 and #36.. 13 players of a difference.
The Kings have a lot of holes to be plugged and we could definitely use the 1st round pick to help.

Going into next year, we'll need a backup PF/C, long-term SF/PF to replace Barnes, backup wings, and possibly a backup PG.

Some options I can think of off the top of my head around our pick:

Backup PF/C:
  1. Dereck Lively II
  2. Kel'el Ware
  3. Noah Clowney
SF/PF:
  1. GG Jackson
  2. Taylor Hendricks
  3. Kris Murray
Wings:
  1. Dariq Whitehead
  2. Jordan Hawkins (pure SG)
  3. Colby Jones (can play PG)
  4. Keyontae Johnson
Backup PG:
  1. Marcus Sasser (combo-guard)
  2. Jalen Hood-Schifino (can play wing)
My hope is they can get Holmes off the books with it. Not sure if it's possible. That would potentially clear up enough cap to possibly re-sign Barnes AND use the space in another move. This pick is unlikely to yield much in terms of on the floor with this team as is. And no, what Vlade did is bungle the space he had once his top option was off the board. Remember Harrison Barnes? Yeah he was partially gotten with some of the space Vlade held onto going into the year the year prior. Vlade should have done that twice because it gives you so much in the way of options when making trades since you no longer have to match.
 
Whitehead is definitely becoming my favorite prospect if he lasts until the Kings' pick. Extremely young player with high defensive IQ and can shoot the ball at the wing position?? This isn't even mentioning his untapped offensive potential. I would 100% take him over a guy like Brice Sensabaugh.



If Mintz could shoot even just 30% from 3pt, I think he'd be a lock for the lotto. This feels like a weaker lead-guard class.
yeah I think rooting for Whitehead to fall to the Kings is probably a take thats gonna age really well, hopefully he stays in our range.
 
Going into next year, we'll need a backup PF/C, long-term SF/PF to replace Barnes, backup wings, and possibly a backup PG.

Some options I can think of off the top of my head around our pick:
OO I see a template like this I'll fill in my answers


Backup PF/C:

  1. James Nnaji
SF/PF:
  1. Taylor Hendricks
  2. Leonard Miller
  3. Kris Murray
  4. Trevon Brazile
  5. Jalen Wilson
  6. Baba Miller
  7. Berke Buyuktuncel
  8. Tristan Vukcevic
  9. Mohammed Gueye
  10. Oliver Maxence Prosper
Wings:
  1. Dariq Whitehead
  2. Bilal Coulibaly
  3. Rayan Rupert
  4. Jordan Hawkins
  5. Keyontae Johnson
  6. Emoni Bates
  7. Julian Philips
  8. Andre Jackson
  9. Julian Strawther
  10. Baylor Scheierman
  11. Michael Calcedo
Backup PG:
  1. Jalen Hood-Schifino
  2. Aiden Mahaney
  3. Terquavion Smith
  4. Reece Beekman
  5. Judah Mintz
  6. Grant Sherfield
  7. Amari Bailey
  8. Juan Nunez
 
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My hope is they can get Holmes off the books with it. Not sure if it's possible. That would potentially clear up enough cap to possibly re-sign Barnes AND use the space in another move. This pick is unlikely to yield much in terms of on the floor with this team as is. And no, what Vlade did is bungle the space he had once his top option was off the board. Remember Harrison Barnes? Yeah he was partially gotten with some of the space Vlade held onto going into the year the year prior. Vlade should have done that twice because it gives you so much in the way of options when making trades since you no longer have to match.
lol I don't think we're talking about the same trade here. I'm talking about the Stauskas, JT, and Landry trade he made in 2015 to trade for cap space. We didn't trade for Barnes until 2019... so that 2015 trade had no bearing at all on acquiring HB. Vlade is the worst GM of all time, so I think it's best we wrap up his name in this conversation.

Looking at the 2023 salary cap, here's the numbers I've got:
  • NBA Salary Cap: $134million
  • Guaranteed Contracts: $103.1million
  • Possible Space including Holmes' contract: $30.9million
But you'll have to factor in possibly relevant cap holds..
  • Barnes: 27.5million (bird)
  • TD: 7.6million (bird)
  • Lyles: 3.4million (early bird)
  • Metu: 1.7million (bird)
I guess we could renounce all our cap holds and just sign Barnes right out and use the remaining + Holmes' salary elsewhere, but I think that's a topic for after the season ends, and I don't think we'll agree on this topic. I think there's contributors who can be had in the 1st round. Rookies are one of the best assets to a team. 4 years of control on cheap salary. Can't get that anywhere else
 
lol I don't think we're talking about the same trade here. I'm talking about the Stauskas, JT, and Landry trade he made in 2015 to trade for cap space. We didn't trade for Barnes until 2019... so that 2015 trade had no bearing at all on acquiring HB. Vlade is the worst GM of all time, so I think it's best we wrap up his name in this conversation.

