An NBA prospect wonders: Europe or Sacramento?

There’s a natural skepticism among players acquired or drafted by Sacramento. They don’t understand how an NBA franchise could be located so far from a major city.

In most cases, they discover that their fears were unfounded. “Really nice place,” they conclude. “Once you get there. Great fans, too.”

This long-standing dynamic comes into play as Luka Doncic, the most attractive NBA prospect in Europe, considers his options. If the Phoenix Suns draft Arizona center Deandre Ayton with the No.1 pick in the June 21 draft, the Kings are up next — with an eye on Doncic, just 19, a 6-foot-8 revelation who will lead his Real Madrid team into Sunday’s EuroLeague final against Fenerbahce (Istanbul).

Doncic surprised many observers this week when he announced his anxiety over the draft, saying he hasn’t decided whether to join the NBA or stay in Europe another year. It was the first sign of reluctance from Doncic, and it was widely assumed he wants no part of Sacramento.

Perhaps it won’t come to that. The Suns’ new coach is Igor Kokoskov, who coached Doncic on the Slovenian national team that won the EuroBasket title last year and is deeply enamored with his talents, saying “he would be a great fit on our team.” But there’s a faction in Phoenix, including talented swingman Josh Jackson, lobbying for Ayton, clearly the best all-around big man available. Moreover, general manager Ryan McDonough has left open the possibility of trading the Suns’ pick for veteran help.

To top things off, ESPN reporters Zach Lowe and Brian Windhorst have pointed to growing discord in Minnesota between Timberwolves management and center Karl-Anthony Towns. Devin Booker, the Suns’ best player, wasted no time jumping on that rumor. A teammate of Towns on Kentucky’s 2015 Final Four team, Booker tweeted a photo of Towns wearing a Suns uniform.

Warriors and the draft

Mock drafts were quickly assembled once the lottery order was established, and here’s what has been forecast for Golden State in the No. 28 slot:

SI.com: Shooting guard De’Anthony Melton, USC. Sat out this season and eventually withdrew from USC as a result of his connection to the FBI’s bribery scandal. Scouts love his defense and athleticism.

CBS Sports: Point guard Landry Shamet, Wichita State. Coveted for his shooting and sterling presence on a winning team.

ESPN: Point guard Jalen Brunson, Villanova. Won the John Wooden Award for his leadership and toughness. Respected floor general who can shoot.

USA Today: Shooting guard Tyus Battle, Syracuse. Big part of the team’s impressive tournament run, and an explosive athlete at 6-foot-6.

Around the NBA

•Phoenix fans will be glad to know that guard Elfrid Payton, recently acquired from Orlando, has finally shed what was undeniably the most preposterous hairstyle in NBA history. Perhaps he got the message this season when his hair — best described as a badly overgrown hedge — flopped down over his eyes and he airballed a shot. You wonder, though: Who wants a guy who would fashion that look for so long?

•What is it about the Cleveland Cavaliers and nutty point guards? The since-departed Kyrie Irving insists that the world is flat. Now there’s Jordan Clarkson, who appeared on the Road Trippin’ podcast and expressed a belief that in prehistoric times, “There was bigger people in the world, and the dinosaurs were their pets. Like, the people had to be three times bigger than them.” Clarkson also believes that the 1969 moon landing was a hoax. “I think they was in a studio in Hollywood and recorded that. Straight-up. I’m just being dead honest. They needed something to believe in back then.”

•With two lottery picks (Nos. 12 and 13) and myriad trade options — Kawhi Leonard is an obvious target — the Clippers are about to get their money’s worth from adviser Jerry West, said to be a strong voice in the organizational hierarchy. The New York Times reported that after being asked to take a pay cut from the Warriors, West is earning between $4 million and $5 million per year in L.A. “You have to be wanted,” West said. “Leaving the Warriors was probably the most difficult thing for me in my whole life. I didn’t want to leave. You just get to the point where maybe you don’t feel as valued, but I hold no malice toward anyone over there. It didn’t end the way I wanted it to, that’s for sure. But this is a perfect role for me.”

•West has no interest in analytics. None whatsoever, and good for him. Over the course of highly successful management runs with the Lakers, Grizzlies and Warriors, he knows the best analysis comes from watching a player several times (ideally at his best and worst, stresses West), seeing how he reacts to pressure, gauging the consistency of his temperament, and talking to coaches, teammates, rivals and family. That’s it; all you need to know. West’s old-school thinking came to mind during the Warriors’ Friday practice when someone asked coach Steve Kerr about Draymond Green’s declining numbers since the New Orleans series.

“Numbers don’t matter,” Kerr said. “Every series is different. The Pelicans played at an ungodly pace, so everyone’s numbers are going to be up. So who cares? Triple-double is just a bunch of crap. Honestly. It looks great, whatever. Each series presents different challenges. Who the hell cares about triple-doubles, numbers, whatever? It’s all about how we can win the next game. And Draymond is a flat-out winner and one of the best competitors I’ve ever been around.”

Bruce Jenkins is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: [email protected] Twitter: @Bruce_Jenkins1