Sacramento Kings: What Is The Plan For Vanja Marinkovic?

In this year’s NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings invested the 60th, and last, pick on Serbian guard Vanja Marinkovic. What are the Kings’ plans for him?

What Are The Kings Looking At With This Pick?

From what Vlade Divac said in his press conference after the draft, he knew about Vanja going into the draft and did not just blindly pick him because he had no other choice.

Vlade is most likely looking at future insurance if Bogdan Bogdanovic leaves the team in free agency, or for someone younger since Bogi is slightly older than the other players like Harry Giles, De’Aaron Fox, and Marvin Bagley III.

What Can Vanja Provide?

From his limited highlights, Vanja does have a similar release to Bogi and can create his own shot. His primary way of scoring is beating his defenders off the dribble and shooting a step-back jumper.

Vanja does need to add a little bit of muscle, as in the NBA he would have trouble beating players like Klay Thompson, James Harden, and Victor Oladipo.

This last season with Partizan, he averaged around 12.5 points per game on 35% shooting from three. He would need to increase this if he wants a chance to compete in the NBA. But if the Kings are giving him a chance to model his game after Bogi, this is the best way for him to have a chance to play eventually.

From his highlights, Vanja does not seem to set up his teammates as Bogi does. If he does have a desire to make the NBA, he needs to be able to provide playmaking ability like Luka Doncic, and not just become a one-dimensional player who just scores and does not provide an all-around game.

Another question about Marinkovic’s game is can he become a good defender? This has to be one of the best defensive plays in his career which was a chase-down block on the fastbreak.

According to his statistics, Vanja only averaged 0.1 blocks per game and 0.4 steals. He would have to become a better defender and increase the number of steals he gets. This would probably become more realistic for him by adding more muscle and weight.

Overall, Vanja has room for improvement, but can already provide scoring at the NBA level. He needs to be able to provide on other aspects of the game if his shot is not falling.

This is why a draft-and-stash scenario is not a bad idea. Vanja could most likely come over when he is 23-24, and when Bogi is 28. I would encourage all fans to monitor his progress in Europe!

Why Stay In Europe?

The primary reason for Vanja to stay in Europe is that there is more competition there than letting him develop here in the NBA G-League. There is a chance that he will get more opportunities to get minutes as well in Europe and to play against talent that will push him to keep improving his craft.

Welcome to the Kings, Vanja! We hope to see your dreams come true with the purple and white!