The Kings' search for a small forward could end with Kentucky's Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

They would need the Charlotte Bobcats and two other teams to help, but what the Kings do with the fifth overall pick in the NBA draft June 28 largely will depend on Charlotte.

Some believe Kidd-Gilchrist is the second-best prospect in the draft, while others consider Kansas forward Thomas Robinson behind Kentucky forward Anthony Davis. So would Kidd-Gilchrist be surprised to be available when the Kings pick?

"No," he said. "I like the Kings. We'll see what happens."

Kidd-Gilchrist knows two Kings, DeMarcus Cousins and Tyreke Evans, and would join them as the third player in four years coached by John Calipari drafted by the team.

Kidd-Gilchrist said his meeting with the Kings at the combine went well, too.

When asked if he had an ideal team, Kidd-Gilchrist, who won the national championship with Kentucky this year, responded quickly.

"The Heat," he joked. "It's not one team in general. I like the Nets, too, but that's home for me. It was home; now they're in (Brooklyn)."

A scenario that would allow Kidd-Gilchrist to slide to Sacramento would be the Bobcats opting for Robinson at No. 2, Washington selecting guard Bradley Beal third and Cleveland taking forward Harrison Barnes fourth.

Kidd-Gilchrist is the kind of multidimensional player the Kings sought at the position but didn't find with John Salmons last season. And at 6-foot-7, Kidd-Gilchrist would provide needed size on the wing.

Kidd-Gilchrist said his perimeter game is improving but that he could provide a spark immediately.

He said of his strengths: "I think it's my motor and my heart. I think it's my heart in general. I don't ever stop on the defensive or offensive end."

Whether the Kings would take him seems like a no-brainer. But they have been unpredictable in recent drafts. In 2009, when it was assumed the Kings would love for the top point guard in the draft, Ricky Rubio, to fall to them at No. 4, they bypassed him for Evans.

Last year, with needs at point guard and small forward, Sacramento bypassed guard Brandon Knight and forward Kawhi Leonard at No. 7. Instead, they drafted power forward Bismack Biyombo and immediately trading him to Charlotte in a three-team deal that sent high-scoring guard Jimmer Fredette, who was picked 10th by Milwaukee, to Sacramento.

Workout plan – The Kings will host six players for a group predraft workout this afternoon. The only projected first-round pick in the group is North Carolina power forward John Henson.

Also working out will be New Mexico forward Drew Gordon, South Dakota guard Charlie Westbrook, Missouri forward Ricardo Ratliffe, Cincinnati forward Yancy Gates and UNLV guard Oscar Bellfield.

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