The 2023 NBA Draft is quickly approaching, and the first round is beginning to take shape. A year after the Kings took a successful chance on Keegan Murray with the fourth overall pick, they can look to come out of the draft as winners yet again. But, this Kings draft is much different than they have experienced in the past, as this is the first time in 17 years that Sacramento holds a first-round pick outside of the lottery.
The Sacramento Kings franchise is trending upwards, and acquiring a steal of a prospect at pick 23 could catapult the team further in the right direction.
As we look forward to the NBA Draft on June 22nd, we begin to predict which rookies will go where and what prospect could be the Kings’ next breakout player.
Here is A Royal Pain’s first official 2023 NBA Mock Draft:
1. San Antonio Spurs: Victor Wembanyama, C, France
The consensus first pick in the 2023 NBA Draft: Victor Wembanyama. The Spurs are getting the best prospect the league has seen since “The Chosen One” in 2003. The 7’5″ center can change the trajectory of a San Antonio franchise that has struggled recently and is coming off its worst season in the Gregg Popovich era.
2. Charlotte Hornets: Brandon Miller, SF, Alabama
The first split decision of the draft comes at the 2nd pick, but the Hornets will ultimately sway toward the talented forward out of Alabama. Reports suggest Miller is now the heavy favorite to head to Charlotte, pairing the versatile, 6’8″ small forward with their franchise point guard, Lamelo Ball. This young duo would be fun to watch for years to come.
3. Portland Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson, PG, G League Ignite
Whether the Trail Blazers decide to keep the pick, trade the pick, or do something crazy and trade Damian Lillard, they should look to take the best player available here. Scoot Henderson is a 6’2″ point guard ready to be the face of an NBA franchise. The most explosive player in this class would be an electric addition to the Blazers backcourt, whether he is being paired with Lillard or not.
4. Houston Rockets: Amen Thompson, PG, Overtime Elite
The Rockets have not had a sure-fire starting point guard since the Houston Chris Paul days, so they need to fill that hole and pair Amen Thompson with talented scorer Jalen Green. Amen’s playmaking and explosiveness set him apart from the next-best option here, so Houston’s decision at the 4th pick should not be hard.
5. Detroit Pistons: Cam Whitmore, SF, Villanova
The Pistons are building a solid young core, drafting Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey with top 5 picks in back-to-back years. They continue the top 5 pick trend this year by selecting Whitmore, who has the potential to be the best wing in this draft.
6. Orlando Magic: Anthony Black, CG, Arkansas
The Magic are looking for a boom-or-bust here as they take a chance on Black, trying to clear up their backcourt confusion. The 6’7″ guard has a high upside as a playmaker and defender, but his scoring ability is a question mark. Pairing the talented playmaker with young scorers like Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner should help him thrive.
7. Indiana Pacers: Taylor Hendricks, PF, UCF
The Pacers look to fill their biggest hole by drafting a high-upside two-way forward. Hendricks’ defensive ability and offensive versatility make him a great fit for any team, especially the Pacers. The athletic forward would be fun to watch with young playmaker Tyrese Haliburton.
8. Washington Wizards: Ausar Thompson, SG, Overtime Elite
A struggling Wizards team, lacking a sense of direction, can get a top 5 prospect with the 8th pick here. While Ausar is projected to get drafted after his twin brother, that does not mean he is less of a prospect. He is an incredible athlete with two-way versatility, as the Wizards get a player who can potentially change the franchise’s trajectory.
9. Utah Jazz: Bilal Coulibaly, SF, France
While playing behind the number one prospect, Victor Wembanyama, it took a while for scouts to realize what type of prospect Coulibaly is. An elite defender with a high upside on the offensive side of the ball, the Jazz take a chance on the impressive international talent who would fit right into their lineup.
10. Dallas Mavericks: Jarace Walker, PF, Houston
The Mavericks are looking for a player who can play off of Luka Doncic and (potentially) Kyrie Irving, so they find a versatile big man in Walker. A two-way big man with strong traits on both sides of the ball, the athletic forward finds a great home in Dallas.
11. Orlando Magic (via CHI): Dereck Lively, C, Duke
Lively’s stock has been rising since the NBA Combine, as he is the clear 2nd best center prospect in this class. The Magic snag him with the 11th pick to build possibly the best young core in the NBA centered around Lively, Banchero, Wagner, and Anthony Black.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: Gradey Dick, SG, Kansas
After a surprising year for the Thunder built around a young core, they should focus on one of their biggest weaknesses from the past season: shooting. Gradey Dick is the best shooter in the 2023 Draft but is more than just a marksman. The 6’6″ SG/SF can put the ball on the floor and create for himself and his teammates.
13. Toronto Raptors: Nick Smith Jr., PG, Arkansas
With their starting backcourt both on pending player options, the Raptors need to look toward this high-ceiling bucket-getter out of Arkansas. Smith is a 6’5″ point guard who has the potential to be the Raptors franchise point guard if they are building for the future.
14. New Orleans Pelicans: Cason Wallace, CG, Kentucky
As the Pelicans have built a solid core, they have lacked a starting point guard. Wallace is an incredible defensive talent who has shown he can be an NBA point guard with his playmaking skills. The Pelicans are not taking much of a risk, as they are looking for a league-ready guard to help them win now.
15. Atlanta Hawks: Keyonte George, CG, Baylor
The Hawks can take the best player available while improving their much-needed guard depth. George is an incredible scoring talent who can get the ball in the basket at all three levels. His playmaking and intensity allow him to be a big contributor on any team he lands on, especially off the bench in Atlanta.
16. Utah Jazz (via MIN): Jalen Hood-Schifino, PG, Indiana
The Jazz can pick up their most-needed position here with a talented two-way point guard. After taking a risk with Coulibaly with the 9th pick, Utah selects a 6’4″ guard with a 6’10” wingspan who helps them on both ends of the court.
17. Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bufkin, PG, Michigan
While it would create headlines for the Lakers to draft a player named Kobe, Bufkin would make an immediate impact in Los Angeles, and his high potential makes him the best player available. After multiple seasons of a lack of guard depth, the Lakers get a player who can eventually start and be a versatile two-way presence.
18. Miami Heat: Jordan Hawkins, SG, UCONN
Coming off a Finals appearance, the Heat can snag a National Champion guard out of Connecticut. Hawkins is a talented scorer and one of the best shooters in the draft as the Heat look to add to their guard depth. While he is not a positional need for the Heat, they will not overlook the talent and offensive versatility he brings
19. Golden State Warriors: Ben Sheppard, SF, Belmont
After showing flashed at the NBA Combine, Sheppard’s draft stock has sky-rocketed. The Warriors can snag a player who fits their scheme, as he is a sharpshooter with great playmaking qualities. He gives the Warriors much-needed depth and has a great feel for the game, regardless of his competition in college.
20. Houston Rockets (via LAC): Leonard Miller, SF, G League Ignite
Even with the hiring of Ime Udoka, the Rockets are not ready to win now. After drafting Amen Thompson with the 4th pick, Houston can get risky here. The 6’10” forward has guard-like skills and elite athleticism. Miller is a high-ceiling project player that might take a year or two to get to where the Rockets would want him.
21. Brooklyn Nets (via PHX): Jett Howard, SG, Michigan
The Nets are entering an off-season in a state of confusion, not knowing what direction the franchise is heading. By drafting Jett, they get a talented scorer to give them backcourt depth. Howard has the potential to be the steal of the draft at the 21st pick.
22. Brooklyn Nets: Brice Sensabaugh, SF, Ohio State
With back-to-back picks, the Nets take the best player available. If a strong point guard was available, that’s the direction the Nets would be heading, but Sensabaugh is a strong prospect. He is an impressive scorer that can contribute off the bench behind rising star Mikal Bridges.
23. Portland Trail Blazers (via NYK): Maxwell Lewis, SF, Pepperdine
Whatever happens with their 3rd overall pick, the Blazers can look to take an NBA-ready forward. Lewis is an impressive 3-and-D prospect that has shown glimpses of having a high ceiling. He will be great whether he plays alongside Damian Lillard, Scoot Henderson, or both.
24. Sacramento Kings: Kris Murray, PF, Iowa
The Sacramento Kings can draft the player they hoped would fall to the 24th pick. Out of the University of Iowa, NBA-ready forward Kris Murray. After a breakout Junior season, Murray’s draft stock sky-rocketed. Averaging 20.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 1.0 steals per game, Murray showed he will have an immediate impact on whatever team he falls to.
After 16 long years without a playoff appearance, the Sacramento Kings are finally ready to win. The Western Conference, outside of the Denver Nuggets, is collapsing, and it is the Kings opportunity to come out on top. The Kings can do this by drafting Kris, who is ready to contribute starting day one.
The 6’8″ forward is a versatile two-way player who is deadly from long range but can still score from all three levels. Whether Murray’s role on the Kings will be 3-and-D or something else, he can impact the game in whatever way.
Besides being a great prospect, Kris Murray is a Kings fan favorite. Joining his twin brother, Keegan, in Sacramento would be a fun reunion. While his offense is not as impactful as Keegan’s, his defense makes up for it. Kris is a very versatile defender, as he can practically guard every position and uses his 7’0″ wingspan to be an impressive shot blocker.
Kris Murray’s two-way versatility and rebounding ability make him the perfect prospect for the Sacramento Kings.
25. Memphis Grizzlies: Colby Jones, SG, Xavier
With Ja Morant set to receive a hefty suspension and his future up in the air, the Grizzlies might not be in win-now mode anymore, but they can still draft an NBA-ready player so Memphis does not miss a beat while Morant is gone. Jones is a versatile two-way player who I can see being an All-Rookie team player by the time the season ends. An impressive shooter and defender, Colby Jones can do it all.
26. Indiana Pacers (via CLE): Noah Clowney, PF, Alabama
Even though they drafted Taylor Hendricks with the 7th overall pick, they continue to build some frontcourt depth by selecting the talented, versatile 6’10” big man.
27. Charlotte Hornets (via DEN): Dariq Whitehead, SG, Duke
Before the 2022-23 NCAA season started, Whitehead was a projected top 5 pick in this year’s draft. Due to injuries and a slow Freshman season, his stock plummeted. Whitehead has a great feel for the game, and if he can get back into his groove, he could be the steal of the draft. Pairing him with Lamelo Ball and Brandon Miller should speed up the process of him getting back to himself.
28. Utah Jazz (via PHI): Sidy Cissoko, SF, G League Ignite
After drafting Bilal Coulibaly and Jalen Hood-Schifino, the Jazz can take more of a risk with their third selection of the first round. The 6’7″ SG/SF is impressive on defense and can develop offensive tools.
29. Indiana Pacers (via BOS): Rayan Rupert, SF, France
With their third selection of the first round, the Pacers lean toward a defensive-minded wing. Rayan Rupert is a 6’6″ forward with a 7’2″ wingspan and is one of the most impressive defenders in this draft.
30. Los Angeles Clippers (via MIL): Amari Bailey, PG, UCLA
With the last pick of the first round, the Clippers opt to keep Amari Bailey in Los Angeles. The talented point guard has seen his draft stock rise since the NBA Combine and has the potential to solve the Clippers’ backcourt questions.
3 Big men the Kings should target with the 24th pick in the NBA Draft
The 2023 NBA Draft is approaching, so here we look at three big men the Sacramento Kings should target with their 24th pick.