The 2023 NBA Draft is this Thursday, as talks about prospects are heating up. The Sacramento Kings are wrapping up their pre-draft workouts and interviews as they get an idea of who they need to target come draft night. Now that we are getting a clearer picture of where prospects will land, we are also getting a clearer picture of who might be available for the Kings.
There are tiers of every prospect we could do in-depth on, starting with Victor Wembanyama in his own tier at the top, but we can be more realistic for Sacramento’s sake. The Kings hold the 24th, 38th, and 54th overall picks in the draft, but the most drama comes with their first-rounder.
Here we compile our top 15 prospects for the Kings, separated into four tiers from players the Kings could trade up for to players the Kings could take but probably shouldn’t.
Here is a look at A Royal Pain’s official Sacramento Kings 2023 NBA Draft prospect ranking:
Tier 1: Trade-up potentials
The Sacramento Kings lack realistic trade assets that would be enough to move up in the draft, but we can’t count out a potential move, even if it is minor. A couple of players could be trade-up targets for the Kings if they fall far enough.
1. Bilal Coulibaly, France: Coulibaly is a 6’7″ small forward with a wide draft range. Due to recently finishing up his French league season, Coulibaly could not participate in any pre-draft workouts. This could lead to the potential top-10 pick falling out of the lottery and would be worth trading up to steal around pick 16. The talented French wing is 18 years old and a lockdown defender with the offensive tools to develop into an elite two-way presence.
2. Gradey Dick, Kansas: While Gradey Dick is more of an unrealistic target, as almost every mock draft projects him to go top 12, there is always a chance Dick falls enough for the Kings to make a move. Gradey Dick is the best shooter in the draft with a 6’6″ frame and playmaking ability that makes him more than just a sharpshooter.
Tier 2: Must draft if available, but might not be
This tier is compiled of prospects who will likely be taken before the 24th pick, but if they fall to Sacramento, they are a must-draft. These are ideal prospects for the Kings but might not be worth trading up for. One of these prospects might be available at pick 24, but the Kings will likely not have to choose between any two or more of them.
3. Jett Howard, Michigan: Jett Howard, the son of Juwan, is a premier offensive talent in this class. The 6’8″ wing would excel next to elite playmakers in De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. The perimeter threat in a trio of Kevin Huerter, Jett Howard, and Keegan Murray would be scary for other teams. He hustles on defense, and if he can improve his on-ball ability, he could become a 3-and-D threat.
4. Noah Clowney, Alabama: Clowney’s draft stock continues to rise after showing off his athleticism and sneaky shooting ability during the pre-draft process. The 6’10” versatile forward has a 7’2″ wingspan and showcased his two-way presence in his lone season at Alabama. The 18-year-old still has ways to improve on offense, but the tools and energy are there for Clowney to develop into a great player.
5. Kris Murray, Iowa: The twin brother of Keegan Murray, Kris might follow in his brother’s footsteps and be the next breakout rookie in Sacramento. Kris is a 6’8″ forward with no true weakness in his game. He is a smart player with all the right tools to fit into any system. The 22-year-old would be an immediate impact on a Kings team ready to win now, but is he too similar to Keegan? The Kings might not be looking for a player with a similar playstyle to their starting forward, but the twins have already shown they can play together in college.
6. Olivier-Maxence Prosper, Marquette: Another late riser, Prosper, has been surging up draft boards after a successful pre-draft process. The 6’7″ forward is an explosive player with elite athleticism. Prosper is becoming one of the most intriguing two-way players in the draft, as he is explosive on offense and versatile on defense. While his jump shot could still use some work, he is capable enough to be a threat from anywhere on the floor.
Tier 3: Plan B options that should be available
These are the most realistic options for the Sacramento Kings, as the Tier 2 players might not be available at the 24th pick. The Kings will likely be able to choose from at least four of these five guys, as they are unlikely to go before pick 24.
