The Sacramento Kings will more likely use their two lottery picks for a point guard and small forward, and Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox reportedly tops their list of prospects at the 2017 NBA Draft. According to Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee, Vlade Divac is intrigued with the skill set Fox brings to the table. The King GM apparently likes Fox’s combination of speed and athleticism at the point guard spot.
Kings target athletic D-Fox
The Kings, who trade DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans and several drafts picks (including the no.10 pick), are hoping this year’s draft will produce a high-caliber playmaker who can become a long-term fixture on their backcourt.
Sacramento had a long history of hits and misses when it comes to their point guard selections at the previous drafts. Perhaps, the most prominent were their picks at the 2011 NBA Draft, when they selected BYU’s hot-shot and consensus National College Player of the Year Jimmer Fredette with the 10th overall pick and a 5-foot-9 guard out of Washington named Isaiah Thomas with the 60th pick. Six years after the draft, Fredette finds himself playing overseas at the Chinese Basketball Association while Thomas blossoms into a perennial All-Star and All-NBA playmaker with the Boston Celtics.
Voisin believes the Kings’ latest rebuilding effort will heavily depend on their picks at the draft. Fox, who is rated as the fifth best prospect per Jonathan Givony of DraftExpress.com, have been eyeing the Kings even before his stocks started to shoot up over the past couple of weeks.
As for the small forward spot, the Sacramento is reportedly looking closely at upside-guy Jonathan Isaac of Florida State and Jason Tatum of Duke if these prospects slide down to no.10.
Bogdanovic could pocket $10M
Bogdan Bogdanovic could pocket as much as $10 million per year if he decides to take his talent in the NBA. Voisin cleared that Bogdanovic can sign a contract with the Kings sans rookie scale restrictions because it’s already been three years since he was selected 27th overall by the Phoenix Suns in 2014.
The Kings acquired the rights for Bogdanovic in a draft night trade in 2016.
The 24-year old Bogdanovic is coming off a stellar season with European powerhouse Fenerbahçe. He averaged 14.6 points on 50 percent FG shooting and 43 percent from the 3-point line. He also put up 3.6 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 27 minutes per contest.
Kings analyst and former executive Jerry Reynolds views Bogdanovic as an NBA-ready talent who can make an impact right away. ““I watched Bogdanovic a lot in the Olympics, and he’s definitely an NBA player. Whether he can play 30-35 minutes remains to be seen. And you always worry about the defensive side with the Euros. But I’d be surprised if he didn’t step in right away and contribute,” Reynolds told the Sacramento Bee.
