Sacramento Kings: A look back at NBA draft history before 2018

After getting lucky at the 2018 NBA Draft Lottery, the Sacramento Kings now hold the No. 2 overall pick along with the No. 36 selection. What does this mean based on the position they’ll be selecting from and their own draft history?

Now that the NBA Draft Lottery has come and gone, the Sacramento Kings couldn’t be more excited for the upcoming 2018 NBA Draft.

Moving up from No. 7 to No. 2 will give the Kings a chance to draft a franchise-changing player. Deandre Ayton and Luka Doncic are likely going to be the first two players selected, with each having the chance to make an impact right away.

The Kings haven’t owned the second pick in the Sacramento era, but did draft second back-to-back in 1977 and 1978 while in Kansas City. The Kings selected Otis Birdsong and Phil Ford with the picks, the latter going on to win Rookie of the Year during the 1978-79 season.

The franchise has owned the second pick two other times, selecting Maurice Stokes in 1955 while they were the Rochester Royals and Archie Dees in 1958 while they were the Cincinnati Royals.

In general the No. 2 pick has had a high success rate, producing some of the best players in NBA history, multiple-time NBA All-Stars and as of late, a bevy of young talent.

The Los Angeles Lakers have owned the pick the last three years, selecting D’Angelo Russell in 2015 followed by Brandon Ingram then Lonzo Ball. Victor Oladipo was selected second overall in 2013 and Jabari Parker in 2014.

The most successful players drafted at the No. 2 spot include the following Hall-of-Famers:

• Jason Kidd (1994, will be inducted this year)
• Alonzo Mourning (1992)
• Gary Payton (1990)
• Isiah Thomas (1981)
• Bob McAdoo (1972)
• Wes Unseld (1968)
• Earl Monroe (1967)
• Dave Bing (1966)
• Rick Barry (1965)
• Jerry West (1960)
• Bill Russell (1956)
• Bob Pettit (1954)

Also, Kevin Durant, who was drafted second overall in 2007, is a lock to join the noteworthy club.

Despite the success stories, there are plenty of examples of players who haven’t panned out after being selected second overall.

The most memorable draft gaffe is the Portland Trail Blazers‘ selection of Sam Bowie with the second pick in 1984 over Michael Jordan. Also, the 2003 NBA Draft is remembered for LeBron James, as well as for Darko Milicic being selected No. 2 by the Detroit Pistons ahead of Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade.

More recently, after Durant was drafted in 2007, Michael Beasley, Hasheem Thabeet, Evan Turner, Derrick Williams and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist were the next five players selected second overall. Thabeet is no longer in the NBA and the other four players have not lived up to their draft position.

The Kings shouldn’t have trouble finding a notable player with the second pick in this year’s draft. The No. 36 pick could be a bit trickier, although there have been a few serviceable NBA players (and now one Hall-of-Famer) drafted No. 36 overall.

Maurice Cheeks, who along with Kidd will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year, was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 36th pick in 1978.

The NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year in 1992-93, Clifford Robinson was selected No. 36 by Portland in 1989. Ersan Ilyasova went 36th in 2005 and has had a successful NBA career spanning over a decade.

Just two years ago Malcolm Brogdon (2016) was drafted No. 36 overall by the Milwaukee Bucks and was named Rookie of the Year, becoming the first player selected in the second round to win the award.

The Kings have held the No. 36 pick three times, selecting Jerome James (1998), Orlando Johnson (2012, he was traded on draft night), and Ray McCallum (2013). James played one season for the Kings while McCallum played two and is no longer in the NBA.

This year’s draft is deep enough where the Kings should have a chance to find a rotation player at the very least in the second round.

Next: Kings: 5 options for pick No. 2 in 2018 NBA Draft

As for the second overall pick, history has shown it can lead to all-time greats. It’s also proven to produce players who struggle to remain in the league. This year with Ayton and Doncic as the consensus first two picks, the Sacramento Kings have a tremendous opportunity to find the franchise-changing player they so desperately need.