5 Players Kings Could Select With 12th Pick In 2020 NBA Draft
1. Devin Vassell – Florida State
Devin Vassell, the 6’5″ forward from Florida State, boasts an impressive 6 foot, 10 inch wingspan that allows his sweet shooting stroke combined with a high release to be a primary threat on the offensive end for FSU. Vassell shot 41.5 percent from three this season and can get his own shot off above most defenders of comparable size.
There is not much stock to be put in him creating for others as a primary initiator to an offense, but Sacramento has plenty of others on the roster capable of carrying that load. Vassell is the clearly the best 3&D player in this class, and he is set to make an impact on both ends of the floor immediately due to his translatable shooting (with or without the ball) and defensive awareness and IQ.
Vassell’s shooting, both off the bounce and from the catch, is already at an exceptional level, yet defense may be the most appealing aspect of his game. With his aforementioned overwhelming wingspan, Vassell is disruptive on that end of the floor, averaging 1.4 steals and one block per game this past season at FSU. While he is seen as more of an off-ball impact player on defense (his slender frame could be an issue in the NBA), there is no lack of effort or influence in on-ball situations.
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If there is any reservation to have with Vassell it is his slender frame that could cause him some issues if he is looking to be guarding some of the best players in the league that are strong as oxen and athletic freaks, which Vassell is neither of. I would bet that his IQ, wingspan, communication, and timing still allow him to excel on the defensive end despite what is a nontraditional NBA physique.
He has drawn comparisons to Danny Green and Robert Covington (comparisons are never perfect), and Sam Vecenie mentions Vassell rising stock making way for a real possibility for him being selected in the late lottery and that he would “anticipate he ends up in the top 20”. If he is on the board at twelve with Sacramento on the clock, it will be hard for Vlade Divac to look past him. I am all in on Vassell coming to Sactown next season and he currently sits as my number one realistic choice for the Kings.