Baja Den's way too early, worthless 2023 mock draft:
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Still waiting word on Musa Sagnia and Michael Calceido.
This player might look good in a Kings uniform(eventually).. He moves well.. If we were somehow to go like a bigger player a PF or a C and then a Combo guard at 24 and 38, maybe we take a swingman like this, development project might work. Very little risk to see how he does in the G-League, certainly he's got the frame for the job.
I'm also still totally unsure when an overtime elite player such as Jazian Gortman would have to withdraw his name. I look now at the NBA's officially released list of early entry candidates and Gortmans name isnt even on it...
EDIT ---- Sagnia and Calceido have withdrawn.
I'm also still totally unsure when an overtime elite player such as Jazian Gortman would have to withdraw his name. I look now at the NBA's officially released list of early entry candidates and Gortmans name isnt even on it...
EDIT ---- Sagnia and Calceido have withdrawn.
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Is it bad that I’m set on Jamie Jaquez Jr with our 1st second round pick and would be OK taking him in the 1st?
The potential of Leonard Miller and Dariq Whitehead would probably be too enticing for me to pull the trigger on Jaquez. But dude looks like he’s going to be long time rotation player (if he can just clean up the catch-and-shoot 3 percentages). And he battles on the boards and is physical. I get the lack of standing reach is a problem - but the BBIQ is outstanding.
The potential of Leonard Miller and Dariq Whitehead would probably be too enticing for me to pull the trigger on Jaquez. But dude looks like he’s going to be long time rotation player (if he can just clean up the catch-and-shoot 3 percentages). And he battles on the boards and is physical. I get the lack of standing reach is a problem - but the BBIQ is outstanding.
ClutchPoints 2023 NBA Mock Draft 3.0: Dereck Lively II surges into top 10 a week before draft (msn.com)
24. Sacramento Kings – SG Ben Sheppard – Belmont
"The Sacramento Kings would love to have Kris Murray fall their way, but should he not be on the board by the time they are ready to pick, Ben Sheppard would be a fantastic choice for them. Sheppard has quickly risen up draft boards after his performances at the NBA Combine and may just be the best player in this draft class in terms of charisma. Energy and character can be infectious, and we saw the culture Mike Brown has created in Sacramento. Sheppard fits their system perfectly and would provide them with another key three-point shooting weapon on the bench alongside Malik Monk. I love this spot for Sheppard and love the fit even more."
24. Sacramento Kings – SG Ben Sheppard – Belmont
"The Sacramento Kings would love to have Kris Murray fall their way, but should he not be on the board by the time they are ready to pick, Ben Sheppard would be a fantastic choice for them. Sheppard has quickly risen up draft boards after his performances at the NBA Combine and may just be the best player in this draft class in terms of charisma. Energy and character can be infectious, and we saw the culture Mike Brown has created in Sacramento. Sheppard fits their system perfectly and would provide them with another key three-point shooting weapon on the bench alongside Malik Monk. I love this spot for Sheppard and love the fit even more."
I was surprised that Castleton didn't get invited to the combine. I was curious what his actual measurements are.
His rebounding dipped a bit this season for no obvious reason, which is slightly concerning, but Florida overall had a down season.
He does a lot of things decently. Screening, defending, scoring inside, even a pretty good passer.
He still needs to gain weight/strength but he'd be good value late in the 2nd as I think he could be an end of rotation NBA player with a bit of work and he's closer than most guys in that range based on age & experience.
His rebounding dipped a bit this season for no obvious reason, which is slightly concerning, but Florida overall had a down season.
He does a lot of things decently. Screening, defending, scoring inside, even a pretty good passer.
He still needs to gain weight/strength but he'd be good value late in the 2nd as I think he could be an end of rotation NBA player with a bit of work and he's closer than most guys in that range based on age & experience.
I'd still take Max Lewis and his upside over Sheppard, but I wouldn't hate this. Before the Combine scrimmage I thought he'd for sure be there at 38 and possibly at 54.
Doesn't boost the team's athleticism or physicality but he'd adds shooting and playmaking and could slide into the TD role assuming Davis leaves in free agency.
