Kings interview two point guard prospects in final pre-draft workout

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SACRAMENTO -- The barrage is over. 101 NBA Draft prospects have rolled through Sacramento over the last few weeks, each with an eye on one of the Kings’ three second-round selections.

It was a thorough search by general manager Vlade Divac and his group of executives and scouts. One that will likely be repeated next summer when the Kings have four second-round selections and again in 2021 when they have another three.

Can the Kings find a diamond in the rough? That has yet to be seen, but at least the team has turned over almost every stone imaginable.

Of the 17 groups of six to walk through the Kings’ practice facility, Virginia’s Kyle Guy is the lone prospect to drop by twice. The sharpshooter looked extremely comfortable in the Kings’ gym, launching and hitting countless 3-pointers as the talent evaluators looked on.

“I definitely had an advantage,” Guy said following the workout. “But if you can shoot, you can shoot anywhere. I’m just happy that I got a call back.”

Sacramento already knows Guy can shoot. The junior guard knocked down 42.6 percent last season from long range on 7.4 attempts per game for the Cavaliers. He has a lightning quick release, which might help make up for his lack of elite size.

The draft process is brutal for these players. Guy was on the west coast over the weekend working out for the Lakers and had just flown home when he got the call.

“Yesterday I flew home to [Indianapolis] and I get a call at noon to come back on a flight at 3:30,” Guy said. “So, definitely a grind, but again, it’s a good problem to have. I’m very grateful for the opportunities.”

Guy’s pre-draft workout on Monday was his 12th and he has another scheduled for Tuesday.

After taking home an NCAA championship and winning the Final Four Most Outstanding Player award, there are no promises that Guy will hear his name called Thursday evening during the draft.

This is the life of a college player trying to make the transition to the NBA. Nothing is certain.

Guy matched up against UCLA’s Jaylen Hands. While not the same level of shooter, Hands is bigger and is more of a true point guard.

“I like to play uptempo, I like to get up and down a lot, I like to use my speed, get down hill, so I really like that” Hands said of head coach Luke Walton’s play style.

Hands averaged 14.2 points and 6.1 assists last season for the Bruins. At 6-foot-3 with nearly a 6-foot-6 wingspan, Hands has good size for a point guard projects as a solid two-way player at the NBA level.

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Sacramento could be looking for a point guard to develop, be it at the G League or NBA level. Both of these players should be on the board when the Kings draft at pick No. 40 and possibly even No. 47.

With the draft on Thursday evening, the Kings are officially done with workouts. They’ve pulled all of their scouts and executives back to Sacramento and the evaluation process is well underway.

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