bajaden
Hall of Famer
After playing around with posting a 2nd rd mock draft, I decided it's almost impossible this year to post anything that I would feel confident in. I'm not sure of anything in the 1st rd once I get past the 15th pick. Second rd's are always difficult, but this year is particularly so. When your not sure who the 1st pick in the 1st rd should be, how in the hell could you feel confident as to who the 1st pick in the 2nd rd should be?
So, rather than make some feeble attempt at a 2nd rd in total, I have decided to simply list the players I would be happy with if chosen by the Kings. Even that is a little difficult since some of these players could be taken in the 1st rd. Or not!! One more thing I might add. Just because it's difficult to put players in the right pecking order, doesn't mean that there isn't any talent there. They all have some warts, but are they removable.
At this point, when there's a lot of equality in the talent, I think you start to look at need, and fit, and then let the chips fall where they may. This is also where I think knowing something about the players personality and work ethics becomes more important because that may be the one thing that separates him from the others. So, without further ado!
Tyler Bey: 6'7", 216 lb's, Colorado, SF.
My gut tells me that Bey will go in the 1st rd even though most drafts have him in the 2nd. If he does fall into the 2nd, I would trade up to get him if I were the Kings. Bey has been compared to Kawhi Leonard, and if you watch him play, you'll see why. Terrific defender with great length and athleticism. He reportedly has a 7'1" wingspan. He does most of his scoring at the basket, or from mid-range where he has a nice step back 16 footer. He shot 53.0% overall. However, unlike Leonard at the same point in time, he's a very good 3 pt shooter averaging 41.9%. Add in 9 rpg, 1.5 stl's, and 1.2 blocks, and you have yourself a hell of a basketball player. As you can see, I really like Bey.
Paul Reed: 6'9", 220 lbs, DePaul, PF.
Yes, I know I have him going in the first rd, but that's my opinion of where he should go. Many mock's have him in the 2nd rd. He is certainly a player I would grab in a heartbeat. Hustle guy who is a better shooter from beyond the perimeter than his stats would indicate. He was a double/double machine all season long. I can see him as a possible starter down the road, but definitely as a solid rotation player. He's a good defender that blocked 2.6 shots a game.
Daniel Oturu: 6'10", 240 lbs, Minnesota, C/PF.
Another fringe 1st rd pick. A big man that can step out and shoot the three a bit (36.5%), rebound (11.3 pg), and defend the basket (2.5 bpg). He definitely fits into today's NBA. Do we need another big man? Probably not, but Oturu is a very good player and he would be one of the top players in the 2nd rd, if he's there.
Immanuel Quickley: 6"3", 188 lb's, Kentucky, PG/SG.
Quickley was without a doubt the best player on the Kentucky team at times, and were talking about a very, very talented team. He was also one of the most improved players in college.. He shot the ball from the perimeter extremely well (42.8%) and I think I should remind everyone that the NCAA moved the 3 pt line out to within 2 inches of the NBA 3 pt line last year, so those stats are more credible when projecting to the NBA. Despite his low assist numbers (1.9 pg), he is a very good passer. Kentucky needed perimeter and overall scoring, and that's what Quickley was asked to do.
Tyrell Terry: 6'2", 160 Lb's, Stanford, PG.
Terry is another player that I think is a 1st rd talent, and it wouldn't surprise me to see a team at the bottom of the 1st rd nab him. He obviously needs to get stronger, and I'm sure some teams look at his frame and see limitations there. But he's very talented and brings one attribute that's coveted; He can score, and he can shoot the three (40.8%). Despite his small stature, he's not afraid to go in among giants for a rebound (4.5 pg). He's an excellent passer with very good court vision.
Zeke Nnaji: 6'11", 240 lb's, Arizona, C/PF.
Nnaji is a player that will need some development. There's no doubt in my mind that he underachieved this past season. Not sure whether to blame him, or Sean Miller and his coaching staff. Nnaji is another player that could go at the bottom of the 1st rd. He's a good athlete with length who should have blocked more shots than he did, and grabbed more rebounds. He's the kind of player that could pay dividends down the road.
https://youtu.be/AWGV7Fj_Rxw
Ayo Dosunmu: 6'5", 185 lb's, Illinois, PG/SG.
I think Dosunmu is a very talented player with a lot of potential. If you can ignore his 29.6% from the three, there's a lot to like. Terrific athlete with great length. He has a quick first step off the dribble and uses it to attack the basket. He seems to get into the lane at will. He shot over 35% from the three his Freshman year and his form looks fine. While his 3pt percentage went down, his overall percentage wen't up, (48.4%). I think he has the potential to be a very good defender.
https://youtu.be/28TYwNsf4LQ
Malachi Flynn: 6'1", 185 lb's, San Diego St., PG.
Flynn was the heart and soul of the San Diego St. team. He's a tough hard nosed player that never seems to panic, and seldom makes mistakes when the game is on the line. He wears the leadership role well. He plays both ends of the floor and won't back down from anyone. He shot a respectable 37.3% from the three while averaging 5.1 assists and 1.3 steals. I don't know if he'll ever be a starter in the league, but I see him as a solid backup PG that you can trust to make the right decisions.
