In the week since the lottery gifted the Kings' the No. 2 overall pick in next month's NBA draft, fans have heard a lot of speculation regarding European phenom Luka Doncic.
Doncic is a lock to go to the Kings. Or, the Kings have cooled on Doncic. In reality, it appears neither assumption is true.
The Kings are exploring all options with the second pick, said a source familiar with the team's thinking. The front office sees elite talent in this draft, and multiple players and scenarios are being explored.
The Kings have traded down in each of the last two drafts, so that cannot be ruled out.
Some fans are fixated on Doncic, a 19-year-old who led Real Madrid to the EuroLeague championship and is the youngest MVP in EuroLeague history.
An ESPN report suggested the Kings had cooled on Doncic and general manager Vlade Divac passed on watching the Slovenian in the EuroLeague Final Four. Divac, however, did attend Real Madrid's semifinal game and, according to a league source, the Kings had two additional scouts at the semifinal and final.
Getting this pick right is vital as Sacramento currently doesn't have its first-round pick for 2019. The rights to it were traded in 2015 to Philadelphia.
Many have speculated the Kings will select Doncic if Phoenix takes Arizona center Deandre Ayton with the first overall pick. It's not just because Doncic is rated highly by many scouts. There's an assumption Divac will go with a European player because of his background overseas and his affinity for the European style of play.
Divac, however, has only drafted one European player and it was his biggest flop, center Georgios Papagiannis, a first-round pick in 2016 who the team cut during last season.
The Kings have worked to solidify their scouting department. If they make a mistake, they believe it wouldn't be for a lack of preparation.
Doncic is expected to be an option. But so will Missouri forward Michael Porter Jr., Michigan State forward Jaren Jackson Jr., Texas center Mohamed Bamba and Duke forward Marvin Bagley III.
Sacramento hosted three pre-draft workouts this week, but none of the six-player workouts featured a prospect who might be selected in the first round.
