As the withdrawal deadline looms, a wave of collegiate returns could overhaul the draft board, forcing Sacramento to pivot if their preferred second-round targets vanish from contention.
Next Wednesday is the deadline for draft prospects to keep their names in the draft or return to school, and these decisions could affect the Sacramento Kings' selections next month.
CBS Sports' Cameron Salerno published a list of 10 players who should return to college on Thursday afternoon. The KingsRoundtable will focus on six players on Salerno's list whose return to college would shift Sacramento's choices.
Amari Allen, Forward, Alabama
Salerno said that Allen's decision is a true 50/50 toss up. He has a skill set that many teams covet at his size, but a return to Alabama could give him another year to polish his game.
Allen's teammate, Labaron Philon Jr., returned to the Crimson Tide last year and had an impressive season. Philon Jr. went from scoring 10.6 points in his freshman campaign to 22 points in his sophomore year.
Yahoo Sports' Kevin O'Connor recently mocked Allen to the Kings, at No. 45, which places him in the Kings range. He was a third option do-it-all wing for Alabama, showcasing the ability to score, rebound and defend.
Tyler Tanner, Guard, Vanderbilt
Tanner is an undersized, athletic guard who is also a pesky defender. He measured at 5-foot-11 at the combine, which is the concern for him at the professional level. The small guard is a pesky defender, averaging 2.4 steals to go alongside his 19.5 points.
A return to Vanderbilt would pair him with Washington State transfer Ace Glass to form a dynamic backcourt in the SEC. However, Tanner's size is something he cannot change, it will always be a concern at the next level.
O'Connor mocked the Orlando Magic to select Tanner with the 46th pick. Although the Kings may not need an undersized guard, other prospects returning to school may change their calculus.
Tounde Yessoufou, Guard, Baylor
Yessoufou entered his name in the transfer portal, meaning many schools are lining up for his services should he return to college. He had an impressive freshman season at Baylor, but the stacked freshman class outshined his campaign.
The 6-foot-5 guard's three-point shooting is one area of his game he must improve. He shot 29.3% on 5.3 attempts per game. Yessoufou's attempts are encouraging, but the shots need to fall for his stock to rise.
O'Connor mocked the New York Knicks to draft Yessoufou with the 31st pick. Going first in the second round opens the possibility of him jumping into the first round, which could affect his decision to return.
Milan Momcilovic, Forward, Iowa State
Momcilovic is also in the transfer portal, and the favorite school to land his talent if he returns is Kentucky. He led the nation in three-point shooting, nailing 48.7% of his 7.5 attempts last season at Iowa State.
While Momcilovic is the best shooter in this year's draft, he isn't elite at any other skill. He doesn't rebound well for his size (6-foot-8) and isn't much of a shot creator, limiting his productiveness to off-ball actions.
O'Connor mocked the Nets selecting Momcilovic with their 43rd pick. He said he is the shooter Brooklyn needs, especially with all the ball-handlers on their roster.
Billy Richmond III, Forward, Arkansas
Richmond III is one of the best athletes in the draft, and saw an expanded role in his sophomore season. He earned SEC All-Defensive Team last season, as a multi-position defender.
However, the significant flaw in his game is shooting. Richmond III shot 25.9% from three-point range on 1.6 attempts. Salerno said Arkansas' priority is to get Richmond III to return, which could bode well for jumpshot development.
O'Connor mocked the Boston Celtics to draft Richmond III with the 40th pick. He credited their player developmental system for helping prospects become good shooters.
Malachi Moreno, Center, Kentucky
Salerno said Kentucky need Moreno back badly because the program missed out on stars in the transfer portal and high school recruiting. Moreno had an impressive freshman campaign, averaging 7.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.
The 7-footer sat out of the combine five-on-five scrimmages, which could indicate a team has promised to select him in the first round. A return for Moreno is predicated on strengthening the Wildcats' roster to compete in the SEC.
O'Connor mocked the Atlanta Hawks to draft Moreno with the 24th pick in the first round. Moreno has caught a lot more first round buzz recently, but he initially started out as a second-round prospect.
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