3 potential landing spots for 2022 NBA Draft prospect Johnny Davis: 1. Sacramento Kings
This might not be a mutual fit – the Sacramento Kings have been chewing up and spitting out lottery guards like clockwork every year. But the Kings continue to hunt the best bets to develop into the core for a playoff team one day.
The Kings have a fascinating core in place. Despite all the losing, there seems to be three solid pieces all age 25 or younger – De’Aaron Fox, Davion Mitchell, and Domantas Sabonis. All are on different development trajectories, but all seem to bring promise to Sacramento.
Davis has been projected to slot in anywhere from guard to even a small-ish small forward at the next level. He could immediately slot in as a backup to either of the young guards or as a backup to small forward Harrison Barnes next year.
More than anything, Davis works for the Kings because they need to bet on sure, safe bets. The team has drafted some stellar prospects in recent years, but hasn’t been able to turn them the players they need to be. Look at how Tyrese Haliburton already looks better after his trade, albeit for a team without much around him in Indiana.
Looking beyond the three-person core, the long-term options for the Kings are relatively bare. They need players to come into the franchise ready to compete and be a stabilizing force for the team.
If the draft were today, the Kings would have the seventh pick. That’s in line with where Davis is projected to be picked, but the team may be able to recoup some capital and trade down a couple of spots and still get the Wisconsin stud.
There’s still plenty of time for Davis’ draft stock to rise or fall in the coming months. There will beplenty of teams jockeying to select him in the first round, though.