Miscellaneous Breaking Draft News

[Entity]

In regards to Evans not being able to play the point. He is bigger, quicker, stronger and a better ball handler than Beno. Now I know Beno isn't very popular around here. but lets face it Evans is a great upgrade at pg over Beno. Thats not even mentioning his defense. If Flynn played better defense I would be all for taking him. I just don't see they play making pg making us that much better as I do a defensive gem out on the perimeter that can switch to either guard postion and defend both. with a 6"11 wing span thats nice for a pg.

 

[=LarryLegend=]

I would take Flynn over Evans too. Flynn is vocal. Might be from playing with Greene or something, but being that he runs the PG and is vocal I wouldn't be opposed to this pick.

So Get it done Petrie.. Rubio or Flynn. One has to fall to #4.

I totally agree with you 1000%!!!

 

[=LarryLegend=]

I'd be very happy with that deal. I don't live in Sac anymore so I don't have to worry about the riots in the streets.

DX has is alo reporting the Kings packaging #23 + #31 for #15. I hope it's true. No word on the Piston's reaction.

As for the Wolves' offer of #5 + #18 for #3, DX hasn't completely ruled it out but wrote that the deal happening doesn't look good. If it's true, it makes me wonder who the Thunder is targeting. Which player do they think will be there at #3 but won't be at #5? I'm starting to suspect OKC wants Rubio or Evans.

Johnny Flynn and Earl Clark!! I like it.

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

In regards to Evans not being able to play the point. He is bigger, quicker, stronger and a better ball handler than Beno. Now I know Beno isn't very popular around here. but lets face it Evans is a great upgrade at pg over Beno. Thats not even mentioning his defense. If Flynn played better defense I would be all for taking him. I just don't see they play making pg making us that much better as I do a defensive gem out on the perimeter that can switch to either guard postion and defend both. with a 6"11 wing span thats nice for a pg.

Well, no doubt any guard we get at 4 will be better than Beno, but if thats our standards then were really screwed.

The thing is, if evans can really really play the point, at 6'5 with that 6'11 wingspan and his NBA ready body, shouldnt this guy go #2? He reminds me a tad of Russell Westbrook, I would take him over Flynn, but he is still 3rd on my list behind Curry and Rubio

 

[gunks]

It actually wouldnt surprise me if Evans does in fact go #2.

Thabeet will probably be the guy who falls.


If Evans and Rubio are off the table when its pick 4, I saw we grab Harden or Flynn.

 

[Gary]

Well, no doubt any guard we get at 4 will be better than Beno, but if thats our standards then were really screwed.

The thing is, if evans can really really play the point, at 6'5 with that 6'11 wingspan and his NBA ready body, shouldnt this guy go #2? He reminds me a tad of Russell Westbrook, I would take him over Flynn, but he is still 3rd on my list behind Curry and Rubio

Evans reminds me of a mix between Salmons, and Dickerson (Michael)

 

[Entity]

Evans reminds me of a mix between Salmons, and Dickerson (Michael)

Except Salmons could only go right and had limited ball handling skills. Evans can go either way and has skills with both hands.

 

[ovrush]

From everything ive read and from watching the tourney Evans seems like a guy who could become a Doug Christie type player. Not a lights out shooter, but tremendous handling, very athletic and long, good defensively, and good vision/ability to pass.

I always thought Christie was just as much the point on our great teams as Bibby was. Especially when BJax came off the bench.

I think running Kevin/Evans at the guard spots could work depending on the system. We certainly still have skilled bigs who can pass and play out of the highpost. I guess I think Evans can definintely be the guy handling the ball if the system is right.

 

[Telemachus]

My problem with Flynn is his upside - I just dont think he has much. Not a great shooter, not a great defender, not great size, not a great playmaker .. he just seems so mediocre to me. Im just totally confused by us being so high on him, at the end of the season mock drafts had him going in the late teens / early 20's and after a few workouts this guy is a top 5 pick? no thanks .. sure, say he is a great leader, but thats about all he REALLY has going for him.

I think the only reason Flynn was projected later in the draft was because most people thought he was only about 5'10 and would struggle as an undersized PG. After the Chicago camp, he not only proved to be a legitimate 6' but also had a 40" vertical. That is when he started moving up the draft boards.

 

[Gary]

Except Salmons could only go right and had limited ball handling skills. Evans can go either way and has skills with both hands.

That's why I included Dickerson.. Dickerson before his injury was turning into a stud SG with ball handling ability like Evans is now.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

From everything ive read and from watching the tourney Evans seems like a guy who could become a Doug Christie type player. Not a lights out shooter, but tremendous handling, very athletic and long, good defensively, and good vision/ability to pass.

I always thought Christie was just as much the point on our great teams as Bibby was. Especially when BJax came off the bench.

I think running Kevin/Evans at the guard spots could work depending on the system. We certainly still have skilled bigs who can pass and play out of the highpost. I guess I think Evans can definintely be the guy handling the ball if the system is right.

