A Royal Pain
Fansided

Sacramento Kings: 8 draft prospects to watch during March Madness

By Jonathan Roberts

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 02: Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates in the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena on March 02, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - MARCH 02: Admiral Schofield #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates in the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Thompson-Boling Arena on March 02, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 9
Next
CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 15: North Carolina Tar Heels guard Cameron Johnson (13) shoots an open three point shot during the ACC basketball tournament between the Duke Blue Devils and the North Carolina Tar Heels on March 15, 2019, at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – MARCH 15: North Carolina Tar Heels guard Cameron Johnson (13) shoots an open three point shot during the ACC basketball tournament between the Duke Blue Devils and the North Carolina Tar Heels on March 15, 2019, at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by William Howard/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Cameron Johnson, Small Forward, North Carolina (Midwest #1 seed)

Season Averages: 16.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 62.1 TS%, 13.1 BPM

Camoeron Johnson is another one of those players who will likely require a trade if the Sacramento Kings are going to land him. His aggregate rank is 27th overall, with a high of 19th and a low of 38th. Any way you look at it, he’ll likely require a big move, but he would be well worth it.

Johnson is a Redshirt Senior, but he’ll still be just 22 when he’s drafted. Regardless of age though, whatever team that drafts him will be happy knowing they drafted one of the NCAA’s best shooters.

On 11.6 field goal attempts per game, Johnson is shooting 50.8 percent from the floor and 46.5 percent from deep. He’s also hitting over 80 percent of his free throws. He’s no slouch in the stat sheet either, as he’s averaging 22.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.6 steals per-40 minutes. He’s got a ridiculous box plus-minus on 13.1 and a true shooting percentage among the highest in this group.

Sacramento Kings: Hope is lost...for this season. light. Cry

His only major knocks are athleticism, his ability to score in traffic and a low free throw rate (.266). His free throw rate and ability to score in traffic aren’t likely to be major issues on the Kings. And neither are his athleticism concerns. North Carolina plays at the fifth-highest pace in college basketball, and while it’s a far cry from the pace of an NBA team, it shows he’s capable of thriving on a fast team.

Aside from that, Johnson could develop into a solid NBA starter before long, and if the Kings sign Harrison Barnes long-term, Johnson could be his replacement in the future.

UNC is a #1 seed who we’re likely to see reach the Final Four, though 5th seeded Auburn could give them a run before then. Even so, we should get at least three March Madness games of Cameron Johnson, and even more if the Kings are able to steal him in the draft.

Home/Kings News