History of the 13th pick in the NBA Draft

When the Sacramento Kings traded guard Kevin Huerter, they sent the Atlanta Hawks a first-round pick with complicated protections. Top-14 in 2024, top-12 in 2025 and top-10 in 2026 before becoming two second-rounders. Because of their regular season ranking (and eventual play-in loss), the Kings finished with the 13th-best lottery odds and thus fell within the protective guidelines.

With a 3.8 percent chance of finishing in the top four (and a 0.8 percent chance initially), they or Golden State (one spot behind them at No. 14) are unlikely to advance from their current position become. The 2024 draft is often called “weak” by analysts, but they said the same about 2013 when Milwaukee was finally able to select a two-time MVP who would lead them to an MVP championship.

Given the Kings' current position, let's examine the history of the 13th pick in the NBA Draft.

2023 (Toronto): Gradey Dick | Kansas | G/F

While many are optimistic about Dick's chances, it's difficult to feel strongly about this choice after just one season. In 60 games during his rookie season, Dick averaged 8.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists on 42.5 percent from the field and 36.5 percent from three on four attempts per game.

A projected elite shooter at 6'3″ who is also expected to be able to defend and perform in other offensive areas, should hypothetically represent good value for money. But his career will have to last a little longer before a convincing opinion can be formed on Toronto's decision with the 13th pick in the NBA Draft.

2022 (Detroit via Charlotte): Jalen Duren | Memphis | C

A bargain, there's no doubt about it. During his rookie season, Duren was the youngest player in the NBA, but he didn't play like that. He started his 25th game as a freshman and hasn't looked back since – he seemed to be the center of the future in Detroit.

Last season, Duren started in 60 of his 61 games and averaged 13.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 0.8 blocks on 61.9 percent from the field. Undeniably a great value for Detroit at 13 years old.

2021 (Indiana): Chris Duarte | Oregon | G/F

Sacramento knows Duarte, who was on its roster this season after being acquired via trade. While there was optimism about his two-way ability, that didn't come to fruition in his first season in the California capital. The Oregon alum played in 59 games in 2023-24, posting 3.9 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.7 assists on 38.1 percent shooting from the field, 34.6 percent shooting from the field and 78.8 percent on free throws . Not good.

He's headed to restricted free agency, and it wouldn't be surprising if his league-wide market and interest were minimal. After spending four seasons in college, Duarte is already 26 years old but still has room for further growth.

2020 (New Orleans): Kira Lewis Jr. | Alabama | G

Lewis Jr. drew comparisons to college's De'Aaron Fox due to his elite speed, particularly in transition. Unfortunately, it didn't work out the way New Orleans would have hoped. After two and a half seasons with the Pelicans, they essentially terminated Lewis' contract to avoid the luxury tax in 2024.

He barely played with New Orleans before the deal and only one appearance with Toronto before they decided to move him again and finish the season with Utah. That's an unfortunate feat for the 13th pick in the NBA draft, but Lewis just turned 23 at the beginning of April.

2019 (Miami): Tyler Herro | Kentucky | G

No matter how you feel about Herro's polarizing All-Star potential, this was certainly a worthy selection by the Heat. The 6-foot-10 guard has averaged more than 20 points in each of his last three seasons and is shooting 44.1 percent from the field, 39.6 percent from three on 7.9 attempts (!!) per game and in 2023 85.6 percent converted from the free throw line -24.

The only other players from the 2019 NBA Draft who averaged more points per game in their first five seasons are Zion Willamson (24.7), Ja Morant (22.5), RJ Barrett (18.4) and Darius Garland (18.4). All four were selected in the top five, making Herro's value of 13 exceptional.

2018 (LA Clippers): Jerome Robinson | Boston College | G

That's not great, especially since Michael Porter Jr. is going to Denver with the 14th pick. Robinson and Zhaire Smith (who suffered a medical issue) are the only two players selected in the top 20 of the 2018 draft who have yet to play 200 games, with the Boston College product appearing in 135 games.

The Clippers moved quickly, trading Robinson just a season and a half after taking him 13th in the NBA draft. Since then, he spent time with Washington before finding his way onto the Warriors' roster last season. He played in 22 games but only reached double-digit minutes once.

2017 (Utah via Denver): Donovan Mitchell | Louisville | G

Denver's recent championship probably took all the pain out of the decision to trade Mitchell on draft night, but he has had a phenomenal career. Five All-Star appearances and an All-NBA team in seven seasons is really all that needs to be said.

In the 2023-24 season, the former 13th pick in the NBA Draft led the Cavaliers with 26.6 points, 6.1 assists and 5.1 rebounds on 46.2 percent from the field, 36.8 percent on 9.0 three-pointers. Point attempts per game and 86.5 percent from the line. Elite production from the end of the lottery.

2016 (Sacramento via Phoenix): Georgios Papagiannis | International | C

There's no need to discuss the details for fear of appealing to Sacramento's fan base. It shocked everyone at the time and has only become more confusing in hindsight.

2015 (Phoenix): Devin Booker | Kentucky | G

Booker also needs no introduction, for reasons opposite to those of Papgiannis. He was the best player on a team that went 2-0 in the NBA Finals before ultimately collapsing. A four-time All-Star and All-NBA in the 2021-22 season, he is not only a strong choice, but probably the best player in the entire 2015 class, including Karl Anthony-Towns, Kristaps Porzingis and D'Angelo Russell.

If Sacramento can find a way to get that kind of production out of its (likely) 13th pick in 2024, the trajectory of its franchise could change dramatically. It's unusual to get a talent of Booker's caliber late in the lottery, but he's proof that it happens.

2014 (Minnesota): Zach LaVine | UCLA | G

Most of what was said about Booker also applies to LaVaine. The only two players from the 2014 draft who have averaged more career points have won the last three MVP awards: Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic.

A two-time All-Star, the UCLA product has battled injuries throughout his career but is an electric scorer when playing. He is another example of outstanding value at the 13th pick in the NBA Draft.

When is the Sacramento Kings next offseason date of interest?

For the first time in two years, the Sacramento Kings will be keeping their fingers crossed for luck in the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery.

The 2024 NBA Draft Lottery will take place on Sunday, May 12, 2024 in Chicago, where Sacramento has the 13th best odds at the top pick.

Here's how the lottery works: The 14 teams that missed the NBA playoffs are eligible for the draft lottery. Final odds were set after the regular season and tiebreakers were negotiated between teams with identical regular season records.

NBA offseason schedule

• Sunday, May 12th – NBA Draft Lottery
• Wednesday, June 26th – Thursday, June 27th – 2024 NBA Draft
• Sunday June 30th – The free agent negotiating window opens (3:00 p.m. PST).
• Saturday, July 6th – Free agents can officially sign contracts
• 12-22 July – Las Vegas Summer League
• July 27th – August 11th – Olympic Games 2024
• Friday, September 27th – NBA training camps begin

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