Doesn't boost the team's athleticism or physicality but he'd adds shooting and playmaking and could slide into the TD role assuming Davis leaves in free agency.
He was at the G League Elite combine his measurements were;
7.1% bodyfat
8.5" hand length
10" hand width
233.6lbs
6'10.5" without shoes
9'2.5" standing reach
7'3.5" wingspan
Here he is destroying another C thought to be in that very same range, Tshiebwe.
I remember posting about him here right around new years he kept putting up these statlines where he'd have like 5 assists and 5 blocks and plenty of everything else too.. N i recall thinking 'that passing he does could fit with our kings'
7.1% bodyfat
8.5" hand length
10" hand width
233.6lbs
6'10.5" without shoes
9'2.5" standing reach
7'3.5" wingspan
Here he is destroying another C thought to be in that very same range, Tshiebwe.
I remember posting about him here right around new years he kept putting up these statlines where he'd have like 5 assists and 5 blocks and plenty of everything else too.. N i recall thinking 'that passing he does could fit with our kings'
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Thanks for that. He's pretty close to Queta in terms of measureables as well as play style/stats. He's slightly smaller all around (an inch shorter, 2 inches less standing reach, slightly smaller wingspan, 15 lbs lighter etc) but maybe a little less mechanical on offense.
Both need to be stronger on the glass but they can both block shots and are sneaky good passers who each show enough touch and FT% (74% this year for Castleton and 71% for Queta) that you hope they develop a decent outside jumper.
Both need to be stronger on the glass but they can both block shots and are sneaky good passers who each show enough touch and FT% (74% this year for Castleton and 71% for Queta) that you hope they develop a decent outside jumper.
Oh Castleton's less mechanical on offense for sure watch him pumpfake or give a headfake, watch him pumpfake then spin in the other direction, Queta does things like that max effort elbows out ready to destroy you but he's a bit higher center of gravity and yes lumbering, Castleton does that stuff with a degree of finesse and nuance for a big fella, he has a strong feel for the game on offense. watch Castleton dribble the ball from the perimeter/get downhill he's got some nice balance to him. Castleton was considered to be a PF and he's grown into the C position really. Queta is much more your standard variety 5 man with a go-to dropstep move, who can shoot 3's block shots n board.
check out 1:36... thats what I mean.. Or look at what he does catching the ball a step outside the 3pt line at 2:04, these arent out of conference nobodies, hes doing that sort of stuff vs the #2 team in hte nation in the 2nd half, thats not some broken play thats him in his comfort zone exploiting a mismatch..
Castleton was actually playing SO good before the injury happened, I was very excited to see it cuz Florida had other young talent doing well at different parts of the season, if they could only all put it together at the same time type of deal ---- these highlghts were like 5 games before the injury, and the 5 games between this huge upset vs #2 Tennessee and the injury he was putting up like 25 a game with 3 ast 2 blks 12 rebs crazy stats n then he went down, so maybe that injury is the only reason he's so low..
This faceup ability was also the sell on the 7-footer from Utah we worked out(but he withdrew) Carlson n he's actually a good 3pt shooter.
Queta's only a little older than Castleton but I dont think they actually exist on the same timeframe for the Kings, I'd argue Queta is a year ahead, we'd be taking a flyer on Castleton at 54 to fill Queta's shoes in the G-League not to directly compete against him yr1. So he's actually much more of a 'well if Queta doesnt work out we've got this up our sleeve n we're grooming it type of deal'. Castleton might be a guy who can really put up good stats in the g-league, still need him to strengthen up more, so he might be worth keeping n hiding til RFA as we may have just done with Queta... we obviously resign Lyles so he'd jsut be insurance but also does offer a different look for sure, we are talking the very bottom of the 2nd rd here.
check out 1:36... thats what I mean.. Or look at what he does catching the ball a step outside the 3pt line at 2:04, these arent out of conference nobodies, hes doing that sort of stuff vs the #2 team in hte nation in the 2nd half, thats not some broken play thats him in his comfort zone exploiting a mismatch..
