Fansided

2016 NBA Draft: where are they now?

By Brandon Jefferson

TORONTO, ON - MAY 7: Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) reaches in on Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43). Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers in1st half action of Round 2, Game 5 of NBA playoff play at Scotiabank Arena. Raptors win 125-89 and now lead series 3-2. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 7: Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) reaches in on Toronto Raptors forward Pascal Siakam (43). Toronto Raptors vs Philadelphia 76ers in1st half action of Round 2, Game 5 of NBA playoff play at Scotiabank Arena. Raptors win 125-89 and now lead series 3-2. Toronto Star/Rick Madonik (Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images) /
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SACRAMENTO, CA – JUNE 27: Sacramento Kings 2016 NBA Draft pick Georgios Papagiannis addresses the media at a press conference on June 27, 2016 at the Kings Experience Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – JUNE 27: Sacramento Kings 2016 NBA Draft pick Georgios Papagiannis addresses the media at a press conference on June 27, 2016 at the Kings Experience Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

13. Georgios Papagiannis, Sacramento Kings

This pick was part of the deal between the Phoenix Suns and Sacramento Kings that was referenced in the section about Marquese Chriss previously. Even though the deal had been announced before the selection, taking Georgios Papagiannis at this point in the draft was definitely a head-scratcher at the time.

In Sports Illustrated’s final big board, Papagiannis was ranked as the 52nd-best player in the class. The article says, “Papagiannis is gigantic, talented and still just 18. He’s also not in great shape and will need a lot of time to pan out. He’s had strong moments for Greece at youth levels internationally after spending some time in the U.S. in high school. A wait-and-see pick.”

Following a season in which head coach George Karl famously clashed with DeMarcus Cousins and then general manager Vlade Divac, the Sacramento Kings brought in Dave Joerger to be their head coach for the 2016-17 season. Change was very much the headline for what the Kings experienced that season. Cousins would be traded halfway through it and the Kings once again were without a player they could conceivably build around. The hope was to let their young talent grow together instead of focusing on just one player.

Papagiannis would quickly find his way out of that unit. After opting to remain in Greece instead of attending college in the United States, Papagiannis helped greek powerhouse Panathinaikos win two Greek Cups and played in six EuroLeague games before he was drafted in 2016. Though the team did well, Papagiannis wasn’t really a major factor and that would be the same story with the Kings. As a rookie, Papagiannis played in just 22 games spending the bulk of his time with Sacramento’s NBA Gatorade League affiliates, Reno Bighorns.

The Greek center’s NBA career would only last for 17 more games after his rookie year (16 with the Kings and one with the Portland Trail Blazers). Sacramento would cut him on February of 2018 and in less than two seasons, Papagiannis would find himself out of the league. He returned home and continued to play for Panathinaikos where he signed a five-year contract with an NBA opt-out clause in the third year.

Panathinaikos would win another Greek Cup in 2019 and also take home the Greek Basket League championships. This time Papagiannis was a key contributor as he was named a Greek League All-Star.

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