There was a time, right after Kemba Walker made big plays in crunch time leading his UConn Huskies to the national title, that Walker was a top five pick in this draft.
But his stock is falling and he could plummet down the draft board all the way to the Knicks at No. 17 (no way he’d slide past them). He still may well go to the Sacramento Kings at No. 7, but the owner Maloof brothers have reportedly been pushing hard for the more marketable Jimmer Fredette to be the team’s pick there. Or the Kings may trade out of the spot.
If the Kings do not take him, look for the free fall to begin. The Jazz may take him at No. 12… unless Fredette is still on the board.
Why the fall? A couple of factors.
One is that teams are falling in love with the potential of others in this draft — with Walker they know what they are getting. He has real heart and toughness, He will be a leader in the locker room quickly. He is very athletic and quick, he can drive the lane. The concerns are that he is a shoot-first guard with a streaky shot (at best, it needs work).
Teams know they are getting something solid with Walker. However, with point guards like Brandon Knight of Kentucky there is a much higher ceiling. This is a draft where a lot of the guys have flaws but their potential upside is higher than Walker’s and that is attracting teams.
The other is need — a lot of teams picking after the King’s don’t really need a point guard, they will take what they see as an equal player at more of a position of need. Maybe the Suns grab him at No. 13 to back up Steve Nash.
This is the kind of situation that five-years from now we all look back and say “why didn’t anyone take the guy who was a baller on the biggest stage of the NCAA Tournament?” Walker has proved himself in pressure situations and that has to count for something. The guy is going to be at least good for any team that drafts him, and if his shot and passing improve he could be a quality floor general in a few years.
But that is the draft, where teams fall in love with potential.
