2017 NBA Mock Draft 6.0: Suns snag Lonzo Ball; Heat trade up for Fox

Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) controls the ball against Kentucky Wildcats forward Wenyen Gabriel (32) in the first half during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

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10. Sacramento Kings – Frank Ntilikina, PG, France

GM: Vince Massara; Twitter: @vincemassara

After trading pick 5 to the Detroit Pistons for young talent in Tobias Harris and Stanley Johnson, the Kings take the best available point guard with their pick.

Whilst his handles remain an area for growth, Ntilikina and Buddy Hield present an interesting backcourt duo for the Kings. Ntilikina’s defense prowess and Hield’s scoring should be able to compensate for each other’s faults.

Defensively Ntilikina can guard multiple positions. The defensive unit with him, Willie Cauley-Stein, Tobias Harris and Stanley Johnson (acquired in aforementioned trade) present the foundation of a switchable defensive unit.

Whilst Ntilikina’s defense has been his main attribute, offensively he navigates the pick-and-roll well, and can play off-ball when required. To add to this, his underrated passing is aided by his height and ability to see passing lanes. This all should eventually make him a valuable contributor on offense.

The starting point guard position is still one of uncertainty for Sacramento. Ntilikina is seen as a long-term project and not yet ‘NBA ready’. However, drafting a point guard and expecting them to be ‘NBA ready’ is usually a mistake. Signing a bridge starter will still be a free agency priority for the Kings.