The Sacramento Kings haven't enjoyed a winning season in more than a decade, so it's no surprise that they're open to making moves once the 2016 NBA Draft rolls around. The Kings own the No. 8 overall selection and, according to a recent report, they're willing to wheel and deal.
"We're always looking to do something," Kings director of scouting Mike Bratz said in a recent interview. "So yes, we're doing our homework on a range of players. So yeah, we're looking."
A trade in theory is all well and good, but Sacramento must be prepared to pounce on a talented prospect with the eighth pick should they be unable to strike a deal. Based on their roster, the Kings could really use a shooter, either at small forward or in the backcourt. As fate would have it, there are a few players that fit that description in this year's draft.
ESPN Insider Chad Ford has the Kings selecting California freshman forward Jaylen Brown in his most recent mock draft.
"I think the most like scenario is for them to seek out a trade," Ford wrote. "They want to win now and don't have a lot of interest in a rookie. But if they keep the pick, Brown has all the physical tools to make him intriguing here, as long as the team is patient."
Brown averaged 14.6 points and 5.4 rebounds last season. In addition to him, the Kings have already attended a handful of group workouts hosted by agents and plan to bring several prospects to Sacramento in the coming weeks before the draft. As Bratz mentioned, the team is doing its homework.
"End of last week we went to six agent workouts and they showcase their players," Bratz said. "The workouts are a little bit different. They're a little more tailored to showing their players' strengths. Here, when we have them in our building, we get to find out a little bit more about them individually."
The Kings also hold the No. 59 pick in the draft (from San Antonio). Sacramento's own second-rounder, No. 40, is owned by the New Orleans Pelicans.