7. Dariq Whitehead, Duke: The former projected top-five pick had a rough freshman season at Duke, suffering a foot injury that set him back. Although he was not able to showcase his full potential coming off an injury, Whitehead is an impressive prospect. With a 6’6″ frame and 6’10” wingspan, he is a versatile defender that can score from all three levels. He is an impressive shot-creator with a great jump shot, as he shot 42.4% from deep at Duke. Even through injuries, Whitehead has a great feel for the game and will be a steal as a late first-round pick.
8. Colby Jones, Xavier: After a breakout sophomore season at Xavier, Colby Jones has shown NBA scouts that he is possibly the most well-rounded prospect in this class. The 6’5″ SG/SF is league-ready, as he has all the tools needed on offense and is a versatile defender. He is an impressive shooter with room for improvement, but his work ethic tells us that will not be a problem. He is a smart two-way player that would flourish in the Kings’ system.
9. James Nnaji, Nigeria: While there is a chance Nnaji will not be available at pick 24, his wide draft range suggest he could go anywhere in the 20s. The 6’10 big man has a 7’7″ (!!!) wingspan with the potential to be special. He is a force in the paint and a very impressive defender. Nnaji can hold down the interior and step out to guard the perimeter, as his versatility could prove valuable to many teams. He has limited basketball experience, reminding me of Joel Embiid as a prospect but with less skill on offense.
10. Rayan Rupert, France: Rupert is an intriguing international prospect, as he is possibly the best defender in the draft. The 6’6″ forward has a 7’2″ wingspan with all the right tools to be a lockdown defender in the NBA. The biggest question mark is his offensive versatility, as he has not shown much consistency as a scorer. He can develop into an impressive two-way talent, but for now, he is strictly a lockdown defender.
11. Jaime Jaquez Jr., UCLA: Coming off an impressive senior season at UCLA, Jaquez’s draft stock has risen into the first round. The 22-year-old wing has shown he can score from anywhere, primarily on the block and mid-range. He is a smart, hustle player, averaging 8.2 rebounds per game with just a 6’6″ frame. His 6’10” wingspan helps him on defense, but his lack of lateral quickness hurts him and will continue to at the next level.
Tier 4: Good prospects, but a reach at pick 24
After the Tier 3 prospects, any prospect would become a reach to select with their first-round pick. At this point, they would be better off hoping these guys fall to the 38th overall pick, but the Kings could be surprisingly high on one of them and take the chance here.
12. Ben Sheppard, Belmont: After an impressive showing at the NBA Combine, Sheppard’s draft stock skyrocketed into the first round. Since then, the hype has died down, and he seems to be slipping again. While he is still likely to go in the late first round, is he worth the first-round pick? The 6’5″ shooting guard is an impressive shooter, shooting 41.5% from deep last season for Belmont.
13. Maxwell Lewis, Pepperdine: Similar to Ben Sheppard, Maxwell Lewis’ competition in college comes into question. Lewis is a knockdown shooter and smooth ball handler with the qualities of a pro-level 3-and-D player. Lewis might not be NBA-ready, which is why he is further down on this list, but with room to develop, he could become an impressive player.
14. Trayce Jackson-Davis, Indiana: Jackson-Davis is hard to find a draft range for because he is a fantastic player, but his age and shooting are a concern. After being one of the top NCAA players for four straight years, Jackson-Davis is finally in the draft with a chance to be a first-round selection. The 6’8″ forward is an elite shot-blocker with a strong interior game and impressive rebounding. The 23-year-old is one of the more versatile forwards in the draft, but his jump shot holds him back.
15. Gregory Jackson II, South Carolina: G.G. Jackson is the youngest prospect in the draft, which both helps and hurts his draft stock. With limited experience, Jackson is known to make unwise decisions with the ball, but that comes with being such a young prospect. The Kings might not be in the right position to take on a project player, but if he is available for Sacramento at the 38th overall pick, that is where he would be selected.
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