Re-Drafting the 2013 NBA Draft

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. 7. player. 67. <p><strong>Original pick: Ben McLemore</strong></p> <p>The Kings take a shooting guard in seemingly every NBA Draft, so this would fit right in with their line of thinking. Okay, that was unfair.</p> <p>The Kings (still) need a shooting guard, though, and part of that problem is that Sacramento picked the wrong one in 2013. While the Kings settled on Ben McLemore, the very next pick was Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and it is clear that Sacramento made the wrong choice.</p> <p>Caldwell-Pope is far from a perfect player at this stage, and much of that comes from his shooting. It is amusing to consider that the former Georgia swingman struggles with his shot, simply because that was seen as his best attribute as a prospect. Still, Caldwell-Pope has converted only 32.7 percent of his threes over 238 games and nearly 1,000 attempts, and that is a problem.</p> <p>However, his shooting stroke doesn’t appear to be broken, and he is <em>very</em> good on the defensive end of the court. Today’s NBA places a premium on talented defensive wings, and Caldwell-Pope brings length, aggression and acumen to the table in locking up opposing shooting guards. Considering his age (23) and pedigree, it is reasonable to think he’ll improve offensively, and the defense is so valuable that he is already a “plus” player as a limited offensive option.</p> <p>This may be seen as a reach by some, but Caldwell-Pope is very safe given his defense and the Kings need safety.</p>. SG. Georgia