Pick 9 - Round 1 - Sacramento Kings

With the 9th overall selection in the 2014 CSL draft, the Sacramento Kings select... Gary Harris from Michigan State University.


As soon as the Sacramento Kings were announced to have selected Gary Harris out of Michigan State, breaking news flashed across the bottom line during the 2014 CSL Draft.

The Sacramento Kings have just dealt the rights to Gary Harris, the #9 overall pick in the 2014 CSL Draft, to the New Orleans Pelicans. The Kings will also send their 2016 2nd round pick in the deal in return for the #12 pick in this year’s draft as well as 3rd year guard Austin Rivers.

And just like that, the New Orleans Pelicans had made their first trade in the franchise’s short history in the CSL. Many draft pundits had pegged the Pelicans to draft either a point guard or a true center, allowing Anthony Davis to move back to his natural power forward position. Instead, they decided to take an off guard when they already have Marcus Smart and Eric Gordon on their roster.

Here is what GM Rizzo had to say about the pick:

Rizzo wrote:At this spot of the draft, we were looking for a player that at worst could fill an immediate need. That need was to find a floor spacer to play next to our franchise point guard. We know that Gary Harris is an outstanding young man on and off the court, highly intelligent and has the work ethic we look for in putting our roster together. He will certainly fit in with our defensive mindset and his ability to shoot the ball should get him plenty of open shots playing with two young, budding superstars. We see star potential in Harris and if he ever reaches the ceiling we think he can, he could develop into great player in his own right.

You heard that right, Rizzo said that they would play Harris next to their franchise point guard, meaning Marcus Smart will be sliding over to the point this season. With a season of development under his belt, he has shown enough ability to be a playmaker. Given his size and athletic ability, he’s going to be a bully at the position. Smart and Harris in the backcourt will be a defensive nightmare for opposing teams as well.

Some think that another trade must be in the works. Whether that is true or not remains to be seen, but the Pelicans have three guards that will see major minutes in the coming season.

mmmmmh, I love this guy, was a tough decision between him and Bazz at #7.. Lets see where he ends up.

Nola wants Gary Harris? How many shooting guards do they have now? Gordon, Smart, and now Harris?

Not saying he's not good value, but one of those guys has to be moved.

If you want to extend the trade to a three way shoot a message rizzo, haha:D.. love Gary, love that pick. was considering taking on jamal and wilson for #11 if he would have been still on the table.

And was torn if I should trade down to 9 instead of 7 to grab Harris:)

Article added courtesy of Rizzo.

DennisJ (BOS) wrote:If you want to extend the trade to a three way shoot a message rizzo, haha:D.. love Gary, love that pick. was considering taking on jamal and wilson for #11 if he would have been still on the table.

And was torn if I should trade down to 9 instead of 7 to grab Harris:)

You had your chance to trade down lol. Sorry bruh!

Unless he really accelerates his passing, Smart at the 1 next season worries me.

Not a huge fan of this pick as it goes to NO. I'm sure Rizzo has a plan in place. I heard a lot of feast or famine with Harris, hopefully it is feast for the Pelicans.

Not a fan of the move for NOP to be honest. Not high on Harris and Rivers might actually be better IMO.

Also not liking Smart at PG.

Interesting to see NOP make a move for once though, haha.

Rizzo (NO) wrote:

DennisJ (BOS) wrote:If you want to extend the trade to a three way shoot a message rizzo, haha:D.. love Gary, love that pick. was considering taking on jamal and wilson for #11 if he would have been still on the table.

And was torn if I should trade down to 9 instead of 7 to grab Harris:)

You had your chance to trade down lol. Sorry bruh!

hehe:P..