Ntikilina or Smith Jr?

[SacKingZZZ]

I've been watching more and more of Smith and man, there is some seriously terrible defensive play going on there. That said, I do think most of it was with some degree of purpose. Whether it was protecting his knee or not I can't say, but I'm not so sure it was just a simple lack of effort or ability. In many of his one on one workouts you can tell he can defend. It's a gamble but I'm not as down on him defensively as I was when watching him play this season.

[916fan]

I'm surprised so many of you are in to Frank. I would've gone for Smith Jr. if I was you guys.

I think it has something to do with misinformation a bit. I think the more people watch DSJ for themselves, they'll be able to see why he's one of the best prospects this year. People are reading from others that DSJ has a **** attitude (not denying this), and in turn, it reminds us of Cousins..except, Cousins was mostly emotionally unstable, while DSJ has a desire/effort problem.
I think DSJ is the perfect fit for us. He would easily become our franchise player, and we'd actually have a solid young core surrounding him. The scoring ability of Buddy, Bogdanovic(assuming he comes over), Malachi, and Skal should easily diffuse any type of heavy offensive burden in his first year. Our back-court would need helping, but Joerger is a defensive minded coach. I think he'll be able to help DSJ a lot.

If we draft Ntilikina, you're just hoping you can develop his PG skills so it doesn't turn into another Exum 2.0 situation (Drafted PG who's better at SG because he doesn't have the dribbles, feel, or skills to run an offense). I see DSJ's potential as a franchise player and star. Ntilikina is not nearly the scorer DSJ is, so I don't see potential as a franchise player. However, I do see his potential as a franchise PG. But even with that, I think it's more likely that DSJ turns into a star, than Ntilikina turning into a top PG.

Kings are at the current state where they need to find a franchise player. We don't pick high enough to secure a player like DSJ, but if we get the opportunity to draft him, I don't think you can pass that up at all, even with the red flags.

[TacoBell]

I changed my mind about Smith Jr. I think in the current NBA you need a really good slasher that can drive and kick to 3 point shooters. We have some good 3 point shooters maybe Smith Jr. is the next step.

[SacKingZZZ]

Smith is a good prospect but I'm starting to see more of the concerns. Defensively in particular is it mostly effort in defending pick and roll and fast guards, which I'm sure it is partially, but is part of it a slow hip action thing? When players get to his side he's usually toast. With the right team where he can be the unquestioned high volume scorer I think his weaknesses will be somewhat obscured, but on the Kings I can't see him justifiably being that kind of player.

I agree that the Kings could use a slasher at PG considering they don't really have much inside game right now from the big man spot. Smith Jr. doesn't strike me as an elite slasher though. He's more of a heavy, jump into contact type. I think the Steve Francis/Baron Davis comps are pretty good in that regard.

As far as slashing goes Fox is the elite target. Right now I'm hoping the Kings can somehow move up and target on of Josh Jackson or De'Aaron Fox.

[VeganKingsFan]

I think Dennis Smith can be as good as he want's to be. What I question is his motor. I think character and work ethic are very important to Vlade and the new staff, so I know they will do their homework on him. If they find that those concerns are unfounded, I think he can become an All-Star. You can't teach his explosiveness.

[VeganKingsFan]

I would be happy with any of the first round point guards. If they trade the 10 to Portland for the 15 and 20, I would be ecstatic to get Justin Patton and Jawun Evans. I see a lot of Chris Paul in Jawun Evans. He has the mental game down and has the talent to match.

[LightTheBeam]

Frank scares the hell out of me not knowing enough about him. I like the length a lot. My real hope is that Fox slips to us.

The top 3 is set we know that. At 4 I want to see Philly go Monk. I think the Magic will go with Tatum at 5 if he gets there, Then at 6 and 7 Id love if somehow Markkanen and Collins are taken. Then we luck into Fox and potentially Issac. Thats just me being greedy as theres no way those teams do that.

Id be happy with Dennis Smith and Anunoby. Maybe trade down at 10 to pick up an extra future asset and get Anunoby 12-15.

[City of Trees]

Carmichael Dave is a Kings fan boy, however I don't question he has some connections as to what's going on. So, I ask you all, why the hell does CD say he keeps hearing the Kings might pass on drafting a PG?

