Eight potential guard options for Kings in 2023 NBA Draft

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The NBA Draft is just days away and the Kings are likely locked in a conference room game planning for what could be a wild couple of days/weeks.

We’ve already looked at a lot of the potential prospects at both the small forward and power forward positions. Now it’s time to turn our attention to the guard positions, where the Kings very well could have a need with Matthew Dellavedova heading back to Australia and Terrence Davis hitting the open market.

General manager Monte McNair has picks No. 24, 38 and 54 to work with. His team has needs, although he doesn’t necessarily have to fill them on draft night. There is still potential for the Kings to trade up, down or out of the draft completely.

Here is a quick rundown of eight potential guards that are scheduled to go somewhere between 18 and 35 during Thursday’s festivities. Like the previous prospect breakdowns, we’ve used Brett Huff’s Consensus Big Board from NBADraftNetwork.com to hone in on a group of players.

Jordan Hawkins, SG, Connecticut

Measurables: 6-foot-4.25 (without shoes), 186 pounds

Wingspan: 6-foot-6.75

Draft Age: 21

Stats: 16.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 40.9% FG, 38.8% 3-point

Consensus ranking: 18

Why Hawkins?

One of the leaders of UConn’s championship squad this season, Hawkins is your prototypical shooting guard at the NBA level, although he’ll need to add weight and get stronger. He’s more crafty than a super athlete, but he comes into the league with a frame you can build on and a winning pedigree.

Hawkins moves well off the ball and is always in motion. He can create shots for himself, although he hasn’t figured out how to get his teammates open looks just yet. He averaged 7.6 3-point attempts per game as a sophomore and has the potential to be a quality floor spacer at the NBA level.

Defensive fundamentals are in place, but Hawkins needs to fill out in order to hold up under the rigors of an 82 game NBA schedule. He’s solid as a man-on defender and thrives in the team concept. He isn’t a great rebounder, steal or block guy, but that could come with seasoning and added strength.

Fit in Sacramento

Hawkins might be one of the better fits in the Kings’ movement offense. He has a good motor and is always looking for an open spot to get off a 3-point shot. The Kings have depth at the two, but you can’t have enough shooters. He’s projected to go before then Kings select, but these are all projections. The Kings might be looking for more of a 3-and-D player, but Hawkins has a chance to be a rotational player in the near future and could fit.

Player comp: Wayne Ellington, Langston Galloway

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