Lottery is only beginning of Kings' draft fun

It's just fun speculation, of course, because the Kings never would spend a lottery pick on a center for the second year in a row. Or on a power forward who is curiously identical to the Spencer Hawes selection of 2007 in ways both pleasing and concerning. Or a point guard with much to prove about being a point guard. Or a small forward when the coach shovels praise on the one they already have.

Except it's not just for fun. It's real and it's possible.

The lottery arrives today with the Kings on a mathematical path to land the No. 12 pick in the draft June 26 – barring a long-shot payoff that jumps them into the top three or the Warriors or Portland knocking them back a spot or two by drawing into royal-flush territory – and facing options wrought with concern and great hope. Not the usual concern and hope that accompanies any pick that far into the first round, either.

Options that might offer the great temptation of unique potential against the reality of obvious conflict.

Intriguing options.

Kevin Love scenario

Hawes is from the Pacific Northwest (Seattle). Love is from the Pacific Northwest (just outside Portland, Ore.).

Hawes is a 20-year-old big man whose passing skills and court sense already surpass some veteran centers. Love is a 19-year-old big man whose passing skills and court sense at power forward have merely been compared to some of the best ever in the NBA at throwing the outlet, Bill Walton and Wes Unseld, and that's after one season at UCLA.

Hawes has a history of knee problems. Love has a history of knee problems.

Hawes' uncle played in the NBA. Love's dad played in the NBA.

They're not entirely identical; Love is strong and plays physical while Hawes lacks bulk. But they're close enough in background, passion for the game and style of play to easily imagine the possibilities.

The upside: Remember the passing when the offense went through a center (Vlade Divac) and a power forward (Chris Webber)? With the offensive skill set of Hawes and Love inside and stepping out to their midrange games, combined with Kevin Martin and maybe Ron Artest, the Kings could potentially torture defenses for years. There are nights Love will be worth two or three baskets on long outlets alone.

The downside: A Hawes-Love pairing projects to the defensive problems of two big men who play below the rim. The obvious lack of athleticism, even if Hawes moves better than most credit, also would cost the Kings rebounds and loose balls. And, the knees.

Nicolas Batum scenario

Frenchman Batum, 19, is long and athletic and plays fast at 6-foot-8, though a slim 6-8, with long arms and quickness that make for a promising defender.

And, oh, yeah, he's a small forward. Just like Artest.

Artest could declare himself a free agent or be traded, but he's a King – the most talented all around – until further notice. Not only that, coach Reggie Theus put on the full-court schmooze to proclaim the greatness of Ron-Ron, part of the end-of-season review with the media but an assessment Theus obviously wouldn't mind Artest reading as a goodwill message heading into the offseason.

Drafting Hawes last June was preparing for life after Brad Miller, who was 31 at the time and coming off an injury-filled season. Artest is not appearing aged. Drafting Batum wouldn't be preparing for Artest fading away because of old age.

The upside: Batum is immediate fuel injection for a team that needs athleticism. And it doesn't have to become a position battle with Artest, as Batum would need time to develop against the team's best defender and best low-post offensive threat. Playing Artest at power forward allows the Kings to play small.

The downside: The Kings also play the developing Francisco García and John Salmons at small forward, among other spots, so it isn't exactly a pressing need for a team that finished near the bottom in the NBA in rebounding and could lose its only true point guards, Beno Udrih and Anthony Johnson, to free agency.

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