The magic number drops to single digits today for the Kings, who would love nothing more than to pull a rabbit out of their purple hat in the June 25 NBA draft.

With nine days remaining, the evaluations continue.

As expected May 19 when the Kings learned they would pick fourth, their place in the process meant plenty of options at that spot. Nearly a month later, it is believed they still are considering more than a few players at No. 4 while rumors abound about the possibility of trading the pick.

An ESPN.com report indicated the Kings had "reached out" to Boston regarding a trade for point guard Rajon Rondo for the No. 4 pick and other potential pieces, but a Celtics source with knowledge of the situation said there are no such discussions. The search for help at point guard or elsewhere, in other words, will commence conventionally.

While there remains no definitive word on when Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio might visit the Kings for an interview, Brandon Jennings, the player who criticized him after Friday's workout in Sacramento that also included Syracuse's Jonny Flynn and UCLA's Jrue Holiday has reversed his stance. Jennings, who played at Dominguez High School in Compton and Oak Hill Academy in Virginia before spending a year playing professionally in Italy, said on his Twitter page he was hyping the draft when he said Rubio was "all hype."

"I went overboard about the Rubio thing," Jennings wrote. "I was wrong for saying he's all hype that's not fair. I was wrong, I guess I just wanna compete against the best. But off the court the kid is a great guy. I will never disrespect him."

While Jennings stole the spotlight with his interview after his workout and played well in the session, questions about his shot may override the wow factor of his speed and preclude the Kings from seriously considering him with the fourth pick. He shot 37.7 and 38.7 percent, respectively, in his two European seasons (20.7 and 26.8 percent, respectively, from three-point range) and admitted his own surprise when he shot so well in Sacramento.

While Holiday was working out with the Kings for a second time, Flynn appears to have left the biggest impression after showing off his combination of speed, physicality and a reliable shot. Jennings and Flynn get another chance to impress today, as they face off in a workout with the Washington Wizards that also includes high-scoring Davidson point guard Stephen Curry.

Meanwhile, Kings scout Keith Drum attended a group workout in New Jersey last weekend that mostly included prospects who could be available when the Kings pick 23rd and, in the second round, 31st.

In Sacramento, the workouts continue Wednesday. That session includes guards Lester Hudson (Tennessee-Martin), Jermaine Taylor (Central Florida), Ben Woodside (North Dakota State), forwards Ahmad Nivins (Saint Joseph's), Jerome Tillman (Ohio), and center Goran Suton (Michigan State).

Saturday, USC forward DeMar DeRozan – a candidate for the No. 4 pick – has an individual workout with the Kings. Sunday, Florida State guard Toney Douglas headlines a group workout.

The field of draft prospects is finally official as well. The early entrant withdrawal deadline came and went Monday. Georgia Tech forward Gani Lawal and Maryland guard Greivis Vasquez, who both worked out for the Kings, withdrew.

Read the Kings blog at www.sacbee.com/kingsblog.