Except Evans should be able to finish in traffic much better than Christie did. Christie was always inconsistent when he got to the rack. Evans definitely has a lot of potential. He is one of the few players from this draft with star potential.

 

[mdme]

DX has gotten a GP pick wrong every year. Like last year they had us drafting Anthony Randolph.

Imo, the reason DX is spot on because some agents and teams let Givony in on the info, not because of some incredible foresight on his part. But we all know GP will never talk to him, so he always get our pick wrong. This year is no exception.

But even if they are not accurate with regards to who GP picks, if they are accurate with the top 3 then Rubio will be gone by the time we pick. Whether or not he is truly on top of our board is another thing though.

 

[fnordius]

In regards to Evans not being able to play the point. He is bigger, quicker, stronger and a better ball handler than Beno.

So is JT, but I don't think he'll ever be a PG.

I wish our roster weren't so screwed up, then we could just take BPA and not worry about it. But we're short a PF/C and need a starting PG. Our solid vets at this point are our starting SF, starting SG and backup SG. And we have a backup SF who may work out. We really have no need for any more SFs or SGs. But for each really talented C or PG, there are a ton of SGs and SFs. If you look at the best SGs and SFs who go undrafted, you'll see some pretty decent players. If you look at the Cs who go undrafted, most of them will either be small, and others will be very unathletic, or otherwise mediocre basketball players. And the undrafted PGs will be pretty bad, too.

The unfortunate upshot of this situation is that you have to use different standards for different positions. If you don't, BPA will almost always be a SG or SF. Look at how Geoff drafted for ages... between 1995 and 2006 (inclusive), we drafted 9 guys. The only one which didn't play SF or SG was JWill. Some of you are thinking it's weird that we're maybe interested in a pure PG, but it's partly because we've only drafted one since 1993. Since Duane Causwell, we've drafted only 2 PFs and one C. Some of us are pretty sick of that. Need is not a non-factor in the draft, at all. If it were, guys like Jeff Foster would never get drafted.

You can probably see where I'm going with this.

 

[sactownfan]

SO... the word is that Petrie and the FO are not stoked on Rubio..

In fact it seems like hes only being consider because the Maloofs have a case of Rubio fever... and the only cure is... Drafting Rubio!!! LOL!

Is it just me or is it strange that this could be the first time the majority of US here at kings fans support the maloofs over Petrie???? LOL! just thought it was ironic

 

[Dustinlikestodance]

meh.. i go with Petrie over Magoof every single time. I have no expectations for this draft, since Petrie is confusing as hell to figure out.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

SO... the word is that Petrie and the FO are not stoked on Rubio..

In fact it seems like hes only being consider because the Maloofs have a case of Rubio fever... and the only cure is... Drafting Rubio!!! LOL!

Is it just me or is it strange that this could be the first time the majority of US here at kings fans support the maloofs over Petrie???? LOL! just thought it was ironic

I don't think we know that at all. Petrie has not tipped his hand one bit. All we know is that there are rumors coming from other front office scouts that they are debating who they like the best. I am still predicting it's a smokescreen and if Rubio is on the board, we take him.

 

[vikinginferno]

Chad Ford's Mock Draft 7.0 has us drafting Curry, but who even listens to this guy anymore? His confidence of our pick is the lowest in the top 5, at 30%.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=MockDraft-090625

 

[Sptsjunkie]

Chad Ford's Mock Draft 7.0 has us drafting Curry, but who even listens to this guy anymore? His confidence of our pick is the lowest in the top 5, at 30%.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/draft2009/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&page=MockDraft-090625

Even better is that he doesn't go lower than 50% until the mid-twenties, where two more picks are at 40%. So basically, Ford is more confident that he knows who will be picked at 27, 28 and 29 then he does at #4. Well played Petrie. That is the ultimate poker face.

 

[KingKong]

Is it just me or is this one of the craziest drafts? Only a sure-fire 1st Pick, and then utter confusion. I love it.

 

[sactownfan]

Is it just me or is this one of the craziest drafts? Only a sure-fire 1st Pick, and then utter confusion. I love it.

totally! Im loving it too... although it seems like everyones kinda settling on the 1.Rubio 2.Evans draft board(like myself) their are so many other options and people are passionate about those guys.... Chaos!

Im really enjoying the mock drafts... like Chad ford just out right admitting he has no freaking clue what the Kings are gonna do... thats pretty funny!

He's like us... its Rubio then Flynn, then Holiday, Evans now curry... LOL!

 

[KingsCitizen]

I have very bad feeling that were gonna end up with Maynor and Thabeet...Just a bad feeling though and I hope it won't turn to reality.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

So if Evans and Rubio are both available at 4 when we pick. Would everyone be happy if we picked Rubio for Minny and then they picked Evans for us and also threw in the 18th pick. I would! But I know a lot of people have a love afair with Rubio. How bad a PR hit would it be?

I'd be soo happy with that deal, we get Evans who I think can play PG beside Martin. And we get a shot at an Earl Clark type of player possibly with the 18th pick. Rubio has star potential, but so does Evans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbInz4fujSQ&feature=related

 

[Gary]

I have very bad feeling that were gonna end up with Maynor and Thabeet...Just a bad feeling though and I hope it won't turn to reality.

