If this was to be one of the last battles royal among point guards, Patrick "Patty" Mills would not be left out.
So Mills called the Kings and asked to be included in Sunday's workout at the team's practice facility.
The Kings have worked out every top point guard available in Thursday's draft. Only Ricky Rubio, who became ill during his visit, did not work out.
Sunday's group included Memphis' Tyreke Evans and Syracuse's Jonny Flynn, both back for a second look. Evans previously worked out alone.
Florida State's Toney Douglas, Florida's Nick Calathes and Davidson star Stephen Curry also were in Sacramento with Mills, the Saint Mary's standout.
Curry and Evans are considered locks to be lottery picks, a group Flynn also could sneak into by Thursday.
Calathes and Douglas also are projected as possible first-round selections.
Mills said he'd been told he would be selected late in the first round or early in the second. The Kings have three picks in the draft: the fourth overall, the 23rd and the 31st.
"I knew who was going to be here, so it was a great opportunity," Mills said. "And if I had that opportunity (I'd) make the most of it and try to put myself in the best possible position."
Mills, no slouch in his own right, wanted a chance to play in the group. He spent two seasons at Saint Mary's in Moraga and was one of the young stars of the 2008 Summer Olympics playing for Australia.
Afterward, Mills felt the workout, his ninth, was productive.
"The type of caliber guys who were here competing today along with Toney, it was great," Mills said. "I think the level of competitiveness and toughness is a level that I'm up there with as well."
The workout highlighted the diversity of available point guards.
Curry (6-foot-3, 185 pounds) might be the best shooter in the draft. He moved to point guard last season after two years as Davidson's shooting guard.
Shooting remains Curry's trademark, but a year as a playmaker has helped shape what he believes he'll be as a pro.
"I definitely see myself as a point guard first," Curry said.
Flynn (6-0, 185) is a speedy player believed to be high on the Kings' list. Mills (6-0, 175) also wants to push tempo.
Calathes (6-5, 185) excels from the outside. He also has a deal to play in Greece next year.
Evans also is 6-5, but at 220 pounds, is 35 pounds heavier than Calathes' listed weight. Like Douglas, he also can play shooting guard. Douglas (6-2, 200) comes with the reputation of being a tough defender.
"Most of all, I feel I can bring toughness (to the Kings)," Douglas said. "Because you can't coach toughness. … I feel like nobody is going to out-tough me. And that's one thing I can control."
Read the Kings blog at www.sacbee.com/kingsblog.
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