Fansided

2017 FanSided NBA Network Mock Draft: Let the experts decide

By Staff

March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
March 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins guard Lonzo Ball (2) during the first half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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March 16, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) moves to the basket against North Dakota Fighting Hawks forward Conner Avants (32) during the first half of the first round of the NCAA tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
March 16, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) moves to the basket against North Dakota Fighting Hawks forward Conner Avants (32) during the first half of the first round of the NCAA tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
10

Lauri Markkanen

Forward, Arizona

Lauri Markkanen may be a one-dimensional player, but at No. 10, he fills a need for the Sacramento Kings and pairs well with No. 5 selection De’Aaron Fox. I have seen Markkanen fall in some recent mock drafts, so I will state my case for why the Kings should select him.

Sacramento is light on shooters and Markkanen is one of the two best marksmen in this draft class. The only players who shot over league average from 3-point territory (35.8 percent according to Basketball Reference) currently on Sacramento’s roster are Buddy Hield, Arron Afflalo (who could find himself waived before next season), Skal Labissiere, and Garrett Temple. Langston Galloway will be a fifth if he picks up his player option. Having a point guard and a center that do not space the floor in this every expanding pace and space NBA creates some issues for the Kings.

Enter Markkanen who shot 42.3 percent from 3 last year on 163 attempts. At 7-feet tall, the former Wildcat also creates problems for opposing defenses. Lauri Markkanen may struggle on the defensive end and not be physical enough to take on NBA centers, but he should provide floor spacing and add a new dimension to the Kings offense. On a young team with an inexperienced point guard, spreading the floor and creating matchup problems makes Markkanen a worthy choice at pick ten overall.

— Tyler Watts, A Royal Pain, @ARoyalPain