2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 25: Lakers at No. 1, Knicks at No. 2
By Chris Stone
De'Aaron Fox
PG, Kentucky
Draft Status: In with an agent
The Sacramento Kings are rebuilding after shipping Demarcus Cousins off to the New Orleans Pelicans at the trade deadline and what better place to start than at the point guard spot? Having a player who can control the pace and lead your offense is critical in the modern NBA and the Kings will hope Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox is up to the task.
Fox is incredibly quick up and down the floor and will excel running out in transition. With Buddy Hield helping to space the floor in those situations, he should have clear lines to drive to the basket. Fox is a very good finisher at the rim and has a solid floater game to help him deal with length. Defensively, Fox should be solid at the point of attack as he’s willing to challenge other point guards and has quick hands to disrupt ball-handlers.
The big question for Fox’s ceiling is how his jump shot will progress. He’s one of the worst shooting point guard prospects of the one-and-done era and if he doesn’t improve, it’ll make him much easier to defend. Fox’s free throw percentage provides some solace, but it’ll take serious time in the gym for him to get right.