Aaron Gordon

Alex Kramers

Seated at circular tables in the conference center inside the Westin New York at Times Square and surrounded by a sea of cameras, smartphones and recorders, 20 top-ranked collegiate and international prospects fielded questions from journalists across the globe at Wednesday’s NBA Draft Media Availability session.

Envisioning an exciting opportunity to flourish with the Kings, numerous candidates in contention to be selected with Sacramento’s No. 8 pick spoke favorably about the organization and eagerly anticipated the possibility of joining DeMarcus Cousins, Rudy Gay and Co. in purple and black.  “Oh my goodness – that would be incredible,” said Arizona forward Aaron Gordon, who earned First-Team All-Pac-12 and Third-Team Sporting News All-American honors last season. “(Cousins and Gay) are very, very talented players at different positions, so if I could take a (few) pieces from each one of them, it’s going to be a monster.”

An explosive athlete capable of guarding multiple positions, the energetic 6-foot-9 forward ranked among the conference leaders in rebounding (8.0 per game), blocks (1.0) and field goal percentage (49.5), drawing frequent comparisons to four-time NBA All-Star Shawn Marion.

“I believe I’m a high-character person. I believe I’m a good teammate – that’s the main thing,” said Gordon. “(I bring a) high motor and defense – everybody can use defense.”

Forward Julius Randle – who earned Third-Team All-American and First-Team All-SEC honors en route to guiding the Wildcats to the national championship game – believes he and fellow Kentucky product Cousins would form one of the League’s most formidable frontcourts.  “DeMarcus is extremely talented – a really good player – so I think that frontline could be pretty good,” he said.

The bruising big man raved about Sacramento’s play-calling and history of player development.

“(The Kings) do a good job with their forwards – I see how they let Cuz and Rudy Gay play,” said Randle. “I think they do a good job with young guys, too – letting them work through mistakes.”

A terrific inside-outside scorer, as well as an outstanding rebounder and shot-blocker, Indiana big man Noah Vonleh similarly pictures joining No. 15 to form a multifaceted Sacramento frontline.

“I’m a really versatile guy,” said Vonleh. “I can pull guys away from the basket, face up and I think I would really complement him.”

Following his recent workout in the River City, the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Third-Team All-Conference selection came away impressed with Sacramento’s front office and the ownership’s long-term vision.

“I thought they were a pretty well-organized organization,” he said. “They had nice facilities and I just liked everything about them. They said they’re building a new arena, so that would be really nice to (play in].”

Oklahoma St. guard Marcus Smart – who’s drawn high praise for his all-around game and passionate leadership – likewise came away excited by the organization’s direction and upbeat outlook after his Sacramento workout.

“The coaching staff, everybody was great – great attitude and everything’s positive,” said the two-time First-Team All-Big 12 selection.

“It’s a young team that’s competing – (they’re) just looking for more guys to come in, compete and help the team any way they can.”

Louisiana-Lafayette guard Elfrid Payton – a terrific two-way player who stuffed the stat sheet with 19.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.3 steals per outing – explains his playmaking and sound defensive instincts are among his strongest assets.

“(I’d bring) defense and my ability to run a team, try to get people shots when it’s needed and get those big-time stops when we need it, too,” said the 2013-14 All-Sun Belt Conference selection and League’s Defensive Player of the Year.

“A lot of guys in the NBA are great at scoring, and I think my length could help affect that.”

Syracuse freshman guard Tyler Ennis – who averaged an ACC-leading 5.5 assists and 2.1 steals to go along with 12.9 points per game last season – reveals Sacramento’s high-octane offense would perfectly suit his skill set.

“I think (playing for) the Kings is a great situation for whatever point guard is in there,” said the 6-foot-2 dynamo. “They have so much talent on the wings. They have a bunch of young bigs who are really good. To go in there with that kind of talent and have that roster to pitch to … I think it would be a great fit for me as a pass-first guy.”

The Second-Team All-American and All-ACC Defensive Team member received plenty of positive feedback from team personnel during meetings in Chicago and Sacramento.

