NBA Draft Lottery 2017: Who each team should take with the No. 1 pick
By John Buhler
Sacramento Kings (top 10 protected, Chicago Bulls): Lonzo Ball, point guard, UCLA Bruins (2.8 percent)
Along with the Philadelphia 76ers, the other NBA team to keep a close eye on heading into the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery is the Sacramento Kings. There are so many moving pieces in play for the Kings’ lottery chances, it’s borderline ridiculous.
Their own 2017 first-round pick would go to the Chicago Bulls if it falls out of the top-10. Sacramento does have the eighth-best odds at getting the No. 1 overall pick at 2.8 percent. The Kings also have a 72.5 percent chance of getting the No. 8 pick. The chances are minimal that they fall and this No. 11 to No. 14 pick goes to the Bulls.
Sacramento could also see their first-round pick swapped with the 76ers should the Kings leapfrog the 76ers. Philadelphia has the fourth-best odds at winning the lottery at 11.9 percent. The Kings will very likely have the New Orleans Pelicans’ coming their way, as it’s only top-three protected stemming from this winter’s DeMarcus Cousins trade. Sacramento has a 96 percent chance of landing the Pelicans’ pick.
Since Philadelphia will execute the rights to a pick swap at No. 1 no matter what, the best case scenario in that situation is that Philadelphia only moves up from No. 2 to No. 1. Sacramento would then take the second-best player in the draft in UCLA Bruins point guard Lonzo Ball.
Ball looks to be the type of point guard that could thrive next to Buddy Hield in the Kings backcourt. Having stability at point guard would be key for Dave Joerger to right this constantly sinking ship in Sacramento in his second season as the Kings head coach.