If Kings draft at #7, who should they take?
- Thread starter CruzDude
- Start date
ParniValjak
All-Star
If we are picking 7th, I think it will be Smart that we pick. My thinking is that, he might be the best available but also he is an insurance on IT leaving.
PDA has been pretty outspoken about wanting to keep Rudy Gay and has been quoted as saying he has a figure in mind for IT. Come draft day, I think PDA will have a pretty good idea what Rudy intends to do and what are our chances of keeping him. If this is the case, I think we will pick Smart, partly as an insurance for IT leaving and partly because we have a ton of PFs clogging up the roster so its the absolute last thing we need unless we are talking about a bona fide shot blocker.
Having said that, I still think the most likely scenario is that we trade the pick for a proven player.
PDA has been pretty outspoken about wanting to keep Rudy Gay and has been quoted as saying he has a figure in mind for IT. Come draft day, I think PDA will have a pretty good idea what Rudy intends to do and what are our chances of keeping him. If this is the case, I think we will pick Smart, partly as an insurance for IT leaving and partly because we have a ton of PFs clogging up the roster so its the absolute last thing we need unless we are talking about a bona fide shot blocker.
Having said that, I still think the most likely scenario is that we trade the pick for a proven player.
John Salmons comes to mind. Can play some PG too!
NewArena
All-Star
Yeah we won't be taking the next step if either of them are starting. We've made nice changes, but that
spot is clearly our biggest weakness, in terms of having a starting caliber player there.
I like both players, but i believe they're perfect off the bench
kingsboi
Hall of Famer
If indeed we are going to be drafting 7th overall and Marcus Smart is on the board, I will take Smart and develop him into a hell of a defender. He all ready is a pretty good defender, the shot mechanics can be worked on and I'm sure he is a very passionate player that hates to lose just like our franchise so I would be all game for drafting Smart, he will be legit in my opinion. By the way, I really am a big fan of Julius Randle, too bad we won't be in a position to draft him.
randymoss1881
Starter
I liked the idea of trading the 7th to Pheonix for there two picks. I think Payton will rise in the draft and I hope we are the one to fall in love with him. Getting the Sind two picks we can get Payton and James Young. Young can be the back up 3/2 who is a great shooter and athlete.
S
SacKings2002NBAChampions
Guest
Dudes, Smart would be a horrible draft pick for the Kings. Cousins would eat him alive for being a selfish player who has a horrible outside game. Ray Mac at least would pass the ball to our established scorers: Cousins, Gay, Ben Mac (hopefully...).
We don't need another scorer who starts. Sure, Smart has great defensive awareness and hustle, but he is horrendous on offense and creating plays for his teammates. He's just not that type of player. Not a player that makes his team better.
Exum, Saric, Wiggins, Parker, Embiid, etc are all team first players. That's what we need. We already have the scorers. Now it's all about finding them and getting them easy baskets. That's why we finished the season strong despite playing multiple playoff teams. We finally had a pass-first pg who was team oriented and defense oriented. Ray Mac is never going to be a superstar in this league; however, he can be a great pg who helps his team become better.
Right now, we need a pg who can instill Ben Mac with some confidence. By doing that, we need to find him some open shots and free up the lane for him to drive. Cousins and Gay need more shots. IT needs to come off the bench and needs to be benched if he's having an off night/week/month etc or if he's selfish. Malone needs to be more assertive. It seems like his players are running the team rather than him. It's quite depressing. I feel like he has no control over Cousins. That's an issue. Malone needs to step it up as well and be more assertive.
Embiid, Wiggins, Parker, Exum, Vonleh and Saric are the only players I'd want in the top 10. If we can't get any of them then trade the pick...
We don't need another scorer who starts. Sure, Smart has great defensive awareness and hustle, but he is horrendous on offense and creating plays for his teammates. He's just not that type of player. Not a player that makes his team better.
Exum, Saric, Wiggins, Parker, Embiid, etc are all team first players. That's what we need. We already have the scorers. Now it's all about finding them and getting them easy baskets. That's why we finished the season strong despite playing multiple playoff teams. We finally had a pass-first pg who was team oriented and defense oriented. Ray Mac is never going to be a superstar in this league; however, he can be a great pg who helps his team become better.
