NBA Mock Draft: Brandon Knight To Kings, Says DraftExpress
by Tom Ziller on May 17, 2011 9:14 AM PDT
in NBA Draft
Email
PrintIn its first NBA mock draft taking team needs into account, the excellent DraftExpress pegs the Sacramento Kings to Kentucky point guard Brandon Knight. Note that the draft order could change in tonight's NBA Draft Lottery; the current mock has the Kings at No. 5, which is their most likely landing spot.
Knight entered the draft after one year at UK; he'd be the Kings' third consecutive lottery pick from a John Calipari program. Sacramento took guard Tyreke Evans out of Calipari's Memphis at No. 4 in 2009; Cal moved to Kentucky for 2010, and the Kings took his center DeMarcus Cousins at No. 5 last June. Knight looked like a mid-first prospect until everyone dropped out and he had a good tournament; now most mocks peg Knight in the top-10.
It's worth noting that DX has Kemba Walker off the board at No. 3 (Toronto Raptors) and Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas gone at No. 4 (Washington Wizards). One of the players DX and Chad Ford seem to disagree on at this point is Enes Kanter, the Turkish center who was ruled ineligible to play for Kentucky this season. Ford has mentioned him as a potential No. 1, while DX has him down at No. 8 (Cleveland Cavaliers).
82 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I've always wondered
whether Chad Ford bases most of his projections on back door communications with people within NBA franchises and whether draftexpress usually just uses scouts and their assessments.
Live every week like it's Shark Week.
A mix
Ford is definitely a reporter’s reporter. DX seems to spend all but the last month of the draft process focusing on scouting. In other words, Ford reports whereas DX might “shape” the draft, ya dig?
Oh I dig.
Live every week like it's Shark Week.
by wallywagon11 on May 17, 2011 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions 4 recs
By the way (obviously does not include this picture but still) the word "hooker" has been used 152 times in comments here at StR
I am responsible 22 of them. I currently have a solid 14.47% hooker comment percentage going.
Live every week like it's Shark Week.
by wallywagon11 on May 17, 2011 9:33 AM PDT up reply actions 6 recs
You keep a count????
"Keep a positive outlook, even when things are looking bleak. Remember, nothing is impossible."
Small-market crowds > Large-market crowds
David Stern and Associates - Bailing out the Lakers from 1984 to 2011.
I'm with Ford regarding Kanter
I think he’s easily the best big man prospect. The only truly negative thing about him being taken so high are his knee issues(I doubt they are anywhere as bad as a DeJuan Blair). But in a talent-depleted draft Kanter ought to be a lock for the top 3 IMO.
Knees will probably be a huge issue though
After the Greg Oden disaster. But I was really impressed with Kanter from the video I saw of him, he looks very skilled down low.
..."You've got Burkle?"
by kingsforaday on May 17, 2011 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions
At what point must we actually hire Calipari after drafting his products?
by HeuristicLineup on May 17, 2011 9:32 AM PDT reply actions
Maybe
We could build a statue of him like the one’s we will have of Tyreke and the shot and Demarcus giving the choke sign.
I could be very happy with Knight if we are at 5
Not to nitpick though Ziller, but technically isn’t our most likely 6 and not 5? In Aykis’ write up yesterday we had a 26.1% chance of getting the 5th pick and a 38.6% chance of getting the 6th pick.
On a less picky note, what’s your take so far on Kanter TZ
We have a better chance of getting the 6th pick, yes.
"Keep a positive outlook, even when things are looking bleak. Remember, nothing is impossible."
Small-market crowds > Large-market crowds
David Stern and Associates - Bailing out the Lakers from 1984 to 2011.
Kings best chance is for 6 not 5
38.6% for 6 and 26.1% for 5.
The Jazz have a 41+% chance at 6 too so its pretty likely that one of us will have the #6 spot.
Author of the Pick and Scroll and NBA Mashups. Follow me on Twitter here.
Nah.
Let the Raptors have it (If nothing above 7, which Washington would be at, changes, that guarantees we jumped)
Author of the Pick and Scroll and NBA Mashups. Follow me on Twitter here.
ugh
how come sully and barnes had to go back to school!!!
love thy underdog
by lemmetakeutodamovies on May 17, 2011 10:34 AM PDT reply actions
+1
Barnes would have been ideal for us.
Cain is Able ...
by Norcalfan10 on May 17, 2011 11:41 AM PDT up reply actions
Irving and Williams should be atop the Kings draft board
Kanter is intriguing, but he would need to do very well at combine and individual workouts. Not sure he is a good fit with Cousins though. They seem similar.
dont necessarily agree with this
i believe demarcus showed enough athleticism to play the 4 while kanter slides into the 5. Both have fairly interchangeable games which would serve us well.
