Kings Draft Central 2017: Rumors, News and More

Welcome to Kings Draft Central!

The idea behind this is extremely straightforward. We’re going to try and compile every little Kings draft note in one convenient location. From rumors, to workouts, to mock draft results, to scouting trips, all of that information leading up to the draft should be right here!

If I know one thing about draft coverage, it’s that you can find some of the most interesting notes in bizarre locations, so this is my one time plea that if you see something, anything that we may have missed here, drop it in the comments section below, or drop me a note on twitter and I’ll be sure to add it to the running list. Alright, here we go.

Mock Drafts :

• Draft Express has the Kings taking De’Aaron Fox with the 5th pick, and Zach Collins with the 10th pick, and Mathias Lessort with the 34th pick. (Updated June 16th, 2017)
• Chad Ford has the Kings taking Jayson Tatum with the 5th pick, and Frank Ntilikina with the 10th pick. (Updated June 16th, 2017)
• SB Nation has the Kings taking Dennis Smith Jr. with the 5th pick, and Frank Ntilikina with the 10th pick. (Updated June 12th, 2017)
• The Ringer has the Kings taking De’Aaron Fox with the 5th pick, and Lauri Markkanen. and Wesley Iwundu with the 10th pick. (Updated June 16th, 2017)
• NBA.COM has the Kings taking De’Aaron Fox with the 5th pick, and Lauri Markkanen with the 10th pick. (Updated May 18th, 2017)
• Sam Vecenie (Seth’s Draft House) has the Kings taking De’Aaron Fox with the #5 pick, Malik Monk with the #10 pick, and Caleb Swanigan with the 34th pick. (Updated June 16th, 2017)

Workout / Interviews:

• Kings met with Markelle Fultz at the Chicago Combine, they were impressed.
• Kings met with T.J. Leaf at the Chicago Combine, he had a lot of fun.
• Kings met with Dillon Brooks at the Chicago Combine.
• Kings met with Nigel Williams-Goss at the Chicago Combine.
• Kings met with Monte Morris at the Chicago Combine.
• Kings met with Tyler Dorsey at the Chicago Combine.
• Kings met with Semi Ojeleye at the Chicago Combine.
• Kings met with De’Aaron Fox at the Chicago Combine, and told him they are looking for a point guard of the future.
• First Pre-Draft Workout: Wesley Iwundu (DX Rank #56), Brynton Lemar (DX Unranked), Landen Lucas (DX Unranked), Eric Mika (DX Rank #79), Naz Mitrou-Long (DX Unranked), Tai Webster (DX Unranked). (5/18/17)
• Second Pre-Draft Workout: Jamel Artis (DX Unranked), JJ Frazier (DX Unranked), Luke Kornet (DX Rank #73), Mangok Mathiang (DX Unranked), Monte Morris (DX Rank #72), Corey Sanders (DX Unranked). (5/22/17). This is the Kings’ second look at Monte Morris after interviewing him at the combine.
• Third Pre-Draft Workout: Justin Jackson (DX Rank #13), Frank Mason (DX Rank #44), Jordan Bell (DX Rank #32), Devin Robinson (DX Rank #48), Kyle Kuzma (DX Rank #42), London Perrantes (DX Unranked), James Blackmon (DX Rank #91), Moses Kingsley (DX Unranked), Luke Petrasek (DX Unranked), Jordan Washington (DX Unranked), Seth Allen (DX Unranked), Tyler Cavanaugh (DX Unranked).
• Vlade Divac was in attendance at the Roc Nation Pro Day, scouting Dwayne Bacon (DX Rank #58) and Josh Hart (DX Draft Rank #50).
• De’Aaron Fox (DX Rank #5) visited Sacramento.
• Fourth Pre-Draft Workout: Harry Giles (DX Rank #33)
• Fifth Pre-Draft Workout: Donovan Mitchell (DX Rank #11), Dominique Hawkins (DX Unranked), Caleb Swanigan (DX Rank #34), Cameron Oliver (DX Rank #59), Erik McCree (DX Unranked), Jabari Bird (DX Unranked).
• Sixth Pre-Draft Workout: Jarrett Allen (DX Rank #17), Semi Ojeleye (DX Rank #28), Joe Rahon (DX Unranked), Milton Doyle (DX Unranked), Rashawn Thomas (DX Unranked), Eric Mika (DX Rank #74), Matt Williams (DX Unranked).
• Seventh Pre-Draft Workout: Zach Collins (DX Rank #12)
• Eight Pre-Draft Workout: Tyler Dorsey (DX Rank #46), Josh Hart (DX Rank #50), Nate Britt (DX Unranked), Dylan Ennis (DX Unranked), Ikenna Iroegbu (DX Unranked), Xavier Rathan-Mayes (DX Unranked).
• Ninth Pre-Draft Workout: Frank Mason (DX Rank #44), Thomas Bryant (DX Rank #38), Isaiah Briscoe (DX Rank #80), Canyon Barry (DX Unranked), Kamari Murphy (DX Unranked), Isaac Hamilton (DX Unranked).
• Tenth Pre-Draft Workout: Kobi Summons (DX Rank #76), Derrick Walton (DX Rank #73), Troy Caupain (DX Unranked), T.J. Cline (DX Unranked), Jacob Wiley (DX Unranked), Reggie Upshaw (DX Unranked), Ivan Rabb (DX Rank #30).
• Eleventh Pre-Draft Workout: John Collins (DX Rank #12), Matt Jones (DX Unranked), Przemek Karnowski (DX Rank #97), Jonathan Motley (DX Rank #39), Jeremy Senglin (DX Unranked), and Sindarius Thornwell (DX Rank #57).

