NBA mock draft: Who Kings are projected to pick at Nos. 13, 45

NBA mock draft: Who Kings are projected to pick at Nos. 13, 45 originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Two years removed from a magical season, the Kings are ready to flip the page on the 2023-24 NBA season and get back to playoff contention.

A large part of that will include bolstering their roster to compete in the stacked Western Conference, which could come through this week’s NBA draft.

Sacramento received a promising reinforcement last week when ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported, citing sources, that Malik Monk intends to sign a four-year, $78 million contract to remain with the Kings. But now, general manager Monte McNair and Co. will turn their attention to improving the roster through the draft, free agency and via trade.

The task starts with the two-day draft, which begins at 5 p.m. PT Wednesday at Barclays Center. The Kings are scheduled to pick No. 13 and No. 45 overall, and while there has been speculation about them potentially trading their first-round selection, here is what draft experts predict Sacramento will do come draft night.

No. 13. Ja’Kobe Walter, G

6-foot-5, 197 pounds, Baylor

“Walter’s game translates better to the NBA than what scouts saw from him in college. He has good size at the guard position and elite shooting mechanics. With the spacing of the NBA game, it’ll free him more as a shooting threat with how well De’Aaron Fox plays with the ball in his hands.”

No. 45. Jamal Shead, G

6-foot-1, 200 pounds, Houston

“For teams looking for a reliable lead guard to come in and run the second unit, Shead is the perfect pick. He is so tough on both sides of the ball and could really have a long career in the NBA with his work ethic, poise and decision-making on the court.”

No. 13. Ja’Kobe Walter, SG

6-foot-5, 197 pounds, Baylor

“Walter showed all the tools that made him a five-star prospect during his one season at Baylor. He has the array of athleticism and quick-trigger shooting to make for an easy NBA projection. He’ll need to improve his shooting and touch overall, but at 19 years old with his track record as a gunner, I’d buy into him here at the back of the lottery.”

No. 45. Harrison…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nba-mock-draft-kings-projected-222222481.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-06-26 00:10:12

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.