2021 NBA Draft Mock 2.0: Kai Jones gives the Sacramento Kings frontcourt depth
The Sacramento Kings have been stuck in the mud for a long time. While the end of season result was once again underwhelming, the Kings can at least say they hit a home run in last year’s draft with Tyrese Haliburton.
Now, they have a chance to hit back-to-back homers with Bahamian big-man Kai Jones.
There be a stronger push to go for a wing player, but going with an intimidating big-man like Jones could pay off for the Kings.
NBA Draft – Kai Jones NBA player comparisons:
- Myles Turner
- Jarrett Allen
- Jaxon Hayes – Very similar athleticism, flashes of untapped expanded offensive game
Kai Jones will jump well above the rim and off your television screen. The 6’11 center has tremendous vertical athleticism – He’ll bounce over other bigs and be relentless on the boards.
That king of leaping ability shows up on defense as well. Kai Jones is a terrific shot-blocker who has both great anticipation and recovery – he may fall for a pump fake, but will immediately close the gap with his 2nd jump.
What makes Jones a terrific lottery prospect is not just what we saw in college but the other areas on offense where he flashed potential.
In no way is he a “ball-handler”, but he will surprise people with his ability to take other bigs off the dribble. He doesn’t have any kind of post-game, but he will beat players off the dribble from face-ups.
Not only that, Jones will shoot from range on pull up jump shots. He shot just over 38% from 3 in college, and many believe he can be a decent perimeter threat at the next level.
So while Kai Jones fits the mold of an explosive rim-runner, there is potential for plenty more.
It’s about to be year 4 of Marvin Bagley, and we still don’t know exactly where he’s going as a player.
This is more than just Marvin Bagley insurance. Outside of Richaun Holmes and the corpse of Hassan Whiteside, the Kings don’t have great frontcourt depth, and it shows up in a lot of their games.
Sacramento lands a nice developmental offensive option to pair with the facilitating of De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton.