Who is available as 6th-7th pick

[AaronPDX]

I'll bet you a pizza and a beer that they won't take Williams!

It's a deal if you're in Baja and I get to deliver it!

 

[Big Cuz 15]

Well I think he can play SF, but I seem to be in the minority on this fourm. I certainly wouldn't let the Robinson pick affect your opinion of Bennett. They are nothing alike except that both of them are great athlete's. He's been compared to Larry Johnson, who could screw you into the floor with his post moves, and Johnson was probably only around 6'5", but it didn't matter. If he got close to the basket with the ball, he usually scored. I'd also like to remind people of Charles Barkley, who was only around 6'6", and he did just fine. Not saying Bennett is Barkley, but I wouldn't underestimate his ability.

i like bennett also. he reminds me of paul pierce from the vids i saw of him.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Well I think he can play SF, but I seem to be in the minority on this fourm. I certainly wouldn't let the Robinson pick affect your opinion of Bennett. They are nothing alike except that both of them are great athlete's. He's been compared to Larry Johnson, who could screw you into the floor with his post moves, and Johnson was probably only around 6'5", but it didn't matter. If he got close to the basket with the ball, he usually scored. I'd also like to remind people of Charles Barkley, who was only around 6'6", and he did just fine. Not saying Bennett is Barkley, but I wouldn't underestimate his ability.

Id be perfectly fine with a Larry Johnson type on the Kings. As long as Bennet can consistently guard SFs i wouldnt have a problem taking him...
My heart says we should draft Adams and develop him to be DMC's Robin ... but logic tells me we will end up with one of Burke, Bennet, McCollum, Shabazz with number 7. I really think its between those four players for us this year.

 

[Gilles]

Look, you and I agree on Adams, but your underselling Bennett a bit too much. He's a very skilled player. In fact, defense aside, he may be the most offensively skilled player in this draft. He can hit the three. He has a very good midrange jumper. He's explosive around the basket, He handles the ball very well and is capable of taking people off the dribble. He's a very good rebounder. His post game needs refinement, but he manages quite well around the basket with his quickness, explosiveness, and strength. He's no Thomas Robinson, who I had serious doubts about offensively. He's also a good passer. Offensively, he's a 19 year old with the game of a 22 year old. All that said, I'd like to take a shot on Adams. Who will take longer to come around to the point where the Kings might feel comfortable giving him serious minutes. But I won't be upset with Bennett.

I don't think I undersell him. Playing along side Khem Birch he got mostly college starting PFs guarding him, which means tweeners or straight up SFs from NBA physical standpoint. He scored with really simple moves inside, basically moving his opponents out of the way on his way to the basket. Against slower opponents he leaked out in transition or drove by in half-court, but only in situations when there was nobody else on his way to the basket. If somebody was threatening to create traffic inside he backed off. Again if you ask me who has the highest ceiling offensively if he just polishes all the skills he's already flashed, that would be Bennett in this draft, but his readiness is a big question, although I'm sure he will have surprise 30+ game just like Jennings did. Btw Bennett is not a good rebounder, he's an average one - 10.3 and 21.8 for off. and def. reb.%(median for NBA prospects would be something like 12 and 20 respectively).

I know what my eyes told me Gilles. I watched game after game with Len, and time after time he fought for position and never got the ball. The fact that over half his shots were assisted is not surprise since he usually got the ball near the basket when he did get it. There were games where he had a clear cut advantage in height. Sometimes a 4 to 5 inch advantage, and only took 5 or 6 shots in the game because no one got him the ball. I'm not sure how they came up with him scoring on only 38% of his post attempts, since most of his attempts were post attempts, and he shot around 52% overall.

Look, he's still learning the game, but he has tremendous potential, which is why I think he's going to be the first pick in the draft. I'm not concerned with us picking him because he won't be there when we pick. But I'd take him if he was!

A lot of Len's shots in the post resulted in jumpers that he was really bad at - only 31% overall, but that includes long jumpers that has no bearing on post game. And Len was atrocious finishing with the left hand even when opponents completely overplayed his left shoulder. He shows glimpses but so was Spencer Hawes.

 

[bajaden]

It's a deal if you're in Baja and I get to deliver it!

Hey, I've got three bedrooms and only use one. I like extra sauce on mine!

