For many of the Kings’ previous drafts, the night ended with observers trying to make sense of what the Kings had done.
Why? Because too many times the Kings drafted as if the team was closer to winning than it was in reality. That’s what led to decisions such as trading down and adding John Salmons and drafting Jimmer Fredette (2011) instead of taking Klay Thompson (he wasn’t a point guard) or Kawhi Leonard (wasn’t a good offensive player).
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Don’t forget 2012, when the Kings drafted Thomas Robinson, a power forward, because they feared losing Jason Thompson in free agency instead of drafting another point guard (Damian Lillard).
Or there was 2015, when the Kings drafted a center to help on defense (Willie Cauley-Stein) even with an All-Star center, DeMarcus Cousins, on the roster and ignored glaring holes on the perimeter. One of the players the Kings passed on was Devin Booker.
In John Hollinger’s most recent mock draft for The Athletic, he has the Kings selecting Florida State’s Devin Vassell. That’s a move that makes sense for the Kings with the 12th pick.
Why? The Kings need wing players. Some of the Kings’ past problems in the draft were a result of circumstance. As the Kings dealt with their varying levels of dysfunction, agents steered their clients away from the Kings, using such tactics as not allowing them to work out for them. One reason Cauley-Stein became the Kings’ pick was he was willing to work out for the team when others wouldn’t not. Hollinger says that might be a factor again this year.
But Vassell in Sacramento would be a good fit for the team as it works to rebuild its roster under new general manager Monte McNair.
On the surface, the Kings do not need any more guards. Buddy Hield is under contract. Bogdan Bogdanovic is a restricted free agent who could return next season. That would be a lot to invest in the position.
But the Kings need more wings, especially ones with size like Vassell’s (6-foot-6) and a reputation for playing defense. Those qualities alone could make Vassell a rotation player for the Kings in his rookie season. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Kings coach Luke Walton using a player like Vassell at small forward to allow Harrison Barnes to play more power forward.
The Kings benefited from adding Kent Bazemore last season and using him as a guard who could defend multiple positions, but Sacramento could lose Bazemore, who is an unrestricted free agent. If Bazemore is gone, Walton could use Vassell to fill some of the minutes that would have gone to Bazemore. Also, the Kings could use anyone with an inclination for playing defense, especially given Sacramento’s shortcomings on that end of the court, where the struggles have been a constant for years.
The Kings need more perimeter players with the length to help Sacramento continue to have the pieces to be able to switch multiple positions on defense.
So if the Kings end up with Vassell, it might not be a splashy pick, but it will make sense.
(Photo: Michael Hickey / Getty Images)