The 2023 NBA Draft is approaching, meaning the Sacramento Kings are two weeks away from finding their newest rookies. After the success of Keegan Murray this season, the Kings should be looking for their next big prospect. Whether they repeat that success by drafting his twin brother or going in a different direction, the Kings front office seems to know what they are doing.
The Sacramento Kings have a primary looming concern this offseason: forward depth. With three of their four central forwards entering free agency, the Kings need to pick up some forwards in case Harrison Barnes, Trey Lyles, and Terence Davis do not re-sign. They could address this in the draft, or they could address the need for big man depth with Alex Len entering free agency and Richaun Holmes on the trade block.
While the top two centers in the draft, Victor Wembanyana and Dereck Lively, should be selected before pick 24, the Kings can still find some valuable big men. The Kings need a guy that can either back up Domantas Sabonis or play alongside him.
Here are three big men prospects the Kings need to target with the 24th overall pick:
1. Gregory Jackson, South Carolina
The youngest 2023 NBA Draft prospect is 18-year-old Gregory “GG” Jackson. The former Class of 2023 number one ranked high school recruit re-classified and joined a struggling University of South Carolina basketball team. The freshman averaged 15.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. The 6’9″ forward was not very efficient, with 38/32/67 shooting splits. While the young prospect did not have a great college season, his potential is through the roof.
GG Jackson has a deep offensive bag for a 6’10” forward with a 7’0″ wingspan. The forward can do it all with the ball in his hands, especially handling the ball and shooting the mid-range. Jackson uses his athleticism, speed, and ball handling to get to his spots on the floor.
While Jackson has great offensive tools, his shot selection and inefficiency raise concerns. But, being the youngest player in the draft, he is not expected to be the best at decision-making. Jackson showed glimpses of being a talented defender as well, using his size and athleticism to block shots, but lacked the consistent ability to play good on-ball defense.
Jackson is a talented prospect with great offensive tools, and if the Kings are looking for a project 18-year-old prospect to score for them off the bench, then GG Jackson should be that guy. Jackson would develop incredibly in the Kings system, as the only thing truly missing in his game is discipline.
2. Bobi Klintman, Wake Forest
Bobi Klintman, a 6’10” forward from Finland, played one year of college basketball at Wake Forest. Klintman is a very raw prospect but has shown flashes of high upside. In his freshman season, Klintman averaged 5.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 0.6 blocks, and 0.5 steals per game on 40/36/74 shooting splits. While his numbers are not eye-popping, let’s dive into why he is such an intriguing prospect.
The biggest strength of Klintman’s game is his three-point shooting. His 36.8% from deep does not tell the whole story, as his shooting motion is so smooth. Finding a 6’10” prospect with a 7’0″ wingspan that can shoot the rock is always valuable. Along with his shooting, his off-ball awareness and athleticism allow him to cut to the basket and finish alley-oops with force.
One of the most surprising aspects of Klintman’s game is his guard-like skills. Bobi Klintman can catch the ball behind the arc and, if he doesn’t shoot it from there, can beat his defender off the dribble. His shooting, ball handling, athleticism, and sneaky impressive passing ability, make him a great prospect for a 19-year-old, 6’10” forward.
On the defensive end, Bobi Klintman is still developing similar to his offense, but the tools are there. His impressive frame makes him an incredible shot blocker and shot contester.
Bobi Klintman is a project, but he has the tools to become a great NBA player. The Kings could take a chance on him with the 24th pick, but I see them going for a more NBA-ready prospect.
3. Noah Clowney, Alabama
Noah Clowney, the third 6’10” one-and-done player on this list, has a higher floor than GG Jackson and Bobi Klintman but could also have a higher ceiling. In his freshman season, the 18-year-old averaged 9.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks per game on 48/28/65 shooting splits. While the 28% from three jumps off the page for the wrong reason, Clowney is a more impressive shooter than you think.
Noah Clowney is very comfortable with his shot and is ready to prove people wrong heading into pre-draft workouts (via Indiana Pacers):
"“I’m not a 29 percent three-point shooter like they’ve seen in college. I’m better than that. My defensive versatility. I’m a lot more athletic than people think.”"
Clowney’s defensive ability makes him stand out in this draft class. His 7’2″ wingspan contributes to his elite rim protection, and his athleticism allows him to switch onto perimeter players and still play lock-down defense, even though that aspect of his game is still developing.
The 6’10” forward moves like a guard, as his athleticism is through the roof. His floor awareness, with his quick movements, allows him to always be in the right spot at the right time. Clowney is exceptional about making cuts and finding open lanes to the basket even without the ball.
Noah Clowney might be exactly what the Kings want in a big man. He can play the four or the five, protect the rim, grab rebounds, run the floor, and shoot threes. Taking a chance on Clowney with the 24th pick would be wise, as he is my favorite realistic Kings big man target in this draft class.
Sacramento Kings host 3 intriguing prospects in pre-draft workouts
It is NBA pre-draft workout season, as we take a look at three intriguing prospects the Sacramento Kings recently hosted in workouts