NBA 2020 Mock Draft 1.0 – Options abound for OKC Thunder

There is a crisis in Sactown. What do the Kings need to finally get over the hump?

A year ago, the Sacramento Kings were so close to sneaking into the postseason. You can almost see the finish line in Sactown. I mean, at one time, they controlled their own destiny and were in the driver’s seat for that eighth seed.

Now, they are projected to pick in the Lottery with no turnaround in sight after a head-scratching coaching change. They decided to go with Luke Walton after a successful season from Dave Joerger. Walton elected to spend most of the first half slowing down the speedy and fun De’Aaron Fox.

Marvin Bagley III has not turned out to be the prospect we once thought he was. Especially considering the Kings could’ve had Luka Doncic or Trae Young. All the goodwill built up from a year ago has now flown out the window.

So where do the Kings go from here? If I was calling the shots in Sactown I would select Tyrese Haliburton. His season is already over, an injury sustained to his left wrist in December will hold him out the rest of the year.

Haliburton presents a ton of options for Luke Walton, or whoever the Kings will have on the sidelines next season. Haliburton can defend every position on the floor in college, which will translate to every position on the floor excluding center in the NBA. With a lineup that features Fox, and Heild as mainstays, that is important for whomever the Kings select. They have to be versatile.

Despite his funky looking shot, he shoots the 3-ball at a 42 percent clip this year. He can haul in almost five rebounds a game, dish out just as many assists, on his way to 15 points per contest. The only thing Haliburton can not do is handle the ball very well. That is why Sactown is a perfect fit for him. Leave those duties to Buddy, and Fox.

Again his near three steals and a block per game, his defensive presence is a huge selling point for the 20-year-old.