2020 NBA Lottery Redraft, Pick No. 12: Kira Lewis, Jr., Alabama
Kira Lewis Jr. spent two seasons in Alabama, and is still one of the youngest players in this rookie class. The 6’1″ point guard is incredibly fast, sprinting into passes and knifing into the lane. He can shoot both off-the-catch and off-the-dribble, and if the obvious pass is there he will hit it.
He also has been inefficient inside the arc, isn’t drawing fouls and his combination of small size and poor instincts make him a huge negative defensively. This is all part of a long road of development for the young guard, and early returns have been fine. He has a long way to go, but the pieces are there for a dynamic guard who could thrive in transition.
Team Fit: The Sacramento Kings have their starting backcourt nailed down, but coming into this redraft no long-term options behind them. Lewis fits in as a similar up-and-down player to De’Aaron Fox, and his shooting makes him an off-ball option alongside Fox at times. Despite some highlights this season the Kings are still not in contention, so a young player like Lewis should have the time to grow.
What’s Changed? Tyrese Haliburton looks to be the steal of the draft, and the Kings took him at 12th in November. In this redraft he went 2nd overall, leaving the Kings looking at a lower tier of options. Lewis provides some of the same benefits of Haliburton — third guard, good shooter — and does so with more upside than other available guard options such as Tyrese Maxey, Cole Anthony or Payton Pritchard.