2017 NBA Mock Draft: The final predictions

With the top of the draft coming out the way it has so far, the Sacramento Kings are in an awkward position. The two highest rated players likely left on the board also fit at the positions where they have the biggest stockpiles. Gonzaga’s Zach Collins is a 7-foot center who can protect the rim, dive out of pick-and-roll and potentially shoot it a bit while Kentucky’s Malik Monk is a flame throwing shooting guard who can rack up buckets in short order.

We’ll slot the Kings with Collins for a couple of reasons. For starters, Sacramento always seems to draft a center, but more seriously, there’s some potential that the 7-footer will be able to play with another big man for short stretches even against smaller lineups. Collins has solid lateral mobility and can stay in front of most opponents for a while. The Kings could use some depth behind Skal Labissiere and Willie Cauley-Stein anyways.

Collins has the potential to be the best pro out of the bundle of centers on the Kings roster if he can develop his 3-point shot. The jumper looks good and he shot it well from the foul line, but his volume of 3-point shots was low at Gonzaga. Even if it never develops he’ll always be a solid pick-and-roll threat and very good rim protector.