Killian Tillie: 6'10", 220 lb's, Gonazga, PF/SF.
Make no mistake, Tillie should be a lottery pick. He's one of the most talented players in this draft. He can score from anywhere on the floor. 44.4% from the three, 54.8% overall are his four year averages. He's a terrific weak side shot blocker and a very good passer. So why you ask is such a good player in the 2nd rd? Injuries! Tillie has been plagued by injuries all four years, so there is definitely some risk to picking him. But we have 3 second rd picks, so why not take a risk? When healthy, he's as good a player as anyone else you could put on the floor.
https://youtu.be/lRiyOu5ffIc
Desmond Bane: 6'6", 215 lb's, TCU, SG.
Bane was the best player on the TCU team. He comes with an NBA body and is a very good athlete. He has the entire tool box when it comes to scoring. floater's, mid-range pull ups, finishing at the basket, and also shot 44.2% from the three. He has good handles and is an excellent passer who is capable to playing the point if needed. He also pulled down 6.4 rebounds this past season. Bane is one of my sleeper picks who I think will surprise people. Not sure why he's projected as a 2nd rd pick, other than his age.
https://youtu.be/jK4I299PZx4
Isiaha Mike: 6'8", 215 lb's, SMU, SF.
Mike is a good athlete with an NBA body. I look at him as a potential 3&D player. He's a very good catch and shoot player who is almost automatic from the corner. Off the dribble, you can bet he's headed to the basket where he has a variety of shots, pull ups, floaters etc, or he'll dish the ball. He shot a very good 48.1% overall, and 37.7% from the three. He's a very good rebounder grabbing 6.3 game. He has a good nose for the ball and he gets a lot of put backs. I see him as a potential rotation player who can score a some points, defend, and grab some boards off the bench. Or he could be more than that.
https://youtu.be/_YNdmqOLtvY
Robert Woodard: 6'7", 235 lb's, Mississippi St., SF.
Woodard is another dark horse candidate that I like. Good athlete who plays both ends of the floor. Reportedly has over a 7 ft wingspan. Has a nose for the ball and gets a lot of put back points. Good rebounder averaging 6.5 per game. He's an efficient scorer who shot 49.5% overall, and 42.9% from the three. He's strong enough to play some small ball PF especially with his length.
https://youtu.be/485b77YChlo
That's the last of my group and in no particular order, although there are some I like better than others. We have three picks and I feel confident that some of these players will be available. Some also ran's are Makur Maker, Cassius Stanley, John Petty, Ashton Hagins, Payton Pritchard, and Corey Kispert.
Isiaha Mike has decided to drop out of the draft and return for his senior year.
So, rather than make some feeble attempt at a 2nd rd in total, I have decided to simply list the players I would be happy with if chosen by the Kings. Even that is a little difficult since some of these players could be taken in the 1st rd. Or not!! One more thing I might add. Just because it's difficult to put players in the right pecking order, doesn't mean that there isn't any talent there. They all have some warts, but are they removable.
At this point, when there's a lot of equality in the talent, I think you start to look at need, and fit, and then let the chips fall where they may. This is also where I think knowing something about the players personality and work ethics becomes more important because that may be the one thing that separates him from the others. So, without further ado!
Tyler Bey: 6'7", 216 lb's, Colorado, SF.
My gut tells me that Bey will go in the 1st rd even though most drafts have him in the 2nd. If he does fall into the 2nd, I would trade up to get him if I were the Kings. Bey has been compared to Kawhi Leonard, and if you watch him play, you'll see why. Terrific defender with great length and athleticism. He reportedly has a 7'1" wingspan. He does most of his scoring at the basket, or from mid-range where he has a nice step back 16 footer. He shot 53.0% overall. However, unlike Leonard at the same point in time, he's a very good 3 pt shooter averaging 41.9%. Add in 9 rpg, 1.5 stl's, and 1.2 blocks, and you have yourself a hell of a basketball player. As you can see, I really like Bey.
Paul Reed: 6'9", 220 lbs, DePaul, PF.
Yes, I know I have him going in the first rd, but that's my opinion of where he should go. Many mock's have him in the 2nd rd. He is certainly a player I would grab in a heartbeat. Hustle guy who is a better shooter from beyond the perimeter than his stats would indicate. He was a double/double machine all season long. I can see him as a possible starter down the road, but definitely as a solid rotation player. He's a good defender that blocked 2.6 shots a game.
Daniel Oturu: 6'10", 240 lbs, Minnesota, C/PF.
Another fringe 1st rd pick. A big man that can step out and shoot the three a bit (36.5%), rebound (11.3 pg), and defend the basket (2.5 bpg). He definitely fits into today's NBA. Do we need another big man? Probably not, but Oturu is a very good player and he would be one of the top players in the 2nd rd, if he's there.
Immanuel Quickley: 6"3", 188 lb's, Kentucky, PG/SG.
