Over the past few weeks, there has been a lot of speculation that the Sacramento Kings are interested in trading up to get a better position in the draft. Unless that move is going to put them in the top three picks, it's pointless as there is no shortage of talented players around that seventh spot.
For weeks, if not months, FanSided's mock drafts have been projecting that the Kings are going to use their single first round pick to select Darius Acuff Jr. That has only been reinforced by recent reports that Sacramento has had multiple workouts with Acuff recently.
At the same time, some outlets are talking about the potential of the Kings trading up in the draft to make sure they get Acuff. That seems both unlikely and unnecessary as there are several great players hovering around that seventh pick in various mock drafts from other organizations.
The Kings could easily go with Mikel Brown Jr., Kingston Flemings, Keaton Wagler, or Nate Ament. There's always the chance that Caleb Wilson slides a couple spots, and ends up in Sacramento. My personal favorite scenario could also happen where the Kings use that pick on Yaxel Lendeborg.
Sacramento needs to trade down more than they need to trade up
For the Kings, trading up means giving up other assets, such as at least one of their two second round picks, to get there. The only way that is worth it is if that move launches them into one of the top three picks, giving them a chance at one of the top players available in this draft.
Moving from seventh to fifth, as an example, does not move the Kings into a different tier of talent. It keeps them in the same group of potential draft targets they're already choosing from. In that scenario, Sacramento loses much more than they gain.
Honestly, they would be better off trading down. There are five teams with two draft picks in the first round. For three of those teams, both picks are below the Kings' seventh spot. Any one of those franchises might be interested in moving up in the draft in exchange for both their first round picks.
This scenario is far better for the Kings. They would get two first round selections plus two in the second round, giving them quite a draft haul. Even if they had to give up one of their second rounders, they're still better off than the standard trade up scenario that keeps floating around,
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