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For the Sacramento Kings, this offseason will be critical as they try and build around a couple of their key players in De'Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton. How they attack the 2021 NBA Draft and free agency will be noteworthy but might they dip into the trade market and move on from the bloated contract of Buddy Hield? And which free agents of their own do they want to keep in the loop?
All of this is in play for the Kings and Sacramento fans are keeping their fingers crossed that there is some semblance of stability moving forward as they look to keep building onto their young roster.
The Kings hold the No. 9 overall pick in the draft this year and there are a lot of ways in which they could go with the pick. Here are three options for the Kings at No. 9 in the 2021 NBA Draft, ranked.
3.) Jalen Johnson – Duke
If there are Kings fans reading this part screaming “NO,” understandable. Johnson is a great talent, although raw, but might come with some questions about his commitment.
Johnson up and left during his senior season at IMG Academy and played just 13 games in his freshman year at Duke before bouncing. A couple of perplexing decisions that maybe will get more clarity as Johnson talks to more teams during the draft process.
The Kings will need some help at forward. Marvin Bagley has been a complete flop who can't stay healthy and starting center Richaun Holmes is going to be a free agent.
While Johnson isn't a center, he can play the power forward spot for the Kings in certain lineups. He has great athleticism and is a dynamic playmaker. He's great at setting teammates up and is very active wiping clean the glass for rebounds.
His shot and his shot form leave a lot to be desired and he flat out looks uncomfortable at times shooting. But his quick burst and ability to get to the rim along with his engine would make him a solid selection at No. 9 for the Kings.
2.) Moses Moody – Arkansas
It's impossible to have too much shooting in today's NBA. If Brooklyn can share the ball with no issues having Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving all under one roof, there's no such thing as having too many shooters.
Moses Moody was a sniper at Arkansas that stood out in some big games and moments.
He plays wonderfully off the ball, which fits into what the Kings could look for as Fox and Haliburton like to control the rock up the floor getting into the half-court offense.
Moody is a bit foggy in that it's hard to see exactly how many layers he has left to peel back in his game. He's a fairly established player already and would earn instant minutes for the Kings.
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Buddy Hield has three years left on his four-year, $94 million deal. If they can find a trade partner for Hield, bring in Moody to fill his shoes on a much cheaper rookie contract.
Moody can absolutely fill it up and would be a good fit for the Kings back court.
1.) Franz Wagner – Michigan
Franz Wagner may just turn into a very good “3 and D” player. He has both down to some extent as he gets ready to enter the league.
Wagner is more polished than a lot of the prospects that will go early in this draft and he's super basketball savvy.
Defensively, he's great at diagnosing what is about to come his way and he's a pest for whoever he's guarding on most nights.
Offensively, Wagner can step into a three and bury it but doesn't necessarily have tremendous ability in creating his own shot off the dribble. When he gets time though coming off a pass, he will knock down perimeter shots.
Wagner could step in right away for the Kings and provide solid play on both ends of the court. He rarely makes mistakes on offense and can facilitate if need be although, with the Kings, Fox is that guy more times than not.
If the Kings are looking for someone with a high floor who will likely be in the league for a long time providing depth at minimum, Wagner is a safe play at No. 9.
The Kings have been in the basement of the Western Conference for quite some time now. Hitting on top 10 draft picks will go a long way in helping them dig out of the cellar and become a contender in the West in the coming years. There's structure with Fox and Haliburton, now they need to hit on the No. 9 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