Quickley was without a doubt the best player on the Kentucky team at times, and were talking about a very, very talented team. He was also one of the most improved players in college.. He shot the ball from the perimeter extremely well (42.8%) and I think I should remind everyone that the NCAA moved the 3 pt line out to within 2 inches of the NBA 3 pt line last year, so those stats are more credible when projecting to the NBA. Despite his low assist numbers (1.9 pg), he is a very good passer. Kentucky needed perimeter and overall scoring, and that's what Quickley was asked to do.
Tyrell Terry: 6'2", 160 Lb's, Stanford, PG.
Terry is another player that I think is a 1st rd talent, and it wouldn't surprise me to see a team at the bottom of the 1st rd nab him. He obviously needs to get stronger, and I'm sure some teams look at his frame and see limitations there. But he's very talented and brings one attribute that's coveted; He can score, and he can shoot the three (40.8%). Despite his small stature, he's not afraid to go in among giants for a rebound (4.5 pg). He's an excellent passer with very good court vision.
Zeke Nnaji: 6'11", 240 lb's, Arizona, C/PF.
Nnaji is a player that will need some development. There's no doubt in my mind that he underachieved this past season. Not sure whether to blame him, or Sean Miller and his coaching staff. Nnaji is another player that could go at the bottom of the 1st rd. He's a good athlete with length who should have blocked more shots than he did, and grabbed more rebounds. He's the kind of player that could pay dividends down the road.
https://youtu.be/AWGV7Fj_Rxw
Ayo Dosunmu: 6'5", 185 lb's, Illinois, PG/SG.
I think Dosunmu is a very talented player with a lot of potential. If you can ignore his 29.6% from the three, there's a lot to like. Terrific athlete with great length. He has a quick first step off the dribble and uses it to attack the basket. He seems to get into the lane at will. He shot over 35% from the three his Freshman year and his form looks fine. While his 3pt percentage went down, his overall percentage wen't up, (48.4%). I think he has the potential to be a very good defender.
https://youtu.be/28TYwNsf4LQ
Malachi Flynn: 6'1", 185 lb's, San Diego St., PG.
Flynn was the heart and soul of the San Diego St. team. He's a tough hard nosed player that never seems to panic, and seldom makes mistakes when the game is on the line. He wears the leadership role well. He plays both ends of the floor and won't back down from anyone. He shot a respectable 37.3% from the three while averaging 5.1 assists and 1.3 steals. I don't know if he'll ever be a starter in the league, but I see him as a solid backup PG that you can trust to make the right decisions.
Killian Tillie: 6'10", 220 lb's, Gonazga, PF/SF.
Make no mistake, Tillie should be a lottery pick. He's one of the most talented players in this draft. He can score from anywhere on the floor. 44.4% from the three, 54.8% overall are his four year averages. He's a terrific weak side shot blocker and a very good passer. So why you ask is such a good player in the 2nd rd? Injuries! Tillie has been plagued by injuries all four years, so there is definitely some risk to picking him. But we have 3 second rd picks, so why not take a risk? When healthy, he's as good a player as anyone else you could put on the floor.
https://youtu.be/lRiyOu5ffIc
Desmond Bane: 6'6", 215 lb's, TCU, SG.
Bane was the best player on the TCU team. He comes with an NBA body and is a very good athlete. He has the entire tool box when it comes to scoring. floater's, mid-range pull ups, finishing at the basket, and also shot 44.2% from the three. He has good handles and is an excellent passer who is capable to playing the point if needed. He also pulled down 6.4 rebounds this past season. Bane is one of my sleeper picks who I think will surprise people. Not sure why he's projected as a 2nd rd pick, other than his age.
https://youtu.be/jK4I299PZx4
Isiaha Mike: 6'8", 215 lb's, SMU, SF.
Mike is a good athlete with an NBA body. I look at him as a potential 3&D player. He's a very good catch and shoot player who is almost automatic from the corner. Off the dribble, you can bet he's headed to the basket where he has a variety of shots, pull ups, floaters etc, or he'll dish the ball. He shot a very good 48.1% overall, and 37.7% from the three. He's a very good rebounder grabbing 6.3 game. He has a good nose for the ball and he gets a lot of put backs. I see him as a potential rotation player who can score a some points, defend, and grab some boards off the bench. Or he could be more than that.
https://youtu.be/_YNdmqOLtvY
Robert Woodard: 6'7", 235 lb's, Mississippi St., SF.
Woodard is another dark horse candidate that I like. Good athlete who plays both ends of the floor. Reportedly has over a 7 ft wingspan. Has a nose for the ball and gets a lot of put back points. Good rebounder averaging 6.5 per game. He's an efficient scorer who shot 49.5% overall, and 42.9% from the three. He's strong enough to play some small ball PF especially with his length.
https://youtu.be/485b77YChlo
That's the last of my group and in no particular order, although there are some I like better than others. We have three picks and I feel confident that some of these players will be available. Some also ran's are Makur Maker, Cassius Stanley, John Petty, Ashton Hagins, Payton Pritchard, and Corey Kispert.
Isiaha Mike has decided to drop out of the draft and return for his senior year.
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