NBA Draft Preview: Who should the Sacramento Kings’ target in the second round?

After several schedule changes throughout the year, the date of the 2020 NBA Draft is now locked in and approaching fast. The Sacramento Kings will be selecting their next group of rookies Nov. 18 and they’ll have plenty of opportunities to land an impactful player.

The four picks controlled by Sacramento will represent the first roster moves made by new general manager Monte McNair’s front office. With some serious draft-night blunders in the recent past, it will be crucial for the Kings to start the post-Vlade Divac era on the right foot.

While pick No. 12 in the first round is the headliner, finding good value among the three picks in the second round could be an encouraging sign of brighter days ahead. In five seasons under Divac, the team only managed to acquire a few fringe NBA players and some cash considerations from their six second-round picks.

The second round is always a bit unpredictable and this year could be even more strange due to limited scouting opportunities. The new-look front office hasn’t had much time to get draft plans set, but no more delays are coming. Now is the time to get familiar with some players the Kings could consider at picks 35, 43 and 52.

PICK NO. 35

Malachi Flynn, Guard, San Diego State

After transferring from Washington State, Flynn broke out in his first year as an Aztec. He led the team to a record of 30-2, one of the best in the nation. He is a well-rounded point guard that can pass, shoot and defend. Questions about his size and athleticism are the only things keeping Flynn from sneaking into the first round.

Desmond Bane, Guard/Wing, TCU

Bane has gathered a lot of hype recently. He is a four-year senior from a school that has not had much recent success, but his numbers are hard to ignore. After knocking down 43.3% of his 575 career 3-point attempts, he has the best pure shooting resume in the draft. One downside is his wingspan, which reportedly measures a full 2 inches less than his listed height of 6-foot-6.

Robert Woodard II, Forward, Mississippi State

Woodard should be an appealing prospect for the Kings, as he fits the role that the team needs most. He is a quality defender with the size to match up against either forward position. He shot well from 3-point range in a small sample size, but his 61.7% conversion rate on free throws is a red flag. If he can’t improve his shot, he may not amount to much.

PICK NO. 43

Zeke Nnaji, Center, Arizona

Nnaji could be a steal in the middle of the second round. He surprised everyone by becoming the best player on the Wildcats, a program known for producing quality NBA talent. At 19 years old he has shown flashes of everything you could want from a modern center. He can score inside, block shots, rebound and even stretch the floor occasionally with his jumper.

Daniel Oturu, Center, Minnesota

Oturu is a year older than Nnaji, but has shown a lot more polish in all the same areas. While Nnaji is flashing a 3-point shot and some rim protection, Oturu has a proven track record with both. He shot 36.5% from deep and averaged 2.5 blocks per game. He also averaged over 20 points and 10 rebounds, though he did it for a less-successful team in Minnesota.

Paul Reed, Forward/Center, DePaul

Reed is another elite shot blocker with shooting upside, though his position is less certain. While Nnaji and Oturu will be centers, Reed might be stuck between the four and the five. He stands just 6-foot-9, though he does boast an impressive 7-foot-2 wingspan. Some smaller centers have been successful recently, but it is still an uphill battle for most. At 22 years old, he will have to adjust quickly to make an impact.

PICK NO. 52

Killian Tillie, Forward/Center, Gonzaga

Tillie is another interesting option if the Kings target a big man. He is most likely to end up as a four, similar to the role Nemanja Bjelica plays. He shot 44.4% from 3-point range across his four-year career and is a strong passer for his size. However, he is not a productive rebounder or rim protector. The biggest concern of all with Tillie is durability. His long list of injuries includes a ligament tear, a stress fracture and a surgically repaired knee.

Jordan Nwora, Forward, Louisville

Nwora plays a valuable position on offense, but might not have a place on defense. He is 6-foot-7 and can score in a lot of different ways. He led a good Louisville team in scoring by a huge margin, but he gave the Cardinals nothing in terms of steals and blocks. Still, it would be hard for Sacramento to pass up a dead-eye shooter with good size at pick No. 52.

Immanuel Quickley, Guard/Wing, Kentucky

Another quality shooter could be available late in Quickley. Not only did he hit 42.8% of his 3-pointers this season, but he also was elite on free throws. He made 92.3% of his 144 attempts, one of the best performances in the nation. However, shooting appears to be his only real offensive asset. And while Quickley’s 6-foot-10 wingspan is great, his height and weight will probably limit him to just the shooting guard position in the NBA.

GENERAL SECOND-ROUND STRATEGIES

Finding the best player available is a lot harder in the second round than in the first. That said, there are some guiding philosophies the Kings could take with them into draft night.

First, the Kings should keep an eye on the glut of point guards expected to go late in the first round. Tre Jones of Duke, Grant Riller of Charleston or Nico Mannion of Arizona could fall right into their lap. Even if they don’t, the aforementioned Flynn would still provide great value. This draft is rich in point guard talent and Sacramento should take advantage.

The middle of the second round should have a lot of highly productive big men. One of Nnaji, Oturu or Reed should be available. If not, then Vernon Carey Jr. of Duke or Udoka Azubuike of Kansas will be. All five prospects would have been worth a first-round pick a few years ago, when center play was more valuable. Going big at pick 43 should get the Kings a player with a real chance to contribute.

Finally, the Kings always need to be looking for forwards or big wings. If the team likes Woodard of Tyler Bey of Colorado, they should pounce on them quickly. The league values defending from those positions so highly that they may not even make it to pick No. 35. And once they are gone, there aren’t any hyper-versatile defenders left.