Leave it to Sacramento to take the surprise pick. How does the Greek big man fit with the Kings?
The Player: Georgios Papagiannis was last year’s hot name as a college prospect, but the Greek center elected to stay overseas for another year and then declare directly for the draft. An intelligent player who can shoot from the midrange as well as pass, Papagiannis fills out his typical center skills well. He brings rim protection and a soft touch around the basket. The problem for the team that drafts him is that he is slow-footed, and will have to hang back on defense or he will get blown by. If a team can surround him with the right talent, he could develop into a starter down the road.
The Fit: This is the first true head scratcher of the draft. Sacramento accepted a middling return from the Phoenix Suns to trade down to 13, and then drafted a player who almost certainly would have been around late in the first or even the second round. Plus the one position of strength for the Kings is at center, where they have All-NBA center DeMarcus Cousins, solid backup Kosta Koufos, and promising rookie Willie Cauley-Stein. Unless the Kings move someone ahead of him, Papagiannis is unlikely to see the court for a number of years.
The Spot: Outside the rotation
The Grade: D-
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
