SADDIQ BEY -‘3 AND D’ VILLANOVA WING – GREAT POTENTIAL FIT IN SACTOWN!
BY: TOM WITT – September 11, 2020
The Sacramento Kings finished the 2019-20 season 31-41, 12th overall in the NBA Western Conference.
The Kings currently hold four selections in the 2020 draft. One in the first round and three in the second round.
Sacramento will select 12th overall in the first round. Their second round picks include the 35th, 42nd, and 52nd selection.
KINGS DRAFT NEEDS
I think the Kings need to draft a ‘3 and D wing’ player.
A player who can guard multiple positions, shoot the ball from deep, and who also currently has an above average basketball IQ.
While being able to improve upon all of those aspects of the game, and more, as time goes on.
Of course, all of this may not be available at the 12th selection, or in general. These are just my thoughts on what the Kings NEED.
KINGS DRAFT SPECULATION
The 2020 draft is not ‘stacked’ with ‘superstar’ talent. Although, there do seem to be a slew of players which some NBA scouts deem as future NBA starters and playoff team role players.
That might bode well for the Kings. Owning the 12th selection in the draft will potentially allow the Kings to not have to ‘overpay’ for an early pick who isn’t a ‘superstar’. While also getting a solid, more ‘NBA’ ready player with their selection.
This is all speculation of course.
In my opinion, the Kings need a player who can play some sort of role relatively quickly, while continuing to develop over time. Whether that is hitting three point shots, being a solid defender, grabbing rebounds, etc.
In other words, a solid NBA player to come in while the starters are resting.
At the moment, the Kings don’t really have the team structure to focus solely on developing an insanely raw rookie, with huge upside and large potential to be a ‘bust’.
Conversely, they also aren’t currently built to sign one or two ‘key veterans’ to get them into the playoffs – as seen last season with the failed signings of Trevor Ariza and Dewayne Dedmon.
BELOW IS A DRAFT BOARD BY SAM VECENIE OF ‘THE ATHLETIC’
Saddiq Bey – 6’8″ Wing – Villanova
Saddiq Bey is 21 year old, 6’8″, 6’10” wing span, forward out of the University of Villanova.
Bey played two seasons in college, displaying great improvement from his freshman to sophomore campaign.
Bey played in 31 games during the 2019-20 season. Per game Bey averaged 16.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists. Bey shoots a high percentage – 47.7% FG, 45.1% 3PT, and 76.9% FT.
Click here for more college stats for Saddiq Bey
My Thoughts On Saddiq Bey
I think that Saddiq Bey is one of the best ‘fits’ for the Sacramento Kings in the 2020 NBA Draft.
The Kings have shooters, their franchise point guard, and some young big men who hopefully will live up to their talent.
In my opinion, the Kings need a player who can do it ‘all’ and Bey is JUST THAT.
VIDEO – Saddiq Bey NBA Draft Scouting Video
Potential Strengths
Bey possess a high basketball IQ, good attitude and is ready to contribute right away. He also has big body, which he controls well.
Bey has shown he is a smart player, who can defend multiple positions well, especially when switching on screens onto smaller guards.
Having a defender who can defend multiple positions is crucial to success in today’s NBA.
Players who can switch and cover multiple types of players is HUGE in terms of what the coaching staff can do in regards to defensive strategy.
Well Rounded Offensive Player
Bey is an unselfish player, who is willing to pass the ball, and does so well.
During his sophomore season Bey averaged 2.7 assists, and only 1.5 turnovers per game.
Bey can also shoot the ball confidently from deep. He also is able to get his shot off relatively quickly.
Having a quick release is CRUCIAL to success in the NBA. This is especially true for a player who hasn’t established the ability to drive and finish at the basket quite yet.
Bey also has no problem getting out and running, which fits in well on the Kings.
He will only continue to ‘grow’ into – in terms of refining his skilled, athletic movements.
