BLOG UPDATE: The Kings announced the prospects who will be joining Jrue Holiday in Thursday's workout. Beyond the UCLA point guard, it will be guards Aaron Jackson (Duquesne), Josh Akognon (Cal State Fullerton), Brandon Ewing (Wyoming), forward Tremaine Townsend (Cal State Northridge), and center John Bryant (Santa Clara).
Now that the Kings know their draft position in the lottery, where they will be selecting the No.4 pick (along with picks No.23 and 31), the emphasis within organization switches to the ongoing coaching search and the individual workouts. As Sam Amick revealed last night, interviews with assistants Kurt Rambis and Tom Thibodeau are expected, though it's unlikely Geoff Petrie will meet with Rambis until the Lakers are between series' or out of the playoffs.
But potential draft prospects already are coming to town. UCLA guard Jrue Holiday will be the first of possibly 30 or 40 players to audition at the Kings' practice facility, when he arrives for his noon workout on Thursday. The sessions will include running, shooting drills and three-on-three sessions, with Petrie directing the action as usual. (The other five participants are considered longshots to make the league, though most cling to their dream). Also, in contrast to seasons past, Petrie is allowing members of the media to watch the three-on-three sessions and talk to the players afterward.
What we already know about Holiday is this: He holds some intrigue, though probably not at No.4. If the Kings like what they see, they might try to move back a few spots to grab him. The 6-foot-4 Holiday struggled in the backcourt with Darren Collison in his only college season, partly, he claims, because he is more comfortable as a primary ballhandler than shooting guard. None of his statistics are overwhelming. But he was a highly regarded prep star known as an excellent finisher at the basket with good defensive instincts, and a shaky outside shot.
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