Scouting report: Three centers the Sacramento Kings could select in Thursday’s NBA draft

The Kings will continue their search for depth at the center position this summer after struggling all season to find a reliable backup to Domantas Sabonis.

Kings coach Mike Brown tried everything, giving Chimezie Metu, Richaun Holmes, Neemias Queta and Alex Len an opportunity to solidify themselves in that role before turning to Trey Lyles as a small-ball center.

The only centers the Kings have under contract next season are Sabonis and Holmes, a former starter who has fallen out of the rotation. Holmes, who has two years remaining on a four-year, $46.5 million contract, has been the subject of trade rumors since the Kings acquired Sabonis in a blockbuster trade with the Indiana Pacers in February 2022.

The Kings could address their needs via trade or free agency as they try to build on last season’s success after going to the playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. Or they could look to Thursday’s NBA draft.

The Kings have three picks in this year’s draft. They hold the 24^th overall pick in the first round and two second-round picks at No. 38 and No. 54. They probably won’t find immediate help in that range, but here are three centers they could consider.

James Nnaji

Barcelona | 7-0 | 251 | C | 18 years old

Nnaji is considered the third-best center in the draft behind projected No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama and Dereck Lively II. He has tremendous size and an incredible 7-7 ¼ wingspan, but he is young and will need time to develop.

Nnaji averaged a modest 3.6 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.6 blocks in 9.1 minutes per game for Barcelona last season. He posted per-36 averages of 14.2 points, 8.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks.

The Ringer called Nnaji a “long-armed big man who’s built like a tank and has the mentality to dominate on both ends of the paint.”

Adama Sanogo

UConn | 6-8 ¼ | 256 | C | 21 years old

Tankathon.com ranks Sanogo as the fourth-best center in this year’s draft. He averaged 17.2 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.8 blocks as a junior at UConn.

Sanogo shot 60.6% from the field, made 36.5% from 3-point range and converted 76.6% at the free-throw line. He doesn’t provide much in the way of rim protection, but with his size, strength and championship experience he could contribute early in his career.

Colin Castleton

Florida | 6-11 | 250 | C | 23 years old

Castleton averaged 16.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 3.0 blocks as a senior at Florida. He shot 50% from the field on 11.5 field-goal attempts per game but knocked down just 13.3% from 3-point range.

Castleton will never provide much in the way of floor spacing, but he is a savvy playmaker, a proven rim protector with a 9.2% block rate and a versatile defender with good mobility for someone his size.