Cain is Able ...
by Norcalfan10 on May 17, 2011 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I agree, ideally you would pair Cousins with a more 'above the rim' shotblocker /rebounder
although any good player would work most of the time of course.
"Victory goes to the player who makes the next-to-last mistake."
- Chessmaster Savielly Grigorievitch Tartakower
by lietothegirls on May 17, 2011 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions
I am a huge fan of Jan Vesley for the reasons stated above.
by Ultrakingsfan on May 17, 2011 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Don't you mean Jonas Valacskusoeiulus?
He’s the C, not the SF.
"We're not talking about me and Darko in the same sentence." - Chris Webber vs KAHN!
by caseycheesecake on May 17, 2011 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Jan is Foward.
Jonas is a F/C if I am not mistaken.
Jonas is a 7FT skill player while Jan is a rail thin athlete. I think.
by Ultrakingsfan on May 17, 2011 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Usually when we talk about pairing Cousins with somebody,
we’re talking about a PF or C. Isn’t Jan a SF?
"We're not talking about me and Darko in the same sentence." - Chris Webber vs KAHN!
by caseycheesecake on May 17, 2011 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions
I think Jan could be a starting PF in a couple years.
Isn’t he like 6’11’’? Players like Bargnani and Nowitzki play PF
Isn't the knock on Vesely that he isn't a great rebounder?
"Victory goes to the player who makes the next-to-last mistake."
- Chessmaster Savielly Grigorievitch Tartakower
by lietothegirls on May 17, 2011 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions
i think if the kings pick top 5
they’ll pick up kanter as long as he’s available; even if they get the first pick
No way they pass on Irving if they get the chance.
If not simply because he’s worth a lot to trade.
"We're not talking about me and Darko in the same sentence." - Chris Webber vs KAHN!
by caseycheesecake on May 17, 2011 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions
Agreed
And if you haven’t noticed, the NBA always is looking for elite level PG’s which Kyrie has the ability to become, moreso than any other player in this draft.
I hope we keep the pick instead of trading it.
I know we need an upgrade at SF, which might not be resolved in the draft, but I think any guy we draft would be coming to a good situation in Sacramento. We have guys already on this team who will be expected to play great next year, in Tyreke, MT, and Cousins. I think our pick this year could come in with very little pressure to make a huge impact, and end up making a huge impact, like James Harden in OKC.
..."You've got Burkle?"
I agree
We probably wouldn’t know until the actual draft if it’s best to trade the pick. While many of the “experts” are saying it’s a weak draft, I think we could pick up another piece to add for the long run. We shouldn’t sacrifice long term success for any short term gain
Let's all remind ourselves that the actual Draft isn't tonight
I’m sure many opinions will change between now and June 23rd as new data, rumours and media fabrications become public.
"Victory goes to the player who makes the next-to-last mistake."
- Chessmaster Savielly Grigorievitch Tartakower
SMOKESCREEN!
The draft really is tonight, and lttg is trying to mask his ambitions to draft Thabeet #1 overall….
by misterbrister on May 17, 2011 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions
lol
"We're not talking about me and Darko in the same sentence." - Chris Webber vs KAHN!
by caseycheesecake on May 17, 2011 12:51 PM PDT up reply actions
LOL DraftExpress
You release a mock draft of an incorrect draft order just 12 hours before the lottery is announced?
Pretty much tells you all you need to know about DE.
"This is gonna feel so good getting this thing off my chest. That's what she said."
Twitter: @scottcoleman55
They're just like us?
"I think this can be a good line-up for us and we’ll see how it works." - PW on replacing Casspi and Beno with JT and Head in the starting lineup (Nov. 18, 2010 Sac Bee)
by kwill on May 17, 2011 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Draft Express has mock up already for 2012.
They’re the best in the business. They’ll be updating constantly for the next month leading up to the draft.
Author of the Pick and Scroll and NBA Mashups. Follow me on Twitter here.
Just because I bet on ping-pong balls does not mean I have a gambling problem....
Future/Prop $5.00 $45.00 Basketball Lines – Draft Lottery 2011 – 5010 Sacramento Kings +900 for Team to win the 2011 NBA Draft Lottery
by angry gus on May 17, 2011 1:35 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
would anybody think that CDR can be a cheap improvement
at the three spot? he’s gettin no pt out in milwaukee. apparently he’s in scott skiles’ doghouse. considering we don’t trade to get a solid small forward there aren’t many options available for a truly reasonable price.. if not, who else would there be?
He's a very poor man's Tyreke.