“They’re really cool – they were my first interview at the (Pre-draft) Combine, so they just seem so down to Earth,” said Ennis. “You’re there with the G.M. and the owner was there to watch me work out, so I think it’s better when you have owners and front office people (who) kind of have a relationship with you.”

Possessing unlimited range and excellent court vision, Michigan guard Nik Stauskas – who connected on 44.2 percent from behind the arc while leading the Wolverines in both scoring (17.5 points per game) and assists (3.3) – anticipates his outside touch would be a welcome addition.

“I know they have DeMarcus Cousins down low – obviously he’s one of the best bigs in the League – they have Isaiah Thomas, Ben McLemore, Rudy Gay,” said the Big Ten Player of the Year. “They have a really talented group over there, so if I can come in and help space the floor, make shots for them, it would be key.”

Duke forward Rodney Hood – who knocked down an ACC-leading 42 percent of his attempts from behind the arc – believes Sacramento would benefit from his efficient long-range scoring, as well.

“I think their team needs shooting and I think I’d fit well with any team that needs shooting,” said the Mississippi native, adding he struck an immediate rapport with Kings General Manager Pete D’Alessandro. “Whether I come off the bench or get a little bit of playing time, I think I can contribute to the team.”

One of the Draft’s most impressive high-flyers and above-the-rim finishers, as well as an adept ball-handler and outside scorer, UCLA guard Zach LaVine pictures getting plenty of good looks by playing alongside Sacramento’s top scorers.

“(Players) like that who draw so much attention, you get a lot of open shots, (plus I’d) be able to get in there and get them shots, as well,” said Pac-12 All-Freshman Team selection. “Playing off of them as a rookie would help me immensely, so I would be in a great situation.”

Creighton forward Doug McDermott – a polished scorer who notched an NCAA-leading 26.7 points per game on 52.6 percent from the field and 44.9 percent from downtown last season – notes the Kings are loaded with remarkable, young talent at every position.

“(There are) a lot of great fans in Sacramento, and they’re definitely building their team around DeMarcus Cousins, who’s obviously one of the best players in the League,” said the AP Player of the Year. “They have a good group of young guys, too – Ben McLemore, I think he’s going to be a superstar. So, I think that would be a great spot.”

- Find out who will be Sacramento’s selection in the 2014 Draft on Thursday, beginning at 4 p.m. PDT on ESPN. Plus, be sure to visit the Kings Draft Viewing Parties at Firestone Public House downtown and Bistro 33 in El Dorado Hills Town Center!

rising-stars-see-fit-with-kings

Rising Stars See Fit With Kings

Steven Wilson

With just two days remaining before the 2014 NBA Draft, league analysts have produced their final versions of mock drafts. There are many notable changes throughout the league including a first-time selection for Louisiana-Lafayette guard Elfrid Payton.

Payton posted a stellar junior season averaging 19.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 2.3 steals per game. The 6-foot-4 guard propelled the Ragin' Cajuns to a 23-12 record and an NCAA Tournament berth. He also garnered first-team All-Sun Belt Conference honors and was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year. Payton received votes from Bleacher Report and ESPN.com in this week’s roundup after ESPN analyst Chad Ford chose Payton as his biggest draft riser.

While Payton garnered a pair of votes, Aaron Gordon led the way with four picks from the experts marking the second time over the past four weeks that Gordon finished with the most votes. Known for his defensive prowess and outstanding athletic ability, Gordon has jumped around draft boards with picks ranging from four to ten.

Marcus Smart is another player who has been shuffled around mock drafts. The 6-foot-3 guard from Oklahoma State is a likely top-ten selection in a deep pool of point guards. Smart finished with two votes in this week’s roundup including selections from CBS Sports and NBA.com.

Creighton’s Doug McDermott also received a pair of votes this week including selections by Draft Express and Net Scouts. The Kings front office saw McDermott and Michigan guard Nik Stauskas in Chicago last week, stating those two players were two of the best shooters in the draft.

Finally, Julius Randle made his second appearance on the roundup as he received a vote from SI.com. Randle helped carry Kentucky to the National Championship game last year thanks to a couple big games in the NCAA Tournament.

