With one week to go before the 2010 NBA Draft, Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee was kind enough to evaluate the crop of players the Kings are considering selecting with the fifth and 33rd picks. Mr. Jones also relayed information he's heard directly from President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie, and broke down the swirling trade rumors involving Tayshaun Prince, Hedo Turkoglu, and Andrés Nocioni.
The Kings have worked out several players, including DeMarcus Cousins, Derrick Favors, and Greg Monroe, who could be selected with the fifth overall pick. Which of them has impressed you the most both on and off the court?
It’s hard sometimes because we (the media) don’t get to see all the workouts, and we didn’t get the chance to see Cousins and Favors go head-to-head. But from everyone I talked to, Cousins had the best workout of anyone they’ve had in so far.
I know a lot of people have said Cousins is standoffish, but I really like his personality. I think a lot of times, you see guys who say what we want them to say or who are trained to say the company line, but he really says what’s on his mind. In the three times I’ve talked to him, there wasn’t anything inflammatory or out of line – he’s an honest 19-year-old kid, and that's not a bad thing. I think he’s a funny guy, and from that perspective, I’d love for the Kings to take him because I think he’d be a lot of fun to talk to on a regular basis.
How much of an impact would a player like Cousins have on the Kings?
Cousins makes the most sense as far as what the Kings need. He can shoot away from the basket, and he’s a big body who can go in the paint and move guys around. He’s definitely what the Kings don’t have, not even player-wise, but attitude-wise – he has a chip on his shoulder and shows a little mean streak out there. I think that’s something the Kings really need on the floor, since for the most part, the one guy who has that on the roster is (Andrés) Nocioni, and I’d be shocked if he was even on the team next season.
How would drafting Greg Monroe affect Spencer Hawes, who has a similar offensive skill set?
They are similar, but I think Monroe is a better ball-handler and might have more of an inside presence offensively. I think Spencer might be a better shooter from the perimeter than Greg.
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Article comments
1 - Go Green
Cousins does make the most sense for what the Kings need. He is a good shot from the outside and he's huge. His size makes him a dual threat. The Kings better get him under wraps while they can...
2 - Alex Kramers
I couldn't agree with you more, John. Which of course means that Geoff Petrie will go in a completely different direction and selection someone we've never heard of on Draft night...