Three Players the Kings Select with the 45th Pick
The decision made by the executive staff to choose Providence Friars player Devin Carter with the 13th overall choice in the 2024 NBA Draft began to raise eyebrows among Sacramento Kings supporters. The Kings currently have seven rotational guards on the roster and not enough minutes to go around, despite the fact that Carter is a gifted player and perhaps the steal of the first round.
Many anticipate a trade from the Kings before the new season begins, and general manager Monte McNair suggests that more changes will likely be made during their offseason.
The Kings have the 45th overall pick when the NBA draft’s second day begins on Thursday. Here are three of their top prospects for the second round, as they most likely won’t be drafting another guard:
F Forward Jalen Bridges, a senior with the Baylor Bears, would be a great match in Sacramento. The 23-year-old 6-foot-7 wing Bridges made almost five attempts per game last season, shooting 41.2 percent from beyond the arc. Over his college career, he made significant progress with his jump shooting, but his defensive prowess remained constant.
Bridges, a superb defender with a 6-foot-10 wingspan and remarkable quickness, should be prepared to guard at the next level. Bridges is a decent 3-and-D player at worst, but he has the potential to be a great on the wing if his playmaking and ball handling improve.
Despite the fact that some teams could be put off by his age, his experience makes him ready for the big leagues and fits right into Sacramento’s system.
F North Carolina’s Harrison Ingram
Harrison Ingram transferred to UNC after playing his first two seasons at Stanford, where he set career highs in almost every statistic. Ingram shot 38.5 percent from outside the arc as a junior and averaged 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game.
The 21-year-old Ingram is 6-foot-5 with a wingspan of 7 feet. Ingram is a skilled facilitator and adaptable defender with a developing jump shooting. The UNC wing would benefit the Kings right away and might see his role expand as he gained more experience.
Ingram’s playmaking ability to create plays for his teammates more than makes up for his shot creation deficit, which is the only real flaw in his game.
Oregon’s C N’Faly Dante
The Kings are not anticipating Domantas Sabonis to play 48 minutes a game and do not have any backup centers under contract for the upcoming season. Although they might select a cheap backup in free agency or bring back Alex Len, it might be a wise decision to select their reserve center of the future.
22-year-old N’Faly Dante was a true beast at Oregon. With a field goal percentage of almost 70%, the fifth-year senior averaged 17.0 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game.
With a wingspan of 7 feet 6 inches, the 6-foot-10 big man thrives in the paint. Although he mostly plays defense as an anchor and explosive lob threat, his hustle on the court makes him a fascinating potential.
Even though Dante shoots free throws poorly and hardly plays offensively outside of the restricted area, he could still have an impact if he were to play five or ten minutes every night. Dante, who finishes quickly and grabs rebounds well, has the potential to be a treasure in the second round.
