It is the NBA pre-draft workout time of year, as many talented prospects are flying up and down draft boards. The Sacramento Kings hold three draft picks in the 2023 NBA Draft, the 24th, 38th, and 54th overall picks. While most people see the first-round pick as the only important one, many talented players might be available in the second round.
The Kings hosted three prospects for pre-draft workouts this week, and all three could go anywhere from late first round to mid-second round. Let’s take a look at the intriguing prospects:
Emoni Bates – SF/SG, Eastern Michigan
The 19-year-old 6’8″ forward is a former number-one ranked high school player in the country. Emoni Bates is a very talented prospect that was playing in college at the age of 17. After transferring from Memphis to Eastern Michigan for his Sophomore season, Bates averaged 19.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game.
While Emoni Bates has shown inefficiency and weaknesses in his game, the skill is there. Bates is one of the top shooters in the draft and could have a positive impact on whatever team he falls to. His negative wingspan (6’7″) poses a challenge as he attempts to adjust his game for the next level, but he has good size with guard-like skill, so using a second-round pick to take a chance on him would not hurt.
Emoni Bates’ off-court issues, combined with his on-the-court question marks, could lead to him falling on draft night. If he becomes available at pick 54 for the Kings, his offensive ability makes it worth using the pick on him. His shooting and impressive ball handling would make him a rotational piece for a Kings team looking for players that can shoot the lights out and run the floor.
Ben Sheppard – SG/SF, Belmont
Ben Sheppard is a 21-year-old prospect whose name has been everywhere recently, as his draft stock skyrocketed after the NBA Combine. While the biggest question around him was his competition level in college, he has shown that he can keep up with anybody. In his Senior year, the 6’6″ guard averaged 18.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting 41.5% from three.
His impressive display of athleticism and scrimmage play at the combine made scouts rethink their opinions on the guard out of the Missouri Valley Conference. The Kings are one of many teams that brought Sheppard in for a workout, so they can only hope he falls to pick 24 at this point. Many mock drafts have him going in the late teens, but everything can change between now and June 22nd.
The MVC All-Defensive Team selection showed he does it on both ends of the court, but it is a question mark whether that defense translates to the NBA. His strong frame suggests he should guard fellow shooting guards just fine, but time will tell. His impressive shooting ability and decision-making put him in 3-and-D conversations.
Ben Sheppard has been linked with the Golden State Warriors and the Utah Jazz, both selecting before the Kings in the first round. Sheppard would be a great fit on this Kings squad, as he is an NBA-ready prospect even though he is making a leap from the MVC to the NBA.
Jordan Walsh – SF/PF/SG, Arkansas
Jordan Walsh, a former 5-star high school recruit, was part of a stacked Freshman class at Arkansas. While Walsh did not display many offensive tools during his lone college season, the 6’7″ forward showed he is one of the top defenders in the 2023 draft class. With a 7’3″ wingspan, Walsh can use his length to disrupt ball handlers and guard every position.
Playing in an NBA system, Walsh should be able to develop his offense and turn into a premier two-way talent. His athleticism allows him to run the floor and score in transition at an elite level. Walsh is projected to go in the early second round, where the Kings could take him with their 38th overall pick or possibly the 54th pick if he falls that far.
Jordan Walsh’s offensive tools might be more developed than we have seen, as he claims he was held back in Arkansas’ system (via ESPN):
"“Once I got out of Arkansas, I’m now in a position where I don’t have handcuffs on me. I’m able to shoot and make plays for people. I have that flexibility to show that I can do all those things. I was stuck in a role, but now they’ll see the real Jordan.”"
His “handcuffs” may be related to Arkansas’ talented roster, where Walsh was not as big a part of the offense as he probably wished. Being college teammates with projected lottery picks Anthony Black and Nick Smith Jr., along with projected second-round pick Ricky Council IV, Jordan Walsh is now getting the opportunity to show his offensive ability through pre-draft workouts. If Walsh proves he can be a premier two-way player, his draft stock might rise to the early second round.
3 Forwards that the Kings could target with the 24th pick
The Sacramento Kings hold the 24th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Here, we look at three forwards who the Kings could draft to immediately help the team.