Looking at the 2023 salary cap, here's the numbers I've got:
  • NBA Salary Cap: $134million
  • Guaranteed Contracts: $103.1million
  • Possible Space including Holmes' contract: $30.9million
But you'll have to factor in possibly relevant cap holds..
  • Barnes: 27.5million (bird)
  • TD: 7.6million (bird)
  • Lyles: 3.4million (early bird)
  • Metu: 1.7million (bird)
I guess we could renounce all our cap holds and just sign Barnes right out and use the remaining + Holmes' salary elsewhere, but I think that's a topic for after the season ends, and I don't think we'll agree on this topic. I think there's contributors who can be had in the 1st round. Rookies are one of the best assets to a team. 4 years of control on cheap salary. Can't get that anywhere else
I wasn't talking about those as one thing. I was saying Vlade got Barnes by holding onto some cap space heading into the year he got him. That was smart, now, what Vlade did with the space when he had it to sign guys? Not too smart at all. He went with a plethora of plan B options over and over in 2015 and beyond. That's why I'm saying necessarily spending that cap on a FA isn't the only option, sometimes you can swing deals. Vlade's problem was when he went on spending sprees he targeted fluff like Belinelli, Rondo, Dedmon, Holmes, etc. Those are part of your MLE type talent when the Kings got them. You add those types with the MLE one at a time, not a bunch at the same time for some illusion of "depth". And that's where the Kings sit now. 2 star types, 1 legit go to type in Fox, and a bunch of solid players. They need another needle mover and that ain't coming at a pick in the 18-22 range in this draft I'd bet nor do I think Brown would push them right into the rotation in the near future.

TD, Lyles, and Metu are all sacrifices. You don't plump up your cap with those types unless they come cheap or on short term deals or they are key cogs especially if Holmes can't be moved. Lyles and TD have potential, Metu no way. The playoffs will tell that story. Hopefully Barnes would give the Kings a favors discount and make it easier. If not, then make the most of that near max + space if you can cut some of the Holmes contract. Being this close to contention while retaining a 4th pick player in Murray, already having Huerter, Monk, Davion, Fox and Sabonis is too close to not consider the flexibility option IMO. Not to mention with the conference being boosted at this last deadline. Also, the other option is to look at using any potential space combined with Murray/Davion/future picks and see what could come of that. Monte has options and is super close to having REAL options without potentially having to sacrifice his younger pieces to do something.
 
"Bronny James tops picks for Nike Hoop Summit" sheesh u can already tell with headlines like these how much smoke they r gonna blow up his behind. I hate it. Its unwarranted. The media and they language they'll use to describe him will be extremely biased in Bronny's favor, thats the damn truth n it's gonna be as blatant as it gets..

Basically Bronny is gonna be treated as if Kim Kardashian was a 4star teenage 6'3 combo guard.. When stuff goes sour it's gonna be treated as shocking, when really the worts in his game are easily identified already...

Can already tell I'll be tasked with doing thorough deconstructions of his game in threads like these, n i mean really he hasnt exactly earned that, he's really much more in the "keep an eye on him" category, he's a 4-star player not even a 5-star n many in the NBA are too theres no shame, describing him as "tops picks" is flat out disingenuous though. '

If they said "Bronny James tops the picks for the Nike Hoop Summit because we've paid his daddy 1 billion dollars" Now that would be much more palatable. N yes I do understand how Bronny's name will draw more veiws so their hand is forced a bit.

I sorta see it as they r setting this kid, who could never truly fail/flop, to fail.. Its like the old Lao Tzu quote they put in Bladerunner, 'the candle that burns twice as light burns half as long'.. They r doing everything in their power to make him burn twice as bright early on, so then they can set people up for the shock of and some ride along the "why didnt it work?" drama later.

I'm gonna end up a big Bronny James hater I can tell ya that already, but I mean ya can't really blame me I dont think. I like to talk ball and the subject of Bronny will continue to be more of a circus, n it'll be more of the same in a few years for Bryce, who is probably gonna end up better than Bronny especially as a 3pt shooter, think hes gonna be taller too.
 
