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Rubio is reportedly returning to Sacramento tomorrow for a workout, which should ease one of the concerns the team has about being unable to watch him last week.

As messy as the rest of the top five sounds, Sacramento’s situation might be the most confusing. It’s looking more and more clear that the Kings are not nearly as enamored with Ricky Rubio as they once were, for a number of reasons. The official party line is that Sacramento is concerned that Rubio will struggle to assert his leadership ability on the group of players they currently have in place, due to the fact that he’s only 18 years old and not a native English speaker. One of the biggest issues Sacramento had last year was with the culture of their team lockerroom. On top of that, the Kings are worried that will Rubio will have a huge target on his chest coming into the NBA, and that other players will “try to go at him every single night.”

Something important to keep in mind is that long-time Kings General Manager Geoff Petrie has just one year left on his contract, and that ownership is putting a great deal of pressure on him to ensure that they don’t go through as painful a season as they just did in 08-09, winning just 17 games. With that in mind, they may opt to just put a Band-Aid on the problem and draft a more ready player, such as Tyreke Evans or Jonny Flynn—who is very attractive due to his outgoing personality and terrific leadership skills-- and hope that things magically get better next season.

This is a situation that seemed almost unfathomable a few months ago, as the Kings were supposedly so enamored with Rubio’s talent that they were strongly considering drafting him with the #1 pick before falling to the #4 slot in the lottery. Considering what we know about all these prospects, it’s tough not to think that Sacramento would be making a colossal mistake letting a playmaker of Rubio’s caliber get by them, as his upside is substantially higher than that of Evans or Flynn.

Jonny Flynn happened to work out in Sacramento this weekend, alongside other Kings favorite Tyreke Evans, as well as Stephen Curry, Nick Calathes. It’s well known at this point that Flynn is not getting past Milwaukee’s pick at #10 at worst, but his chances of going 4th seem to be improving by the day. It’s too early to rule out Evans at Sacramento’s pick either, even though Rubio is still very much in the picture as well.

SacKingZZZ wrote:I don't know if they are smokescreens anymore. For Rubio to finally do a workout, and have to come back to do it makes me think he knows there is a real possibility that the Kings let him slide past them.

St.Nick wrote:These are smokescreens, IMO. The Kings need a playmaking passer and Rubio is the guy.

SacKingZZZ wrote:I don't know if they are smokescreens anymore. For Rubio to finally do a workout, and have to come back to do it makes me think he knows there is a real possibility that the Kings let him slide past them.

Smills91 wrote:

St.Nick wrote:These are smokescreens, IMO. The Kings need a playmaking passer and Rubio is the guy.

Agreed. But these are by FAR the best smokescreens out in print. Noone believes the Grizzlies, and people are very doubtful of Presti. I mean look at the reputable Givony, he's sticking to his guns with Rubio being there and picked by the Kings at 4. I tend to agree with him there.

SacKingZZZ wrote:I don't know if they are smokescreens anymore. For Rubio to finally do a workout, and have to come back to do it makes me think he knows there is a real possibility that the Kings let him slide past them.

This is WHY these are the BEST smokescreens. Both Fegan and Petrie/Levian have executed this smokescreen to precision. This is the way to de-value Rubio enough to get him to 4 and impede a bidding war from outside teams and the Kings to moving up to the 2nd. Fegan wants Rubio in Sacramento(for whatever reason, I don't care), but as a PG he NEEDS the best talent around him as possible to flourish. Dealing up, diminish future assets for Rubio to excel at. Getting Rubio to the Kings at 4 is the best situation all around - Basketball wise, life-style wise(similar climate), and financial-wise(as 4th is better than the possibility of him slipping to 5-6-7 or 8).

I think this has all been a charade to keep the offers of moving up for Rubio at BAY from other teams, and it's been brilliant.

I fully expect Rubio to be available and picked by the Kings at #4 now.

I think the Grizz settle on Harden at #2(BPA who WANTS to be in Memphis) and that the Thunder ultimately settle on Thabeet(Cheaper version of Chandler - and they can go after Ben Gordon for their 2 spot) - Rubio doesn't make sense in OKC not only for Westbrook, but also for the possibility that Livingston pans out(and he's making strong strides towards that).

I see Rubio leading our breaks next year, and that seems like a GREAT fit all around.

So my prediction is:

1) Griffin
2) Harden
3) Thabeet
4) Rubio

With NO trades inside the top 4.

Smills91 wrote:

This is WHY these are the BEST smokescreens. Both Fegan and Petrie/Levian have executed this smokescreen to precision. This is the way to de-value Rubio enough to get him to 4 and impede a bidding war from outside teams and the Kings to moving up to the 2nd. Fegan wants Rubio in Sacramento(for whatever reason, I don't care), but as a PG he NEEDS the best talent around him as possible to flourish. Dealing up, diminish future assets for Rubio to excel at. Getting Rubio to the Kings at 4 is the best situation all around - Basketball wise, life-style wise(similar climate), and financial-wise(as 4th is better than the possibility of him slipping to 5-6-7 or 8).

I think this has all been a charade to keep the offers of moving up for Rubio at BAY from other teams, and it's been brilliant.

I fully expect Rubio to be available and picked by the Kings at #4 now.

I think the Grizz settle on Harden at #2(BPA who WANTS to be in Memphis) and that the Thunder ultimately settle on Thabeet(Cheaper version of Chandler - and they can go after Ben Gordon for their 2 spot) - Rubio doesn't make sense in OKC not only for Westbrook, but also for the possibility that Livingston pans out(and he's making strong strides towards that).

I see Rubio leading our breaks next year, and that seems like a GREAT fit all around.

So my prediction is:

1) Griffin
2) Harden
3) Thabeet
4) Rubio

With NO trades inside the top 4.

perezident wrote:is there ANY video postage yet?? Of the work-out OR an inteview from Rubes saying how it was??

What is taking them so long!! I need to know how it went lol!!

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.

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.

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.