It's the 2008 draft that burns a little more.

The question in this headline isn't some sort of j'accuse: it's a straight-up inquiry. Given Petrie's long-held adoration for big men with ball-handling skills (that was part of the justification for Thompson, that he could pass and handle like a guard; that hasn't played out in the NBA) and the team's need for size (Hibbert was the biggest player in the draft), it's hard to pinpoint exactly why the Kings didn't take Hibbert at No. 12. Did Petrie feel that he replicated Hawes? Were there overwhelming concerns about Roy's fitness and dedication? Was there some red flag that has since faded out of view?

Whatever the case, it turns out it was an unfortunate miss. The Kings might not be a playoff team with Hibbert instead of Thompson, but All-Star picked in the teens are rare, and Sacramento missed one right in front of its face as the rebuild began in earnest. If you're looking for reasons as to why the Kings are still rebuilding, the miss on Roy Hibbert is one of them.