Kings select Labissiere with No. 28 pick following trade with Suns
The Sacramento Kings selected Skal Labissiere out of Kentucky with the No. 28 pick in the 2016 NBA Draft on Thursday.
The Kings acquired the pick after sending the No. 8 selection to the Phoenix Suns in exchange for a number of assets.
Labissiere is another in the long line of one-and-done college players for the Wildcats under John Calipari. The 7-foot, 216-pound forward is one of the most physically gifted players in the draft. A ridiculous 7-foot-2 wingspan and a 9-foot standing reach certainly have scouts intrigued. The Haiti-born big man possesses great shooting mechanics for a player of his size, and has shown the offensive game of a guard despite his lengthy frame.
While Labissiere's potential is enormous, his lack of production at the college level last season was shocking. He averaged just 6.6 points and 3.1 rebounds per game and struggled to find consistent playing time. He often looked lost in the relatively simple Kentucky offense, and the ups and downs of his game could frustrate even patient coaches.
Drafting Labissiere won't help the Kings next season, but he could turn out to be a steal a few years down the road.