The Kings' talent pool that was so dangerously shallow by the end of last season is a fair amount deeper after the draft. The question now, however, is whether Tyreke Evans can be the lifeguard.
The 6-foot-5 Memphis guard who was taken fourth overall by the Kings will certainly be expected to help rescue a Kings team that surely drowned during its 17-win campaign. Evans will add another badly-needed dynamic scorer, as shooting guard Kevin Martin faced double-teams for much of his season and it's a safe bet Evans could change that. But Evans is not the conventional point guard so many thought the Kings needed, even if he led Memphis to 26 straight wins last season after coach John Calipari put him at the position. His lack of repute as a passer means the Kings have done nothing to fix their oft-stagnant offensive ways, but he is seen by many scouts as a superstar type of player and will surely help in other ways.
While the Kings selected Israeli small forward Omri Casspi with the No. 23 pick, it was their trade with Portland for point guard Sergio Rodriguez that could have the more substantial impact next season.
Rodriguez averaged approximately 15 minutes with the Blazers, and his pass-first mentality may aid that cause. Casspi is the first Israeli player to be drafted in the first round and has a chance to be the first Israeli to play in the NBA, but the 6-foot-9 slasher isn't likely to play significant minutes so long as the Kings still have Andres Nocioni and Francisco Garcia.
The Kings gave up their No. 31 pick in the trade with Portland while acquiring the Blazers' No. 38 pick and cash considerations. They selected Washington forward Jon Brockman at No. 38, adding a 6-foot-7 bruiser who will be expected to help with the frontcourt physicality and rebounding efforts.