Right now, we need a pg who can instill Ben Mac with some confidence. By doing that, we need to find him some open shots and free up the lane for him to drive. Cousins and Gay need more shots. IT needs to come off the bench and needs to be benched if he's having an off night/week/month etc or if he's selfish. Malone needs to be more assertive. It seems like his players are running the team rather than him. It's quite depressing. I feel like he has no control over Cousins. That's an issue. Malone needs to step it up as well and be more assertive.
Embiid, Wiggins, Parker, Exum, Vonleh and Saric are the only players I'd want in the top 10. If we can't get any of them then trade the pick...
MassachusettsKingsFan
All-Star
Side note: I think Cousins and Smart would love each other. Maybe too much. Similar attitudes, similar 'misunderstood' persona, Smart got hammered by the media all year, etc ...
LPKingsFan
All-Star
I agree. I could see Cousins liking Smart as a similarly "misunderstood" player with a very competitive nature and a chip on his shoulder.
From what I've read, it also seems like Smart has improved his court vision and passing, so I'm not sure the selfish label still sticks. But I'll defer to those that have seen him play a lot this year, I'm mostly going off Draft Express for that...
Dreadnought
Bench
If we pick at ~7, it would be very fortuitous for us to land Marcus Smart. He would've been a surefire top 3-5 pick last year, and I actually like his game a lot. I think he gets a bad rap and the media is making it seem worse than it is, and as similar posts above have mentioned, that is something the Kings could capitalize on similar to how we got DeMarcus at #5 when he probably could have gone #1 or #2 in his draft.
If we couldn't get Smart, I'd want to trade for more picks. I don't care much for the players outside of "the top 6".
If we couldn't get Smart, I'd want to trade for more picks. I don't care much for the players outside of "the top 6".
roasthawg
Starter
Yeah but last year's draft was awful... that's not really saying much. Smart looks to have some defensive potential but his offense is rough... not a good shooter, not a great passer, same type of score first pg we've been struggling with for the last few years now. I'll pass on Smart at seven... he might turn out to be solid but I doubt he'll ever be much more than that.
i dont even understand the reasoning it would take to pick smat at 7...hes basically a smaller-prolly not as good-version of tyreke(i know his personality and all the other stuff may not be the same, but skillset wise)...why let tyreke go and then pick smart? i would rather have ennis, if nothing else but to show letting tyreke was for a reason.
Big Cuz 15
All-Star
exactly.. we sucked this year to get a lotto pick only to pick up poor man's version of tyreke. the difference is smart is shorter, has a small wingspan and not crafty at getting to the basket. i hope vonleh slips and we snag him. we missed out on drummond, adams and if we pass up vonleh to get smart..
KingsCitizen
Starter
Vonleh is growing on me right now for the #7 pick.
However if PDA can find a way to have Rudy sign with us for a cheaper long term contract, it might be nice to trade this for 2 picks (a late first and and early 2nd).
This draft is deep enough to land very good role players at that range.
With DMC, Rudy, and BMac (I'm still high on the kid), what we need are now good role players and less on players that may demand high usage because they were drafted high.
Elfrid Payton would be nice PG to team up with Ray Mac coz more likely IT would walk.
And maybe some good projects in either Nurkic or Capela.
However if PDA can find a way to have Rudy sign with us for a cheaper long term contract, it might be nice to trade this for 2 picks (a late first and and early 2nd).
This draft is deep enough to land very good role players at that range.
With DMC, Rudy, and BMac (I'm still high on the kid), what we need are now good role players and less on players that may demand high usage because they were drafted high.
Elfrid Payton would be nice PG to team up with Ray Mac coz more likely IT would walk.
And maybe some good projects in either Nurkic or Capela.
Albatros
Starter
I like Smart, love his attitude, love his intense nature, this kid will leave it all out on the floor, but obviously he's limited offensively, kinda reminds me of Derrick Rose though the way he attacks the basket, (reminds, nothing more)
but..... is he the right pick for this team? I dunno about that. But if it's between him and Gordon I'm taking Smart 10 times out of 10, I'd take Doug McDermott, Ennis, Stauskas, over Gordon too.
Not interested in Randle either, he's nailed to the floor, he'll end up drifting to the outside, If his shot can keep up with him great he will have an impact, if not.... Anthony Bennett.
but..... is he the right pick for this team? I dunno about that. But if it's between him and Gordon I'm taking Smart 10 times out of 10, I'd take Doug McDermott, Ennis, Stauskas, over Gordon too.