Author of the Pick and Scroll and NBA Mashups. Follow me on Twitter here.
If Tyreke was Bill Gates
CDR would be a Maloof.
Author of the Pick and Scroll and NBA Mashups. Follow me on Twitter here.
by Aykis16 on May 17, 2011 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
If Tyreke was Albert Pujols,
CDR would be Nate Schierholtz.
Head Editor of JaguarsBlog
Follow me on Twitter
by CaliforniaJag on May 17, 2011 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions
If wallywagon11 was awesome
CDR would be not very good.
True story.
Live every week like it's Shark Week.
by wallywagon11 on May 17, 2011 2:35 PM PDT up reply actions
how about Bismack Biyombo?
or is he too raw and too much of a project for our team?
love thy underdog
by lemmetakeutodamovies on May 17, 2011 2:55 PM PDT reply actions
I like Biyombo
But it would be tough to find PT between Dalambert, Cousins and Thompson. I would say that if we pick him up we wouldn’t have to not re-sign Dalambert, until I found out that he is only 6-9. He is definitely talented and LONG, but I think we have our project player with Whiteside.
"I had 2 laugh at ths..I was playing my oldest son Zaire on his nerf rim & he dunked & said Gibson while screaming..L2MS Kids u gotta luv em" - D.Wade on Twitter
We wouldn't have to re-sign Dalambert*
"I had 2 laugh at ths..I was playing my oldest son Zaire on his nerf rim & he dunked & said Gibson while screaming..L2MS Kids u gotta luv em" - D.Wade on Twitter
Howard is only 6'10"
It makes not much of a difference when you have a body and athleticism like that. Remember the Blake Griffin concerns?
"Victory goes to the player who makes the next-to-last mistake."
- Chessmaster Savielly Grigorievitch Tartakower
by lietothegirls on May 17, 2011 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions
I dont know...
I still like the idea of two (close to) 7 footers on the court with Cousins and Dalambert. Biyombo has a 7-7 wingspan and is super athletic, so I totally can see your point. However if we get him, we have to let go of one of our bigs IMO. Westphal was really inconsistent in the lineups when we had 4 bigs and things seemed to settle down when we had 3 bigs in the rotation instead of 4.
"I had 2 laugh at ths..I was playing my oldest son Zaire on his nerf rim & he dunked & said Gibson while screaming..L2MS Kids u gotta luv em" - D.Wade on Twitter
Pretty sure we have a 7-2 player with a 7-7 wingspan that can jump out of the gym.
Who has a decent offensive game, and had astronomical block rates in college. Hassan struggled with injuries all last season.
by Ultrakingsfan on May 17, 2011 3:44 PM PDT up reply actions
I really like the idea of him
and am anxious to see how he looks in individual workouts. The uber athlete next to Cousins would be great – if he can play the game at any kind of reasonable skill level.
"Victory goes to the player who makes the next-to-last mistake."
- Chessmaster Savielly Grigorievitch Tartakower
by lietothegirls on May 17, 2011 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions
BB next to Cousins is my thinking
I think that could be a great inside presence. BB can focus on defense, rebounding and putbacks while Cousins can zero in on offense.
love thy underdog
by lemmetakeutodamovies on May 17, 2011 3:11 PM PDT up reply actions
This is what Dalambert is supposed to bring us
If we draft Biyombo, do you think we should bring back Dalambert? Picking him up could save us Dalambert’s salary or we could package Dalmbert is a sign and trade to bring in another solid player.
"I had 2 laugh at ths..I was playing my oldest son Zaire on his nerf rim & he dunked & said Gibson while screaming..L2MS Kids u gotta luv em" - D.Wade on Twitter
What about
the 2-3 years that it takes for Biyombo to become an NBA player?
I’m not saying no to Biyombo, but the thought that he would be able to contribute at a Dalembert level is reaching. I think that Biyombo would be in a fight to vault Hassan Whiteside and Darnell Jackson on the depth chart, at least in his rookie year.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
Clarifying -
I’m not saying that Biyombo can’t become as good or better than Dalembert. But I’m betting that it won’t happen in the first three years of his NBA life.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
Could you start JT
While Biyombo develops (here’s to hoping that JT develops hands in the off-season)? I really am not sure if you take a Biyombo over Knight for our team needs. However, i think if we do take Biyombo it would open up the opportunity for a sign and trade with Dalambert. Maybe we could take on a larger salary and get a 3/4 back.
