The Kings are counting on De’Aaron Fox to become the franchise point guard they need to eventually become a winning team. Nothing that will happen in next month’s NBA Draft will change that hope or expectation for Fox.
But that doesn’t mean the Kings should completely ignore point guards with the 12th pick.
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If the best player available is a point guard, the Kings have several reasons to consider adding another ballhandler into the mix, because, frankly, Fox could use the help.
Besides Fox, the Kings have point guard Cory Joseph under contract for next season. Bogdan Bogdanovic, who can play either guard spot, is a restricted free agent. Yogi Ferrell is an unrestricted free agent.
Joseph’s primary skill is his defense, not the ability to be a creator or scorer. Bogdanovic, assuming he returns to Sacramento, can facilitate and is more of a 3-point threat than Fox is. But the Kings would benefit from adding more players who are able to score and create off the dribble to play with and back up Fox.
The Kings want to run an offense that emphasizes spacing, getting into the paint and 3-point shooting. Fox is the only guard they can count on as a consistent threat to get to the rim in transition or half-court situations.
But the Kings were not a great transition team last season. Sacramento averaged 12.7 fast break points, 19th in the NBA. Fox, one of the fastest players in the NBA, led the Kings by averaging 3.5 fastbreak points, 13th in the NBA. Buddy Hield was next on the team at 2.7 fast break points per game.
If the Kings are looking to rev up their offense, it would help to have more players who can push the tempo with Fox, who averaged 11.6 points in the paint, 17th in the NBA. Harrison Barnes was fourth on the Kings with 6.8 points in the paint per game, behind interior players Marvin Bagley III and Richaun Holmes.
Having more players who can get into the paint and score like Fox or create opportunities for others is something the Kings have to consider if the offense they want to run is to be maximized. Yet, even as Fox improves, relying on him to be the primary creator without more support puts more pressure on the guard, especially in the half court. Here’s a list of guards the Kings could target in the draft.
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Kings’ point guards
De’Aaron Fox
Key stats: 21.1 ppg, 6.8 apg, 3.8 rpg
Pros: Elite speed makes Fox dangerous whenever he has the ball. He has shown the ability to be a problem for opponents with his defense, too. The Kings seem pleased with the progress Fox has made in being a leader, which will be vital if they are going to turn around and become a winning team.
Cons: Though he shot 48 percent overall, his 3-point shooting dipped to 29.2 percent.
Cory Joseph
Key stats: 6.4 ppg, 3.5 apg, 2.6 rpg
Pros: A veteran whose perimeter defense was key when the Kings played at their best defensively. He’s a solid player to have on the bench and can run a team.
Cons: He’s not an explosive offensive player, and with his 2021-22 salary partially guaranteed, there’s a chance next season will be his last with the Kings.
Yogi Ferrell
Key stats: 4.4 ppg, 1.4 apg, 1.0 rpg
Pros: His game fits in an uptempo style. The game is not slow when Ferrell is on the court.
Cons: Given Fox’s and Joseph’s presences, there’s little room for Ferrell in the rotation. That’s why it makes sense Ferrell would leave as a free agent.
Who might fit at No. 12?
R.J. Hampton, 6-foot-5, New Zealand Breakers
Hampton was a blue-chip recruit in the Class of 2019 out of Little Elm High School in Texas and he is whom The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie has the Kings selecting in his latest mock draft.
He had his struggles as a prep-to-pro in New Zealand, but there is still a lot to like about Hampton. Even though he couldn’t find the range with his shot (Hampton shot 40.7 percent overall and 29.5 percent from 3) and admittedly had difficulties on defense, there is upside.
His size and athleticism are positives and he continues to work at his jump shot, which is not uncommon for 19-year-old prospects. Hampton had what he described as “an introductory Zoom call” with Kings officials before new general manager Monte McNair was hired.
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With his front office fully staffed, McNair can dive even deeper into how Hampton might fit into Sacramento’s plans long term.
The ability to run an offense with two lead guards could be beneficial. Having another aggressive ballhandler would relieve Fox of some of his facilitating duties, and he has said he is fine with that if it means he can attack more on offense. Hampton said he’d be comfortable playing off the ball if drafted into a situation where he was playing next to Fox.
“I think honestly, playing with De’Aaron and playing with other young guys kind of goes to my strengths,” Hampton said. “He’s a fast-paced point guard that can get downhill and can score at will and I think me and him would complement each other really well.”
Others to consider for the Kings at No. 12
Kira Lewis Jr., 6-foot-3, sophomore, Alabama
In his second season at Alabama, Lewis averaged 18.5 points, 5.2 assists and 4.9 rebounds, as well as 1.8 steals, which seems to be a rarity for prospects. He can play either guard spot as well.
Lewis’ speed, versatility and intangibles make him an ideal fit for what the Kings want to do on offense because he can score in multiple ways and play off the ball. He shot 36.6 percent from 3, and his steals per game indicate Lewis can be disruptive on defense, too.
There are concerns that he’s slight of build at 165 pounds (similar to Fox), but Lewis is an intriguing prospect. He isn’t as big as Hampton, but he could make up for that with his athleticism. Also, if the Kings play as fast as they would like, multiple speedsters in the backcourt are a must.
Plus, he’s only 19 and played two seasons in college, so there are reasons to believe he’ll get stronger and better.
Cole Anthony, 6-foot-3, freshman, North Carolina
The son of former NBA guard Greg Anthony, Cole averaged 18.5 points and four assists last season in an up-and-down year that included a knee injury that led to him playing in only 22 games.
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Some might consider selecting Anthony at No. 12 a reach. Opinions are all over the place, with some believing he could be a good pro, and others who were not impressed by his season with the Tar Heels.
The Kings do need point guard depth, and if Hampton and Lewis are off the board, Anthony might be the next option if the Kings feel the need to use the 12th pick at that position. His play might be better in the NBA with more spacing, and with Fox on the team, there would not be as much pressure on Anthony.
(Photo of De’Aaron Fox: Sergio Estrada / USA Today)
