The shovel came flying Paul Westphal's way from the start, with his official hiring as Kings coach June 12 followed by the request to help with the rebuilding project and the reality that the NBA draft was just 13 days away.

And Westphal, who longed to be an NBA coach again after nine years, has enjoyed every minute.

"It hasn't been too hard to fill my days since this hurricane hit," Westphal said by phone with a laugh. "It's a 24-hour-a-day job, but it's been great. I'm really enjoying it. The organization was advertised as being first class, from the Maloofs on down, and I've been really happy with what I've been finding out about the people I'm working with."

As for the next colleague he'll be welcoming? The research continues.

With Thursday's draft drawing near and the Kings' workout schedule having been completed with Ricky Rubio's visit Monday, the deliberating about the team's No. 4 pick continued internally. And while their list of top candidates is believed to include Rubio, Memphis' Tyreke Evans, Syracuse's Jonny Flynn and Davidson's Stephen Curry, it appears Evans is heading the group entering the final days.

Although the 6-foot-7 guard is not the true point guard the Kings had hoped for, his physicality, ability to get to the rim and dynamic scoring ways have enticed the team. He raised his stock in recent workouts, dominating in Minnesota before doing the same in Sacramento. Rubio, meanwhile, may be passed over even if he is available when the Kings' first pick arrives.

"I think we'll get a player that can help us," said Westphal, who has been taking part in the team's workouts. "Beyond that, these guys are so young that you have to hedge everything with, 'If he develops … .' After you do all the research...you can't look into somebody's heart and see how they're going to react when they get some money in their pocket and how they're going to react to being in the spotlight."

But the Kings, of course, won't fully know their options until the Clippers, Memphis and Oklahoma City select before them. And the Grizzlies, specifically, have some deliberating of their own to do before they're on the clock.

After Washington and Minnesota reportedly agreed in principle on a deal netting the Timberwolves the No. 5 pick in addition to their No. 6, league sources said the T-wolves – who also have the No. 18 and No. 28 picks – might look to put together a package for Memphis that could bring them the No. 2 and, ultimately, Rubio. The Grizzlies might not comply and could cloud the picture by selecting Evans, the local star. New York also remains high on Rubio and has had extensive discussions about moving up to get him.

Sacramento, meanwhile, has been Rubio's preference if he didn't join the Clippers. They are set on taking forward Blake Griffin. Memphis boasts talented young guards Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo, and has a history of lukewarm relationships with some of its Spanish players. Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook manned the point well last season.

The Kings were seen as ideal for Rubio in several ways – from the struggles of starter Beno Udrih last season to the California location. Yet the feeling may not be mutual, with Westphal saying that Monday's workout would not sway the decision.

"We wanted to get a feel for just interacting with him, watching him up close," Westphal said. "(But) is there anything that's going to tip the scale as to whether we draft Ricky Rubio or not from that workout? Absolutely not.

"It was nice for us to be able to spend some time with him, and it was impossible to do anything that would either help or hurt himself, really, in one hour of shooting around in the gym."

WHAT THE KINGS NEED

SMALL FORWARD

No team can have enough athletic wing players, and the Kings might find one in this draft. It might not be a top priority, but several athletic small forwards with ballhandling ability are available. A player who can create and get to the basket consistently would be a plus, as would a defensive standout. A perimeter player, such as Pittsburgh's Sam Young, would be worth considering at No. 23, should he slip that far.

– Jason Jones

TOP FIVE SMALL FORWARDS

1. EARL CLARK

6-foot-9, 220 pounds, Louisville

A good ballhandler who should add flexibility to any lineup. Also a good rebounder.

2. AUSTIN DAYE

6-11, 200, Gonzaga

Can flat-out score, but he'll need to fill out his willowy frame.

3. SAM YOUNG

6-6, 220, Pittsburgh

Can score in a variety of ways and isn't afraid to crash the boards.

4. OMRI CASSPI

6-9, 225, Maccabi Tel Aviv

Plays both forward positions overseas but would need to get stronger to be an NBA power forward.

5. DaJUAN SUMMERS

6-8, 240, Georgetown

Has good size for the position. Showed the ability to score from the perimeter in college.

– Jason Jones

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