Castleton was actually playing SO good before the injury happened, I was very excited to see it cuz Florida had other young talent doing well at different parts of the season, if they could only all put it together at the same time type of deal ---- these highlghts were like 5 games before the injury, and the 5 games between this huge upset vs #2 Tennessee and the injury he was putting up like 25 a game with 3 ast 2 blks 12 rebs crazy stats n then he went down, so maybe that injury is the only reason he's so low..
This faceup ability was also the sell on the 7-footer from Utah we worked out(but he withdrew) Carlson n he's actually a good 3pt shooter.
Queta's only a little older than Castleton but I dont think they actually exist on the same timeframe for the Kings, I'd argue Queta is a year ahead, we'd be taking a flyer on Castleton at 54 to fill Queta's shoes in the G-League not to directly compete against him yr1. So he's actually much more of a 'well if Queta doesnt work out we've got this up our sleeve n we're grooming it type of deal'. Castleton might be a guy who can really put up good stats in the g-league, still need him to strengthen up more, so he might be worth keeping n hiding til RFA as we may have just done with Queta... we obviously resign Lyles so he'd jsut be insurance but also does offer a different look for sure, we are talking the very bottom of the 2nd rd here.
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Nah, it's impossible to have too many wings. And Kessler is a swing too, he actually started for us at the 2 for like 3 games right? And looked extremely comfortable defending anywhere 1-4. And the slightly big elephant in the room is you still don't have Vezenkov or HB inked on a contract. I think it's pretty likely one or both do end up here next season, but what if both flop? And you pass on a great wing prospect because you thought you had too much wing depth? Uh oh.
Question for the crowd:
Say we can trade up to 20 to 100% select Kris Murray, but it costs you pick 38. Assume you could still land one of your favorite prospects still on the board at 24. Is the brother connection worth it? Is Kris Murray in the same tier as a lot of the names we talk about or is he one higher?
To me, I can't help but think that's also making a real investment in Keegan that would surely help his development too. How would not having your twin brother on the team make you better? How could him being here not help off the court?
Question for the crowd:
Say we can trade up to 20 to 100% select Kris Murray, but it costs you pick 38. Assume you could still land one of your favorite prospects still on the board at 24. Is the brother connection worth it? Is Kris Murray in the same tier as a lot of the names we talk about or is he one higher?
To me, I can't help but think that's also making a real investment in Keegan that would surely help his development too. How would not having your twin brother on the team make you better? How could him being here not help off the court?
That's a very hard question for me because of my positive outlook on this year's draft.
1. I believe that we can get an NBA starter at #24
2. I believe that we can get a NBA rotational player at #38
Looking at our future team projection without Barnes, I can't say for certain that Kris would be a starter on this team. We'd be running Fox-Huerter-Murray-Murray-Sabonis. Defense, rebounding, and size would be a weak spot. I don't think you have any advantages running the Murray Twins at the forward positions vs. having Keegan + shotblocking PF (gives us a rim protector and size) or Keegan + SF/SG (gives us more guard-oriented play with better perimeter defense and defensive flexibility).
Giving up #38 to draft Kris would only be worth it if you believe Kris unlocks Keegan's star potential. It comes down to how much you believe in Keegan. I would only do this trade on a couple conditions. 1) The FO speaks to Keegan and emphasizes that they see him as a future AS and building block. 2) Keegan thinks having his brother on the team can help him reach that level. 3) Kris would be content playing in his brother's shadow again
1. I believe that we can get an NBA starter at #24
2. I believe that we can get a NBA rotational player at #38
Looking at our future team projection without Barnes, I can't say for certain that Kris would be a starter on this team. We'd be running Fox-Huerter-Murray-Murray-Sabonis. Defense, rebounding, and size would be a weak spot. I don't think you have any advantages running the Murray Twins at the forward positions vs. having Keegan + shotblocking PF (gives us a rim protector and size) or Keegan + SF/SG (gives us more guard-oriented play with better perimeter defense and defensive flexibility).