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[SacKingZZZ]

Carmichael Dave is a Kings fan boy, however I don't question he has some connections as to what's going on. So, I ask you all, why the hell does CD say he keeps hearing the Kings might pass on drafting a PG?

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Probably because they know that finding a quality PG isn't that hard these days. Heck, the Kings had two decent ones last year, one signed for the min and the other made old school MLE money. The only PG I think they'd be stupid to pass on is Fox. If they do go BPA I hope they don't pick up players that just get in the way of others though, in particular Markkanen. I think you pull a Chriss type of deal if that's the case because I don't see how it doesn't inhibit both he and Skals development since neither is going to be able to swing much to C anytime soon. Possibly ever. Both Skal and Markkanen have high ceilings but need to be allowed to do what they do.

[SacKingZZZ]

Frank scares the hell out of me not knowing enough about him. I like the length a lot. My real hope is that Fox slips to us.

The top 3 is set we know that. At 4 I want to see Philly go Monk. I think the Magic will go with Tatum at 5 if he gets there, Then at 6 and 7 Id love if somehow Markkanen and Collins are taken. Then we luck into Fox and potentially Issac. Thats just me being greedy as theres no way those teams do that.

Id be happy with Dennis Smith and Anunoby. Maybe trade down at 10 to pick up an extra future asset and get Anunoby 12-15.

Truthfully Frank should probably scare scouts the least. He's already playing professionally. It's all the talk with PapaG and Porzingis before him. These guys are already playing pro ball. They should be more ready at a young age then any college player. As for Ntilikina it would all come down to how you viewed his potential when given a bigger role I guess.

Anunoby is going to be an interesting player to watch and to see where his health is at. As far as I know it was never confirmed what his knee injury for sure was. I've seen him in to the top 12 on some mocks and in the 2nd on others. His workouts will be huge for him. I'm not even sure where he's at in his recovery though. Can he workout?

[City of Trees]

The Ringer says Dennis Smith Jr. is NBA ready and the most athletic guard in this class. Really good read.

https://theringer.com/2017-nba-draft-dennis-smith-jr-nc-state-wolfpack-b220c78d9b5c

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[benchmobbin02]

The Ringer says Dennis Smith Jr. is NBA ready and the most athletic guard in this class. Really good read.

https://theringer.com/2017-nba-draft-dennis-smith-jr-nc-state-wolfpack-b220c78d9b5c

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Same kind of things were said about Kris Dunn last year. I don't believe anyone!!!!! haha

[rpa]

Carmichael Dave is a Kings fan boy, however I don't question he has some connections as to what's going on. So, I ask you all, why the hell does CD say he keeps hearing the Kings might pass on drafting a PG?

If I had to guess I'd say it's because any PG available at 8 or 10 is going to come with some really critical flaws. You're really only talking about 4 possible guys:
1) Fox -- likely won't be there anyways, but he's a non-shooter which is obviously super problematic in the modern NBA
2) Smith -- Uber-athletic, but has already had injury issues and his defensive intensity is a joke
3) Ntilikina -- Super small sample size of amazing play, questionable quickness and distribution, might be better slotted as a 2
4) Monk -- No sample of PG play

I mean, if you're the Kings you might think your choices are:
a) Pick a flawed PG we don't believe in
b) Go BPA at a different position, stockpile talent, and continue to look for a PG

I can't necessarily fault them for choosing (b) if they don't like any of the PGs that'll be available.


As for me, I think those 4 PGs are all intriguing on some level, but I can't help but feel that none of them are "amazing" talent. None of them, to me at least, have a legitimate elite skill. Fox's quickness is the closest I think.

[City of Trees]

Carmichael Dave is a Kings fan boy, however I don't question he has some connections as to what's going on. So, I ask you all, why the hell does CD say he keeps hearing the Kings might pass on drafting a PG?

If I had to guess I'd say it's because any PG available at 8 or 10 is going to come with some really critical flaws. You're really only talking about 4 possible guys:
1) Fox -- likely won't be there anyways, but he's a non-shooter which is obviously super problematic in the modern NBA
2) Smith -- Uber-athletic, but has already had injury issues and his defensive intensity is a joke
3) Ntilikina -- Super small sample size of amazing play, questionable quickness and distribution, might be better slotted as a 2
4) Monk -- No sample of PG play

I mean, if you're the Kings you might think your choices are:
a) Pick a flawed PG we don't believe in
b) Go BPA at a different position, stockpile talent, and continue to look for a PG

I can't necessarily fault them for choosing (b) if they don't like any of the PGs that'll be available.


