The 2014 NBA Draft has proven to be an excellent class over the past decade. Two of the top players in the league, Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic, were drafted in this class, with Jokic slipping to the Denver Nuggets in the second round. However, the Sacramento Kings did not make such a successful pick when they chose Nik Stauskas with the No. 8 overall pick.
If given the chance to go back and redraft in 2014, ESPN believes that the Kings should have selected Marcus Smart instead of Stauskas. Smart, originally drafted by the Boston Celtics, has become known for his defensive prowess in the league and won Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022 and multiple All-Defensive team selections.
Unfortunately, Stauskas only appeared in 21 games for the Kings before being traded to Philadelphia 76ers. This move by then-general manager Vlade Divac did not work out well for the Kings in the long run. Looking ahead to the 2024 NBA Draft, Kings fans can only hope that their first-round pick will have a more positive impact on their team’s future successes.
