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NBA Draft: Interpreting Sacramento Kings’ Thoughts with No. 2 Pick

By Christian Dudley

WIZINK CENTER, MADRID, SPAIN - 2018/05/27: Luka Doncic during Real Madrid victory over Iberostar Tenerife (83 - 73) in Liga Endesa playoff 1st round (game 1) celebrated in Madrid at Wizink Center. May 27th 2018. (Photo by Juan Carlos García Mate/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
WIZINK CENTER, MADRID, SPAIN - 2018/05/27: Luka Doncic during Real Madrid victory over Iberostar Tenerife (83 - 73) in Liga Endesa playoff 1st round (game 1) celebrated in Madrid at Wizink Center. May 27th 2018. (Photo by Juan Carlos García Mate/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images) /
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BELGRADE, SERBIA – MAY 20: Luka Doncic of Real Madrid in action during the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game between Fenerbahce Dogus and Real Madrid at Stark Arena in Belgrade, Serbia on May 20, 2018. (Photo by Mustafa Ozturk/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)
BELGRADE, SERBIA – MAY 20: Luka Doncic of Real Madrid in action during the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Championship Game between Fenerbahce Dogus and Real Madrid at Stark Arena in Belgrade, Serbia on May 20, 2018. (Photo by Mustafa Ozturk/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) /

Question: Who are the top-four prospects on the Sacramento Kings’ Draft board? What red flags are you seeing with any of these four guys?

Tyler Watts: The top four prospects on the Kings’ big board are Luka Doncic, DeAndre Ayton, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marvin Bagley III.

GM Vlade Divac and owner Vivek Ranadive traveled to Spain to watch Luka Doncic play for Real Madrid. Doncic is the best player in this class and fits best in the modern NBA. As a 6’6″ wing with the ability to handle the ball and pass like a point guard, he could potentially be a standout from Day One. That said, Doncic likely struggles some on the defensive end early in his career.

Ayton is an interesting case. He has always been able to dominate his opponents at every level physically. That will not be the case in the NBA. Ayton likely struggles during his rookie season adjusting. He certainly has superstar potential, though.

Jackson Jr. only played 21.8 minutes per game last season for Michigan State. He had trouble staying out of foul trouble, and that problem likely continues early in his NBA career. Jackson Jr. also has superstar potential and could be a coveted stretch-five, but he probably does not stand out as a rookie.

Bagley III is going to struggle on defense. His fit with Sacramento is not ideal as the Kings are already lacking on that end of the floor.

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