Giving up #38 to draft Kris would only be worth it if you believe Kris unlocks Keegan's star potential. It comes down to how much you believe in Keegan. I would only do this trade on a couple conditions. 1) The FO speaks to Keegan and emphasizes that they see him as a future AS and building block. 2) Keegan thinks having his brother on the team can help him reach that level. 3) Kris would be content playing in his brother's shadow again
if this is the case I hope utter chaos goes on in the teens, that can only be good for the Kings.
I was thinking Miami at one point, but with Duncan Robinson's playoff resurgence and Jovic recently selected its probably not be the area they try to address.
Kris to Houston at 20 makes some sense to me. He compliments some of their younger frontcourt peices and also provides them some insurance for when Kenyon Martin Jr. leaves town (which seems likely when the time is come)
I do wonder if Kris will go before Jett Howard.
I was thinking Miami at one point, but with Duncan Robinson's playoff resurgence and Jovic recently selected its probably not be the area they try to address.
Kris to Houston at 20 makes some sense to me. He compliments some of their younger frontcourt peices and also provides them some insurance for when Kenyon Martin Jr. leaves town (which seems likely when the time is come)
I do wonder if Kris will go before Jett Howard.
I'm gonna say that I'd much rather just take Oliver Maxence Prosper or Dariq Whitehead at 24 and then the BPA at 38, that seems WAY safer to me.
Kris Murray shot 33% from 3 and he turns 23 soon. Why are we trading up to get him past players like Whitehead who turns 19 soon but is already built like a brick house n shot 43% from 3? Doesnt add up, seems as if we're drafting for novelty than for value idk, maybe I'm missing something though..
If the idea is that Murray will flourish around our NBA talent, then I could see that being the straw that breaks the camels back n warranting our selecting him, but the Pick has gotta be about Kris, we already crushed it on Keegan thats money in the bank no need to double-down.. In a vacuum, it doesnt make sense to just give up the 38th pick to go after Kris when theres gonna be solid alternatives in the same position available back at 24.
Full disclosure though I am also an advocate for signing Keita Bates-Diop in Free Agency who'd make no sense here if Kris is selected, but could possibly fill that very same SF/PF backup role for cheap, and he shot 39% from 3 in the NBA last season n theres reason to believe he's been improving every season for a while now.
Kris Murray shot 33% from 3 and he turns 23 soon. Why are we trading up to get him past players like Whitehead who turns 19 soon but is already built like a brick house n shot 43% from 3? Doesnt add up, seems as if we're drafting for novelty than for value idk, maybe I'm missing something though..
If the idea is that Murray will flourish around our NBA talent, then I could see that being the straw that breaks the camels back n warranting our selecting him, but the Pick has gotta be about Kris, we already crushed it on Keegan thats money in the bank no need to double-down.. In a vacuum, it doesnt make sense to just give up the 38th pick to go after Kris when theres gonna be solid alternatives in the same position available back at 24.
Full disclosure though I am also an advocate for signing Keita Bates-Diop in Free Agency who'd make no sense here if Kris is selected, but could possibly fill that very same SF/PF backup role for cheap, and he shot 39% from 3 in the NBA last season n theres reason to believe he's been improving every season for a while now.
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Nah he's a traditional C kind of like a crap Zubac, I think he will be a decent Eurocup back up/starter and maybe 3rd string Euroleage C. He's decent but I'm not sure about NBA he would have to improve tremendously, although right now he's a much more effective player in the ABA where he's the starting C but potential wise it's not even close.
Los Angeles Times NBA mock draft: Here's what will happen after Victor Wembanyama goes No. 1 (yahoo.com).
24. Sacramento Kings: Jaime Jaquez Jr., 6-7, SF, UCLA
Jaquez really helped himself in the pre-draft process, evaluators have said. Teams value his versatility, maturity and resourcefulness. He’s viewed as a player who could help contribute earlier than most.
24. Sacramento Kings: Jaime Jaquez Jr., 6-7, SF, UCLA
Jaquez really helped himself in the pre-draft process, evaluators have said. Teams value his versatility, maturity and resourcefulness. He’s viewed as a player who could help contribute earlier than most.