 

[bajaden]

I don't think I undersell him. Playing along side Khem Birch he got mostly college starting PFs guarding him, which means tweeners or straight up SFs from NBA physical standpoint. He scored with really simple moves inside, basically moving his opponents out of the way on his way to the basket. Against slower opponents he leaked out in transition or drove by in half-court, but only in situations when there was nobody else on his way to the basket. If somebody was threatening to create traffic inside he backed off. Again if you ask me who has the highest ceiling offensively if he just polishes all the skills he's already flashed, that would be Bennett in this draft, but his readiness is a big question, although I'm sure he will have surprise 30+ game just like Jennings did. Btw Bennett is not a good rebounder, he's an average one - 10.3 and 21.8 for off. and def. reb.%(median for NBA prospects would be something like 12 and 20 respectively).
A lot of Len's shots in the post resulted in jumpers that he was really bad at - only 31% overall, but that includes long jumpers that has no bearing on post game. And Len was atrocious finishing with the left hand even when opponents completely overplayed his left shoulder. He shows glimpses but so was Spencer Hawes.

\

I think I mentioned in my appraisal of Bennett that his back to the basket game needed work. As do the post games of just about every damm college player that comes into the NBA. Were not talking about whether he's the next Lebron James or not. Were comparing him to the others in this draft, and I think he stacks up very well. So were just going to have to agree to disagree.

With Len, I'm not about to defend his offensive game. Thats his weakness right now. My point is, that he seldom got rewarded for getting good post position. He did shoot 52% from the floor, so he must have managed to score. If he did most of his scoring off of assists, is that a bad thing? Gee, maybe he could have scored even more if they had attempted to pass the ball to him in the right position. I saw games where he looked like a great player, and I saw games where he looked like he was struggling. But I saw potential, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

I'll be honest with you. I seldom look at stats during the year, unless there's something in particular I'm interested in. I try to base my judgement on what I see. If I look up the players stats, I find that they influence me, and sometimes negatively. Once the season is over, I usually look up all the players stats to see if they validate what I've seen. Usually they do, but sometimes they don't. Just my crazy way of doing things.

 

[AaronPDX]

@SamAmicoFSO
No less than 10 teams have inquired about Cavs' No. 1 pick, with Kings and Pelicans being the latest, source says. #NBADraft

Well, THAT is surely interesting.

 

[ParniValjak]

@SamAmicoFSO
No less than 10 teams have inquired about Cavs' No. 1 pick, with Kings and Pelicans being the latest, source says. #NBADraft

Well, THAT is surely interesting.

Targeting Otto Porter no doubt but given the source of this rumour, I am not giving it too much of attention.

 

[AaronPDX]

What I find immensely concerning is I can only think of one "piece" the Cavs would be willing to accept for that #1 pick.

 

[Glenn]

Len was a very good defensive player for Maryland. As for his injury, I read the report today on line, that the injury occured with about a month to go in the season. He complained of pain in his ankle. The Maryland medical staff and trainers treated his ankle as bad sprain, but didn't take x-rays, or do an MRI. So he played the rest of the season, and then in the tournament with the injury. After the season ended the pain was so bad he went and had an MRI and they discovered the ankle was broken, something the Maryland staff should have done and found out. So he had surgery to repair the ankle.

Thanks to the Maryland staff, Len received criticism in general for his play at the end of the season and in the tournament. He never should have been playing. Doctors told him that had he rested the ankle when the injury first ocurred, he probably wouldn't have needed the surgery. Len proved to be a very good shotblocker. He's a very good athlete with great length at 7'1" and a very nice wingspan. Most scouts actually like him for his defensive potential.

My point is that stress fractures can recur. I guess I didn't make myself clear. It is something that needs to be factored in when thinking of drafting a player.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

What I find immensely concerning is I can only think of one "piece" the Cavs would be willing to accept for that #1 pick.

With all the talk the past two weeks about how much the new FO loves DeMarcus, do you really think that would happen? I see no way that we will come to a mutual agreement with the Cavs over that pick. Unless they really love John Salmons.

 

[Agent23]

@SamAmicoFSO
No less than 10 teams have inquired about Cavs' No. 1 pick, with Kings and Pelicans being the latest, source says. #NBADraft

Well, THAT is surely interesting.

Sam Amico doesn't know crap. If it was Sam Amick saying this, I'd be a little more concerned.

 

[ParniValjak]

Look, no one expects us to get the #1 pick because we would not give up what Cavs would be after and what we are willing to give up, they would not be interested in.

