Pistons Palace NBA mock draft post lottery
By Joe Dexter
8. Sacramento Kings
Marcus Smart, PG, Oklahoma State
The Kings couldn’t of hoped for a better scenario than this. They need a power forward desperately to team up with DeMarcus Cousins inside, but Smart gives them the true point guard that they have been looking for. Isiah Thomas is a great talent, but would be best suited as firepower off the bench. Smart gives the Kings the ability to move him to the bench and play major minutes for either guard position.
Mar 21, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys guard Marcus Smart (33) passes the ball away from Gonzaga Bulldogs forward/center Sam Dower (35) in the second half of a men
Smart allows the Kings to focus on a more traditional offense, because he has the ability to dish the ball off inside. He also adds more size at the guard position. He can rebound better than most guards in this draft and has great floor vision.
The Kings already have guards on their roster that need to focus on taking better shots, but that is one of Smart’s biggest downfalls. He doesn’t have the best jumper and sometimes settles for that shot instead of driving to the rack. Yet, he makes 56% of his shots around the basket.
The most intriguing part of Smart’s game in the Kings offense is his pick and roll ability. Sacramento has been looking across the league for a player that could fit on the emotional side of things with DeMarcus Cousins. Smart has the same type of competitive demeanor and might just be the right teammate to reel in the big fella.
Smart also provides Sacramento some type of defense in the backcourt. With Rudy Gay at small forward, they need all the help they can get up front on the defensive side of the court.