NBA mock draft 2019: Kings need to be creative without first-round pick

The Sacramento Kings head into the 2019 NBA Draft in some unfamiliar territory: No first-round picks. So, general manager Vlade Divac and Co. have to be creative.

Veteran forward Harrison Barnes declined his $25 million option with the team and became a free agent earlier this week. And while the Kings remain confident Barnes will be back, they're going to be aggressive as the future names of the NBA are called on Thursday. 

As it stands now, the Kings have the Nos. 40, 47 and 60 overall picks in the draft. To get you excited and prepped, here are how the draft experts have the Kings using their picks:

Jeremy Woo, Sports Illustrated

40: Talen Horton-Tucker, G/F, Iowa State
47: Louis King, SF, Oregon
60: Adam Mokoka, SG, , Mega Bemax

What Woo said on Horton Tucker: "Horton-Tucker’s stock has cooled a bit, and teams have their doubts about his body type, shooting and athleticism translating, but the Kings are thought to have interest. It still seems like he won’t fall much further than this, and the pivotal thing for him will be landing with an organization that’s invested in his growth. The Kings are also expected to be opportunistic in terms of moving up in the draft, currently holding three second–round selections." 

What Woo said on King: "This would be a bit of a fall for King, but teams have real concerns about his thin frame and positional fit at forward, as well as knee issues stemming back to high school. He has size and shoots it well, but may not view himself as a role player. If he does buy in, he could be terrific value, but teams aren’t sold on him and have questioned his readiness to be a pro."

What Woo said on Mokoka: "Due to an overall thin international class and the newfound viability of offering two-way deals to players in the second round, there may not be as many draftees from overseas this year. Mokoka, an athletic French wing, should be one of them, based on the interest he’s drawing from teams."

Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report

No. 40 overall: Daniel Gafford, C, Arkansas
No. 47 overall: Louis King, SF, Oregon
No. 60 overall: Yovel Zoosman, SF, Israel

Wasserman on Gafford: "Gafford's stock dipped with his falling block rate, but his finishing potential and inside presence are still worth targeting. He can be a cheap backup center option."

Wassermann on King: "King opened eyes with 6'8" size and smooth shot-making skills out to the arc. He'll need his jumper to carry him and his knee to gain back lost explosiveness from a meniscus injury during his senior year of high school."

Wassermann on Zoosman: "The 6'7", 21-year-old wing earned a small role with Maccabi Tel Aviv for his shooting and well-rounded skill set. "

[RELATED: Eight ways Kings can use three second-round picks]

Matt Norlander, CBS Sports

No. 40 overall: Naz Reid, PF, LSU
No. 47 overall: Shamorie Ponds, PF, St. Johns
No. 60 overall: Jaylen Nowell, SG, Washington

What Norlander said about Reid: "I think Reid's spectrum for getting picked is as wide as any player projected in the second round. He's a power forward with gentle long-range touch and innate athleticism and feel that makes him an intriguing long-term prospect."

What Norlander said about Ponds: "The phrase "he's a bucket" has become a thing in the past year in basketball. Ponds fits the description as well as any player outside the first round. His hoops IQ needs work, but he's a gamer, plays stronger than he looks and has big-play capability."

What Norlander said on Nowell: "He's got some interest from teams, and I'm slotting him as the final pick of the draft due to the fact that he's a top-10 shooter in this year's field."

[RELATED: Warriors 2019 mock draft round-up]

Jonathan Givony, ESPN

No. 40 overall: Daniel Gafford, C, Arkansas
No. 47 overall: Tremont Waters, PG, LSU
No. 60 overall: Yovel Zoosman, SF, Israel

Givony did not give analysis on Gafford, Waters or Zoosman.