It wasn’t too long ago one future NBA lottery pick made a confession.
As he sat in the green room at the NBA draft and the Kings were on the clock, he prayed. He prayed the Kings would not want him, and his prayer was answered.
The player, who asked not be identified, is like many draft prospects in recent years. Thoughts of being drafted by the Kings made players and their representatives cringe.
What was the direction of the franchise? Who was really in charge? Were the crazy things they’d read about ownership true?
The Kings won’t erase all the negative perceptions about the franchise in a matter of months, but last week’s NBA draft combine was a step in chipping away at the dysfunction that has defined the team for more than a decade amid losing, coaching changes and multiple attempts at relocation.