THIS is the Geoff Petrie we’ve been waiting to see. The Kings are in a good salary cap zone, have added three seven-footers in the last week or so, and are one ball-handler/ outside shooter (JJ Redick?) from being able to roll the ball out there and see what they’ve got. I’m sure Petrie will test the free agent waters to see if a big name wants to land here, but I see the current roster plus a shooter as the team that enters the regular season.

My opinion on the draft:

DMC: The guy who was so obvious that none of us though the Kings would actually pick him, or at least keep him after the selection. Half of me expected to hear the name of some Aborigine small forward who has only played on dirt shooting into a homemade basket attached to a tree. When DMC was called, and then NOT traded when Detroit drafted Monroe, I exhaled and felt like Tyreke just got the big man that he can pair with to get this team into contention for years to come. Hearing John Calipari praise DMC on the Rise Guys this morning eliminated any doubt in my mind. Drafting DMC in the year after Tyreke will go down as a franchise-changing pick. I still can’t believe he actually landed here.

Whiteside: This guy was an interesting pick in the teens, a risk-reward pick in the twenties, and ultimately a GREAT pick at #33. Watching his name on Jay Bilas’ ‘best available’ through the end of the first round and into the second, I expected him to get snatched up just before the Kings picked. The same scenario happened last year when DeJuan Blair fell. The difference was the Kings actually selected Whiteside. Getting a fringe lottery talent with potential to be a special player is great using a second round pick. My only concern is the idea of sending him to Reno to develop. As a second-round pick, he’s not under contract as long and won’t be guaranteed. Having him play against DMC and Dalmebert in practice and giving him limited playing time would be more valuable, in my opinion.

The Kings roster is now loaded with frontcourt players, so whether Brockman returns will be interesting. I think he fills a role as a hustle/hard-working guy, but is there room? The Kings should be very good around the basket, but who will hit the outside shot? Could be Garcia, but he’s due to injure himself opening a soda or balancing his checkbook any day now.