IMO Dennis Smith Jr Is A Better Prospect Than De’Aaron Fox

 I think you are wrong on both accounts. The Kings just traded away DMC and are losing Gay because he isn’t picking up his option. They can’t seem to get prospects to want to play for them. (this happened last year too, and every year since they drafted DMC, 7 years ago) They need to draft someone who can lure future draft picks in, so that they will want to play for the Kings. They need to start over fresh, and start drafting high quality players. Smith Jr’s character concerns may be overblown, but the public and media still believe he’s one dimensional player with character concerns. That may not be the case but that’s not how the public sees it so if the Kings draft Smith it will be seen as them just looking at talent instead of character concerns and falling once again into the same scenario they were left when they drafted DMC. They need to knock that perception out of the water. The public needs to agree with the pick as do the Kings. So Fox isn’t the pick and nor is Smith. Its Tatum at 5. 

This isn’t the only year the Kings will be in the lottery. They will probably be in the lottery next year too. They have Collison at point right now, and he hasn’t hinted at leaving at all. He is not even that bad of a PG. They can still select either Sexton or Duval next year in the lottery. And they have two picks in a guard heavy draft. Why not just wait until 10 to get the point they want?

I kind of agree with you, people are high on Fox’s March Madness performance and still remember Smith Jr.’s forgettable end to the season. Still, Smith is the more complete player. I think Orlando will consider him at 6, Fox’s weaknesses are similar to Payton’s, perhaps they want to move in a different direction and get a player like Smith Jr. moving forward.

I have Fox slipping to New York at 8.

They are different type of players, but I think fox will get drafted first. His tournament performance could be a deciding factor, although to be fair Smith didn’t have that opportunity. Smith is stronger and more compact. He is more explosive in traffic. Fox is longer and more wiry. He is faster in the open floor. Smith shot the ball better than fox in college, but I think both players will improve in that regard once they get to the next level. I actually think fox has pretty good shooting mechanics but he just seems to lack confidence in games. Fox just seems slightly more adept at running picks and rolls right now and has shown more overall leadership qualities to this point. There were moments this year when Smith just seemed to disappear for nc state. His overall defensive effort definitely left a lot to be desired, although it wasn’t exactly the best situation. I’d just be more comfortable picking fox if I’m a team like Sacramento or Orlando, even though I think Smith has the ability to be a fantastic pro as well.

 And the Kings will get Tatum with the 5th.

 better shooter and stronger,more nba ready yes.

not a better defender or as fast, 

Both are about the same projection in the nba ; starter.

 smith is a better talent and already have a body built ready for the nba.fox is good but until that jumpshot improves he’s a better verison of elfrid payton.

sacramento just needs to take the best player available,create a culture and give a coach at least 4-5 years to build a team.that front office has no direction and without the front office getting it together.doesn’t really matter who they chose.

dennis smith should be the choice.he could be the guy that makes you think damn i should drafted him.

 I don’t know if people are just following Fox’s projections and putting him there but honestly, would you want your team to spend a top 6 pick on him? In my mind, no way. He just does not seem like he could develop into anything except a slightly above average starter. Above average is meaningless at the point guard position nowadays.

 But with Dennis, I’d have no problem spending a top 6 pick on him. He has star potential and at the WORST, you know his ability to score from all three levels will translate to the next level (maybe not immediately, but he has to be the best overall scorer behind Fultz).

Just my thoughts obviously. I’m just not high on Fox and I’m very high on Smith.

Age 19 Season Stats

 Player 1:  16.7ppg, 4.6 apg, 3.9 rpg, 1.5 spg 2.4 tpg, .478/.246/.739 shooting splits, .548 ts%

Player 2: 15.9 ppg, 5.5 apg, 5.5 rpg, 2.4 spg, 3.4 tpg, .497/.320/.643 shooting splits, .532 ts%

Player 1 is De’Aaron Fox, Player 2 is Elfrid Payton. Fox is faster, and he will likely finish at the rim better, but who is really going to spend a top 5 pick on a point guard who can’t shoot? Does Fox really seem like a better prospect than Mudiay did a few years ago? Mudiay shot 78% from the line last year and his three point percentage was better than I expected, and he has been borderline unplayable. John Wall and Russell Westbrook are the only "elite" point guard who aren’t above average shooters, and expecting Fox to be that physically dominant seems outlandish (though Smith could be). 

Smith and the Kings are a match made in heaven but dont be surprised if hes not available at 5. Crazier things have happened. 

and have more potential than fox, but the speed of fox end to end is hard to ignore and his defensive potential, the knack on smith is he is sometimes too selfish and forced shots that he should pass, he’s comparison in this site is Lillard, that’s how his pull up game is, and he does’nt  have Lillard’s shooting, he just thinks he has lol. I’m just joking

 I’m sure whatever pick the Kings make, it will be the wrong one.