Report: Sacramento Kings not ‘preferred destination’ for projected No. 4 pick Jaden Ivey
Kings fans have openly wondered how well Purdue guard Jaden Ivey would fit in Sacramento. Apparently, the feeling is mutual.
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony reported Wednesday that Sacramento is not Ivey’s “preferred destination” with just over a week to go before the NBA draft. Ivey is widely projected to go to the Kings with the No. 4 pick.
“The King’s aren’t Ivey’s preferred destination but have proved willing to take players without the benefit of workouts and medical information in the past, doing so as recently as a year ago when selecting Davion Mitchell,” Givony wrote.
The Kings are exploring all options with the No. 4 pick, including trade possibilities. The organization hopes to maximize the value of the pick as it seeks to end an NBA-record 16-year playoff drought.
Ivey, 20, could be the best player available when the Kings are on the clock. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound shooting guard averaged 17.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists while shooting 46% from the field and 35.8% from 3-point range as a sophomore at Purdue last season. There’s no doubt about Ivey’s explosive athleticism and talent, but there are questions about his potential fit with Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox.
Auburn power forward Jabari Smith Jr., Gonzaga center Chet Holmgren and Duke power forward Paolo Banchero are projected as the top three picks in the draft, which will be held June 23 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Ivey is No. 4 in most mock drafts, although the Kings could also consider Iowa forward Keegan Murray, Kentucky guard Shaedon Sharpe, Duke forward A.J. Griffin or G League Ignite guard Dyson Daniels.
Some analysts have speculated Ivey could vault into the top three, which would give the Kings an opportunity to select whoever falls to No. 4 among Smith, Holmgren and Banchero. That might be the dream scenario for Sacramento, but the Kings will have a big decision to make if that doesn’t happen.
“Many around the NBA feel that this pick is available for a team looking to swap picks and move up the draft for Ivey,” Givony wrote. “Detroit, Indiana and Oklahoma City are among those that could potentially exchange an asset to help the Kings’ chances of contending for a playoff spot, with the likes of Jerami Grant, Myles Turner and Lu Dort a few potential options that rival teams point to.
“In the event that the Kings elect to hold on to this pick and prefer to avoid the drama associated with picking a player against his camp’s will, the candidacy of Keegan Murray might be gaining steam with head coach-to-be Mike Brown. Owner Vivek Ranadive is also said to be a proponent of selecting him.”
This story was originally published June 15, 2022 at 12:48 PM.
