Congratulation: Domantas Sabonis Becomes Highest-Paid NBA Player At $87 Million Per Year After Agreeing To….

The Sacramento Kings land a Duke star in the lottery in a new mock draft.

The Sacramento Kings’ offseason has begun, and all focus is on free agency and the 2024 NBA draft. After missing out on the playoffs this season, the team aims to get over the hump and establish themselves as competitors in a fierce Western Conference.

Just under two months away from the draft, the Kings’ front office has likely begun scouting what players will boost their organization’s chances of winning a championship. Sacramento fans eagerly await to hear their team’s selection after retaining their lottery-protected first-round pick that was originally traded to the Atlanta Hawks two years ago.

The Kings are projected to secure the 13th overall pick but have a .8% chance to move up the lottery and get the first overall pick. Lots of the best talent will be off the board by the time the Kings are on the clock, but there are plenty of different routes for Sacramento to take.

In On3’s newest mock draft, the Sacramento Kings select Jared McCain, G, Duke University. This selection would give a huge boost to the Kings backcourt which may take a hit if Malik Monk chooses to leave California’s capitol this summer. As a freshman, McCain led Duke to the Elite Eight in the 2024 March Madness tournament.

The Kings could be looking to make some moves this summer.

Fans of the Sacramento Kings expected a busy off-season from the front office last summer, but after months of speculation, the team remained practically the same as the season before. Now, after not making the playoffs, Sacramento is under much more pressure to make roster changes and get back in the post-season next year.

The Kings have built around their star duo of De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis while bringing in significant pieces like Keegan Murray and Malik Monk to complete a strong core. While these players are loved by Sacramento fans, through their two seasons together, the post-season success has not been there.

With Monk set to hit the open market and Sacramento in dire need of upgrades, here are three trade targets for the Kings to start looking at this summer:

Jonathan Isaac – Forward, Orlando Magic

Many Kings fans have been advocating for Isaac as a trade candidate for a while, but his presence on one of the best defensive teams in the league makes him a must-target. Issac, 26, has proven to be one of the best wing defenders in the league this season after an impressive year with the Orlando Magic, using his 6-foot-10 frame to effectively guard every position.

Isaac averaged just 6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds per game but shot an effective 37.5% from deep while playing in the second-most games in a season of his career. Isaac missed the entirety of the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons and has only played a combined 69 games in the two seasons since.

While his injury history would raise concerns for most, his production on the court is unmatched by most of the league. The Kings have been begging for a reliable defensive wing to play between Murray and Sabonis, and it should be a no-brainer if they get the opportunity to bring Isaac to Sacramento.

Isaac has one year left on his contract worth $17.4 million, making a short-term commitment worth it for the Kings.