However, it is very encouraging that for a change we are mentioned in these conversations. In years gone by, the Kings were rarely (if at all) mentioned as a team trying to move up in the draft to get the player they really like. We either stay at the position or move down by agreeing to a terrible trade (see Salmons trade for an example)

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

Amico

That being said, I'd give up anyone on this roster not named DMC and Evans for Porter. Thomas, the pick, JT, Patterson, Jimmer, whoever! take them all, just give me Porter.

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

With all the talk the past two weeks about how much the new FO loves DeMarcus, do you really think that would happen? I see no way that we will come to a mutual agreement with the Cavs over that pick. Unless they really love John Salmons.

I think we have enough assets to get it done without Cousins. Easily. We can offer them #7 which is an asset very few teams can match in this draft who are also looking to move up. It be more of a trade down for Cleveland than a straight pick swap. There was that rumor a month or so ago about Thomas for the 19th pick... obviously we have a new GM now, but the Cavs could still be interested in Thomas. Would Patterson, Thomas, and #7 do it? Maybe. We would be giving them two nice young assets who are ready to help them win now and have great contracts / future control over.

Should be a fun couple of days.

 

[roasthawg]

Amico

That being said, I'd give up anyone on this roster not named DMC and Evans for Porter. Thomas, the pick, JT, Patterson, Jimmer, whoever! take them all, just give me Porter.

Porter would be nice but at #1 it's all about Noel! I like his defensive upside every bit as much as Anthony Davis. Noel/Demarcus would be insane.

 

[KingMilz]

Ben McLemore stock has dropped rapidly which mean's he could be available @ 7th

Imo move Reke to PG, Mclemore @SG and move Thomas to the bench would be epic, trade Thornton if this does happened and that's a athletic/potent starting line up

 

[Gary]

I know this has been talked about ehre for the past couple days because McLemore is dropping but do we take him if he drops to us?

http://www.csnwashington.com/basket...lk/mclemores-lack-professionalism-turns-teams



I say YES!

 

[KingMilz]

I know this has been talked about ehre for the past couple days because McLemore is dropping but do we take him if he drops to us?

http://www.csnwashington.com/basket...lk/mclemores-lack-professionalism-turns-teams



I say YES!

Yeah I say YES

 

[hrdboild]

Noel is still the best possible pick for us I think. He's the best individual defender in the draft and pairing him up with a DeMarcus Cousins contract extension locks in an elite frontcourt for the next 4 years. You can get away with a lot of mistakes elsewhere when you've got a frontcourt like that. If we're discussing trading up I hope that's what Pete and co. are looking at. I like Porter but you can trade for a SF a whole lot easier than you can trade for a defensive difference-maker in the post. I don't know what Cleveland would want. Tyreke is off the table obviously as a free agent (and should be regardless) and there's no way Cousins is being swapped for a #1 pick in this year's draft. But everyone else should be available -- IT, Marcus, JT, Patterson.

The more realistic plan B is to go for talent with our #7 pick and I like either Oladipo or McLemore as next best talent picks here followed by Porter and Bennett. I like Oladipo a little more than McLemore because he's got a sure-fire calling card skill with his perimeter D and he's also the best athlete in the draft I'd say which is a heck of a combination. He's got a lot of Russell Westbrook in him with his energy and knack for making exciting plays -- not a playmaker on the same level, but a better shooter and so a better compliment for Tyreke. If McLemore is the one to fall though, that still gives us a pretty intimidating backcourt. He doesn't have the nonstop motor that Oladipo has, but I think he's a better defender than people give him credit for. And he's nearly his equal in the athleticism department. I think it's fair to question whether he's got the personality to become a star in the NBA or not, but I don't think that's really a big drawback for us, particularly if we're drafting out of the #7 spot. So yeah, if he falls to us I would draft him in a second. Porter and Bennett both seem like longshots to slip at this point, but they would round out my top 5. I have no concerns with Porter, he seems like an ideal glue guy. Bennett worries me a bit because he's another high-usage offensive player and his defense has a long way to go, but talent-wise he belongs in the discussion.

