When your team wins 17 games, the NBA draft becomes that much more important. The Kings have three picks in the top 31 – 4th overall, 23rd, 31st. That means three players who haven’t proved anything will be counted on to turn this team around. Probably not right away though. I trust in GM Geoff Petrie. He’ll hit on at least two of these and the Kings will be back in the postseason hunt by the 2010-11 season. Guaranteed. I’m confident Petrie reads this blog and trusts in my basketball IQ, so let me offer up these five suggestions:
1. Ricky Rubio (PG, Spain) – He is absolutely at the top of my list … since Blake Griffin will be gone (never thought I would hate ping pong balls this much). Rubio’s a flashy point guard that reminds me of Steve Nash, which is exactly what the Kings need the most. Sacramento’s point guard play was some of the worst in the league, and Rubio will be the best chance to turn this team around quickly.
2. Stephen Curry (PG/SG, Davidson) – He played point guard this season, but leading the NCAA in scoring isn’t typical point guard play. I’m not convinced he can run a team and look to pass before he looks to score, but I’m willing to take my chances on a guy who scored 28.6 points per game. Two years ago, I fell in love with this guy’s ability to score from anywhere as Davidson made a run to the elite eight in the NCAA tournament. Even if he can’t be a true point guard, it’s up to the coaching staff to make him fit.
3. Brandon Jennings (PG, International) – I wasn’t really aware of this guy until he got cocky and said Rubio was all hype. We’ll find out, but either way I love his confidence. A great player must have that. At No. 4, you’re looking for a great player. He’s young, but has professional experience overseas, which is something most American players don’t have. Should Rubio get taken right after Griffin, and should the Kings want more of a true PG, Jennings is next on my list.
4. Ty Lawson (PG, North Carolina) – There’s a hidden theme among my first four picks. Lawson’s “upside” may not be as high as the others, but he’s proven he can play with the best and lead a top team. North Carolina struggled without him this season. There’s a rumor that he could go as high as No. 10 to Miluakee, but most other mock drafts have him going in the late first round, making him perfect for the Kings second pick, especially if they didn’t get a PG with the first.
5. Tyler Hansbrough (PF, North Carolina) – Ah, the goofy white guy who gets by because he tries so hard. Every team could use one. Did the Lakers win three championships because of Shaq and Kobe, or was it Mark Madsen? There’s no way of knowing. In all seriousness, while Hansbrough won’t ever be a star, I love what he brings to a team. The hustle of a guy who tries harder than everybody else is contagious, and fan friendly. Good pickup with Sacramento’s second or third pick.
Others on the radar: Hasheem Thabeet (C, UConn) – 7′3″ and not clumsy. Kings don’t need a center, but that may not matter. Twin towers part II. Jonny Flynn (PG, Syracuse), Jeff Teague (PG, Wake Forest), Darren Collison (PG, UCLA) – And all the rest of the point guards around the world. Omri Casspi (SF, Israel) – And all the other foreign players. Kings seem to have good luck with that.