So now, with just two days remaining until the Draft, check out who analysts believe the Kings will select with the team’s eighth-overall pick:

"Gordon's defensive tenacity would be a great fit with the Kings, and once he bulks up to match up with NBA big men, he'd form a fantastic duo with DeMarcus Cousins. With Gordon's athleticism, quickness and defensive IQ, he will become a force on the defensive end-he hasn't shown great success as a shot-blocker yet, but if he works on his timing he has the verticality and the attitude to become the defensive shot-blocker that DeMarcus has long asked for.” – Bryant West, SactownRoyalty.com

“It appears as if Aaron Gordon has really been improving his craft this summer since the season ended as he looks bigger, faster and stronger in preparation for the 2014 NBA Draft. Gordon is projected to go as high as 5th overall and no later than 8th overall to the Sacramento Kings, some even believing he could fall as far as 10th to the Philadelphia 76ers. His lack of offensive touch as a “tweener forward” is keeping him from propelling up draft boards, despite his freakish athleticism and relentless defense.” – Gabe Encinas, Fansided.com

Marcus Smart – PG, Oklahoma State – 2 votes

“Former Oklahoma State guard Marcus Smart is reportedly headed east to work out for the Philadelphia 76ers. Smart worked out for the Lakers on Friday, but is getting looks from the Sixers now as well. Emibiid's injury and surgery has significantly shifted the top of the draft. The former Kansas center was the projected No. 1 pick, but now the Cleveland Cavaliers are reportedly considering taking Australian point guard Dante Exum or Kansas wing Andrew Wiggins with the top pick.” – Erik Horne, NewsOK.com 

Elfrid Payton – PG, Louisiana-Lafayette – 2 votes

"ESPN NBA Draft expert Chad Ford released his latest mock draft, version 8.0, today. In that mock draft, Ford had the Sacramento Kings selecting Elfrid Payton. Payton is an athletic score first point guard that most believe will play point guard in the NBA. While you have to take all mock drafts with a grain of salt, Payton to the Kings at number eight seems logical especially in Ford’s mock draft. When the Kings made their selection Marcus Smart, Noah Vonleh and Aaron Gordon were all off the board. Smart, Vonleh and Gordon are among the names most commonly associated with the Kings. The selection also makes sense because the Kings are reported to be in the market for a point guard, specifically one with the size Payton posses.” – Kyle Robert, Fansided.com 

Doug McDermott – F, Creighton – 2 votes

“We made the trip back there and watched both [Doug McDermott and Nik Stauskas] workout and those two are probably the best shooters in the draft. Shooting is something that every team needs and something we need more of. Those two can really shoot the ball – they were really impressive.” – Kings Assistant GM, Mike Bratz

“If they’re looking for a defensive-minded big man to pair with DeMarcus Cousins, they should find one in this draft. There is a chance that Embiid falls this far, but if not, Vonleh or Gordon could be the pick here.” – Sean Deveney, SportingNews.com

“Randle continues to impress — so much so that he’s vying with Indiana’s Noah Vonleh and Arizona’s Aaron Gordon to become the first power forward taken in the 2014 NBA draft. Vonleh has the best long-range shot and the best shot-blocking potential of the trio. Gordon is the best defender in the group. But Randle is the best scorer.” – Josh Robbins, The Orlando Sentinel

mock-draft-roundup-4-0

Mock Draft Roundup 4.0

Noah Vonleh, who participated in the Kings first round of pre-Draft workouts, surpassed Marcus Smart as the favorite pick from notable league evaluators. The 6-foot-10 prospect from Indiana earned four votes this week, including selections from Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports, as pundits praised his ability to stretch the defense and knock down perimeter shots.

Smart, who tallied the most votes in the first two Mock Draft Roundups, fell two spots as he garnered one vote from NBA.com. Smart – the 6-foot-3 point guard from Oklahoma State – also participated in the Kings first session of pre-Draft workouts back on June 2nd.

