NBA Mock Draft 2011

7. Sacramento Kings — Jonas Valanciunas/C, Lithuania or Kemba Walker/PG, Connecticut

If it’s hard to be a Wolves fan, than it must be Hell to be a Kings fan; at least Minnesota isn’t losing their team. Regardless of the relocation talks, the Kings want a point guard here and the consensus is they will go with Kemba Walker if he is available. Jimmer Fredette is an optiona as well but there are two holes in the Kings lineup, not just at the point guard position. Beno Udrich is not the guy the Kings apparently want to move forward with, but he steadily improved in 2011, albeit he is 28. But as we have seen in other players, point guards have a long life span, centers need to produce.  The Kings should gladly jump at the chance to add Jonas Valanciunas at center. The problem is (and the reason I gave Valanciunas falling) is there may be some issues with his Lithuanian contract buyout. We all saw what a mess this made for Ricky Rubio and the Timberwolves and teams aren’t looking to repeat that. However with Rubio signing two years after being drafted, teams may try it after all. It’s a gamble, and unpopular among analysts to take Valanciunas here with Walker being such a popular name and holding such potential talent, but Valanciunas in the long run will benefit the Kings no matter where they end up playing. However, Sacramento management isn’t winning any awards for how great it is and I believe they will buckle under the pressure of outside critics projecting Walker here. If Walker doesn’t go here, he could plummet if someone doesn’t trade for him. But Sacramento seems sold on him if he is here or trading with someone who wants him.