Report: ‘A lot of Teams’ Interested In Trading For Sacramento’s Fourth Pick
Jun 17, 2022, 9:46 AM | Updated: 9:46 am
(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
(Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, NBA teams are lining up to make offers for the Sacramento Kings’ fourth overall pick in next week’s (June 23rd) Draft.
Wojnarowski reported on Thursday that there are ‘a lot of teams’ interested in trading up to fourth to select Purdue guard Jaden Ivey, a player that has skyrocketed to the top of several franchise’s wish lists.
Sacramento is currently lined up to pick fourth in the draft following the Orlando Magic, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Houston Rockets’ selections.
“That number four pick that the Sacramento Kings hold is very much in play. There are a lot of teams trying to get deals done with Sacramento so that they can move up to select Jaden Ivey… Sacramento’s asking price is going to be significant to move in there. They see this essentially as a four-player draft. Monte McNair, you can expect him to be on the phones in this next week as we get closer. If they’re going to move that pick, they are going to expect a lot in return.”
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski – June 16, 2022
For weeks, it has been said that the real conversation surrounding the NBA Draft begin at the fourth spot as it is unknown what Kings general manager Monte McNair’s plans are with the highly coveted pick.
If McNair plans to draft someone other than Ivey at fourth, there are several teams interested in making a deal with Sacramento for the standout guard. According to Wojnarowski, the list of interested teams includes the Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, and Washington Wizards.
The possibility of the Kings trading back to fifth (Detroit) or sixth (Indiana) in the draft appears very real as rumors have circulated involving potential deals that would send Pistons forward Jerami Grant or Pacers guard Malcolm Brogdon to Sacramento in return for the fourth pick.
Sources close to the Kings have said that the franchise is very high on Iowa forward Keegan Murray, a player that is projected as a top-five pick, but McNair would be wise to capitalize on the extensive interest in Ivey.
Several league executives see Ivey as a player that can become a top talent in this draft class and as a guard that can play at a high level both on and off of the basketball.
With less than one week to go until Thursday’s draft, McNair’s phone is going to be ringing off of the hook as teams make their pitches for a chance at selecting the talented guard.
