Now that Kyrie Irving is not coming to Sacramento, Geoff Petrie can attack the NBA draft with a sense of clarity.

When the kids win only 25 and 24 games in consecutive seasons, it's time to grow up. Irving was the exception. Had the pingpong balls and the No. 1 overall pick bounced their way, the Kings again would be preaching patience and extolling the virtues of sacrifice for the sake of better ball movement. They would have drafted the Duke point guard and just hired another baby sitter.

But at No. 7?

In the weakest draft class in years?

In contrast to the last two summers, when the Kings were content to draft Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins with the No. 4 and No. 5 picks, respectively, Petrie is expected to consider everything and anything.

Though team officials are at least mildly intrigued with a few players who could drop, among them Brandon Knight, Enes Kanter and Bismack Biyombo, some within the organization would prefer to package the pick in a multiplayer swap that involves young, seasoned veterans and addresses the team's other two major weaknesses – small forward and depth on the front line.

Not that the pressure's on … but the pressure's on.

Paul Westphal wants a contract extension beyond next season. The NBA wants to encourage the improving vibes within the community and generate momentum toward a new sports and entertainment complex.

The fans want to experience the postseason again after a five-year hiatus. And among other things, the Maloofs want to reward their season-ticket holders, who are renewing their deals at what both team and league officials say is a surprisingly brisk clip.

"Everybody's ready to start winning," Joe Maloof said Tuesday at the viewing party at the Crest Theatre. "We're all tired of the losing. We have salary cap space, more space than any other team, and we're going to spend whatever is necessary to get it done. A few good moves, trades probably, and we're right back where we were. We want to get it done."

The scene inside the theater trumped the televised show. Westphal and player personnel director Jerry Reynolds mingled with season-ticket holders, who were treated to appetizers and soft drinks in the lobby.

Marcus Thornton, accompanied by his mother, Nancy West, who experienced her first plane flight "in my 61 years," greeted fans and repeatedly expressed his interest in signing a new contract with the Kings.

Officials from the league office, who are in town to jump-start the marketing and ticket sales efforts that were delayed because of the arena uncertainty, wandered the venue with Kings executives.

At one point, Joe Maloof took the microphone and enthusiastically proclaimed, "We're here. We're going to stay here. We're going to get it done."

And then the pick was announced and greeted with a chorus of groans. Conspiracy theorists could be heard grumbling about the Cleveland Cavaliers, who months after being spurned by LeBron James landed the first and fourth picks.

The unfailingly upbeat Westphal quickly went on stage and reminded fans that Mayor Kevin Johnson – a three-time NBA All-Star – was the seventh pick in 1987. (The man is amazing. It could be raining sheets, and he would advise sunscreen.)

Though visibly disappointed with the results, Joe Maloof stood at the exits for about 30 minutes, handing out T-shirts, signing autographs and chatting with the fans.

"What can you say?" he said, shrugging. "We'll get a good player, or we'll do something. Geoff will come up with something and, believe me, we've worked hard to put ourselves in the position to make some moves."

He plans to be back in the offices today. Making calls. Selling season tickets. Promising to spend money. Pressing Petrie to use his charms and his creativity and return the Kings to the old days.

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Call The Bee's Ailene Voisin, (916) 321-1208.

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