Strong College Pedigree
Bey also comes from a great college pedigree – the University of Villanova. Villanova doesn’t always produce ‘NBA superstar’ talent, but head coach Jay Wright regularly produces very solid NBA players.
Sam Vecenie’s Game Theory podcast, Bey talked about why Villanova players have been having near-immediate impacts in the NBA.
“Just being ready to adapt for any situation…I think the coaching staff really stresses player development, and trying to be the best complete player you can be, and not be typecast or saying that this is all you can do. And being ready for every role…. going to Nova, each year, your role can change, so I think that coming into the NBA, it’s whatever that team needs, and that you trust that you’ve had enough amount of work in college to adapt to any of those roles. I think that really helps.
That ‘team first’ attitude would be a WELCOME addition to the Kings, who honestly lack a lot of awareness and unselfish play from their key players.
How He Fits In With Sacramento
I think that Bey will fit in well with the future of the Sacramento Kings. With his ability to spread the floor on offense, which opens up driving lanes and options for Fox.
He also gives the Kings some ‘flexibility’ on defense. Bey can cover multiple positions on defense – which helps out the coaching staff tremendously.
Bey’s ability to shoot the three ball at his size opens up a lot of options on offense for the Kings, depending on who is covering Bey (think about a big forward, compared to a smaller ‘wing’ player).
Potential Weaknesses
Shot Creation
Bey does a decent job of being able to create his own shot, but will need to improve that in the NBA. Defenders know he can shoot the three ball, and will make him prove he can drive, finish, or find the open teammate.
Until Bey proves that he can create his own shot regularly – or at least fake the confidence while he’s learning – I don’t see him getting much space to get his shot off at the three point line.
His ability to pass and shoot, along with having players around him like Hield, Fox, etc. will help him when the three point shot isn’t falling.
Athleticism/First Step
Scouts point at Bey’s lack of ‘athleticism’ and ‘first step’ as two weaknesses.
Bey isn’t De’Aaron Fox, that’s for sure. I think that Bey has so many other upsides in terms of IQ, shooting, defense, passing, patience – while also still possessing NBA level ‘athleticism’.
Bey has shown that he sometimes gets overpowered by bigger offensive players – I think Bey has the ability to improve these aspects of his game with time, physical growth, coaching and skill practice.
Final Word On Saddiq Bey
Unless something crazy happens, (maybe, say, Obi Toppin really likes cannabis and only wants to go to a NorCal or Seattle expansion team… maybe?) I think that Bey is Sacramento’s best option at the 12th selection in the draft!
I can see him being a future ‘replacement’ and upgrade from Harrison Barnes.
Bey is a player who can switch 1-4, can also shoot from deep, make SMART plays, help teammates out in many ways and help set a defensive tone. All things the Kings need BADLY.
Bey is a patient, high IQ player, who has a decent upside, with relatively low ‘risk’ in terms of being a bust.
All in all, this will be an exciting offseason for the Sacramento Kings!
KINGS DRAFT PROSPECTS I WILL PROFILE IN UPCOMING ARTICLES
Some of the potential players I will be outlining in the upcoming days and weeks are listed below.
- Aaron Nesmith
- Devin Vassell
- Patrick Williams
- Among a few other draft prospects
GO KINGS!
– TOM WITT
SACTOWN CROWN 2020 SACRAMENTO KINGS OFFSEASON OPINIONS AND PREDICTIONS!
SACRAMENTO KINGS BUILD UPON ‘RALLY THE VOTE’ COALITION
SACRAMENTO KINGS PREDICTIONS – 2020 SEASON RESTART – PART 4 OF 4
SAC-TOWN CROWN KINGS REPORT- CAN BUDDY HIELD BE A FUTURE NBA SIXTH MAN? KINGS FANS SURE HOPE SO!
NBA RETURN TO PLAY – DO KINGS START BUDDY OR BOGI? ‘GOOD’ PROBLEM TO HAVE
