The Kings got their man when they selected De’Aaron Fox with the fifth overall pick in Thursday’s draft but even if the team had the first pick, the result may have been the same. Per Sean Cunningham of ABC 10 (via Twitter), general manager Vlade Divac said that Sacramento “most likely” would have taken Fox first overall.
“It was a guy that we all loved and in some way,” he said, according to The Sacramento Bee’s Ailene Voisin. “If we had the No. 1 pick, he would’ve been our guy. De’Aaron is our future.”
The Kentucky guard averaged 16.7 PPG and 4.6 APG in 36 collegiate contests this past season and was rumored to be taken anywhere from second overall to sixth overall. Despite working out for several teams, Fox told FOX Sports’ Aaron Torres that the vibe around the team was special and that he felt his presence could lead to bigger things.
“I know they really want a point guard, I know they need one,” Fox said. “They have the young pieces, and in a few years I do think we could be competing for championships.
Here are additional notes surrounding the Kings:
- The Kings were viewed by many as one of, if not the, biggest winners coming out of the draft. In addition to Fox, Sacramento traded its 10th pick (Zach Collins) to Portland in exchange for two picks who turned out to be Justin Jackson and Harry Giles. Also, the second round yielded Frank Mason III, giving the Kings a solid young nucleus for the 2017/18 season.
- Now that the Kings have secured the players on their radar, its time to jump start the development process, Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee writes.
- In a separate tweet, Cunningham noted that the Kings’ rookies were treated to a private jet, which is a nice first impression for the team.
The potential is insane here, the Kings could possibly have Bogdanovic coming over also. They could also go with Jackson or Malachi at the 3.
Fox-Hield-Jackson-Skal-Cauley-Stein
u are definitely rite… super potential… Justin Jackson is ah great 2 way player… fox at the one… along with Stein their looking gud out of rebuild
Giles is a fierce rebounder, Joerger will find him minutes. People compare Fox to Conley, but Fox might be faster then Wall end to end. He’s really got MVP potential.
Also Wall doesn’t have a jumper either, so it’s not like Fox has to become lethal from three or anything to be successful.
Fox definitely has more of an edge to him then Wall, the kid has a killer instinct and steps up big when it matters.
lmao – more of an edge to him than John Wall. That’s hilarious.
He dropped 39 on Ball in a highly anticipated game. I am not a Ball doubter I believe he will be a great player himself but Divac is serious about rebuilding the Kings, they are building the right way.
It’s not like Wall has a jumper either.
Wall does have a jumper but I don’t think that will ever be his strength. He simply needs a reliable 3rd option and a better bench and he could lead Washington to a ring, but until that happens they’ll never get anywhere.
I don’t see a future superstar on the Kings’ roster yet, but I do see a lot of guys with the potential to be really solid. This draft was a great step for them.
Fox could be an MVP.
So could literally everyone in this draft
MVP? Id say Fultz, Ball,Fox, and Jackson have MVP potential. A wild card would be Jonathan Isaac 4 years down the line, the kid is like a 6’10 Kawhi Leonard.
So knowing he wouldn’t go first overall they would’ve taken him first rather than trading down to get more picks and still got Fox? Go home Divac
Fultz was never consensus #1. If they really like Hield, it would make some sense for them to think Fox over Fultz.
I kind of see Giles as a lottery ticket for them b/c they had multiple picks…they don’t really need much at the 5, so I don’t see him being important for them. If he recovers and regains some of his athleticism eventually, he could be interesting for them…
But I’m thinking that if they sign Paul Milsap or Gallinari, this team should be surprisingly on its way to something. Fox, Hield, Mclemore, 4, WCS
Temple, Richardson, Jackson, Skal, Mason etc…
Now that they released Afflalo (guess they were unable to move him), this team is super young, but intriguing moving forward. And they also have Bogdanovic potentially coming over. They need help at the 4 though, and they could use some defensive help on the wing and 1 more shooter.
McLemore is a free agent, I doubt he comes back. He might get a bigger offer elsewhere and Gallinari makes no sense when they drafted Justin and have Malachi and Bogdan coming over.
My bad. Thought Mclemore had 1 year left…but Gallinari would obviously play the 4. They still need a defensive wing or 2 though, especially if McLemoore is a FA.
Gallinari at the 4? No way.
Where else would he play, the 3? Like that’s going to work in 2017