Apparently, Portland Trail Blazers star CJ McCollum could have been with the Sacramento Kings had the team honored their promise to pick him in the 2013 NBA Draft.

McCollum made the revelation during the latest episode of “All the Smoke” podcast with Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, saying that the Kings snubbed him after Ben McLemore fell to number seven in the draft.

“The Sacramento Kings promised me at seven. They said that they were going to draft me if I was available. And then Ben McLemore fell, and they ended up drafting him. So, I thought I was going to Sacramento,” the Blazers star said (h/t Dan Feldman of NBC Sports).

For what it's worth, McLemore was projected to be a Top-5 pick at the time, so the Kings' decision to draft him instead is understandable. However, the Sacramento franchise is probably regretting that now after the swingman didn't develop to the player they expected him to be.

On the other hand, McCollum, who fell to 10th on the Blazers, developed into a true offensive threat alongside Damian Lillard. While he is yet to make the All-Star team, there's no doubt he's a borderline star who can break out any time soon.

In fact, had it not been for a fractured foot earlier in the 2020-21 season, a case could be made that he'd make his first All-Star team. After all, before his injury, he was averaging 26.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game.

Portland fans are certainly thankful the Kings backed out of their promise. Had they opted to take CJ McCollum seventh overall, it'll be tough for Lillard to carry the team alone.