1998 the King's #1 draft was Jason Williams ... #2 was Jerome James
Williams: was hot here in Sac playing our tempo, stock dropped in Memphis even though the numbers were similar if not better. Liability defensivily, while streaky on offense. He had his chance here.
(sidenote: some Lakers fans are hoping they acquire him, take the shackles off him and bring Showtime back to LA. Even if they aren't winning, they'll at least be entertaining. If not him, than the defensive Watson.)
James: Same ol James. He killed us in the play-offs this year, but did nothing in the previous years. Drafted in 98' and only in 05' did he do anything.
1999 King's did not have a 1st round pick ... Ryan Robertson 2nd round pick
Robertson: Don't remember much about him. I can't remember if he made the team. No longer in the league.
2000 ... Hedo in the 1st Round ... Jabari Smith in the 2nd Round
Hedo: Hedo could've developed here, he just didn't have any place to play. He was behind an All-Star in Peja, and an impact defensive specialist in Christie. Could've used him this year with our thin bench. He helped net us Miller.
Smith: Good guy, bench player, not sure if he'll develop beyond what he already is. Had two stints with us, and is now in Jersey playing decent minutes. Is a big body if nothing else.
2001 ... Gerald Wallace 1st Round .... Maurice Jeffers in the 2nd
Wallace: Wallace never was able to find his niche here in Sac. When he got consistent minutes he played great, but without a jumpshot, those times were far and few. He's not a "Kings" ball kind of guy. He has lots athleticism, but in our system, he wasn't able to use that. You can tell he wasn't comfortable with catching and shooting. He's a good model for what not to do if Martin and Evans are paying attention. Play within the system but look for those moments where you can go to your strengths. Wallace got into the habit of trying to fit in too much and became invisible.
Jeffers: I don't remember him at all.
2002 ... Dan Dickau 1st Round ... Corsley Edwards 2nd Round
Dickau: He never played for us. He's gotten big minutes in NO, but the numbers aren't anything spectacular. He's had some nice games, and even a game winner or two, but I don't think he would've done much for us. His time in NO should keep him in the league a couple more years.
Edwards: NO signed him to a 10 day contract earlier in the year. I'm not sure what happened after that. I assume that was it for him. If you can't find room to play in NO, there's no chance at doing anything with us.
Kevin Martin ,,, Ricky Minard in the 2nd Round
Martin: I like his game. If he can develop his jump shot, he should do well here in Sac. Like I mentioned earlier, hopefully he doesn't fall into the same hole as Wallace did. He looks comfortable putting the ball on the floor, and has nice hang time and body control when he pulls up in traffic. He should continue to develop those skills and use them.
Minard: I thought he was going to make the team, but he lost out to Barnes. Don't know much about him, except that he was a PG due to size. Was supposedly a tough and physical defender. If that was true, we could've used that, but I'm not sure he would've seen much playing time as inexperience as he is.
1996 ... Predrag Stojakovic ... Randy Livingston 2nd Round
Sojakovic: Who says Adelman doesn't develop players? I never did. Though, even after all these years, Peja is still primarily a shooter and not much more. Still, he went from unknown to All-star, and helped establish the Kings, and contributed to the whole Euro craze. Everybody wanted a Peja of their own.
Livingston: I don't remember him at all.
1997 ... Olivier St Jean (Tariq Abdul-Wahad) ... Anthony Johnson 2nd Round
Wahad: A bench player/journey man, we got everything that we could out of him. Was traded to Orlando, and put up slightly better numbers. For awhile there, I thought he was going to be part of our future, but that wasn't so. Can't remember why he was traded. Hasn't done much these days so it's not a huge loss.
Johnson: A mediocre guard. Due to injury, he's been able to contribute in Indiana. Still, nothing to make you regret losing him.
Out of that list, only Hedo and Wallace can really be consider losses; mainly Hedo. Hedo could possiby develop into a star. He's had good regular seasons, but hasn't been quite be as hot in the post-season. He's still young and has time. Wallace can be a valued role player with his hustle and energy. I wish he would develop his defensive game more.
) are given a fair shot at success.
