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Sacramento Kings: The Importance of the 2016 NBA Draft

By Jake Fitzgibbon

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number six overall pick to the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Willie Cauley-Stein (Kentucky) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number six overall pick to the Sacramento Kings in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s that time of the year again. The NBA Draft is fast approaching, and once again, Sacramento Kings fans are debating who they believe the Kings should select to help “turn the franchise around”.

The 2015 Draft turned out to be quite successful with the selection of promising center Willie Cauley-Stein. Although, it was hard to miss on talent as the 2015 draft class was loaded from top to bottom.

The 2016 draft class, however, isn’t as ‘deep’, so Vlade and his staff will really have to do their homework on potential prospects for the Kings to select with the 8th pick, and also the 59th.

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For a team like the Kings, every draft is important. The Kings are regulars in the Draft Lottery; appearing for the 9th straight time, which ranks 1st among the other NBA teams.

The 2016 draft should carry more importance than any other draft in the past. The Kings will be moving into a new arena next season, they have recently hired a new head coach in Dave Joerger, and there is also the issue of DeMarcus Cousins; how much longer is he wanting to hang around?

It would seem that this upcoming season will be pivotal in regards to DeMarcus Cousins as his patience may be wearing thin. The clock is ticking for the Kings and this may be their last chance to get things right before DeMarcus decides he’s had enough.

May 10, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings vice president of basketball operations and general manager Vlade Divac and head coach Dave Joerger during a press conference at the Sacramento Kings XC (Experience Center). Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings vice president of basketball operations and general manager Vlade Divac and head coach Dave Joerger during a press conference at the Sacramento Kings XC (Experience Center). Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

It’s going to take a stroke of luck for the Kings to land one of the higher ranked prospects in the draft such as a Buddy Hield, Kris Dunn or Jamal Murray, but it is possible.

A talent like one of those three would certainly help the Kings case and add to a roster in need of talent.

If the Kings miss out on a prospect such as those three, they do have other options such as Jaylen Brown, Denzel Valentine, or Henry Ellenson.

Would the Kings be better suited to take one of the ‘second tier’ guys? Or are they better off scanning the trade market and trying to get better value by trading the pick?

The Kings have no shortage of options, but the best option would be to keep the pick and take a chance on some young talent. Add some pieces during free agency and the Kings will be in good shape.

Next: Which Avenue Should the Kings take in the Draft?

Of course, many things will have to go right for the Kings to end up in ‘good shape’, but they are in good position to be there. The Kings are a solid draft choice and a few impact players away, but so far this offseason, they are heading in the right direction. The next step: a successful draft.

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