What to know about who Kings could take with No. 4 pick

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Usually by now, with the NBA Draft lottery come and gone, we would know who is going to be the No. 1 overall pick. Even in years where there are two clear-cut options for the top two picks, like in 2019 with Zion Williamson and Ja Morant, there's generally a consensus at this point.

That's not the case this year and it's not necessarily a bad thing. Having moved up to No. 4 in the draft lottery, the Sacramento Kings have a golden opportunity as there are four players who have a realistic chance of being selected first overall

The top four prospects at this point are Jabari Smith Jr. (Auburn), Chet Holmgren (Gonzaga), Paolo Banchero (Duke) and Jaden Ivey (Purdue), and all of them have major selling points as NBA draft prospects.

Smith Jr. is the current favorite to go first overall based on sportsbook odds and most mock drafts, including the one by our colleagues at NBC Sports Washington. But it's not a guarantee yet, as for instance ESPN's mock draft has Holmgren at the top.

Smith Jr. is a 6-foot-10 forward who averaged 16.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.1 steals and 1.0 blocks per game while shooting 42 percent from three on 5.5 attempts per game. He's the most well-rounded player of the top four prospects and because of that may represent the highest floor.

Holmgren is a seven-foot unicorn in the mold of Kristaps Porzingis who averaged 14.1 points, 8.1 rebounds and a ridiculous 3.7 blocks while shooting 60.7 percent from the field and 39 percent from three (3.3 3PA/G). He might have the highest ceiling given his size and rare skillset.

Banchero is an elite offensive player and a tough physical matchup at 6-foot-10 and 250 pounds. He averaged 17.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 3.2 assists while knocking down 47.8 percent of his shots overall and 33.8 percent from deep (3.3 3PA/G).

While those three are big men with the skills to play wing, Ivey is the best guard in the class. He's a 6-foot-4 combo guard with superstar athleticism who averaged 17.3 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists while shooting 46 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from three (5.0 3PA/G). Ivey is the only one of the top four prospects who wasn't a one-and-done college player, though he's only 20 years old.

An Eastern Conference scout told NBC Sports Washington they see Smith Jr., Holmgren and Banchero as the top three prospects and in that order. Ivey, though, is the most explosive athlete of the four and could benefit if a team at the top needs a guard.

RELATED: What Barnes believes Kings need to address with No. 4 pick

While there appears to be a solidified top four at the moment, it's highly possible things don't play out that way on draft night. Last year, many mock drafts projected a similar top-tier before Jalen Suggs fell to the fifth pick and Scottie Barnes went fourth. Barnes ended up winning the Rookie of the Year award.

So, who could play the Barnes role this year and shake up the top four? The most likely candidates at this point would be Shaedon Sharpe (Kentucky), Keegan Murray (Iowa) and A.J. Griffin (Duke).

However the draft plays out, the Kings have an opportunity to select a top-tier player at No. 4. 

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