Hello all. As you know it is the middle of the summer, and not a lot is happening in the basketball world.  So I would like to present you with a somewhat interesting, extremely hypothetical situation.

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First off, let me introduce myself, I am a long time reader, first time writer. I have been a Kings fan since the early late-'90s to early-'00s "mini-dynasty." I am only 16 but I like to think I know a thing or two about the NBA.

Anyway, I was thinking what would be "best-case scenarios" for the Kings. I think to get the most out of this draft, we will need to make some sort of trade, whether it be up for Rubio/Griffen or down for multiple picks. These are four trade possibilities that I would be happy with, in order of most desirable to least.

1. First, if I'm GP, I call up the Clippers and see if we can't get their pick without giving up K-Mart, JT, or Hawes. If that means we have to take on Randolph's toxic contract/personality, so be it. I dont think we are a playoff team next season anyway and during the 2010 season he could be a bargaining chip as he will be in the last year of his contract. I doubt the Clippers would agree to that sort of deal, but, hey, its definitely worth a try as I believe Griffen is the best and most sure-fire guy in this draft.

2. This is the scenario everyone is hoping for. If Memphis decides they don't want Rubio (whether thats because they don't want him or because he doesn't want them) the guy they would want would seemingly be Thabeet. Chad Ford reports that they are quite interested in him, and as it has been said on here his "sources" are often accurate. So lets say they want Thabeet. They know that if they pass up on Thabeet, OKC will jump all over him at 3 and they will be unable to make a post-draft trade for him (like the Mayo-Love deal last year). So if they want Thabeet I think they stay at two and take him.

          So in this scenario, OKC is in the position to take Rubio. I have to assume that he is not their first choice. They have Westbrook, and have said he is their point guard. Plus I think Rubio and Westbrook is a terrible shooting frontcourt and they would like to surround a slasher like Durant with shooters. So even though I think they wouldn't want Rubio, I could see them taking him anyway, telling Petrie to take Harden, and then trading afterwards. I think this is a very realistic possibility that of course would be excellent for the Kings.

3. However, if Memphis does want Rubio, as I have read in a few places, they have another young point guard already on there roster who looks ready for a break out season. That leads me to scenario three. If Memphis takes Ricky (knock on wood) I would call them up immediately and try to get Mike Conley. I really see him as abreakout guy next year, and he has proven that he is a capable NBA point guard. A simple #4-Conley swap (I believe we have the cap space to take on his contract, but I am not positive) would not be the sexiest or most exciting scenario, but I think it would be great for our future.

4. Scenario four is the most "boom or bust" scenario. This is of course assuming that we are unable to get Griffen, Rubio, or Conley. I would call up Washington, and try to get their #5 and Etan Thomas' contract for #23, Donte, and possibly another asset (#31 or even Garcia if necessary). I believe Washington would really consider this, as they did something similar when they game up a top five pick for Antawn Jamison way-back-when. I would then use the picks on Tyreke Evans at #4 and Demar DeRozan at #5. Evans can play the point if we need him to, and if we are in a position to get Wall next year, we could move him over to the two or the three and be fine. These are possibly the two highest-ceiling players in the draft in my opinion, and if even one of them lived up to their potential, it would be a successful deal. If both of them do, we are Blazers 2.0. On top of that we have Thomas and K9(woof!)'s contracts expiring next year, and a shot at a star player in the legendary summer '10.

I know it is quite likely that none of these will work out, but they are just to get everyone thinking about some of our other options.