The Kings draft picture got a little bit clearer following day one of the combine. Via Jason Jones of the Sac Bee, they interviewed the following prospects:
- Derrick Williams, Arizona (SF)
- Alec Burks, Colorado (SG)
- Brandon Knight, Kentucky (PG)
- Kawhi Leonard, San Diego State (SF)
- Nolan Smith, Duke (PG)
- JaJuan Johnson, Purdue (PF/C)
- Travis Leslie, Georgia (SG)
- Cory Joseph, Texas (PG)
- Norris Cole, Cleveland State (PG)
Jones also reports that the Kings plan on meeting with Duke’s Kyle Singler (SF), Texas’ Tristan Thompson (PF), Providence’s Marshon Brooks (SG) and BYU’s Jimmer Freddette (PG).
The most surprising interview omission? Kemba Walker. He told Draft Express the only teams to meet with him so far have been the Rockets, Pistons and Suns.
Two things could be equally true here. Maybe the Kings aren’t as interested in drafting a point guard as high as some might assume. Depending on how the draft pans out, Smith, Joseph and Cole could be options for them in the second round. And the Williams interview might suggest that the Kings would rather fill their need at small forward should they trade up in the draft. Or maybe Fredette, and not Walker, is their alternative at point guard should Knight be off the board at seven.
If they stay put and go the small forward route, Leonard seems to be the most realistic option for the Kings. Jones seems to like him at that spot, as does our friend Tom Ziller. A tweet from Ryan Feldman of The Hoops Report would suggest the Kings might feel that way too:
I talked to a Sacramento Kings exec and they are very high on Kawhi Leonard. He said they need a 3 and Kawhi is the only NBA-ready 3.
Like several other top prospects, Leonard did not participate in today’s workouts. However, during ESPNU’s broadcast of the combine, he told Andy Katz that he plans on participating in drills tomorrow, which focus more testing agility and athleticism.
[audio:http://www.cowbellkingdom.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/kawhi_leonard.mp3|titles=kawhi_leonard]During media availability, Leonard added that he’s working on his balance while shooting too.
Other Notes: Bobby Jackson is one of the officials the Kings have sent to Chicago to interview and scout prospects.
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