NBA Draft 2018: For one night, the Kings must avoid being the KANGZ

With a golden opportunity on their hands entering the 2018 NBA Draft, the Sacramento Kings must avoid being the KANGZ on draft night

The NBA Draft lottery results came in.

After months of hand wringing, the Sacramento Kings found a little bit of lottery luck. In a loaded draft, they were awarded the second overall pick. Which meant regardless of what happened the Kings would be walking out of the draft with either Deandre Ayton or the wonder kid Luka Doncic.

Then, the Kings happened.

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First, a report came and went that that they had their eyes set on the mysterious Michael Porter Jr. Porter, for his part, was projected to go No. 1 overall before a back injury derailed his lone college season. Since then, rumors have run rampant about the health of Porter and any potential complications from the surgery.

Shortly afterwards, reports began to surface that Sacramento had no interest in reigning Euroleague MVP Luka Doncic. While only 19, Doncic is as decorated as any European import the NBA has ever seen. The kind of player any lottery team would jump at the opportunity to have on their side. This rings especially true for the Kings, who have spent years as the leagues bottom dweller due to boneheaded draft decisions.

The organizations recent history is a silent reminder why they must nail this pick. In 2014, they selected Nick Stauskas with the eight pick in the draft. This was a year after selecting Ben Mclemore with the seventh overall selection. Both players are no longer with the team, and brought back little to no assets when they were shipped out.

Then, there was the trade of potential laden, and eventual star, point guard Isaiah Thomas followed by the exodus of franchise center DeMarcus Cousins.

To put it quite plainly the Kings cannot afford to have another miscue in this year’s draft. Which means they need to take the best talent available regardless of fit. If Ayton is off the board Luka Doncic would be the consensus next best option. The fact that there seems to be this level of uncertainty from the Kings at this stage in the game is a cause for concern.

In a draft, where failure seemed impossible the Kings are once again staring disappointment right in the face

Other Options?

While the doom and gloom of the previous segment didn’t make it clear. The draft does have other safe, potentially better, options for the Kings organization to explore come draft night.

First up is Michael Porter Jr. Potential career threatening injury aside, there’s a lot to like about his style of play. Although he stands at 6-foot-10, Porter has a tight handle and quick burst that allows him to get to the basket at will. Pair that with a soft shooting touch, and you have the perfect in and out weapon for the modern NBA game.

Prior to the injury he was a firm No. 1 on most drafts, if he can get back to that form picking him at 2 would be far from the worst decision in King’s history.

Another option is Marvin Bagley, a springy 6-foot-10 tweener with a reliable outside stroke. Bagley projects to be an immediate contributor at the next level. His upside suggest that he should improve on the defensive end of the ball with time. Another boon is Bagley also had the opportunity to play for all-time great coach at Duke. An opportunity that should pay dividends in the NBA.

Must Read: NBA Draft 2018: 8 predictions for what is expected to be a wild draft night

If there ever was a year for a team to enter the draft without fear it would be this one.

However, because of their draft history and general level of incompetence, it’s imperative that the kings fight their general destructive urges.

If not, it’s like the saying goes: Kings gonna KANGS.

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