The Sacramento Kings are in the midst of a major brand change. The team has created a reputation as a mismanaged organization with tension between players, coaches, and the front office. But the Kings are moving forward and that process has begun with hiring one of the best coaches on the open market in Dave Joerger.
Despite the change in coaching and some stability around the franchise, it seems that their reputation still precedes it. According to ESPN’s Chad Ford, the Kings will have trouble getting any top-ten prospects to join them for workouts before the NBA Draft.
And what is the least desirable team in the NBA right now? It’s the Sacramento Kings. Based on my conversations on Wednesday, it looks like the Kings will struggle to get any players in the top 10 in for workouts.
This is a pretty big deal seeing as Sacramento is likely to have the 8th pick in the draft following Tuesday’s lottery.
It is also somewhat difficult to believe. Outside of Ben Simmons and Brandon Ingram, not many players in this draft have leverage to choose where they workout. If they can ensure that they are drafted in the top ten by working out for Sacramento, they have to do it, regardless of the stigma around that franchise.
This will be something to look out for in the coming weeks before the draft but I suspect that the Kings will be able to get workouts with several players in the range in which they will likely be drafting.