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I think there's contributors who can be had in the 1st round. Rookies are one of the best assets to a team. 4 years of control on cheap salary. Can't get that anywhere else
This is very sound logic n tough to argue/present equal alternatives against.

I hard disagree with SacTownKid's assessment on the quality of this draft, n the depth in the first round, I dont wanna sit here trying to kick holes in other peoples posts, that post he dropped is sorta deserving of that but I'm here to talk about the players.

Bajaden has posted several times about how the list of possible lotto picks seems to be over 20 players which seems to me a much more accurate read on the depth here. Meaning that the depth of this draft shows its a great time for the Kings to be where we're at in the standings.

I personally am a bit biased. I'm always gonna be that guy predraft whos a big believer int he 2nd rd picks simply for the fact that I'm sure the undrafted FA pool will be good, n this year im sure the UDFA's will be good, doesnt mean every team will make decent picks, but i do believe theres decent-to-good picks to be had.

Lettuce not forget the 2x reigning MVP was selected 41st. No one was looking at that draft and factoring him in as some key cog in the overall drafts depth. Giannis in 2013, no one factored him into the drafts depth, he was seen more as a wildcard. Now In redraft scenarios those guys ARE the depth. N I mean that 2013 draft was considered to be pitifully weak at the time, that opinion was widespread, this year is very different.

It's very important to be able to make a distinction between someones opinion of another persons opinion(heresay) n an actual first hand account. There's too much $$$ involved, and too many parasites involved, for the BS not to permeate.
 
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Not to be that guy but your not really qualified to speak on any drafts depth unless your at least semi familiar with the international players.


It just doesnt work both ways anymore, totally flawed philosophy. Ya cant speak on a drafts depth just thru the lens of college basketball, it never worked like that n we veer further from that oversimplification every day---- The G-League and OTE are poaching so many 5star talents. The G-League is a major gamechanger for a list of reasons. Overseas players and the facilities they train in are improving a ton, competition and improved scouting around the globe improves quality a ton. We're still in the early stages of the talent boom from Africa, you'd be super tone deaf not to realize that...

This to me was the great lesson of the 2013 draft, n that wasnt just some lesson for us draft watcher types, lotta NBA teams learned the same lesson the hard way that year.. Its undeniably true..

N hey I was high on Giannis in 2013, I truly was, but in hindsight I wasnt nearly high enough. ya know? thats how things work.. I had dennis schroder over Trey Burke on my board too, which I was vehement about n it ended up coming to pass, but Giannis obviously shoulda beenthe guy i had way above consensus. The first time I saw Gobert play I remember thinking he kinda looks like a lotto pick, was a big fan of his but didnt have him high enough on my board either, I had so many things right in that draft (I used to say Anthony Bennett was fat!)but was also a guy who thought Cleveland should take Alex Len #1, which in hindsight was preposterous n partly due to me putting too much weight in college ball, Oladipo shoulda been #1 on my board.

Ya know in that 2013 draft who people used to write off as "definitely not a 1st rd pick" n more of a late 2nd rd pick --- Tim Hardaway Jr who ends up going in the first rd n it was plenty justified. He's the type who those "lets get outa here this draft sucks" types overlooked in the 1st, n Hardaway Jr had a great crossover, he was very good scoerer in transition n could hit his 3's so it wasnt like his success in the league should be some surprise.




$$$$$$ is still the most important stat. I dont restate that enough. Thats why you'll never see me posting much about advanced stats. The paramount stat is dollars, the other stats are crap in comparison. I think NBA fans need to be constantly reminded of that. If you think we should sell our first you probably need that reminder as well.
 
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This is very sound logic n tough to argue/present equal alternatives against.

I hard disagree with SacTownKid's assessment on the quality of this draft, n the depth in the first round, I dont wanna sit here trying to kick holes in other peoples posts, that post he dropped is sorta deserving of that but I'm here to talk about the players.

Bajaden has posted several times about how the list of possible lotto picks seems to be over 20 players which seems to me a much more accurate read on the depth here. Meaning that the depth of this draft shows its a great time for the Kings to be where we're at in the standings.

I personally am a bit biased. I'm always gonna be that guy predraft whos a big believer int he 2nd rd picks simply for the fact that I'm sure the undrafted FA pool will be good, n this year im sure the UDFA's will be good, doesnt mean every team will make decent picks, but i do believe theres decent-to-good picks to be had.

