7 Prospects Kings should target with 13th overall pick in 2024 NBA Draft
By Mat Issa
Kel'el Ware
2023-24 Stats: 15.9 PPG/9.9 RPG/1.5 APG/0.6 SPG/1.9 BPG on 62.1% True Shooting (30 Games)
With Alex Len and JaVale McGee both set to become free agents, the Kings are going to be in the market for a backup center.
While the Kings could probably nab a backup center or two with veteran minimum contracts, they may seek to find one using the 13th overall pick. And if they choose to go down that path, they would be hard-pressed to find an option as good as Kel'el Ware available at 13.
When you are looking for a backup center, you generally want to select one that gives you a different pitch than your starting big man. As we've discussed before, Sabonis' two biggest weaknesses are rim protection and spacing.
At 6'11.75 with a 7'4.5 wingspan, Ware is a massive force in the paint. Last season, he placed in the 93rd percentile in block rate in the Big 10. He also converted on 42.5% of his threes. However, Ware only took 1.3 3-point attempts per game, and he only shot 63.4% from the free throw line. So, his utility as a spacer is questionable at best.
Still, given his upside as a potential Myles Turner type player, Ware could be worth taking a flyer on in the middle of the first round.