Not interested in Randle either, he's nailed to the floor, he'll end up drifting to the outside, If his shot can keep up with him great he will have an impact, if not.... Anthony Bennett.
randymoss1881
Starter
Ya I would even take Payton over Gordon if you don't have a position PDA better keep them away. I would take Randle however I think he will be a very good scorer with his quickness. We could have him as our 1st big off the bench playing 28-32min a game and have a rim protecter start with DMC.
Gary
All-Star
Smart is a PG whereas Evans was a SG.
He's a better version of Evans in everything that makes a PG a PG. Except for ball handling, which had actually improved this year. He's smaller than Evans, and his shot is iffy (although I think he will be fine in the NBA) but it's better than Evans and they can both drive to the hoop. Smart is better than Evans defensively (taking both players college play), and I have no doubt Smart can be a lockdown defender on opposing PGs. He has good perimeter defense and he's VERY strong so he can't get backed down. He's not the most athletic but he makes up for it with the quick hands, and feet, and anticipation.
Attitude is where all the red flags come up. His play suffers when he's in a bad mood, and you can definitely tell when he's pissed off.
LPKingsFan
All-Star
DX has a new mock up today, with team needs taken into account and explanations for each pick. They have the Kings taking Vonleh at 7, with Smart off the board:
From DraftExpress.comhttp://www.draftexpress.com#ixzz318zgraJ9
http://www.draftexpress.com
From DraftExpress.comhttp://www.draftexpress.com#ixzz318zgraJ9
http://www.draftexpress.com
There is a small, sadistic part of me that hopes we draft Smart just to watch you defend him for all of the same things you bashed Reke about for years.
he will have to play pg, but hes as much of a pg as tyreke is...and his shot is iffy??? its looks worst than tyrekes- tyrekes problem was he pulled the ball behind his head, smarts shot looks just akward... and thats the same thing ppl said about tyreke-"if only he could shoot" - so i dont get the notion of "although i think he will be fine in the nba" -why? because the 3pt shot is futher out? - one thing i do think could be the difference between smart and tyreke is their attitudes and i mean that in a good way about smart...where tyreke was sort of this prodigy since he was young, so maybe not thinking he needed to work as hard to improve his game..as smart just has this fire in him(a la cousins) -good or bad ...could be the difference in comparing them, but style wise for me it just wouldnt make sense( to me) to let tyreke go and draft a similar(exactly the same) player and somehow sell that(for me)
Dime Dropper
All-Star
Smart is not the same player Tyreke is, and it's bizarre that they can't get it out of their heads as if they're carbon copies. Name me two players in the NBA that are the same - you won't be able. Everyone is different. There are some similarities, both extremely strong guards who can physically bully opposing guards and get to the rim, and the suspect outside shot. I'd say that's where it ends. And anyone that thinks Tyreke's shooting form is superior to Smart's seriously hasn't got a clue what they're talking about. Smart kicks his legs when he's not set (same as Tyreke) but his actual shooting motion is much better. It's not perfect but it's certainly not bad. It's pretty smooth. Evans slings the ball from behind his head, almost impossible to find any form of consistency like that.
Smart for my money IS a PG - he's not a pure PG, but he's a smart player (no pun intended) who has a high IQ. He has good vision and passing ability and can run a team. His shot selection can be poor but there are very few young PGs with his physical gifts who don't suffer from this problem. He's intelligent and I think he'll work it out. I also think Smart is far, far more athletic than people think. He's big which makes him look slow, but look at him in comparison to the players around him. He has an explosive first step and gets into the lane at will. He's also pretty explosive as you can see when he goes for rebounds/explodes at the rim/receives alley oops/blocks shots. People say he's not a good athlete and I just can't agree. I think he's quick, very strong and a good leaper. His lateral quickness is also astounding for someone his size and his defense is elite for a college player. Oladipo was the only recent college guard defender that came close to having his potential at the next level defensively, with the combination of physical attributes and athleticism, along with the actual defensive smarts and quick hands.
I love the idea of Smart as a punishing PG who physically dominates the opposition, smothers the other PG etc.. He's the PG version of Tyreke and I think he's a smarter player. Not the ball-handler that Tyreke is but literally no one else is in the NBA for my money. I love his intelligence/IQ and leadership too. He plays hard and despises losing. I think he'll be a better NBA player than college player with more spacing.
