The 2025 NBA Draft is less than two weeks, and teams continue to host prospects in their facilities. Even though the Sacramento Kings’ sole pick in the upcoming draft is 42nd, there’s always the possibility of movement.
Draft expert Rafael Barlowe recently toldThe Drive Guys he “heard that the Kings are one of the teams that are gonna be aggressively looking to move up (in the draft).”
With a talented, but imbalanced roster, new general manager Scott Perry could go in countless directions. And it never hurts to start building relationships with future NBA players.
Don’t forget about undrafted players — ahem, Keon Ellis — that draw consideration for two-way or G-League deals.
Friday’s workouts included a batch of players who are mostly projected second-round talents but possess intriguing skill sets at varying sizes.
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Ryan Nembhard (Gonzaga) — Guard — 5’11″, 176 lbs — 25 years old
2024-25 Season: (35 games) 10.5 points, 9.8 assists, 3.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals — 44.6 FG%, 40.4 3P%, 77.0 FT%
You may recognize Ryan’s last name. His older brother, Andrew, is making a splash in the NBA Finals with Indiana.
Both point guards with similar games. A great feel for the court, taking advantage of their basketball IQ to set up teammates and knock down triples when needed.
Ryan increased his assists average early season, going from 4.4 apg his freshman year at Creighton to 9.8 apg in his fifth season with Gonzaga.
“I think (my playmaking) translates very well,” Nembhard said Friday. “I think that’s the thing that will translate the best to the next level. Just my ability to read ball screens and my ability to play with feel and IQ.”
But, there’s a crucial difference between the brothers. Andrew is 6’4. Ryan measured in at 5’11 without shoes with a six-foot wingspan. In the NBA, it’s tough to survive at that size but his willingness to be a pest could factor in.
Ryan is currently projected to go between the middle of the second round or undrafted.
His workout in Sacramento was his 13th of the process, with a handful remaining. “In the gauntlet for sure,” he stated.
Koby Brea (Kentucky) — Guard — 6’5″, 202 — 22 years old
2024-25: (36 games played) 11.9 points, 3.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists — 47 FG% — 43.5 3P% — 91.4 FT%
Most role players in the NBA find their niche by having one elite skill and capitalizing on it. Koby Brea has it.
The 6’5 guard shot 49.8 percent from three on more than six attempts per game in his fourth-collegiate season at Dayton. Utherowordly numbers put him in conversations as one of the best collegiate shooters of all time.
Transferring to Kentucky last season, he maintained stellar production from range. 43.5 percent on nearly six attempts a night. Knocking down 40 percent or higher of threes off movement at 6’5 is going to draw NBA attention.
The shortcomings will Brea lie in the rest of his game. While there’s some connective passing intrigue, his defensive questions draw concern.
Thinks of a Duncan Robinson-type. He’s projected to be a second-round selection.
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Kadary Richmond (St. John’s) — Guard — 6’4″, 206 — 23 years old
2024-25: (38 games) 12.4 points, 5.3 assists, 6.4 rebounds, 2.0 steals — 48.7 FG% — 17.5 3p% — 53.6 FT%
Richmond is an inverse player to Brea. It’s all about the defensive versatility and disruptiveness the fifth-year player out of St. John’s provides.
With a roughly 6’9 wingspan, and also often listed as taller than 6’4, he capitalizes on his physical tools by getting into players.
His defensive focus and mindset are apparent.
“Anywhere you go, defense is the main thing,” Richmond said Friday. “And defense is how guys get on the court and stay on the court and stay in the league. Defense is a big thing and (I’ve got) a lot of pride in my defense.”
But, one-way players often fail to survive in the NBA. Richmond shot just 215 threes in his 158 games over five collegiate seasons. He converted 30.7 percent with significant variation year-to-year.
He said it’s the main thing he’s striving to prove to teams in the pre-draft process.
“Just proving that I can shoot the ball, that I’m a capable shooter,” Richmond said. “I struggled with that throughout my college career. So, just coming in here and being able to shoot the ball at a respectable level is big for me.”
Richmond is projected from the second round, or could potentially be undrafted.
Other players at Sacramento’s Friday workout:
Norchad Omier (Baylor) — Center — 6’6″, 246 — 23 years old
2024-25: (35 games played) 15.7 points, 10.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists — 57.2 FG% — 29 3P% — 75 FT%
Vladislav Goldin (Michigan) — Center — 7’0”, 253 — 24 years old
2024-25: (37 games played) 16.6 points, 7.0 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.4 blocks — 60.7 FG% — 33.3 3P% — 66.8 FT%
Curtis Jones (Iowa State) — Guard — 6’3″, 183 lbs — 23 years old
2024-25: (34 games played) 17.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists — 43 FG% — 37.3 3P% — 84.5 FT%
More Sacramento Kings coverage on Sactown Sports
Rafael Barlowe, NBA Draft Consultant and content creator joined The Drive Guys on Tuesday to discuss the Sacramento Kings’ potential options in the 2025 NBA Draft, including their willingness to trade up.
“I have heard that the Kings are one of the teams that are gonna be aggressively looking to move up (in the 2025 NBA Draft),” Barlowe told The Drive Guys.
They discussed what players new Kings GM Scott Perry could potentially target, both at pick 42 and if they were to trade up as he mentioned they are “aggressively looking” to do.
Read More:
Kings are “aggressively looking to move up” in the NBA Draft
Upcoming offseason schedule for the Sacramento Kings:
Wednesday, June 25th – 2025 NBA Draft
Monday, June 30th – NBA free agent negotiations can begin
Sunday, July 6th – NBA free agents can officially sign with teams
July 10th-20th – Las Vegas NBA Summer League
August TBD – Release of 2025-26 regular season schedule
September TBD – Start of NBA training camps for the 2025-26 season
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