Mock Draft projects Sacramento Kings selecting wing with scoring upside
ESPN has released their post combine 2024 NBA draft projections, and has the Sacramento Kings selecting a wing with all the potential of a starting 3&D player. Ja'Kobe Walter is a freshman out of Baylor University who has the high end tools and potential many NBA teams are looking for.
Walter is an off ball wing who can play both the 2 and 3 positions with versatile shooting and solid defense. He is 6'5" in shoes, weighs 195 lbs and has a 6'10" wingspan. In his 1 year at Baylor he averaged 14.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 32.3 minutes over 35 games.
He shot 37.6% from the field, 42.3% from inside the arc and 34.1% from deep and won Big 12 Freshman of the Year for a Baylor team that earned a 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament. He also had a 47.8% free throw rate, which speaks to his ability to get to the free throw line, and could be a valuable asset to have.
Analysis
Walter brings a lot that the Kings need, high scoring, depth, and solid defense that has the potential to be great with some coaching. He looks like a Dalton Knecht lite, with high upside as he grows, matures, and gets NBA level coaching.
Global Scouting on X provided some interesting advanced analytics on his offensive game. According to Global Scouting, he shot 42.1% on all off ball screens at Baylor and 44.8% on unguarded catch and shoot 3 pointers. He is ready to contribute as an off the bench scorer immediately, especially in the screen heavy Kings offense.
Walter does have some weaknesses that could give the Kings pause in the draft process, however. Walter only shot 46% on contested layups and struggled against on ball pressure or contact, according to Global Scouting.
These trends lend many to believe that Walter's best role in the NBA will be as a 3&D wing, and he has the frame and physical tools to be just that. He would be good fit for the Kings to take over Buddy Hield's role off the bench and could leverage that into a starting role if he continues to improve his ball handling and defensive efficiency.