Ricky Rubio's second Sacramento visit was much like his first, a covert operation that was seen as mysterious and methodical by some, maddening and manipulative by others.

But there was one significant difference this time around: he worked out.

With just three days remaining until the NBA draft, and the Kings' desire to have more questions about the 18-year-old Spanish point guard answered, he stepped on the floor at the Kings' practice facility and picked up a basketball for the first time since his Euroleague season ended nearly a month before.

It was silly and significant all at once, as Rubio had not worked out for any other team and clearly would not have done so in Sacramento if there wasn't more convincing to do. But with Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie having made it clear he wanted to do more than have dinner with Rubio before deciding where to put him on his list of favorites, the talking stopped and the playing began.

Rubio, who had planned on working out for the Kings last week before he became sick on the trip, took part in an individual workout that included Petrie and coach Paul Westphal and lasted approximately an hour. While the session remained secret at the request of his representatives, he told The Bee it was a necessary exercise that hardly showcased his game.

"It's difficult to show them what I have to do on the court, because there are no teammates and nobody there," Rubio said at the Sacramento airport just before leaving town. "I can't show them what I do on the court. This workout is not my style. I need my teammates around me to play basketball. I was alone."

Rubio, who visited with Oklahoma City (which has the No. 3 pick) in Los Angeles on Saturday, and previously visited with Memphis (No. 2 pick) in Spain, said he was attempting to please the Kings by getting on the floor.

"When I came here, I was sick, so I had to come back to L.A. and then they wanted to watch me on the court, so I come back here to (do) some workouts with them and talk with them again," Rubio said. "But I had like a month with nothing (no playing) on the court, but I'm feeling good. I worked out with the coach in the workout. It was good."

How Rubio's session will impact the Kings' decision, however, remains to be seen. Just one day before, point guards Tyreke Evans (Memphis), Stephen Curry (Davidson) and Jonny Flynn (Syracuse) were the headliners in a mega workout in which they competed for the right to be picked fourth. Evans is believed to have left the best impression, showcasing his length and strength while getting to the rim as he pleased.

The scene was much different a day later, with his one-man workout unannounced and the curtain inside the facility closed. The approach to winning the Kings' favor is clearly different with Rubio, whose four pro seasons in Europe made him a known commodity overseas, and whose Olympic showing with the Spanish team last summer turned so many American heads.

There also remains the matter of his contract with DKV Joventut. A source close to Rubio said the $6.6 million buyout Rubio would have to pay (NBA teams can contribute $500,000) is expected to be reduced to a manageable amount and will not be an obstacle for teams looking to draft him.

The Kings, who worked out Pittsburgh swingman Sam Young on Monday as well, are believed to be deliberating Evans, Rubio, Flynn and Curry for their top pick. If Connecticut center Hasheem Thabeet is there at No. 4, he would receive consideration as well.

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