Creighton’s Doug McDermott has been an analyst favorite for some time now and finished second this week with three total votes, including a selection by Fox Sports and Net Scouts. Much like Vonleh, McDermott has the ability to knock down perimeter shots. As a senior, he drained 44-percent of his three-point attempts and led the league in scoring with a 26.7 points per game average en route to consensus National Player of the Year honors.

Another player who has garnered a lot of attention lately is Arizona’s Aaron Gordon, who most recently received two selections from league analysts. Gordon has impressed teams with his athleticism and jumping ability and has been slotted as a top-ten pick in nearly every mock draft.

Finally, there were two new selections in this week’s Roundup as Julius Randle and Rodney Hood surfaced on a few Draft board. Randle – a 6-foot-9 prospect out of Kentucky – possesses a unique combination of size and athleticism says Joe Kotoch from SheridanHoops.com, the lone site that pegged Randle falling to the Kings at No. 8.

Meanwhile, NBADraft.net chose Hood as one of the many prospects Sacramento is contemplating in the coming weeks.

With just two weeks remaining until the Draft, NBA writers have started to narrow their selections. Check out who they believe the Kings will select with the team’s eighth-overall pick below:

“The 18-year-old is a project, but he has great physical tools and shot 48.5 percent from three-point range (16-of-33) at Indiana. For a team that has rotated big men alongside DeMarcus Cousins, Vonleh could be a nice fit.” – Chris Mannix, SI.com 

“As I've long said of this scenario,  [Noah Vonleh could be] the sugar to DeMarcus Cousins' spice.” – Matt Moore, CBSSports.com

Doug McDermott – F, Creighton – 3 votes

“I think his ability to stretch the floor and attract defenders will just open up even more room for Cousins to operate in the post. Plus McDermott can be placed almost anywhere on the floor, so Cousins should learn how to play off him well.” – Ed Isaacson, NBADraftBlog.com

“Gordon is a unique athlete who averaged 12.4 points and eight rebounds in one year of college, and he grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds in the Wildcats' loss to Wisconsin in the Elite Eight. He'll likely be capable of playing either forward position in the NBA.” – Gary Parrish, CBSSports.com 

Marcus Smart – PG, Oklahoma State – 1 vote

“Smart will be a physical force, [and he] has a chance to be very good defensively and has a great attitude, but the team that takes him will have to see [a] true point guard through an assist-to-turnover ratio of 4.8-2.6 on a college squad with other NBA prospects. Some front offices do see it.” – Scott Howard-Cooper, NBA.com 

Julius Randle – PF, Kentucky – 1 vote

“Before Embiid supplanted Randle as the top big in the draft, scouts and executives around the league raved about Randle’s combination of size and athleticism. After an impressive freshman campaign highlighted by the Wildcats’ run in March, Randle is right on the cusp of the top five.” - Joe Kotoch, SheridanHoops.com 

“The idea of the sharp-shooting Hood on the perimeter for this team is tantalizing.” - Reid Forgrave, FoxSports.com

mock-draft-roundup-3-0

Mock Draft Roundup 3.0

sacjwise

Gordon started his freshman year strong as the Wildcats forward scored in double-figures in each of his first eight games. He also added at least ten boards in four of those contests. His best game came late in the season against Colorado. On February 22, Gordon scored a career- and game-high 23 points on 10-of-13 shooting to propel Arizona to a 88-61 victory on the road. Furthermore, the 6-foot-9 freshman connected on both of his three-point attempts, snagged eight rebounds and blocked a shot against the Buffalos.