This wasn't meant to be a long post about him but it turned into that. I do think it's kind of funny that Smart divides opinion so much. I know there are a few good posters here who are strongly against him, so I'm really curious to see how he does in the NBA. I think the Tyreke comparisons are scaring people (though not sure why as we could sure use Tyreke now - but anyway, they're not the same). Look what MCW did with the same shooting worries and being hugely TO prone. MCW was a more willing passer of course but I think Smart has just as many tools and could end up even better on both sides of the ball.
Smart for my money IS a PG - he's not a pure PG, but he's a smart player (no pun intended) who has a high IQ. He has good vision and passing ability and can run a team. His shot selection can be poor but there are very few young PGs with his physical gifts who don't suffer from this problem. He's intelligent and I think he'll work it out. I also think Smart is far, far more athletic than people think. He's big which makes him look slow, but look at him in comparison to the players around him. He has an explosive first step and gets into the lane at will. He's also pretty explosive as you can see when he goes for rebounds/explodes at the rim/receives alley oops/blocks shots. People say he's not a good athlete and I just can't agree. I think he's quick, very strong and a good leaper. His lateral quickness is also astounding for someone his size and his defense is elite for a college player. Oladipo was the only recent college guard defender that came close to having his potential at the next level defensively, with the combination of physical attributes and athleticism, along with the actual defensive smarts and quick hands.
I love the idea of Smart as a punishing PG who physically dominates the opposition, smothers the other PG etc.. He's the PG version of Tyreke and I think he's a smarter player. Not the ball-handler that Tyreke is but literally no one else is in the NBA for my money. I love his intelligence/IQ and leadership too. He plays hard and despises losing. I think he'll be a better NBA player than college player with more spacing.
This wasn't meant to be a long post about him but it turned into that. I do think it's kind of funny that Smart divides opinion so much. I know there are a few good posters here who are strongly against him, so I'm really curious to see how he does in the NBA. I think the Tyreke comparisons are scaring people (though not sure why as we could sure use Tyreke now - but anyway, they're not the same). Look what MCW did with the same shooting worries and being hugely TO prone. MCW was a more willing passer of course but I think Smart has just as many tools and could end up even better on both sides of the ball.
just to make it clear - im not saying smart is going to be a bad player or a bust- as a matter of fact i like his style...BUT why let tyreke go and then pick smart? if tyreke is not the "type" of player you wanted -why draft smart??? i guess it just would make me mad about letting tyreke go...and im sorry i just dont see what some of you guys are seeing to say smart is a PG and tyreke was not...style wise he is more derrick rose than tyreke - as far as getting to the rim( just bulldozing with strength-as opposed to tyrekes shifty akwardness and euro step)- in the end LIKE tyreke, smart NEEDS the ball in his hands to be EFFECTIVE... p.s if we lose gay and IT ... i would be happy if we drafted smart(but if that happens-just think-we couldve just keep tyreke(someone who wanted to stay in sac) and been further ahead in our rebuild- did you guys see tyreke play PG for NO this year?)
Dime Dropper
All-Star
Money perhaps? I'm not saying the FO likes Smart or they'll take him, I have no idea. It may be that they don't like him. No idea, just giving my views on him. Why do you think Smart's not a PG? Just because Tyreke isn't (debatable btw)? They're not the same player, which you seem to be struggling with. Smart is better at running the offense and more of a natural PG. You can tell just by watching them, orchestrating the offense, directing players etc.. Tyreke brought the ball up at Memphis and created for them, but he didn't really run the offense. Smart does that. Being a PG isn't just about comparing assist numbers, there's a host of other nuances that makes a PG. Some think he's not a PG, I happen to think he is. He probably won't ever average 8+ apg, but 6+ is easily possible.
I'm not sure how true it is that he needs the ball to be effective - every PG does. But it's not as if he won't contribute in other ways, he rebounds, plays defense and is a leader. At some point this franchise needs to start taking defense into account.
I'm not sure how true it is that he needs the ball to be effective - every PG does. But it's not as if he won't contribute in other ways, he rebounds, plays defense and is a leader. At some point this franchise needs to start taking defense into account.