Rumors:

• There is a decent shot the Kings don’t draft a point guard + Kings are a legitimate option for EuroLeague star point guard Milos Teodosic in free agency. UPDATE: Kings have denied that they are targeting Teodosic in free agency. De’Aaron Fox revealed in his combine interview that the Kings are looking for a point guard of the future, so...¯\_(ツ)_/¯
• Kentucky PG De’Aaron Fox would ‘like to land’ in Sacramento.
• Kings have scouted French PG prospect Frank Ntilikina more than most teams.
• De’Aaron Fox is rising up draft boards.
• De’Aaron Fox says he’ll workout with the Kings.
• Jarrett Allen coming in for a workout with the Kings.
• Markelle Fultz maybe, possibly visiting Sacramento?!
• Josh Jackson visited with the Kings at some point this summer.

Misc. Notes

• Dave Joerger will represent the Kings at the NBA Draft Lottery on Tuesday, May 16th.
• ‘Good vibes’ about the Kings’ new front office at the Chicago Combine.
• Vlade Divac was interviewed at the Chicago Combine, he didn’t say much!
• ESPN/Chad Ford (paywall): NBA agents are determined to keep their clients from working out in Sacramento. Despite the new front office, “It's still the most dysfunctional front office in the league, by a mile.”
• Sac Bee/Jason Jones: Prospects enjoyed their meetings with the Kings FO at the combine, and general positive Kings stuff with regards to how the league is viewing Sacramento now, post-Cousins trade, and post-front office additions.
• The Ringer put out an incredible draft guide if you’re looking for solid information on just about every prospect.
• Kings front office is gaining respect around the NBA after strong Chicago Combine showing, courtesy of NBC Sports’ James Ham.
• Kings land 5th and 10th picks in the NBA Draft Lottery.
• Justin Jackson says Kings would be a ‘great situation’.
• De’Aaron Fox is gallivanting around Sacramento before and after his meeting with the Kings.

Bryant’s Draft Scouting Reports:

• North Carolina State Point Guard, Dennis Smith Jr.
• University of Arizona PF/C, Lauri Markkanen
• Gonzaga PF/C, Zach Collins
• North Carolina SF, Justin Jackson
• Duke SF, Jayson Tatum
• Indiana F, OG Anunoby
• Kansas SF, Josh Jackson
• Louisville SG, Donovan Mitchell
• Kentucky SG, Malik Monk
• Oklahoma State PG, Jawun Evans
• Kentucky PG, De’Aaron Fox
• UCLA PG, Lonzo Ball
• Strasbourg IG PG, Frank Ntilikina

By The Numbers

• Centers
• Power Forwards
• Small Forwards
• Shooting Guards