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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/13282735p-14124997c.html
A Wells-spring of change for Kings
Jackson gone; only two are left on roster from 2002-03
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Saturday, July 23, 2005
It was the 2002-03 NBA season when the Kings finished 59-23, won the Pacific Division and many observers believed they had the league's deepest and most talented team.
A talented bench, led by tenacious guard Bobby Jackson, played a major role in Sacramento also ranking as the league's best field-goal percentage defensive squad. That team lost in the Western Conference semifinals to the Dallas Mavericks after Chris Webber suffered a season-ending knee injury during Game 2.
And now, only two players - Mike Bibby and Peja Stojakovic - remain from that squad after the Kings on Friday agreed to send Jackson and center Greg Ostertag to the Memphis Grizzlies for guard Bonzi Wells. The deal is part of a three-way trade that sends Ostertag back to the Utah Jazz for young swingman Kirk Snyder, center Curtis Borchardt and guard Raul López.
The deal was confirmed by Wells' agent, William Phillips.
The departure of starting shooting guard Cuttino Mobley via free agency to the Los Angeles Clippers created a vacancy it was clear the Kings did not believe second-year shooting guard Kevin Martin or rookie Francísco García were ready to fill. And it is a hole Wells, who arrives with a questionable reputation, can't wait to step into, Phillips said.
"Bonzi is coming to a team where he can get some significant minutes and show the player and person he actually is," Phillips said.
No one with the Kings knows Wells as intimately as assistant coach Elston Turner, who was an assistant in Portland during the 6-foot-5 swingman's first two seasons.
Turner said he has spoken to Wells recently and pointed to the situation of Jimmy Jackson signing with the Kings in the 2002-03 season and bringing a questionable reputation in his portfolio.
"We're friends," Turner said from Las Vegas of his relationship with Wells. "I told him about how Jimmy came here. I think our system will allow Bonzi's talents to flourish. I think there have been a very few number of flare-ups with players under (head coach) Rick (Adelman). Bonzi is a good player and a good guy.
"He's a guy I know personally, and I think this will rejuvenate his career and show what kind of person he is."
Geoff Petrie, the Kings' president of basketball operations, said he was limited in what he could say about most things because of the league's moratorium while its collective bargaining agreement is finalized. The moratorium will be lifted Thursday.
"There is a trade we intend to make with Memphis and Utah when the moratorium is over," Petrie said.
Wells, 28, averaged 10.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in 21.6 minutes during 69 games last season for the Grizzlies. He will be paid $8 million this season in the final year of his contract. Jackson, whose primary problem during his past three seasons with the Kings has been injuries, won the 2002-03 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award.
Last season, Jackson played in just 25 regular-season games because of a torn left wrist ligament. One of the team's most ferocious and competitive players, Jackson averaged 12 points on 42.7 percent field-goal shooting. He returned to play in each of the five games during the first-round loss to Seattle and averaged 5.2 points in 15.8 minutes per game.
Jackson, 32, who did not return phone calls Friday, will make $3.375 million in the final year of his contract.
Ostertag, who played his first nine seasons with Utah before signing as a free agent last summer with the Kings, had a disappointing 2004-05. He broke his hand during training camp and had trouble getting into good physical shape following that setback. Ostertag, 32, who averaged 9.9 minutes, 1.6 points and 3.0 rebounds in 56 games, will earn $4.4 million in the final year of his contract.
Turner said Wells brings the ability to break down defenders off the dribble and get to the basket as well as penetrate.
"He also brings the ability to play two positions, (shooting guard and small forward) and that gives us more flexibility," Turner said of the Muncie, Ind., native. "And although he's a small (forward), he can post up and score. So that's three things that we need."
A Wells-spring of change for Kings
Jackson gone; only two are left on roster from 2002-03
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Saturday, July 23, 2005
It was the 2002-03 NBA season when the Kings finished 59-23, won the Pacific Division and many observers believed they had the league's deepest and most talented team.
A talented bench, led by tenacious guard Bobby Jackson, played a major role in Sacramento also ranking as the league's best field-goal percentage defensive squad. That team lost in the Western Conference semifinals to the Dallas Mavericks after Chris Webber suffered a season-ending knee injury during Game 2.
And now, only two players - Mike Bibby and Peja Stojakovic - remain from that squad after the Kings on Friday agreed to send Jackson and center Greg Ostertag to the Memphis Grizzlies for guard Bonzi Wells. The deal is part of a three-way trade that sends Ostertag back to the Utah Jazz for young swingman Kirk Snyder, center Curtis Borchardt and guard Raul López.
The deal was confirmed by Wells' agent, William Phillips.
The departure of starting shooting guard Cuttino Mobley via free agency to the Los Angeles Clippers created a vacancy it was clear the Kings did not believe second-year shooting guard Kevin Martin or rookie Francísco García were ready to fill. And it is a hole Wells, who arrives with a questionable reputation, can't wait to step into, Phillips said.
"Bonzi is coming to a team where he can get some significant minutes and show the player and person he actually is," Phillips said.
No one with the Kings knows Wells as intimately as assistant coach Elston Turner, who was an assistant in Portland during the 6-foot-5 swingman's first two seasons.
Turner said he has spoken to Wells recently and pointed to the situation of Jimmy Jackson signing with the Kings in the 2002-03 season and bringing a questionable reputation in his portfolio.
"We're friends," Turner said from Las Vegas of his relationship with Wells. "I told him about how Jimmy came here. I think our system will allow Bonzi's talents to flourish. I think there have been a very few number of flare-ups with players under (head coach) Rick (Adelman). Bonzi is a good player and a good guy.
"He's a guy I know personally, and I think this will rejuvenate his career and show what kind of person he is."
Geoff Petrie, the Kings' president of basketball operations, said he was limited in what he could say about most things because of the league's moratorium while its collective bargaining agreement is finalized. The moratorium will be lifted Thursday.
"There is a trade we intend to make with Memphis and Utah when the moratorium is over," Petrie said.
Wells, 28, averaged 10.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in 21.6 minutes during 69 games last season for the Grizzlies. He will be paid $8 million this season in the final year of his contract. Jackson, whose primary problem during his past three seasons with the Kings has been injuries, won the 2002-03 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award.
Last season, Jackson played in just 25 regular-season games because of a torn left wrist ligament. One of the team's most ferocious and competitive players, Jackson averaged 12 points on 42.7 percent field-goal shooting. He returned to play in each of the five games during the first-round loss to Seattle and averaged 5.2 points in 15.8 minutes per game.
Jackson, 32, who did not return phone calls Friday, will make $3.375 million in the final year of his contract.
Ostertag, who played his first nine seasons with Utah before signing as a free agent last summer with the Kings, had a disappointing 2004-05. He broke his hand during training camp and had trouble getting into good physical shape following that setback. Ostertag, 32, who averaged 9.9 minutes, 1.6 points and 3.0 rebounds in 56 games, will earn $4.4 million in the final year of his contract.
Turner said Wells brings the ability to break down defenders off the dribble and get to the basket as well as penetrate.
"He also brings the ability to play two positions, (shooting guard and small forward) and that gives us more flexibility," Turner said of the Muncie, Ind., native. "And although he's a small (forward), he can post up and score. So that's three things that we need."