“Right now, defense is the calling card for Gordon, a high school All-American and potential top-five pick in the 2014 NBA draft. The skill just isn't there offensively, but no one will out-hustle him and few can match his athleticism. In that regard, the comparisons to Blake Griffin are rather obvious. Defensively, Gordon is already better than Griffin was at Oklahoma. At 6-foot-9, he can guard either forward position, which would make him a versatile NBA defender in pick-and-roll situations on switches.” – Peter Bukowski, SI.com

“At 6-foot-8.75, Gordon was seventh overall with a 10.81 second time the lane agility drill, which was just behind [Nick] Johnson's 10.8 flat and the only top-10 time by a non-guard. Best of all, Gordon put in a 2.76 second time in the shuttle that was better than any other player at the combine (the wings had not yet gone); better than Zach LaVine's 2.8 time or Tyler Ennis' 2.84. What's all that mean? For a power forward who is the youngest player in the draft, it shows that Gordon has the athletic ability to defend a wide range of players, and that's been one of [his] biggest selling points.” – Kevin Zimmerman, SBNation.com

“The youngest likely lottery pick this year also happens to be one of the most intriguing. Aaron Gordon has done just about everything he could as an amateur on the basketball court, winning a couple of state championships at Archbishop Mitty in San Jose, Calif., serving as the leading scorer and rebounder for Team USA's gold medal squad at the FIBA Under-19 World Championships and being named MVP of the McDonald's All-American Game.” – Ken Bikoff, CampusInsiders.com

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Prospect Profile: Aaron Gordon

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:

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

“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

“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

“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

mock-draft-roundup-2-0-2

Mock Draft Roundup 2.0

Analysts around the league think Sacramento – which owns the eighth-overall pick in the 2014 draft – will select one of five players including favorites Marcus Smart, Doug McDermott and Aaron Gordon.

As Sacramento landed the No. 8 pick for only the second time in team history at the May 21 Draft Lottery, NBA analysts began releasing mock drafts, forecasting where they believe top collegiate and international prospects may be land in the June 26 NBA Draft.

As many factors including; individual and group workouts, one-on-one interviews and hours of film-review will play key roles in each team’s decisions, notable pundits evaluated Sacramento’s roster needs and have submitted their Draft-day predictions.

Although there are many differing opinions around the league, including some who think the Kings will trade the pick away, several experts believe the Kings are in the market for a multi-faceted forward or a playmaking point guard.

We are still four weeks away from Sacramento’s final decision, but check out who NBA writers believe the Kings will select with the team’s eighth-overall pick.

“The Kings probably aren't keeping this pick, but if they don't find a deal that works for them in acquiring a veteran, and they're truly worried about the restricted free agency market for Isaiah Thomas, Smart would be a good insurance policy. He can score, he can run the point some, and a backcourt of Smart and Ben McLemore could be explosive.” – Zach Harper, CBSSports.com

“It doesn't seem unlikely that Oklahoma State's Marcus Smart will fall past No. 8. He appears most often in the 6-7-8 range.” - Drew Peckham, NBA.com

“Gordon is a unique athlete who averaged 12.4 points and eight rebounds in one year of college, and he grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds in the Wildcats' loss to Wisconsin in the Elite Eight. He'll likely be capable of playing either forward position in the NBA.” – Gary Parrish, CBSSports.com

“Aaron Gordon has always been viewed as a sure-fire NBA prospect because of his athleticism, but it's what he does with his physical attributes that could make him a dynamic professional. Through seven Pac-12 Tournament and NCAA Tournament games, Gordon averaged 12.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, a sign of his versatility that is even more finely tuned on the defensive end.” – Kevin Zimmerman, SB Nation

“The hyper-athletic answer to Cousins' raw power.” – Matt Moore, CBSSports.com

“The Kings are taking the ‘best-player-available’ approach, but a strong outside shooter will be tempting… McDermott admits he needs to work on his defense because he'll have to defend athletic small forwards in the NBA rather than power forwards in college.” – Jason Jones, Sacramento Bee

“[He’s a] skilled big man with nice range on his jumper. [He’s] not a great athlete and perhaps still a little soft, [but, he’s] just 18 years old with a big upside.” – Sam Amico, Fox Sports Ohio

Dario Saric – F, International – 1 vote

“If Saric had entered the draft last year, he likely would have been a lottery pick. He improved his stock this year by leading the Adriatic League in scoring (16.7 points) and rebounding (9.7) and adding 3.2 assists for Cibona in Zagreb, with whom he won league MVP and Finals MVP honors. Saric is a point-forward type with terrific passing and playmaking skills.” – Chris Mannix, Sports Illustrated