GOOD: Trade Pick For Two Picks
Vlade Divac got savvy during the 2017 Draft.
Going in to draft night, Sacramento had three picks to work with:
5th overall – this was originally the 3rd overall, until the 76ers exercised their right to the pick swap
10th overall – acquired from the Pelicans in the aforementioned DeMarcus Cousins trade
34th overall – the second-round pick also acquired from the Pelicans
(The Kings own second-round pick ended up in the hands of the Warriors after a series of trades stemming from the infamous JJ Hickson trade in 2011. The Warriors drafted Jordan Bell)
The Kings did the very smart thing by using the 5th pick on De’Aaron Fox, but it was the 10th pick that Divac squeezed a little extra juice out of. Sacramento moved down, sending that 10th overall selection to the Trail Blazers, who sent back the 15th and 20th overall picks.
The Blazers selected Zach Collins, who has been solid for them, and did a fine job filling in during the playoffs on a thin Blazers frontline.
With the 15th pick, the Kings took senior Justin Jackson out of North Carolina. The 20th pick was spent on Harry Giles, who some considered to be one of the most talented players in the draft, but who also had an extensive injury history.
Jackson played a season and a half in Sacramento before being shipped to the Dallas Mavericks who sent back current Kings starting small forward Harrison Barnes.
Giles is one of the promising pieces on an extremely talented Kings team. He is a part of their future core and could be just weeks away from his breakout season.
The 34th pick was spent on Frank Mason, who ended up being a fan favorite in Sacramento.
So, if you’re scoring at home, Vlade turned DeMarcus Cousins in to:
Buddy Hield
Harrison Barnes
Harry Giles
Frank Mason
Tyreke Evans
Langston Galloway
Not bad.