"I had 2 laugh at ths..I was playing my oldest son Zaire on his nerf rim & he dunked & said Gibson while screaming..L2MS Kids u gotta luv em" - D.Wade on Twitter
I think that JT is a solid #3 big,
but he’s a fringe NBA starter.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
by section214 on May 17, 2011 5:34 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
yes Dalambert does a pretty good job
and if Biyombo is going to need a few years to become a contributor it might be a great idea to keep Dally and get Biyombo to groom. That said we do have Whiteside
love thy underdog
by lemmetakeutodamovies on May 17, 2011 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions
this comment is completely from left field
but I kind of also want to see some donte greene at the PF in the rotation next year as well (not starting just getting some minutes consistently there)
Live every week like it's Shark Week.
by wallywagon11 on May 17, 2011 3:49 PM PDT up reply actions
just daydreaming i guess
love thy underdog
by lemmetakeutodamovies on May 17, 2011 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Not really
I think your thinking about the possibility of Dally leaving, us getting another big, and JT starting with DMC. This scenerio would probably allow Greene to play some minutes at PF, no?
"I think this can be a good line-up for us and we’ll see how it works." - PW on replacing Casspi and Beno with JT and Head in the starting lineup (Nov. 18, 2010 Sac Bee)
yeah I suppose
I think the lack of wing depth has kind of put Greene in some crappy spots in terms or his development. Feel he should be playing a lot more minutes at the PF and just stay away from SG altogether
Live every week like it's Shark Week.
by wallywagon11 on May 17, 2011 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions
I thought it was cool that he gained weight to play PF last year.
But I guess they really didn’t want that. They may change their mind if we can get a vet SF. I think him as a Odom-type player is the best fit for him.
"I think this can be a good line-up for us and we’ll see how it works." - PW on replacing Casspi and Beno with JT and Head in the starting lineup (Nov. 18, 2010 Sac Bee)
Does anybody else think we could get a pretty good player at #36?
Cuz I do. I don’t see a whole of difference in this draft between the 10-40 range. How does a guy like Marshon Brooks not make the first round let alone top 40 picks on DX? That kid is definitely sleeper material if he stays projected that low. I also look at guys like Charles Jenkins, Reggie Jackson, Isaiah Thomas as all capable 3rd PG;s for our roster. Trey Thompkins and Jereme Richmond could be nice stretch 4’s for our bench. Benson or JaJuan Johnson could be capable 4th bigs off the bench. Another sleeper I’d pick is DeAndre Liggans, he should be much closer to the 1st round than he is. He could be an excellent pick/fit for our vacancy at the 3. I think his game translates to the NBA very well.
There will definitely be talent at 35-36 that will have a legit shot to make the roster
I’ll be interested to see if GP uses the #60 pick to stash a young foreign player.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
Or -
if it’s used to acquire someone else’s salary dump.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
I like Isiah Thomas from Washington at 35
He’s Pooh Jeter with a consistent outside shot.
60th pick is essentially worthless so either the Kings will sell it and get whatever cash they can out of it, or probably pick a Foreign Player that could use a year or two more development. Very unlikely we ever see this guy on our roster, although 2008’s #60 pick, Semih Erden, was a nice find, finally came over this year and had some quality minutes with Boston before being traded to Cleveland
Author of the Pick and Scroll and NBA Mashups. Follow me on Twitter here.
If we don't use our 1st rounder for a guard
I’d be thrilled to get Reggie Jackson in the 2nd round if he fell there.
From DX's Twitter
GM: “I went to watch Enes Kanter work out. I love his skill & toughness. Very concerned about his athleticism. Reminds me of Joe Klein.”
Oww. I thought he was athletic… the videos released of him sure indicated that.
by LightningStrike5 on May 17, 2011 4:50 PM PDT reply actions
now that is comedy.
Reminds me of Joe Klein
by betweentheeyes on May 17, 2011 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions
This works in a lot of scenarios
I had my teeth cleaned last week and the dentist almost ran the pick through my gums…reminds me of Joe Kleine.
The house next door to me just sold for $225,000 less than I bought mine for, and that home is bigger…reminds me of Joe Kleine.
pookey and smills are coming over to my house tonight to discuss politics, religion, and this year’s draft pick…reminds me of Joe Kleine.
SACTOWN ROYALTY - Try our thick creamy shakes!
by section214 on May 17, 2011 9:58 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
NBA Playoffs Content Module
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Ball Don't Lie - NBA - Yahoo! Sport
- Behind the Box Score, where the Boston Celtics are moving on to the conference finals
- NBA Playoffs Fan Fiction: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
- The Indiana Pacers? Gone till November
- Shaquille O’Neal is in a Chinese beer commercial, too (VIDEO)
- ‘Deep Thoughts’ and Cheap Thoughts: San Antonio Spurs vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
