As Sacramento Kings brass smiled for the camera with newly signed guard Gabe Vincent, the top players of their 2018 NBA Draft board were revealed to everyone who wanted to see:
https://twitter.com/Joe_Pasternack/status/1047536475955294208?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The Orlando Magic had a similar leak last year when they accidentally tweeted out their offseason plans, but at least this is happening way after the fact.
Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton — the consensus No. 1 pick — was at the top of the list, while Kings center Marvin Bagley III, Dallas Mavericks power forward Luka Doncic and Denver Nuggets small forward Michael Porter Jr. rounded out their top tier.
As previously mentioned, Ayton was the consensus top pick. His size, strength and athleticism are ideal for a franchise cornerstone expected to man the middle for the foreseeable future, and his impact on the game is enormous. You can feed him in the post, trust him to crash the glass, knock down jumpers and protect the rim.
Doncic could have very well been the top pick if there wasn't a stigma that European players don't do as well in the NBA. In the process of winning EuroLeague MVP and leading his Real Madrid squad to a EuroLeague championship at the tender age of 19, Doncic's basketball IQ, passing ability and versatility made him an enticing prospect stateside.
Between Bagley and Porter, there would have been a lot to question as to who would be the preferable selection. Porter has the ability to light up the scoreboard and be a dominant rebounder when healthy. The problem is he just hasn't been healthy, missing nearly his entire freshman season at the University of Missouri due to back surgery. It's unclear when he'll be cleared to play for the Nuggets.
Bagley is as versatile as Ayton and maybe more athletic.
Nonetheless, the Kings could feel like they missed in the draft. None of the Kings' wings or forwards have enough potential to warrant passing up on Doncic, who could be a perennial All-Star.
Follow Us
Subscribe