As for me, I think those 4 PGs are all intriguing on some level, but I can't help but feel that none of them are "amazing" talent. None of them, to me at least, have a legitimate elite skill. Fox's quickness is the closest I think.

Well, today it was revealed Kings are "serious contenders" to sign Teodesic. That's probably the nugget CD was referring to, if I had to guess.

I'm totally down to sign him and draft a PG. Actually, signing Teodesic is best case if the pick is Ntilikina.

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[rpa]

Well, today it was revealed Kings are q "serious contender " to sign Teodesic. That's probably the nugget CD was referring to, if I had to guess.

I'm totally down to sign him and draft a PG. Actually, signing Teodesic is best case if the pick is Ntilikina.

I think signing Teodesic would have more of an impact on Collison than on who the Kings draft. I mean, the guy's 30 years old. He's obviously not the PG of the future.

[City of Trees]

Well, today it was revealed Kings are q "serious contender " to sign Teodesic. That's probably the nugget CD was referring to, if I had to guess.

I'm totally down to sign him and draft a PG. Actually, signing Teodesic is best case if the pick is Ntilikina.

I think signing Teodesic would have more of an impact on Collison than on who the Kings draft. I mean, the guy's 30 years old. He's obviously not the PG of the future.

Collison and Teodesic are only 5 months apart in age.

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[rpa]

Well, today it was revealed Kings are q "serious contender " to sign Teodesic. That's probably the nugget CD was referring to, if I had to guess.

I'm totally down to sign him and draft a PG. Actually, signing Teodesic is best case if the pick is Ntilikina.

I think signing Teodesic would have more of an impact on Collison than on who the Kings draft. I mean, the guy's 30 years old. He's obviously not the PG of the future.

Collison and Teodesic are only 5 months apart in age.

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My point exactly. You don't sign Teodesic to groom to be your PG of the future and if you sign him--and want to try and have a young PG on the team as well--you probably don't have the roster spot for Collison. I mean, I guess you could try and have both of them and no PG of the future, but if you don't draft a young PG this year then you're going to need to draft one (or acquire one) next summer--but you'll already have those 2 under contract.

[benchmobbin02]

Well, today it was revealed Kings are q "serious contender " to sign Teodesic. That's probably the nugget CD was referring to, if I had to guess.

I'm totally down to sign him and draft a PG. Actually, signing Teodesic is best case if the pick is Ntilikina.

I think signing Teodesic would have more of an impact on Collison than on who the Kings draft. I mean, the guy's 30 years old. He's obviously not the PG of the future.

Of course, it would mean that DC is redundant. I think Trees was saying that Teodesic makes drafting one of these PGs easier because they don't have to be the man right away. Works especially well with a guy like Ntilikina that will need to develop like Trees said.

BTW, PLEASE SIGN WITH US MILOS!

[sacking123]

The Carmichael Dave stuff makes more sense now with the Teososic news. He can be the #1 PG straight away. Having said that I agree, it would make drafting Frank a lot easier and something that should be an aim.
Lets package the two picks for the SF we want though and it could be an exciting team to watch next year.

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[KF10]

I like Teodesic over both Collison & Lawson. I would be fine bringing Teodesic in. He has a great basketball IQ on the court, excellent passer and has a good enough jumper to keep the defense honest. Our young guys will benefit from Teodesic's game, imo. That being said, his biggest con is his defense. He's actually decent in one-on-one D due to his size and adequate lateral movement but his effort in fighting through screens is pretty bad.

In the past, Teodesic made 2-3 conditions for NBA teams that are interested in him:

- He will not start from the bench.
- Team needs to be competitive.
- Financially, it needs to be good.

The Kings can meet 2/3 of those conditions listed above. Not sure they can meet the "team needs to be competitive" Teodesic was very adamant in the past about this condition. I wonder what changed this year if the Kings are "legit contenders" for Teodesic.