NBA Draft Deep Dive: Reactions, surprises, analysis after a wild night

NBA Draft recap: Turning it around

After a proposed trade sending Buddy Hield to the Lakers got overmatched by a Westbrook trade, the Sacramento Kings moved forward with their two draft picks tonight at No. 9 and No. 39. In their second year under the guidance of general manager Monte McNair, I thought the Kings had their second straight excellent draft.

It’s a tough act following up All-Rookie first-team selection Tyrese Haliburton, but Sacramento may have done it. For their first pick, Davion Mitchell was projected to go as high as No. 6 overall and the Kings swooped in and got him at 9.

Praised for his incredible work ethic, Mitchell is a player that doesn’t have the best positional fit but was arguably the best player available. Davion can still play big minutes for Sacramento, too, especially if the Kings move on from a disgruntled Hield in another trade.

In the second round, Sacramento got bruising center Neemias Queta. Besides becoming the first Portugal native to ever be drafted, Queta gives depth to the center position for the Kings.

The Kings currently have the longest playoff drought in the NBA right now. One draft does not solve all their issues, but they may sneak up on some teams in the future if they continue having strong offseasons.