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Sacramento Kings: 5 options for pick No. 5 in 2017 NBA Draft

By Jordan Treske

Dec 7, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks with guard De'Aaron Fox (0) and guard Malik Monk (5) during the game against the Valparaiso Crusaders in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Valparaiso 87-63. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks with guard De'Aaron Fox (0) and guard Malik Monk (5) during the game against the Valparaiso Crusaders in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Valparaiso 87-63. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard De’Aaron Fox (0) drives against North Carolina Tar Heels forward Theo Pinson (left) in the first half during the finals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

1. De’Aaron Fox, PG, Kentucky

College stats:  36 GP, 16.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 4.6 APG, 1.5 SPG, .2 BPG, 2.4 TOV, 47.8 FG%, 24.6 3P%, 73.9 FT%

The movement to bring De’Aaron Fox to Sacramento started in earnest long before the results of this year’s lottery and it’s only strengthened for multiple reasons in the time since.

It’s not just from fans either. Fox spoke highly of the Kings at this year’s NBA Draft Combine and is rumored to have a desire to land in Sactown, as NBA.com’s Scott Howard-Cooper noted last month. With Fox making an official visit with the Kings earlier this week, the momentum is starting to reach new heights as we inch closer to the draft.

While his fondness to play for the Kings gives him a leg up on other prospects in this range, it’s what Fox brings on the court that makes him a perfect fit for the Kings at fifth overall.

It’s no secret at this point that the allure Fox has as a prospect lies primarily in his athleticism, as he possesses blazing speed in both half court situations and in the open floor. Combining that with his incredible ball handling ability, Fox will open up the Kings’ offense in multiple ways if that is where he winds up.

Like his strengths, the questions that hang over Fox are also very well known.

Fox has to make considerable strides with his jump shot and while he has the ability to be a plus-defender at the next level, he will have to build up strength to stay above water with the jump in physicality.

With that being said, pairing him with natural shooters of the likes of Buddy Hield and hopefully Bogdan Bogdanovic would help ease his fit even more and give him a well-suited backcourt partner (or partners) to grow with in the future.

Next: 2017 NBA Mock Draft: Post-Lottery edition

Whether he’ll be available is another question entirely, and the Kings will have to plan accordingly should Fox be off the board by the time they’re on the clock. However, taking him at fifth overall would do wonders for a team that is in need of finding its point guard of the future.

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