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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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NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Michael Porter Jr. #13 of the Missouri Tigers plays against the Florida State Seminoles during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Michael Porter Jr. #13 of the Missouri Tigers plays against the Florida State Seminoles during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Bridgestone Arena on March 16, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

Question: How likely is it to see the Kings deal their No. 2 overall pick before or on Draft Night?

Tyler Watts: The Kings are in full rebuild mode and in search of young talent, so trading the pick is unlikely. They could make a move similar to the Celtics last season, though. If they believe Michael Porter Jr. or Jaren Jackson Jr. is the best player available, the Kings could trade down a few spots and gain some assets. That seems unlikely at this moment. The Front Office wants Doncic, and he will not be available if they trade down.

The odds of the Kings trading out of the pick are at about five percent. Some team could blow them away with an offer, but that is unlikely. Most NBA squads are placing a higher value on their first round picks than ever before, so trading an additional first to move up two or three positions probably does not happen.

Sacramento is hoping to add the star piece of their young core, and the Memphis Grizzlies have the potential to add a special player as well. There are four potentially All-Star caliber players in this draft. Most likely, the Grizzlies end up choosing between Mohamed Bamba, Jaren Jackson Jr, and Michael Porter Jr. All three have significant ceilings.

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