Latest from the Bee:
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14296012p-15146166c.html
Kings find a backup center
Loren Woods -- 7-2 -- should help block shots and rebound.
By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:01 am PDT Sunday, August 13, 2006
Loren Woods will soon be a member of the Kings, according to his agent.
Jason Levien, who represents the 7-foot-2 free-agent center, said his client and the Kings agreed to contract terms Saturday. Woods, a five-year veteran who has played sparingly throughout his career, is expected to fly to Sacramento on Monday. The deal is expected to be finalized Tuesday.
Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie did not immediately return a call for comment.
"Loren is bouncing off the walls, he's so excited," Levien said. "He really feels like this could be a good place for him."
A league source said the deal is for one year, paying Woods between $950,000 and $1 million, while keeping the Kings' payroll below the luxury tax threshold of $65.42 million.
Woods, a University of Arizona product who was drafted in the second round by Minnesota in 2001, played the last two seasons in Toronto.
Conceivably, he would back up Kings center Brad Miller, with little-used veteran Vitaly Potapenko also available.
In their search for a big man backup, the Kings also considered Michael Olowokandi, Kelvin Cato and former King Scot Pollard. According to the Seattle Times, the Kings also had contacted the Sonics about a trade for 23-year-old Chris Wilcox.
"The Kings think Loren hasn't shown what he can really do yet," Levien said.
The Kings' hope, of course, is Woods will aid the rebounding and shot-blocking efforts. When given minutes, he has shown an ability to do so, but playing time has been hard to come by.
Woods played 60 games his rookie season, 38 in each of the next two seasons and 45 in 2004-05, when he started 30 games for the Raptors before being replaced by then-lottery draft pick Rafael Araujo. It was Woods' best statistical season, as he averaged 15.8 minutes, 4.9 rebounds, 3.9 points and .87 blocks a game.
Last season, he played in 27 games, starting four.
Woods played his first two pro seasons in Minnesota and his third in Miami before heading to Toronto. He came to Sacramento on Aug. 4. He went out to dinner with Kings coach Eric Musselman and worked out at the Kings' practice facility last weekend.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.