Prior to the NBA Draft all sorts of rumors were bandied about linking the Sacramento Kings to other teams looking to trade up for the No. 8 overall pick.
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Once the Los Angeles Lakers made their pick at No. 7 and the Kings were on the clock, they did not move the pick and instead drafted former Michigan Wolverines shooting guard/swingman Nik Stauskas who was regarded as one of, if not, the best shooter in the entire draft.
The Kings had been linked to Aaron Gordon and Marcus Smart and in many mock drafts but after they were taken with the No. 4 and No. 6 picks, respectively, by the Orlando Magic and the Boston Celtics, the club went with their backup plan in taking the Canadian native.
With young studs in DeMarcus Cousins, last year’s first round pick Ben McLemore, Isaiah Thomas and former No. 2 overall pick Derrick Williams on the roster, the Kings have some building blocks to bring some excitement to the city and get this team moving in the right direction.
The Kings went 28-54 last year and finished one game ahead of the Lakers to avoid a last-place finish in the Pacific Division a year ago, but if the early reactions from across the NBA is any indication, the Kings got themselves a nice shooter in Stauskas who can space the floor for Cousins and play alongside McLemore and Thomas.
Kings wanted a perimeter shooter, that's what they'll get with Nik Stauskas. Probably best shooter in the Daft. Kings worked him out in CHI
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) June 27, 2014
What a meteoric rise for Nik Stauskas. Three months ago it seemed laughable that he would be taken before Gary Harris. Now, he's at No. 8.
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) June 27, 2014
If I'd have told you a year ago that Nik Stauskas would be selected at a higher # than Trey Burke in an NBA draft, you'd have said ___?
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) June 27, 2014
Nik Stauskas about to go 8 to Sacramento - the pick the Pistons would have had. Also, think he would have been highly attractive to SVG
— Keith Langlois (@Keith_Langlois) June 27, 2014
Nik Stauskas to the kings. Let's go man, that's a great pick for them
— Colin (@TheColinG) June 27, 2014