Top NBA draft prospect Chet Holmgren can see ’Zag connection’ with Kings’ Domantas Sabonis
Few NBA draft analysts have spent much time pondering the thought of top prospect Chet Holmgren coming to the Sacramento Kings, but Holmgren has considered the possibility.
Holmgren and Auburn power forward Jabari Smith are widely projected as the top two picks in Thursday’s draft, with Duke power forward Paolo Banchero expected to go third. Barring a trade or something unexpected at the top of the draft, the Kings will likely be in no position to select Holmgren, but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t thought about it.
During a Zoom call with reporters Monday, Holmgren was asked about his potential fit with Kings stars De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis. The 7-foot center said he would be a good fit in Sacramento, noting that Sabonis is a fellow former Gonzaga star.
“I feel like those are obviously two great players, and a former Zag, so obviously I have high regards for Domas,” Holmgren said. “Just figuring out what their strengths are, how they like to play and how I could pair with them well.
“I feel like I can pair with almost anybody with my variety of skills to help them out as well as myself, spacing the floor vertically as well as horizontally. And I played with a great Gonzaga big man last year in Drew Timme, so I feel like there would be a Zag connection there whether it’s high-low or however we do it. I feel like I could work really well with Domas or whoever I’m playing with.”
Holmgren averaged 14.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 3.7 blocks and 0.8 steals in 26.9 minutes per game as a freshman at Gonzaga, helping the Bulldogs go 28-4 to reach the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Tournament. He shot 60.7% from the field, 39% from 3-point range and 71.7% at the free-throw line.
Holmgren is slightly built at 195 pounds and will need to bulk up to reach his enormous potential, but he already possesses an elite skillset as an inside-outside scoring threat who can run the floor and protect the rim utilizing his tremendous timing, instincts and 7-foot-6 wingspan.
Holmgren could go to the Orlando Magic with the No. 1 pick in the draft or the Oklahoma City Thunder at No. 2. Most mock drafts have him going to Oklahoma City, but he could fall to No. 3 or even No. 4 if Purdue guard Jaden Ivey jumps into the top three.
“At the end of the day, it’s going to be a complete blessing to have an NBA jersey and put on the hat on draft night, no matter where it is,” Holmgren said. “It’s not up to me at the end of the day. Wherever it is, I’m going to lace my shoes up and get to work.”
Holmgren wouldn’t divulge much about the teams he met or worked out with during the pre-draft process, but he acknowledged that he has taken some time to learn about the Kings organization.
“Yeah, I most definitely have,” he said. “I’ve done a lot of research on a lot of the top teams, watching film and talking to different people, and they’re a good organization with a bright future.”
This story was originally published June 20, 2022 at 1:43 PM.
