Can Kings Skip Out On Cade Cunningham If Awarded The Top Pick?
Let’s put a theoretical scenario out there. The Sacramento Kings, who have sprinted out to a 2-1 record to start this season, finish with one of the worst records in the NBA (Luke Walton will make sure of it) obtain the top pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Is there a chance the Kings take Evan Mobley over presumed top pick, Cade Cunningham? Depending on how certain situations pan out, that might be what happens.
Right now, Hassan Whiteside, Richaun Holmes, and Marvin Bagley are the Kings’ top big men. All have concerns going into next season regarding their status with the team.
Whiteside is on a one-year deal, and assuming he succeeds in Sacramento, will be seeking a bigger contract elsewhere. He’s had success in the league prior, however, concerns over his ability to play in today’s NBA have forced teams to shy away from him. One good year in Sacramento and he’s going to get money with another team.
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Holmes, a rather unknown player three years ago, has garnered a great reputation around the league. He signed a two-year deal with Sacramento last offseason. If he outperforms his value (which there’s every indication he will), like Whiteside, teams will come calling with a hefty contract extension.
The wildcard is Bagley. The former number 2 overall pick has the talent, and while an undersized 5, in today’s NBA he can play the position. The issue with Bagley is his inability to stay on the court. He’s been hurt a majority of his first two seasons. If this season sees him go down again, the Kings may wish to seek alternative options.
All of these options have one thing in common. They might not be on a Sacramento Kings roster next season. Thus, going the route of Mobley instead of Cunningham makes a great deal of sense, because getting a do it all big man for your roster, one that could transcend the game, is a no-brainer. Especially when you have none of those on your team.
Mobley was one of the most highly regarded recruits of the 2020 High School class. He’s not a prototypical big man. Mobley has shown during his brief collegiate career that he can not only defend the rim (evident by 3 blocks per game) but score as well. And Mobley isn’t just a post scorer. He’s averaged just under two 3-pointers a game, a number that will go up playing in an uptempo NBA system.
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While Cunningham would help the Kings add some scoring and playmaking, the addition of Tyrese Haliburton in the draft, and De’Aaron Fox, means they are set up well at the guard spots. Of course, every Kings fan will tell you sometimes drafting for need is the incorrect way of doing things (selecting Bagley over Luka). Yet, Mobley isn’t your average big. And if the Kings truly have no option on the roster, taking a generational big man doesn’t make Monte McNair a bad General Manager. However, McNair will need to break a trend with recent Sacramento picks.
The Kings haven’t had luck with big men. They have selected some great guards, Buddy Hield, Bogdan Bogdanovic (now with Atlanta), De’Aaron Fox, and Tyrese Haliburton. However, drafting big men has been a chore. Names like Skal Labissiere, Willie Cauley-Stein, Thomas Robinson, Jason Thompson, Georgios Papagiannis, and to an extent, Bagley, have come and gone without making any impact.
Evan Mobley could be the first successful Kings big since DeMarcus Cousins. It’s about time Sacramento find themselves a franchise big man to go along with their franchise guards.
While a starting trio of Fox, Haliburton, and Cunningham would give Sacramento the best trio of guards in the league, sometimes when a need is this dire, drafting for need is what should be done. However, Mobley shouldn’t be looked at as a need pick. He’s going to be an All-Star in the league. There is nothing wrong with drafting him if the situation calls for it.
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Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
