Kings Bet on French Project for Mock Draft in 2024
Although their 46-win season left them with a lottery pick, the Sacramento Kings disappointed many by missing out on the 2024 playoffs. Barring a lottery miracle that vaults the Kings into the top five, they will select thirteenth overall in the 2024 draft.
The Kings ought to have little issue selecting a star in the late lottery, despite the opinions of many that this year’s draft class is worse than previous ones.
In a mock draft created by CBS Sports’ Kyle Boone, Sacramento decides to take a shot on Tidjane Salaun with the thirteenth choice.
Salaun, a 6-foot-10 French forward, has been making waves in the draft boards lately. He is 18 years old. In 43 games this season, the teenage wing, who plays for Cholet Basket in the FIBA Champions League and LNB Pro A, averaged 9.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.0 steals. Though Salaun’s shooting percentage this season was only 33% from beyond the arc, many experts are impressed by his superb mechanics.
Salaun, one of the class’s youngest prospects, is undoubtedly a project player for any team that takes a chance on him in June. The French long winger would need a lot of development before he is ready to produce consistently in the NBA, but in a draft class full of project players, Salaun would be a solid selection. For Sacramento’s sake, though, they would be better off choosing a player that fits their timeline: Dalton Knecht of the Tennessee Volunteers and Ja’Kobe Walter of the Baylor Bears would both click into the Kings’ system much quicker. With nearly two months until the 2024 NBA Draft, many prospects will be sliding up.
