NBA Draft Preview: Should Anthony Edwards be the Sacramento Kings’ top target?
We’re well into the second half of the NBA season and the Sacramento Kings are once again outside the playoff picture looking in.
Sure, miracles can happen. The Kings are not mathematically eliminated from contention. But the Kings are closer to being a bottom-five team than they are to passing the Memphis Grizzlies for the eighth seed in the Western Conference.
The time has come for Kings fans to put their hopes back where they have rested for over a decade now: The NBA Draft.
Each year, 60 new faces enter the league, bringing with them intrigue and excitement. Will this summer bring a superstar to Sacramento or will the Kings bust out?
We open our NBA Draft preview by taking a look at 18-year-old scoring machine Anthony Edwards from the University of Georgia.
The Basics
Edwards is averaging 19.7 points per game as the primary option for the Georgia Bulldogs. He stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 225 pounds, though his lengthy wingspan and strong frame allow him to play even larger than that.
Edwards’ natural position is shooting guard, though there is potential for him to grow into a small forward as he is still just 18 years old. He works best with the ball in his hands on offense, and defensively he shows the ability to guard either wing position.
The 2020 draft will be one of the murkier years in terms of elite prospects. There is no Zion Williamson or LeBron James in this draft class, but for now Edwards is most likely the top pick.
Strengths
Simply put, Edwards just gets buckets. He is an undeniable scorer that can put the ball in the hoop from anywhere on the floor. It’s not always pretty and it’s not always efficient, but Edwards is certain to add scoring punch to whichever team ends up picking him this summer.
Edwards’ physical tools also jump out. He is big for his position and incredibly strong. He elevates well when finishing around the rim and displays quick footwork on both ends of the floor.
His size and strength play into his above-average abilities as a rebounder and rim protector. It also helps him in one-on-one defensive matchups, though there are questions about his ability as a team defender.
Some flashes have emerged from Edwards as a passer, but he is much better at creating shots for himself than for teammates. Regardless, he projects to be at least decent at moving the ball when he chooses to.
Weaknesses
The biggest concern for Edwards is his efficiency. Because he is capable of taking and making so many shots, he can turn into a bit of a chucker at times. His 3-point percentage this season is a disappointing 31.8%, and his 74.6% conversion rate on free-throws is also less than ideal.
The other area that needs improvement is defense. With his size and strength, Edwards has potential, but his results vary widely from game to game. Scouts question his ability to perform within pro-level defensive schemes.
Both of his major weaknesses might be traced back to his situation at the University of Georgia, however. The Bulldogs rely on him to do so much that he may be overextending himself on offense and exhausting himself too much to exert maximum effort on defense.
Georgia has also failed to provide Edwards with much experience winning basketball games at the highest level. Currently sitting at just 12-11 on the season, The Bulldogs have virtually no chance to even make the NCAA Tournament.
Fit with the Kings
This draft is going to be one big puzzle for the Sacramento Kings. At least six of the best 10 prospects are guards, and some draft analysts will tell you it’s more like seven or eight.
As luck would have it, the guard spots are where the Kings need the least help. De’Aaron Fox feels like a franchise player while Buddy Hield and Bogdan Bogdanovic are also quality pieces that need plenty of minutes on the court.
While none of those three players can guard opposing small forwards, there is a chance that Edwards could. It’s not a lock by any means, but with his size and length he would at least give Sacramento a better shot.
And perhaps what is more important regarding this potential pick is the theory of even drafting for fit at all. Many executives would tell you to just pick the best player available. Anything else would be a mistake, especially when you need to get a lot better, quickly.
So while there is some redundancy between Edwards and the current Kings roster, there just isn’t enough to matter. If the Kings end up with a high draft pick and Anthony Edwards is on the board, his name should be the one called.