Fri Jun 20 09:45:46 2008

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Sacramento Kings 2008 Draft Preview

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(Sports Network) - Sacramento has the 12th overall pick in the draft, and also owns two second-round picks (42, 43). The Kings need help in the frontcourt and could use a point guard.

It would be fair to say the sharp-shooting Kevin Martin is the only untouchable player on Sacramento's roster. The 25-year-old Martin averaged a team-best 23.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 61 games this past season.

Twenty-eight-year-old Ron Artest and 32-year-old Brad Miller could be the subjects of trade talk during the offseason, while the Kings are hopeful last year's first-round pick Spencer Hawes will improve in his sophomore campaign. Swingmen Francisco Garcia and John Salmons had solid seasons and guard Beno Udrih was a big surprise at the point.

The Kings could be very close to tearing their roster completely apart and rebuilding. That would mean trading Artest, Miller and some of the other veterans for expiring contracts, draft picks and younger players.

Joe Alexander of West Virginia, Syracuse's Donte Green, Danilo Gallinari of Italy and Kansas' Darrell Arthur are all possibilities at No. 12 if Sacramento decides to go with a forward, while DJ Augustin of Texas and UCLA's Russell Westbrook could be on Sacramento's radar if they decide to go with a guards.

2007-08 Results: 38-44, did not qualify for playoffs.

Key Player(s): Shareef Abdur-Rahim (Forward), Ron Artest (Forward), Quincy Douby (Guard), Francisco Garcia (Guard), Spencer Hawes (Center), Kevin Martin (Guard), Brad Miller (Center), Mikki Moore (Center/Forward), John Salmons (Forward/Guard), Kenny Thomas (Forward), Beno Udrih (Guard), Shelden Williams (Forward).

Team Needs: Rebounding, point guard and toughness.

Draft picks: 1st round (12th overall), 2nd round (42nd overall), 2nd round (43rd overall).