Sacramento Kings: Ranking the last 10 first round picks

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 25: De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings looks on in the second half against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on February 25, 2020 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

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8. Skal Labissiere (2016)

Rounding out the 2016 draft, Skal Labissiere had the highest potential of any of the missed picks. His first two seasons in the NBA saw him average 8.8 points and 4.9 rebounds per game followed by 8.7 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.

Consistency and efficiency would plague his development as well as a roster crunch that flooded the roster with centers. They would eventually move him to the Trail Blazers, who would then trade him the following season to the Atlanta Hawks where he has yet to play a game.

Labissiere was a worthwhile risk this late in the first round as he came out of high school as one of the highest-ranked players in the country. He struggled at the University of Kentucky, only starting 18 of his 36 games, but the potential was still enticing. Had Sacramento not taken another project center earlier in the draft, this pick would have made a lot of sense.

As stated previously, Dejounte Murray would have likely been a better choice. A defensive-minded guard who would be able to play off Cousins rather than struggling to share the floor with him would have helped the franchise in the long run.

Malcolm Brogdon, taken eight picks later, would have also fit well, but it is tough to punish the Kings for them given that everyone passed on him. Labissiere is the first one of these 2016 picks that made sense. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be.

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