Grading the picks: How have No. 4 picks in the NBA draft fared over the past 10 years?
The last time the Sacramento Kings held the No. 4 overall pick, they selected Memphis guard/forward Tyreke Evans in the 2009 NBA draft. Evans went on to win Rookie of the Year. Here is a look at recent selections with the fourth overall pick.
2021: Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
Grade: A+
Analysis: Similar to this draft, last year had a consensus top four players (Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Evan Mobley and Jalen Suggs) by most media outlets. However, the Raptors passed on Suggs and selected Barnes from Florida State. At the time, It was considered a reach by a handful of analysts, but Barnes quickly proved doubters wrong. He averaged 15.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in his rookie season to win Rookie of the Year honors.
2020: Patrick Williams, Chicago Bulls
Grade: B
Analysis: The jury is still out on Williams, who was also selected out of Florida State in the 2020 NBA draft. The 6-foot-8 forward only played 17 games last season due to an injury, averaging 9.0 points and 4.1 rebounds. In his rookie season, he started and played in 71 regular-season games and five playoff games.
2019: De’Andre Hunter, Atlanta Hawks
Grade: B-
Analysis: After dealing with various injuries last season which caused him to only play only 23 regular-season games, Hunter rebounded by starting 62 of the 63 games he appeared in last season. Coming out of Virginia, Hunter was considered an elite defender and has shown flashes of that ability at the next level. His fourth season will be telling.
2018: Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
Grade: B+
Analysis: Jackson only played 11 games as a rookie but rebounded by playing and starting in 78 games this season. He had career highs in rebounds and blocks. Jackson is considered one of the best rim protectors in the league and was a big reason for the Grizzlies’ surge this past season.
2017: Josh Jackson, Phoenix Suns
Grade: D+
Analysis: The Kings haven’t been the best drafting team in the last decade, but they can thank the Suns for taking Josh Jackson in the 2017 NBA Draft. The Suns passed on De’Aaron Fox, who the Kings selected with the next pick. Jackson has been an NBA journeyman in his five seasons in the league. He has appeared on four different teams and was most recently traded to the Kings at the trade deadline in a deal involving Marvin Bagley lll. Jackson has averaged 11.3 points in his career.
2016: Dragan Bender, Phoenix Suns
Grade: F
Analysis: Bender is by far the worst pick on this list. In his five seasons in the NBA, he only started 67 games and averaged 5.4 points and 3.9 assists. To make matters worse, Kings all-star center Domantas Sabonis was picked seven selections later.
2015: Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks
Grade: B+
Analysis: Porzingis battled injuries during his first few seasons in the league and was recently traded to the Washington Wizards at last season’s trade deadline. When Porzingis is healthy, the 7-foot-3 forward/center has a unique skill set. In 17 starts with the Wizards post-trade deadline, he averaged 20.2 points and 8.1 rebounds.
2014: Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic
Grade: B
Analysis: Gordon coming out of Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose was one of the top high school prospects in the country and committed to the University of Arizona. After a one-and-done season, Gordon entered the draft, where he was selected by the Magic. After spending seven seasons in Orlando, Gordon was traded to the Denver Nuggets, where he recorded a career-high in field-goal percentage. He has averaged 13.0 points and 6.3 rebounds in his career.
2013: Cody Zeller, Charlotte Bobcats (now Hornets)
Grade: D+
Analysis: Zeller spent the first eight years of his NBA career in Charlotte before signing a free-agent deal with the Portland Trailblazers. He appeared in 27 games last season and averaged 5.2 points and 4.6 rebounds in 13.1 minutes.
2012: Dion Waiters, Cleveland Cavaliers
Grade: C
Analysis: Waiters last played in the NBA during the 2019-20 season, appearing in three games with the Miami Heat and seven with the Los Angeles Lakers. Both teams reached the NBA Finals in the bubble at Walt Disney World that year. The highlight of his career was winning a ring in his final season. In eight seasons in the NBA, he played on four different teams and averaged 13.1 points.