Dec 8, 2012; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots past Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins (15) at the Rose Garden. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA Today Sports

I fully admit I wasn’t a big Damian Lillard fan coming into the 2012 NBA Draft – not that I didn’t think he had talent or wouldn’t be a good fit for the Kings, I was just a bigger fan of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and to a lesser extent, Thomas Robinson. Lillard was my distant third choice if both MKG and Robinson were off the board but it appears the Sacramento Kings front office had high hopes for Lillard and the rumors about the Kings thinking about selecting the Weber State product were more than real.

According to Sam Amick, the Kings indeed were very close to selecting Lillard in the NBA’s most recent draft, though opted for the “safe route” in Thomas Robinson because of concerns about the Maloof’s desire to pay impending free agent Jason Thompson:

There was strong support for Lillard among the team’s front-office and scouting staff, but the unexpected chance to grab Robinson when he slid was seen as a safer option in case the Maloofs didn’t pay the market price for Thompson and the team was left with Cousins and veteran forward Chuck Hayes on the frontline.

Dysfunctional isn’t even the word for the Kings organization in recent years and for a front office to not be in-line with ownership is – well – frighting. The blind leading the blind.

I still don’t fault the Kings for grabbing Robinson over Lillard – but for the front office and ownership to not be 100% on the same page? Yuck.

4:59 PM – Sacramento Kings select Kansas’ Thomas Robinson in 2012 NBA Draft

4:23 PM – Chris Mannix – The Rockets are talking to the Bobcats and Kings and pushing hard to acquire a top-five pick

4:16 PM – Jeff Goodman – If the Cavs trade up to No. 2 to land Bradley Beal, the Wizards will likely decide between Harrison Barnes and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist at No.3, with Barnes having the slight edge

4:16 PM – David Aldridge – Charlotte still mulling. Can tell you Washington stays at three, Sac stays at five and Portland at six. Cleveland still trying 2 move up…

2:46 PM – Wojo – Among teams trying to move into lottery, belief is Sacramento (5th pick) and Golden State (7th) will make trade decisions “on the clock.”

2:38 PM – Sam Amick & Rick Bonnell – From what I hear, HOU isn’t nearly as close to acquiring No. 5 pick as is being portrayed

1:56 PM – Marc Stein – Rockets have offered even more than the widely reported package of versatile but disgruntled guard Kyle Lowry and multiple picks later in Thursday’s first round. Houston currently holds the Nos. 12, 16 and 18 picks.

1:38 PM – Marc Stein – Kings won’t decide whether to do deal w/Rockets until draft starts but sources say they’d be walking away from “a lot” if they pass

1:36 PM – Chad Ford & Marc Stein – Trade talks between the Sacramento Kings and Houston Rockets have intensified in the hours leading up to Thursday night’s NBA draft and have put the Rockets in pole position to acquire the Kings’ No. 5 pick if Sacramento elects to trade it, according to sources close to the process. Sources told ESPN.com that the Kings plan to wait as long as possible before committing to the trade to see who falls to them at No. 5. It’s believed that Sacramento will walk away from the trade if Kansas’ Thomas Robinson is still available after four picks are made.

1:05 PM – Chad Ford – Ford expects Sacramento to draft Andre Drummond in his latest Mock, just hours before the Draft.

12:59 PM – James Ham – Sources are telling me that the Kings are still in “wait and see mode.” They really like Thomas Robinson and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, but if neither player is available at #5 (completely possible), then they will most likely choose between the grouping of Dion Waiters, Damian Lillard and North Carolina big man John Henson. I continue to hear that the Kings are luke warm on Harrison Barnes, but there is always a possibility that is just a smoke screen.

11:34 AM – Jason Jones – I still have a hard time believing Kings pass on Barnes or MKG. Told them not visiting Sacramento will not keep Kings from drafting them.

10:26 AM – Sam Amick- With the obligatory “things can change” caveat attached, I’m told that the Kings are likely to keep the fifth pick despite Houston’s well-chronicled attempts to acquire it. For now, I’m thinking they’d either take Barnes here or move back if they decide go big.

9:56 AM – Chad Ford – If the Cavs stay at No. 4 and Beal is off the board, their front office is torn between Kidd-Gilchrist and Barnes. While Barnes provides more punch offensively, the Cavs are intrigued by the defensive abilities and leadership qualities of Kidd-Gilchrist. Kidd-Gilchrist and Irving were high school teammates and won a state championship together. Sources say that as of Thursday, Kidd-Gilchrist had a slight lead over Barnes.

9:48 AM – Marc. J. Spears – Kings (owners of 5th) also high on Harrison Barnes, too.

9:45 AM – Jason Jones – Nothing new yet. A lot will hinge on what Charlotte does. So we wait…..

9:10 AM – Chad Ford – The Kings aren’t in love with anyone here if this scenario plays out this way. Sources say that the Kings are still confident they’ll make a deal with the Rockets (who covet Drummond). If they don’t, sources say GM Geoff Petrie is now leaning toward taking Drummond over Barnes. He feels it’s a more tradable chip down the road and the team needs a shot-blocker (the one thing Drummond does well now) next to DeMarcus Cousins.

8:48 AM – Marc J. Spears – Kings will not entertain trading 5th pick until they see who is available, sources tell Y! Word is Sacramento loves Kansas’ Thomas Robinson.

8:39 AM – Hoopsworld – The Rockets are still trying to acquire first-round picks in the hours leading up to the draft, specifically the Sacramento Kings’ fifth overall pick and Toronto Raptors’ eighth overall pick.