Pure speculation at this point, but all signs are pointing to a looooooooooooooooong lockout, perhaps even losing an entire season. If the season is canceled and the Kings have similar draft position next year (or better if a lottery is done again...) are there any big man prospects at PF or C that they would be likely to take, or would small forward still be the position of most need? Jared Sullinger comes to mind as a true PF banger, but he might go higher than #7 in all likelihood. Thoughts? Would Sullinger be a good fit next to Cousins, or is his defensive range too limited?
I'm willing to give Sullinger another year before making a final judgement on his college career. But, based on what I've seen from him so far, I'd say that he's not someone I'd want next to Cousins. He's a good, but not great rebounder, and his offense is somewhat limited to the post. Defensively he's not the quickest guy on the court. Now to be fair to him, he's susposedly worked his butt off this entire offseason, and weighs about 15 pounds less. So I'll wait and see how that affects his game.
At the SF position there's a freshman at Kentucky this year named Michael Gilchrist that I just love. He's a terrific athlete at 6'7" and with a 6'11" wingspan. His outside shot is still inconsistent, but the rest of his game is very good. He's an outstanding defender, and most of all, he has the mentality of a winner.
The best big man in college is another Kentucky freshman, Anthony Davis. A 6'10" PF thats a very good athlete. He grew, depending on who you ask, somewhere between 7 to 9 inches between his sophmore and senior years of highschool. So what you have is a 6'10" player with all the skills of a guard. There's basicly nothing he can't do. He has a floor thats higher than most players ceilings.
Honorable mention has to go to James McAdoo, the nephew of the great Bob McAdoo. Only 6'8.5", so he's a little undersized, but he has a 7'1" Wingspan, so he plays bigger than that. He could possibly end up being a better player than Sullinger.
I'm doing a critique of all the college and highschool players in greater depth in the General fourm if your really interested. You'll see the name Andre Drummond, a 6'10" man child whose future is a little unkown at the moment. But if he's allowed into the draft, a high possibiltiy, he'll certainly be a lottery pick on potential alone.
Edit: I have to mention Perry Jones. He was a big disappointment last year at Baylor, but there's no denying the talent. I'm looking for a breakout year from him. Also from Harrison Barnes of North Carolina, who came on strong at the end of last seaon. So those are two guys from last season to watch. Along with Terrence Jones of Kentucky.