Lettuce not forget the 2x reigning MVP was selected 41st. No one was looking at that draft and factoring him in as some key cog in the overall drafts depth. Giannis in 2013, no one factored him into the drafts depth, he was seen more as a wildcard. Now In redraft scenarios those guys ARE the depth. N I mean that 2013 draft was considered to be pitifully weak at the time, that opinion was widespread, this year is very different.

It's very important to be able to make a distinction between someones opinion of another persons opinion(heresay) n an actual first hand account. There's too much $$$ involved, and too many parasites involved, for the BS not to permeate.
Really? By all means kick holes, that's what this board is for and "looking ahead to the 2023 draft" should also include trade options because I think at this point that's a route Monte needs to consider. I think this team needs to do a lot more than finding a contributor and honestly, I like what I see in the 2nd round to be honest. I think they can potentially find a contributor there. That's the point.
 
Ok I can see now why Real Madrid let Tristian Vukcevic go and why he's not getting any playing time except in blow outs. On defense he's comically bad like way worse than Enes Kantar bad, that plus his Javale McGee moments which is a massive shame on offense he has amazing size/skills/talent. Barring some sort of miracle he's not an NBA player, I don't think he would get playing time in Eurocup maybe in like 3-4 years if he matures he might get a shot at the NBA. Kind of reminds me a bit of Skal (I forgot him last name) the former King who was also a highly touted (at one point #1 pick) before reality set in.
 
Really? By all means kick holes, that's what this board is for and "looking ahead to the 2023 draft" should also include trade options because I think at this point that's a route Monte needs to consider. I think this team needs to do a lot more than finding a contributor and honestly, I like what I see in the 2nd round to be honest. I think they can potentially find a contributor there. That's the point.
I mean the consensus is very far different from what your claiming. From my view you haven't presented a compelling enough argument to warrant a thorough response.

"The C spot looks very thin" Am I to assume your familiar with James Nnaji?

Classically public opinion of many of the potential draftees peaks in march, n then after the season as fans get more familiar with the names n faces n potential 'warts' opinion tends to simmer. So we haven't really reached the most important games for evaluation yet.. Ya know? Especially us as a potential playoff team, we wanna see who's gonna perform in do or die situations.

If you want to present like an itemized thorough debunking naming names, or tiers of the draft, we can have at it. But really my firm belief is at this point its clearly a situation in flux.

The late MF Doom said "The more you know, the more you know you don't know crap", n really gauging the July drafts depth here in mid February seems like that sort of fruitless endeavor to me.

Just think of this point last year Jalen Williams was maybe like 55th on someones mock.. He ends up in the lottery, n is now thorougly outperforming almost evey rookie in the class.. Malakhi Branham was on like 0 mocks at this point n was being written off as a potential 2-and-done, he ends up in the lottery.
 
Ok I can see now why Real Madrid let Tristian Vukcevic go and why he's not getting any playing time except in blow outs. On defense he's comically bad like way worse than Enes Kantar bad, that plus his Javale McGee moments which is a massive shame on offense he has amazing size/skills/talent. Barring some sort of miracle he's not an NBA player, I don't think he would get playing time in Eurocup maybe in like 3-4 years if he matures he might get a shot at the NBA. Kind of reminds me a bit of Skal (I forgot him last name) the former King who was also a highly touted (at one point #1 pick) before reality set in.
Interesting and yeah Skal Labissiere is an appropriate comparison point.

So there's 2 other 6'11ish players vieing for this draft (3 If you include Kel'el Ware, which I wouldnt, but I'm sure many would), with size mobility and skillsets near that mold that I've got an eye on.

One of them is 18 years old n a stash candidate in Ousmane N'Daiye, we'll get a better read on him by months end in the Hoop Summit.


the other is Mohammed Gueye Sophomore at Washington State.


Gueye is lower than Vukcevic on every board I've seen but I think he might be safer.
 
Maryland just eviscerated Purdue in that 2nd half. Julian Reese 6'9 Sophomore powerhouse forward they have there has some similarities with the Knicks Jericho Sims whos way outperformed his draft position of #58 in 2021.

Honestly if not for the consistently hilarious/entertaining play of 6' Freshman sharpshooting PG (not a potential draftee, too small) Braden Smith, who looks like he'll be one of Purdue's all time leading scorers if he stays 4 years, this game would have been an even bigger beatdown.