NBA Mock Draft: Orlando Magic make two surprise selections
By Jason Hirsch
9. Sacramento Kings – Scottie Barnes, F, Florida State University
With the addition of Tyrese Haliburton in the 2020 NBA Draft, King’s general manager Monte McNair is clearly a best player available type of drafter.
There are a lot of things that Scottie Barnes does really well on a basketball court despite his lack of an offensive game.
Barnes is an exceptional perimeter defender against all positions, is an active rebounder and is a really crafty ball-handler, especially in transition. To sum it up, Barnes plays with a very high motor.
Scottie Barnes defense.pic.twitter.com/t2jVhXK5EH
— Pedro Lopes (@Pedro1____) June 23, 2021
Cool Scottie Barnes sequence here, organizing the defense while easily catching up with a guard: pic.twitter.com/l3yAcbyV4k
— Tobias Berger (@_prospecttheory) February 28, 2021
Scottie Barnes shows his value being able to grab a rebound and push the ball up the floor to make a good decision for an easy bucket in transition pic.twitter.com/znRUpXHxG8
— Zach Milner (@ZachMilner13) June 3, 2021
Again though, the offensive end of the ball might end up being Barnes’ undoing in the NBA.
Barnes shot an abysmal 27 percent from 3-point range (11-for-40) and an equally disappointing 62 percent (41-for-66) from the free-throw line.
Enjoyed watching potential top-5 pick Scottie Barnes work out in Santa Barbara. The 19-year-old averaged 16.6 PTS, 6.4 REBS, 6.5 AST, and 2.3 STL per 40 basically playing PG for FSU. He’s every bit of 6-9 with a 7-3 wingspan. Great to see how he’s developed since USAB in 2017. pic.twitter.com/JRkVbynW9N
— Mike Schmitz (@Mike_Schmitz) June 5, 2021
As you can see here, the release on his jump shot is slow, and his footwork is a bit of a mess at times.
If nothing else, Barnes should be able to score near the basket as he shot 68.5 percent (61-for-89) from within two to five feet of the basket.
Even with Marvin Bagley III on their roster, the Kings could draft Barnes and try and move Bagley to center, especially because Richaun Holmes will likely leave this offseason in free agency. Or if they do not think the fit will work, the Kings could trade Bagley and give the oft-injured big man a fresh start somewhere else.