Geoff Petrie has two years remaining on his contract, so he understands the significance of these next two seasons. He feels the pressure, the self-imposed pressure.

The Maloofs trust their basketball president with their first-born, or in this instance, their favorite Lamborghini.

Petrie, a youthful-looking 61, is one of the few NBA executives who enjoys the unwavering support of their owners, who preside during the good times and are afforded the opportunity to clean up after the lean years. Mitch Kupchak with the Lakers. Kevin O'Connor with the Utah Jazz. Pat Riley with the Miami Heat. Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs. There aren't many.

"We haven't always done the right thing with our coaches," Kings co-owner Joe Maloof said the other day, "but we have kept our continuity with Geoff. He is the face of our franchise. People respect him. He's been Executive of the Year twice, and he knows how to rebuild the team. We want him here as long as he wants to stay."

Perhaps, but know this about Petrie: He understands the calendar. He is one of those people who won't have to be shown the door when it's time to leave. If he fails in his rebuilding attempt, is unable to accomplish a third renovation in his 15-year Kings tenure, expect him to approach the Maloofs, thank them for their support, and tell them they need a change.

He is a freak of NBA nature in that regard. In an era when his peers campaign longer than our presidential candidates, pressing for contract extensions as prematurely as most of their players, Petrie grabs his guitar and plays his own tunes. He seems oblivious to the lousy job market: According to sources within the organization, Petrie, whose option for 2009-10 was picked up last summer, tabled the Maloofs' offer for a multiyear contract extension.

"Honestly, I'm concerned about my job today, tomorrow and the next day," Petrie said recently when asked about his job status. "At some point in the future, we can sit down and talk about it. But I believe that will sort itself out. In the big picture, I want what's best for the franchise."

Whatever that means, he means it. He is a man of his word. What enhances Petrie's self-confidence and should comfort Kings fans is this: He has transformed the roster twice, once during the ownership of the underfunded Jim Thomas, and most dramatically, during the initial years of the Maloofs' ownership; the Kings have missed the playoffs only twice in the past 10 years.

Nonetheless, while his laissez-faire approach is liberating in one sense, it does nothing to lessen the pressure. That self-imposed pressure. Petrie admits to sleepless nights, bad moods and blurred vision, especially of late, with the Kings stumbling to a 1-7 exhibition record and offering little semblance of defensive resistance.

If the plan is for a big splash when the Kings can move approximately $35 million below the salary cap, facilitating one and perhaps two significant free-agent acquisitions in 2010, the in-house goal for 2008-09 is more modest. Reggie Theus is being asked to develop youngsters Spencer Hawes, Jason Thompson, Donté Greene and Beno Udrih, and while utilizing veterans Brad Miller, Kevin Martin, John Salmons, Francisco García, Mikki Moore and Bobby Jackson, establish an identity and discernible style of play. Claiming that eighth and final playoff berth would be a John McCain-esque surprise.

"We need to be somewhat patient and see what develops with what we've done," added Petrie, "and try and keep our (cap) flexibility unless something really exciting comes along. Two years sounds like a long time, and sports is measured in dog years.

"We're trying to do this without falling into oblivion. That can be hard to get out of, too. It has taken Portland five years out of the playoffs to get where they are now. Let's just see."

Is Reggie Theus the answer? The coach to develop the youngsters and establish a defined style of play? What is the appropriate balance between trying to win games and providing experience for Hawes, Thompson and Greene? What is a reasonable expectation in terms of victories?

"There will be some tough calls along the way, but we evaluate as we go," said Petrie, acknowledging his own internal question-and-answer sessions.

He questions whether he overestimated the talent level, especially after defeats. He swats himself when he sees a player he could have drafted excelling for another team. He monitors the success ratio of his colleagues. He remains intensely competitive, ever mindful his flourishing NBA playing career ended five to seven years prematurely because of knee injuries.

"I am always curious why things shape up like they do," he said, "and it's always the same elements. Good drafting decisions. An opportunity in free agency or trade. Good circumstances that happen to fall your way. The amount of money, and how it gets spent. So, sure. It gets competitive. We all want to win."

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