An abysmal season for the once proud Kings franchise came to an end in mid-April and from that point on, all eyes were on the draft lottery. Sacramento entered Wednesday’s draft lottery with the highest chance to be picking first overall and with all respect to the other candidates, the chance to land Oklahoma’s star big man Blake Griffin.  Things didn’t go as well as the Kings had liked as they slipped all the way to 4th overall, losing not only a shot at Griffin, but Spanish sensation Ricky Rubio, and possibly a shot at Connecticut’s big man in the middle, Hasheem Thabeet. So what’s next for the Kings?

The team went into complete rebuilding mode when they shipped away John Salmons and Brad Miller near the deadline and now with the NBA Draft right around the corner, it’s time for the Kings to get things turned around. With so many holes on the roster, picking the best player on the board should be their prime objective, since it would be less than smart to do draft for need when there are so many needs that have to be addressed this off-season.

By: Dustin Chapman

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• Selected Jason Thompson 12th overall.

• Selected Sean Singletary 42nd overall.

• Selected Patrick Ewing Jr. 43rd overall.

My reaction was as good as yours: “wow, Jason Thompson at 12?!” Look, Thompson may very well be a good player. If he is, we all look foolish for not realizing this. Until then, Thompson will be considered a real reach at 12.

Sacramento drafted well in the second round, though. Sean Singletary could be one of those long-term surprise picks, and Ewing Jr. has a real chance to stick around in the league with his length, athleticism, and defensive presence.

Grade: C-

Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee reports that Ron Artest and Geoff Petrie are unlikely to find new homes in 2008-2009.

The Kings futures of small forward Ron Artest and basketball president Geoff Petrie appear likely to be extended.

Artest, who can control his free-agency fate this summer, indicated via e-mail late Thursday night he’s not planning to leave Sacramento. Also Thursday, Kings co-owner Joe Maloof said he intends to pick up the 2009-10 contract option for basketball president Geoff Petrie.

Artest - who has until June 30 to exercise an early termination option in his contract for the 2008-09 season - said he and his agent are not plotting to explore free agency.

Although his agent, Mark Stevens, did not return numerous calls for comment, his last public stance has been that Artest is “not likely” to opt out.

“My agent is on a business trip,” Artest wrote. “We have not talked about opting out at all.”

Although Petrie’s contract has one season remaining with a team option for the following campaign, Maloof told The Bee by phone Friday he remains loyal to Petrie and doesn’t want him to go anywhere.

“We’re picking that (option) up,” Maloof said. “Put that in the paper. Whatever his option is, we’re going to pick it up. We think he’s the best.”

According to a league source, Petrie, who has been with the organization in a front-office position since 1994, proved his loyalty to the Kings last week. Atlanta Hawks officials inquired if Petrie was interested in filling the Hawks’ vacant general manager position, but Petrie rejected the overtures. The source requested anonymity because of the private nature of the talks.

Artest’s mental antics on the court and off the court have driven a portion of Kings fans away from the idea of keeping him in purple. However, if there is one thing you can say about the Sacramento Kings’ front line, it’s that they are softer than marshmallows. Ron Artest brings a different mentality and physique up front that the Kings desperately need. It may seem as though he is mentally ill at times, and there is no question that he is a “ball stopper” offensively, but the idea of this team subtracting physical and mental toughness is frightening.

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Posted By: Dustin Chapman

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