...but just look at greivis vasquez for example -he needs the ball in hands to be effective and when he was here he was basically just a spot up shooter after throwing the ball into cousins...where he is most effective offensively is running pick and rolls, that along with maybe his injury( i wont embaress myself by bringing up his defense) was the reason why it didnt work out here...steph curry doesnt need the ball in his hands to be effective- as a matter of fact they brought in iggy so curry wouldnt have the ball in his hands as much...i think we have a good guy that fits next to cousins and gay in raymac he is a better spot shooter and a good defender, where he struggled was shooting off the dribble...also, sadly what we do lack and what we need most wont be there where we pick unless we move up into the top 3 and that is a shot blocking big who is athletic enough to cover 4s when cousins cant do it(embiid)... and i bring this up all the time- the team looked actually good in recent years was when dalembert was at the 5, cousins at the 4 and JT as the 3rd big.
CruzDude
Senior Member sharing a brew with bajaden
Kinda like this thinking. At 7 the Suns can get what they need but likely the Kings cannot unless those picking above make some strange moves. With no 2nd round picks, two of Suns 3 first round picks (14, 18, 27) offer a wide range of upside players who might fit just what PDA and Malone are looking for to build into their new team.
And lets not forget that 76'ers have 5, yes 5 second round picks: 32-39-47-53-54. If they want progress then 5 second rounders is not a way they should go. But the Kings now........
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twslam07
All-Star
Suns fans on other forums have been mentioning that they would be willing to give up 14, 18, and 27 for the 7th pick. Considering I don't like who will be available at 7, I would do that trade, but I think I would be much more willing to trade back and rid ourselves of Landry. Unfortunately, there aren't many teams willing to take on a player of Landry's caliber with such a large contract.
I would prefer to trade the pick for an established vet, but if we can't do that, I would prefer trading back and collecting more draft picks (e.g. the Phoenix deal that I outlined).
I still think a deal with PHO and CHI makes sense for all parties.
SAC Gets: Taj Gibson
SAC Gives: 7th pick and Carl Landry
Sac Why?: The Kings get their PF of the future and get rid of Landry's contract
PHO Gets: 7th pick and Carl Landry
PHO Gives: 14th pick and 18th pick
PHO Why?: The Suns move up in the draft and have a better chance of drafting that star talent they desperately need.
CHI Gets: 14th pick and 18th pick
CHI Gives: Taj Gibson
CHI Why?: After trading Gibson and amnestying Boozer, the Bulls will have enough cap room to sign Carmelo. Their big three will be Rose, Carmelo, and Noah. The only other player who won't be on a rookie contract is Dunleavy (approx $3 mil). Butler, Snell, and Murphy will all be on rookie deals. In addition they will have picks 14, 16, 18, 19, and 49 in the draft this year. That leaves them with their big 3 and 8 players on rookie deals. This team would be setup very well for many years to come.
EDIT: I could get used to this team going into next year:
PG - McCallum/Thomas
SG - McLemore/Terry
SF - Gay/Williams/Outlaw
PF - Gibson/Evans/Acy
C - Cousins/Thompson
You have your two go-to scorers in Cousins and Gay with McLemore developing into our off-the-ball third option. McCallum, McLemore, and Gibson are all able to knock down long range jumpers to help spread the floor. Even Cousins and Gay can hit long range jumpers to help spread the floor for each other. The rebounding would be solid as well. We would need McLemore to make the leap defensively to really help this team meet their potential, but everyone else is at least an average defender with McCallum and Gibson bringing above average defense. With a defensive minded coach, I can see this unit working well together.
Thomas, Williams, and Thompson would be our main three off the bench. Thomas would give us elite scoring off the bench with Williams being a scoring option as well. Thompson can play either PF or C and hold down the fort while Cousins or Gibson are taking a break.
Assuming Gay opted out and was resigned, all of our "fat" will be gone the next season. Our core rotation would look like this heading into the 2015 offseason:
PG - McCallum/Thomas
SG - McLemore
SF - Gay
PF - Gibson/Thompson
C - Cousins
From there, you have some cap space to add some veteran role players to come off the bench and compliment the main guys. This is of course assuming McCallum and McLemore pan out, and if they don't show signs next season, we can use the 2015 offseason to upgrade either position.
Suddenly the team seems more balanced. It's funny how swapping out one player can make a difference.
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Bosnian Diehard
Starter
I don't like the idea of getting three new rookies on the team (along with two sophmores who still need development).
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