With the NBA Draft coming up on June 22, A Royal Pain is covering the prospects the Sacramento Kings could select. Today, we take a look at OG Anunoby.
A Royal Pain continues with their 2017 NBA Draft coverage by looking at a prospect that could address one of the Kings needs: perimeter defending. I wrote in detail about why Sacramento should address the defense immediately and can do so with their two draft picks.
Indiana’s OG Anunoby is a player that can do just that. The 19-year old wing comes with plenty of risks after enduring as a season-ending knee injury in January that could force him out of action for the 2017-18 season. But the Kings are building for the future which presents Sacramento with a choice: does his potential outweigh his risk?
Background Information (via Draft Express)
Height-
6’8
Weight-
215 lbs
Position-
SF/PF
Age-
19 (Born: July 17, 1997)
College-
Indiana
Hometown-
Jefferson City, MO
College Stats
(via
)
2016-2017:
11.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.3 steals, 1.3 blocks, 1.6 turnovers, 0.9 three-pointers made in 25.1 minutes per game over 16 games. Shooting percentages: 55.7% field, 31.1 three-point, 56.3% free throw
2016-2017 Highlight video
Strengths
Anunoby has the ideal physical measurements (6’7 ¾” w/ shoes, 7’2 ¼ wingspan, 232 lbs.) to develop into the instrumental multi-positional defender teams desire. He can stay with smaller guards when switched on the perimeter and utilizes his length to cause havoc via deflections and steals (1.3 SPG). Anunoby possesses a powerful lower body that, accompanied with his wingspan, makes him a rim protector (1.3 BLKPG). These attributes alone will carve out a role as a versatile defender that can play on the wing or unleash himself as a slashing small-ball 5.
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Lacking a diverse offensive skillset, Anunoby notched 11.1 PPG (61.5% eFG%) in 25.1 minutes per game during his sophomore season. He thrives when catching a head of steam attacking the paint and finishes through contact consistently. He has a semblance of a jump-shot despite shooting 31.1% from three-point range for the season. The development of his jumper will predicate how high his ceiling is, but Anunoby’s ability to defend will always secure him a place in the NBA if his knee returns to 100%.
Weaknesses
Right back to that limited offensive game, Anunoby struggles with shot creation, for himself and others. His handle is suspect at this juncture, and his passing must improve (1.4 APG). He doesn’t have the quickest release on his jumper so that quick-close outs could lead to blocks or tipped shots. Teams can sag off him and force him to make jump shots until he proves it, hindering his immediate offensive impact.
However, the main caution is the knee injury. Anunoby underwent surgery on his right knee after buckling his knee on the way down from a rebound during a game vs. Penn State in late January. He may not suit this upcoming season, and knee injuries have hindered the careers of countless NBA players. Anunoby recently stated he’s back in the gym shooting, but that is it. Teams will have to gamble on him making a full recovery without seeing any physical tests post-surgery.
Fit with Sacramento
The Sacramento Kings need a defensive stopper on the wing and selecting Anunoby would give them the best perimeter defender, if not overall, in the draft. Adding him with Skal Labissiere and Willie Cauley-Stein would give Sacramento endless defensive options with the length (combined 21’8” ft. wingspan) to overwhelm opponents. Anunoby could play with both, either, and without them as the 5. Lineup flexibility makes your team harder to prepare for and stop, which Anunoby brings in abundance.
There’s enough floor spacing between this trio for the guards to operate. Having three rim-running lob threats on the court at once is never a bad option. But the best offensive lineups, until they show offensive improvement, would be to stagger their minutes to maximize space. Head coach Dave Joerger is no stranger to working with limited shooting after winning with pre-marksman Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Tony Allen; so I’m sure he could implement a system for this group.
Next: A Royal Prospect: Jonathan Issac
OG Anunoby would have been one of the safest choices in this loaded draft if not for his knee injury. While it’s tough to predict how a knee will heal, taking the risk on players, especially ones with game-changing qualities like Anunoby’s defense, are worth it. He should be available at pick ten overall, and we will see if Sacramento is willing to take the chance.