With the relocation saga behind us, there is actual basketball to return to in Sacramento and it begins Tuesday with the NBA Draft Lottery. A source within the Kings orgaization has confirmed to Cowbell Kingdom that Keith Smart will represent the team in New York tomorrow night.
Ryan Lillis of the Sacramento Bee was first to report the news. Cowbell Kingdom was told the decision to send the Kings head coach was made a few weeks ago by the Maloofs. The current Kings owners are still awaiting formal approval by the NBA to sell controlling interest of the team to TIBCO founder Vivek Ranadivé and company.
While Smart will represent the club on Tuesday night, there are no assurances that he will be back with the team for the 2013-14 season. The ownership group is expected to make dramatic changes to the front office and coaching staff once the stake is transferred. Smart has one year remaining on the deal he signed when he took over as Kings coach eight games into the 2011-12 season.
The Kings currently sit with the sixth best odds in the draft lottery, meaning they have just a 6.3 percent chance of moving into the top spot. The Kings will potentially select at either No. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8 or 9 in the 2013 Draft, which takes place on Thursday, June 27. Several mock drafts are projecting Kentucky Wildcats’ big man Nerlens Noel is to be chosen with the first overall pick.
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