Len and Burke round out the consensus top 7 picks but I'm not sure they would be that high for me. Or at least I don't think of them as highly as most scouts seem to. I think there's better talent out there, though I'm not committed yet to anyone in particular. I would think about trading the pick though if there's no one else I felt strongly about. And I really didn't like Shabazz at UCLA, he just seemed like a selfish stat-oriented player who didn't get along with his teammates, but I can see why he would generate interest for us as a big guard who can shoot and defend. Take away the mountain of off-court red-flags and he's maybe not the top level talent he was initially projected as, but at that #7 spot he's got as good a shot as anyone to be a solid starter.

 

[PurpleHaze]

"Best small forwards in draft" - Dario Saric or Sergey Karasev anyone?

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/nba/photos/1305/best-draft-prospects-small-forwards/2/

 

[Gilles]

Saric is not even in the draft.
Karasev needs time, likely won't come over this summer and will struggle on D individually for quite some time.

 

[Kingster]

Cavs-Kings trade makes no sense to me. The Cavs would want to trade down just a couple of slots to get either Len or Porter, not to #7 where both will be off the table.

 

[Bricklayer]

Targeting Otto Porter no doubt but given the source of this rumour, I am not giving it too much of attention.

Noel just as likely . Perfect player next to Cousins = mobile shotblocker. What's sitting there at the top of the draft?...a Camby clone.

 

[Gary]

ACL injuries are a bit tricky with athletic players. I know he's young and should recover better than someone in their 30s but it still scares the hell out of me if the Kings are interested in him. He's not going to be ready until Christmas so his first year will probably be a wash. So we are basically drafting him to play in the 2014-2015 season.

 

[Glenn]

McLemore personifies this draft. He was once projected as a possible #1 pick until people caught onto Noel. As a #2 pick we have an elite athlete at any level, an elite athlete who can't go left, has no one on one skills and is indifferent to defense. He can be brow beaten into playing defense but how about the dribbling problems? I know he is better than MT but we have MT which lowers the need for an imperfect replacement. I have considered the combo of Reke and McLemore and like the idea but let's not ignore the problems. What is so different than a combo of MT and Tyreke?

Porter and Oladipo interest me more if they should fall to us and if I had to pick one of the three, I would go with Porter for his all around game AND for our need. I am assuming we will not have the option of picking Noel.

 

[Glenn]

ACL injuries are a bit tricky with athletic players. I know he's young and should recover better than someone in their 30s but it still scares the hell out of me if the Kings are interested in him. He's not going to be ready until Christmas so his first year will probably be a wash. So we are basically drafting him to play in the 2014-2015 season.

I have a question that I don't have the answer to. Is it possible that Noel's weight contributed to his ACL injury? I can imagine him getting pushed around. Len's stress fracture is a whole different subject. What I am looking for is if there is any reason to fear another injury above and beyond the normal risk an athlete takes. I KNOW there is a fear of another stress fracture.

 

[Gary]

Not sure about the weight issue. I don't think it will end up being a big deal, (in regards to the ACL injury) but I still get scared about drafting that type of player at the risk of future problems. If he were to have another injury of this type I cannot imagine him being able to play above the rim anymore on weakside D.

 

[bajaden]

I have a question that I don't have the answer to. Is it possible that Noel's weight contributed to his ACL injury? I can imagine him getting pushed around. Len's stress fracture is a whole different subject. What I am looking for is if there is any reason to fear another injury above and beyond the normal risk an athlete takes. I KNOW there is a fear of another stress fracture.

Don't know if you saw the film of when he injured his knee, but it was just one of those freak injuries. He ran the floor chasing the play of a fast break, caught the player at the basket, left his feet and blocked the shot from behind. Unfortunately, on the way down his momentum almost carried him into the basket support. It looked as though, in an effort to avoid the basket support, he came down on his leg at a weird angle, and thus the injury. Not saying that perhaps more muscle wouldn't have helped. But who knows? Just one of those weird things that you can't predict.

 

[bajaden]

Not sure about the weight issue. I don't think it will end up being a big deal, (in regards to the ACL injury) but I still get scared about drafting that type of player at the risk of future problems. If he were to have another injury of this type I cannot imagine him being able to play above the rim anymore on weakside D.

I think its an individual thing. Some players recover as though they never had an injury. There have been football players that have had surgery on both knees, and you'd never know it from their performance on the field. But in most cases, they were all young, as is the case with Noel. Usually when something like that happens with an older player, there are other complications that are involved. Such as my knee, which along with the injury I had, turned out to be arthritic as well. By the time a basketball player is in his early to mid thirtys, his knee's have a lot of wear and tear on them, that makes an ACL injury much harder to recover from.