Smart remained the steady favorite for league analysts as the Oklahoma State guard garnered four selections, including picks from ESPN.com and NBA.com. Vonleh wasn’t far behind though. The 18-year-old forward gained two votes from the last installment of the roundup as three NBA pundits projected him in a Kings uniform come June 26.
Right in line with Vonleh was Doug McDermott, who held three votes for the second-consecutive week. McDermott was the only vote getter not to have visited the team’s facilities in Sacramento.
With three weeks still remaining until Sacramento makes its final decision, a lot could change, but check out who NBA writers believe the Kings will select with the team’s eighth-overall pick as of now:
What the experts are saying…
Marcus Smart – PG, Oklahoma State – 4 votes
“[Smart] can defend any player on the wing with his long arms and sturdy frame. [His] slew of skills makes him hard to peg with a current NBA comparison. He's a table-setter and scorer like James Harden but actually has an interest in playing defense -- and is really good at it. He can slash, finish and affect the game in every facet like Dwyane Wade but isn't quite as athletic as Wade was in his prime.” – Peter Bukowski, SI.com
“As a basketball player, Smart is physical, athletic and a competitor. The Kings could really use a leader and Smart has showed that ability at Oklahoma State. Smart is a special talent at point guard and will give the Kings a physical mismatch that they can exploit.” – Joe Kotoch, Sheridanhoops.com
Noah Vonleh – F, Indiana – 3 votes
“Vonleh is a legitimate big man in a draft that features many small forward/power forward hybrids. His size has pushed his stock up, and it will only be solidified when the pre-Draft camp measurements are done.” – Sean Deveney, SportingNews.com
“Noah Vonleh was perhaps the most talented player in college basketball whose team didn’t qualify for the NCAA Tournament this season… The 6-foot-10 power forward has a soft touch around the rim that allows him to finish with hook shots over either shoulder. He can stretch the floor with his jumper, although it was a small sample size as he was 16-of-33 from three this season. There’s intrigue that he can be a true inside-out threat in the NBA. Vonleh also has a good handle where he can face the basket and attack off the dribble. If the defense sags, he’s capable of knocking down the mid-range shot.” – Carl Berman, NetScoutsBasketball.com
Doug McDermott – F, Creighton – 3 votes
“Harrison Barnes saw Doug McDermott long before any talent evaluators or scouts did. The Golden State Warriors forward played alongside McDermott at Ames High School (Iowa), as the duo won 53 straight games and back-to-back state titles. As a result, Barnes isn't very surprised by the success McDermott has had at the college level. ‘He was obviously a very skilled player,’ Barnes said. ‘And his growth at Creighton really shows the type of development he will continue to have.’” – Jeff Borzello, CBSSports.com
Aaron Gordon – F, Arizona – 1 vote
“Gordon's best offensive skill is his ability to make reads on cuts. He has lightning-quick recognition of when his defender has fallen asleep and understands the spacing to find himself buckets… Gordon is more raw than some of the other freshman, but consider that Gordon may well have been worthy of the No. 1 overall pick last year, even over Victor Oladipo.” - Matt Moore, CBSSports.com