The Kings are willing to listen to inquires on the No. 4 overall pick in this month’s draft and are open to making a move with it if the price is right, according to James Ham of The Kings Beat, who explores a handful of options the team will have with that lottery selection.
As Ham writes, it would be an easy decision for the Kings to keep the pick if Chet Holmgren or Jabari Smith is available, but they’ll likely be gone by No. 4, along with Paolo Banchero. Jaden Ivey is widely viewed as the fourth-best prospect in the draft, but would be a risky bet alongside De’Aaron Fox in Sacramento’s backcourt, given his defensive limitations and inconsistent three-point shot.
Still, in Ham’s view, if the Kings hang onto the pick and view Ivey as the best player available in that spot, they should be willing to roll the dice on him — if he and Fox prove to be a poor match, the Kings can cross that bridge when they come to it.
Here’s more from around the Pacific:
- Asked today about the status of Rasheed Wallace, Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway said Wallace may be headed to the Lakers to join Darvin Ham‘s coaching staff, per Jason Munz of The Memphis Commercial Appeal (Twitter link). Wallace was an assistant with the Tigers in 2021/22.
- Gary Payton II returned to the Warriors‘ rotation on Sunday for the first time since fracturing his left elbow in the Western Semifinals vs. Memphis and made an immediate impact, writes Anthony Slater of The Athletic. As Slater details, Payton – whose point-of-attack defense helped slow down Boston in Game 2 – looks capable of playing a major rotation role going forward.
- Through the first six quarters of the NBA Finals, Warriors guard Jordan Poole struggled against a Celtics defense he describes as “extremely lengthy,” according to Slater. However, he got going in the second half of Game 2 on Sunday and finished with 17 points. Poole, who was 5-of-9 on three-pointers, will be looking this series to put the final touches on his case for a lucrative offseason extension.
I’m so excited for Knicks to draft Rose! I mean Ivey.
Rose lead his teams to so many championships I just know Ivey will do t he same.
Speed is all you need!
Kings need a plan, not more dice rolling, sheesh…
Easy choice for Sac at #4. Mathurin or Chet, whichever is available
I’ve read you mention Mathurin a few times. After watching him play this year isn’t he a little bit Raw? I think I would have him slotted a little lower than #4, but don’t ask me who else I would take instead lol. What are you seeing that I don’t?
I can’t imagine what makes you think he’s raw. I see a cant-miss future all-star 2way wing with excellent size/shooting/athleticism when I see Ben play. It’s very weird to me that he’s not unanimously seen as a top5 pick with heavy consideration to be #1 overall. Maybe he was a lil raw his freshman yr but he’s as polished as anyone in this draft other than maybe Johnny Davis & Ochai Agbaji. I’m interested in what gives you the impression that he’s raw tho lol I asked you once before & never got an answer
Didn’t realize you asked me this already. Sorry for not answering. The memory and attention span fades as I get older LOL.
I guess just watching him in the tournament. I would think that a top five pick would be taking over a little more. Just from what I saw, but I’m no expert. Just more interested in why someone would rank him so high but not that you’re wrong and you’re definitely not alone in that thought.
I remember a guy like Jalen Suggs just taking over, or you know a Mike Bibby in college just taking over. Kind of in the same way Kyle Lowry or Marcus Smart do it. Doesn’t always show up in the stat sheet but somehow, some way, they wind up with the ball in their hands and you have to keep them on the floor because good things happen. Maybe it’s because my examples are point guards and they already have the ball more often.
I just think a guy that’s a top pick like that has to have to take over the game ability. If he doesn’t, but he has all the tools and intangibles that you’re mentioning, then he’s raw and it’ll show up in a year or two as he develops. Just my thoughts.
I probably haven’t watched him enough and that’s why I’m not making a firm judgment or saying you’re wrong. Just curious about the analysis.
Mathurin’s performance vs TCU in the 2nd rd was literally 1 of the best performances of the tournament. He took over that game moreso than any of the top10 prospects took over any tourney game. Houston clamped him in the next game but they did the same to many guys last season. I implore you to google or youtube “Mathurin TCU” tho. He took over many games this season the same way
Last year Westbrook and Horton Tucker are the worst defensive players in the nba. (rotation players).
The best idea would be
Give the job title “defensive team leaders” to Both Westbrook and Horton Tucker.
If Lakers become the top 5 defensive team, they can beat anybody.
Your solution to fixing their bad defense is telling them they’re going to be better at defense?
Maybe my bank will cancel my mortgage if I tell them cancel my mortgage. Worth a shot right?
This is the most ridiculous post on several levels. Its a joke, right Sillivan?
That is why his name is Silli.
Payton had a huge impact in game 2. He shut down Celtics 3 pt shots and dribbling.
“DirtyDra”
Funny ….. just know who said it first.
link to nypost.com
Ivey is not for Kings. He is the 4th pick though. Kings can get good value for him. Love to see Ivey in NY. Hope Knicks are looking into it.
Otherwise, I see Murray as a solid pick for Kings. Now Sharpe may be best talent in draft in 3-4 yrs. But he could also just be a good player. Someone will try and hit a yr with Sharpe. Has great size for a wing. Scouts love him.
Meaningless until it’s clear what SAC is looking for. Based on the talent tiers in this draft, the trades that would make sense would be (1) a trade down to no lower than #7 or so (which likely would net them a protected 1st, and still permit them to take the same player they might have taken at #4), or (2) a trade for a quality (win now) younger veteran (as the main consideration), and maybe a later or future protected pick. Unfortunately, I’m not sure what they would accomplish moving down to below #8 unless the main consideration is elsewhere and substantial.
Keegan Murray, @ #4. All the Sports Beat Writers claim he is the most NBA Ready out of all the Picks, plus, the Kings Fan base are NOT going to wait another 3 or 4 years to go by for someone to develope, whose not ready now. We have already waited 16 yrs and counting.
-or-
Trade the #4 Pick, Holmes & Harkless to Detroit for 6-8 PF G. Grant
Love “game 6 Klay”, just wish “game 1.2,3,4,5 and 7 Klay” wasn’t such horse s.