UPDATE: This pick was made shortly before the Kings traded Spencer Hawes and Andres Nocioni for Samuel Dalembert.
The 2010 SB Nation NBA Mock Draft is still underway, with each SB Nation blogger making selections for their respective teams. Ziller, top dawg at SB Nation's Sacramento Kings blog Sactown Royalty (he's also excellent over at Fanhouse), checks in to make the fifth overall selection in this year's mock.
With the fifth overall pick in the 2010 SB Nation NBA Mock Draft, the Sacramento Kings have selected Greg Monroe, PF/C, Georgetown Hoyas.
Ziller explains: With DeMarcus Cousins off the board, the Kings turn to the Best Remaining Big Man on the Board, Greg Monroe. It's no secret the Kings have been looking for big men. The team hasn't worked out a top-level small forward or guard yet, and may never. The Kings seem comfortable playing Beno Udrih or Francisco Garcia alongside Tyreke Evans for the time being, and the front office knows the small forward spot is a battle between Omri Casspi and Donté Greene. But the frontcourt is unfinished, with Jason Thompson still trying to prove he can be a full-time starter, Carl Landry proving he's best served coming off the bench, and Spencer Hawes just trying to avoid being labeled a bust.
Monroe does what Hawes does as a not-so-springy 7-footer ... but apparently does it better. Monroe has studied under John Thompson III, who studied under Pete Carril, who -- o hai! -- is a Kings assistant coach and is the mentor of Kings boss Geoff Petrie. Monroe showed he can rebound and defend at a high level in college; the Kings will have to hope that translates to the pros, because they need it. The passing and shooting touch will be welcome in aid of Evans.
Ridiculous Upside reacts: This isn't the way I would have gone - I like Spencer Hawes and Jason Thompson - but Ziller obviously sees a lot of Sacramento than I do so I guess I've gotta trust him on this one.
For what it's worth, I think I would have went with the best player available (in this case, Wesley Johnson). If not, I would assume they could trade down a few spots and still get good value in a big they can pair with the other young guns in the front court. UPDATE: Incidentally, this seems like it could be the plan.
Georgetown blog weighs in: CasualHoya author Jeff Green's Dad (Note: I'm not sure if it's actually Jeff Green's dad) did his best at defending everything one possibly could regarding Greg Monroe, eventually deciding that Monroe is this year's Peyton Manning and DeMarcus Cousins is Ryan Leaf. Yep - it happened.
Ridiculous Upside's Top 5 remaining prospects: 1 - Wesley Johnson, SF, Syracuse. 2 - Al-Farouq Aminu, F, Wake Forest. 3 - Patrick Patterson PF, Kentucky. 4 - Luke Babbitt, F, Nevada. 5 - Cole Aldrich, C, Kansas.
Sound off, SB Nation! What say you of the Monroe-to-Sacramento pick?
And please, remember to check out Sactown Royalty for everything you need to know about the Kings.
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