I have a VERY bad feeling we are going to end up with Evans..

That's the last player I want them trying to make into a PG.

 

[Aenadin]

I have a VERY bad feeling we are going to end up with Evans..

That's the last player I want them trying to make into a PG.

if we go to the shooting guard converting to point project ill be pissed...

some one better get geoff to a rehab.. clearly hes not yet off the DOUBY

 

[Dime Dropper]

Come on guys, Evans is a good player. A very good prospect. He may not be a pure point but he does have alot of upside. He can always play SG if it turns out he can't play PG. And he's 8 years younger than Martin. He'll be around for a long time.

He's not perfect, but no one is. The main thing is to not get worked up, because Geoff never does the popular thing unless he is actually in agreement. Now, selling or giving away picks is a cause for unrest. But that's a topic for another time.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

Not sure if this is "breaking news" since it is just a rumor, but I didn't want to start a new thread. Apparently Minnesota is trying to trade their #5 and #18 picks to the Thunder for #3 in an effort to grab Evans. Then we would take Rubio and the Thunder would choose between Harden and Curry. Not sure if it will happen, but seems to make a lot of sense.

http://blog.newsok.com/nbainokc/2009/06/24/latest-minnesota-rumor/

 

[Dime Dropper]

Not sure if this is "breaking news" since it is just a rumor, but I didn't want to start a new thread. Apparently Minnesota is trying to trade their #5 and #18 picks to the Thunder for #3 in an effort to grab Evans. Then we would take Rubio and the Thunder would choose between Harden and Curry. Not sure if it will happen, but seems to make a lot of sense.

http://blog.newsok.com/nbainokc/2009/06/24/latest-minnesota-rumor/

That actually does make alot of sense for both teams. The only thing that remains to be seen is whether we would actually take Rubio. I know it's possibly a smoke-screen, but the Kings FO doesn't appear enamoured with him at all.

We could actually go with Flynn in that scenario.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

if we go to the shooting guard converting to point project ill be pissed...

some one better get geoff to a rehab.. clearly hes not yet off the DOUBY

Ok, this is a trend we need to get off of as Kings fans. We can't discount every player in a draft who is ever similar to a Kings disappointment. A lot of people were scared of Hawes because he was compared to Brad Miller right after Miller had given us two straight mediocre seasons. A number of people seem to discount any undersized PF because of the Shareef/KT puu puu platter we had a couple of years back, yet there are a number of effective undersized PFs (see Boozer, Milsap, Kenyon Martin, Green, David West, Brand).

Now it's the same thing with Evans. This is not the first post to compare him to Douby. However, Wade, Iverson, Terry, BoJax, Stuckey etc. have all been very good players in this league and the first four have had playoff success despite being combo guards instead of true PGs. Douby stunk because he was a bad pick and I believe he had a poor work ethic. Evans may not be the best fit for our team, but he is a true talent who has star potential. His ball handling, ability to finish at the rim and defensive potential far outshines anything Douby could have dreamed of. Let's not condem players like Evans, Maynor and Teague in this draft just because they are likely destined to be combo guards instead of true PGs.

 

[Sptsjunkie]

That actually does make alot of sense for both teams. The only thing that remains to be seen is whether we would actually take Rubio. I know it's possibly a smoke-screen, but the Kings FO doesn't appear enamoured with him at all.

We could actually go with Flynn in that scenario.

We could. However, as Bucher admitted earlier today, Petrie has been very silent in all this talk (as always) and he's the ultimate decision maker barring the Maloofs getting involved. Something tells me Rubio is Petrie's man. I could definitley be wrong here and it wouldn't be the first time. However, I am sticking to my guns here that if Rubio is availabe at #4, we will take him in a heartbeat.

On a side note, can you how excited I am about the NBA draft, I am awake at 4am posting and not thinking twice about it. This is like my very dorky Christmas.

 

[Dime Dropper]

We could. However, as Bucher admitted earlier today, Petrie has been very silent in all this talk (as always) and he's the ultimate decision maker barring the Maloofs getting involved. Something tells me Rubio is Petrie's man. I could definitley be wrong here and it wouldn't be the first time. However, I am sticking to my guns here that if Rubio is availabe at #4, we will take him in a heartbeat.

On a side note, can you how excited I am about the NBA draft, I am awake at 4am posting and not thinking twice about it. This is like my very dorky Christmas.

Ha, it's like Christmas for me too. At this point I could probably tell you in detail the strengths and weaknesses of all the guys projected to go in the first round. I love it. There hasn't been excitement like this surrounding the draft in years, at least not for us Kings fans.

What makes the whole thing even better is that I don't hate any of the guys we supposedly like. I'm a big fan of Rubio, Evans and Flynn. All have weaknesses, though. I wouldn't even be completely against guys like Curry, Hill and Harden. Unfortunately, I'll be forced to watch the whole thing over a crappy internet stream that stops every few seconds.