No one knows that DeMarcus Cousins will become a Sacramento King tonight because no one knows what will happen in picks 1-4. We have an idea, maybe a good idea that he will be on the board. But we don't know. And that will not be answered until roughly 4:50 PM Pacific. That specific question is not likely to be answered before then.

Can the Kings as a family save him from himself?

Does he need to be saved from himself?

Is the risk too great?

Can the Kings afford potential failure?

I'm reminded of one of my favorite Robert Frost poems, "Bravado."

But there has to be a plan, a system, to support the kid's growth. The lack of such only contributed to Hawes' failure in Sacramento; he, Hawes, takes a portion of blame too, and there's also the underlying possibility Hawes just isn't a starting big man in the NBA now or ever.

That underlying possibility simply doesn't exist for Cousins. He has the size today, the skills today and the ability today to be an NBA starter. And he is 19 years old.

Any potential failure comes down to Cousins' drive and the Kings' ability to develop him. There is no Team DeMarcus, no Blueprint. Cousins simply doesn't have the readymade support system Tyreke brought with him. He has to rely on himself and the franchise. And given the innate and unavoidable issues involved — his body type, his brash attitude, his position and his talent level — the team needs to be not just a pillar of strength for DeMarcus, but a rocket to aid his journey into the stratosphere.

He can't do it himself, and should the Kings land Cousins, the team must realize that and plan accordingly. DeMarcus is a sapling. Stake him, feed him, water him, and do everything you can to help him grow strong and blossom brilliantly.

***

I know that I just totally jinxed everything.