Isaiah Thomas was a pleasant surprise as the 60th overall pick in the 2011 draft, making the NBA's All-Rookie Second Team and finishing seventh in Rookie of the Year voting.
That said, the diminutive 5-foot-9 point guard isn't seen as the long term answer in California's capital and the Kings are seriously considering moving the fifth overall selection in the 2012 draft to Houston for Kyle Lowry.
Lowry would give the Kings a true quarterback to work alongside emerging star big man DeMarcus Cousins as well as former Rookie of the Year winner Tyreke Evans and scorer Marcus Thornton.
If Sacramento is forced to stay put they should have several options at No. 5. UNC forward Harrison Barnes or Kentucky product Michael Kidd-Gilchrist could solidify the small forward position and UConn center Andre Drummond could form a twin towers scenario with Cousins.
The Kings did extend a qualifying offer to forward Jason Thompson on Monday, ensuring that the team will have right of first refusal should another team try to sign the big man.
Under Contract: G: Tyreke Evans; G: Jimmer Fredette; G: Isaiah Thomas; G: Marcus Thornton; F: Francisco Garcia; F: Tyler Honeycutt; F: Travis Outlaw; F: John Salmons; F/C: Chuck Hayes; C: DeMarcus Cousins; C: Hassan Whiteside
Free Agents: F: Donte Greene (restricted); F: Jason Thompson (restricted); F: Terrence Williams (restricted)
Recent Draft History 2011: Jimmer Fredette (10); Tyler Honeycutt (35); Isaiah Thomas (60) 2010: DeMarcus Cousins (5); Hassan Whiteside (33) 2009: Tyreke Evans (5); Omri Casspi (23); Jeff Pendergraph (31) 2008: Jason Thompson (12); Sean Singletary (42); Patrick Ewing, Jr. (43) 2007: Spencer Hawes (10)
Draft picks: 1st round (5th overall), 2nd round (36th overall)
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