Even if Mayo drops out of the Top 3, there's no chance that he'll fall all the way to 12.  Someone in the Top 10 will pick him up based on previous hype if nothing else.

I also think that Augustin has a chance to make a push into the Top 10 with a decent Tourney showing (a la Conley last year).  Remember, he was expected to fall in this range at about the same time last year as well.

I also can't shake the feeling that Hibbert & Love will be gone before the Kings select too.

That said, I'd be happy with any of the four I mentioned above.

i love ty lawson.  he's lightning quick.  darren collison also intrigues me with his experience being to two straight final four's, and losing to the eventual champs Florida both times.  he's also lightning quick like lawson.  i really like darrell arthur from kansas.  he's a big scoring pf that we have been looking for and can grow with a skilled big in b. miller finding him on back cuts and in the post.  if hibbert falls to us, we have to take him based on the defense and rebounding he brings to the table.  with the future of the west in the big mans hands (oden, bynum) it would be nice to have a big that can match up with them(even though oden schooled hibbert in college last year).  hibbert's offense has gotten a lot better too, which was the big reason for him staying this last year, he wasn't ready for the NBA and i think he will be next year.

NBADraft.net's profile of Darrell Arthur. I find it interesting that very few people have mentioned him (unless you were referring to Arthur in your drafting for need bit).

He compares almost similarly the same way to Spencer Hawes did ago. I'm not saying NBAdraft is great or anything. What I'm saying it's a tad eery that the Kings need a big rebounding PF who can block some shots (Arthur can do this) and what not. Arthur has some post & mid range skills. It's an interesting thought to pair Hawes (a 10th pick) with Arthur (a potential 12th pick) and see what develops.

So if all that is wishful thinking so be it. If you drop an all star at any position minus a SG it isn't going to look good for your franchise's future (obviously). I say the Kings need to roll the dice a little with need, and pick a talented player like Arthur, and see what happens and if he can develop. What will they lose? Another 12th pick?

The list of players drafted at twelve does not excite me, but Geoff Petrie was not in charge of those picks. Given his draft (not free agent) track record, I feel that there will be enough talent left on the board for GP to secure us a contributor.

The fact that Petrie drafted Peja (14th), Martin (26th) and even Garcia (23rd) with draft positions worse than 12th gives me hope...

I wouldn't mind Love or Arthur or maybe Anthony Randolph...

And we have two 2nd round picks right?  Any chance of us moving up using those? Any potential Ginobilli's or Boozer's in the 2nd round this year?

I like both DJ White (Indiana) and Derrick Caracter (Louisville) for 2nd round picks...

In 1996 Kobe was drafted 13th. He was available at that spot (even if he made it known he only wanted to play for the Lakers).

In 1997 there wasn't anybody of franchise caliber note, other than Duncan (1st) Billups (3rd--and took a long time to get to an all-star level) McGrady (9th) and Olivier Saint Jean (11th).

TZ noted Croshere, but Scot Pollard and Bobby Jackson both were picked later in the 1st round that year, at 19 & 23 respectively.

There are a couple other role players but nothing that intrigues me. Another point about 1997 you can make is that, Anthony Johnson who was picked 39th, is actually a better player than Jacque Vaughn who was picked 27th that year. In otherwords the draft pick selection process can be a crap shoot outside of the top 20 picks or so.

I think it's safe to say that if there is a quality player at whatever spot the Kings pick Petrie won't miss that player. His track record supports that.

There's been a fair amount of talk at StR about Kevin Love, OJ Mayo and a couple of other possible prospects for the 2008 draft. Here are a few less-discussed players with lots of upside who we should have a shot at if we stay at 12...

Russell Westbrook (PG/SG: UCLA)
Westbrook unexpectedly emerged from the Bruin bench this year to position himself as a potential lottery pick. He's still learning to play PG, but is already averaging almost 6 asists per game playing in the same backcourt as Darren Collison. Good size and even better athleticism, super quick, with and an explosive first step. Check this out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FP0ua5xFw4
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Russell-Westbrook-5062/

Anthony Randolph (F; LSU)
I'll second the motion on Randolph. If the kid continues to develop he's a Top 5 pick in 2009, but the Kings might be able to get him on the cheap if he comes out this year. Despite his 6'11 frame, probably not a true power forward, but Randolph has great quickness, natural ability and slick skills that  drew a comparison with Shawn Marion at Draft Express. 19 year old needs polishing and also needs to grow into his body.
http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Anthony-Randolph-1069/

The only problem with these first two guys is that if they continue to play well this season and enter the draft there's a good chance they'll be off the board after the first 10 picks or so.

Next, three big men with upside who should be available at the 12 slot:

DeVon Hardin (C/PF; UC Berkeley)
prototype NBA body at 6'11" 250, Hardin is very strong, very athletic, with excellent leaoing ability and long arms. A very intelligent, mature, 4.0 student from Northern California. An excellent rebounder who can run the floor really well, but still has a limited offensive game, Hardin is  a senior who missed much of his junior season, and is still developing as a player. Put up 18 pts and 13 rebounds last night vs Washington.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmWw5K2ZwLk

Nathan Jawai (C/PF; Australia)
A bull of a player at 6'10" 280, Jawai relys on his brute strength to dominate around the basket, but also has a 7'4" wingspan, great leaping ability and a developing soft shooting touch too. Extremely raw, Jawai has only been playing hoops for five years, but seems to have a natural feel for the game. Nickname: "Baby Shaq".
http://nbadraft.net/admincp/profiles/nathanjawai.html

Alexis Ajinca
Definitely more of a roll of the dice here, Ajinca is 7'1" with a freakishly long 7'7" wingspan(!) and is very athletic. Not to mention the fact that he has a nice shooting touch and can even nail 3 pointers from waaay downtown. On the other hand, Ajinca is currently way too skinny to play post in the NBA (listed at just 210). Still, he's only 19, and drew a compasion to Kevin Garnett at NBADraft net, so he might be worth a long look.
http://www.nbadraft.net/profiles/alexisajinca.asp

V1 is now up and running at ESPN.com. If you like Ty Lawson you'll be happy.