Bee: 2 forward steps for Kings?

[Vlad]

Here is the Bee's article...
http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/13387064p-14228592c.html
2 forward steps for Kings?

Jamal Sampson signs, and Abdur-Rahim is back in the mix as the Blazers-Nets deal fizzles.



The free-agent signing of Jamal Sampson Tuesday hardly was a fortification of the Kings' frontcourt. It was more of a minor reinforcement, with the 6-foot-11, 235-pound forward from Cal re-entering the league in his fourth year.

Nets' announcement of a rescinded sign-and-trade with Portland for Shareef Abdur-Rahim came the immediate reality that the nine-year veteran forward is back on the Kings' wish list. The Kings are on Abdur-Rahim's list of teams as well, with the failed proceedings of their first go-round now working in Sacramento's favor.

Abdur-Rahim's agent, Aaron Goodwin, said the Kings were willing to "do anything" to secure a deal with the one-time All-Star before he agreed in principle with New Jersey. The gesture was appreciated, and remembered, as was Abdur-Rahim's trip to Sacramento on which he was given the A-list tour in July.

"The beauty of the Kings was that, originally, they were willing to go out and do whatever they could to get Shareef," Goodwin said. "They discussed sign-and-trades with Portland, who didn't cooperate. (Still), we appreciated that fact. ...

"They are absolutely a serious team that we're looking at. ... I enjoy a great relationship with Sacramento's owners and know it's a situation where there's a need for (Abdur-Rahim's) style."

Abdur-Rahim won't be a Net because he failed the team physical, which revealed scar tissue in his right knee. The knee was surgically repaired in high school, and he never has missed a game due to the condition.

New Jersey subsequently traded cash and future considerations to Philadelphia for forward/center Marc Jackson.

Still, Nets president Rod Thorn was concerned arthritis would be a problem in the long term, deciding against giving the 28-year-old $38 million over six years. The Nets would have given Portland a $4.9 million trade exception and a 2006 first-round draft pick.

Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie was optimistic about his team's prospects and, apparently, unconcerned about the physical issues.

"In light of the events of (Tuesday), and that Shareef is now a free agent, we have very, very, very serious interest in trying to work something out in the next couple of days," Petrie said. "It's highly unlikely that this would be a sign-and-trade deal."

A sign-and-trade would be possible only if Portland general manager John Nash were willing to cooperate. He was adamant last month he wanted no salaries in return but may have changed his mind after he couldn't secure the trade exception he covets. Such a deal would give Abdur-Rahim a larger contract over six years, rather than the maximum of five years he can sign for with a new team. Nash was on vacation and unavailable for comment.

The Kings also retain a $5 million midlevel exception that could be used to land the player who has averaged 19.8 points per game in his career.

According to Goodwin, the ordeal has left Abdur-Rahim eager to join a team like the Kings.

"It was disheartening to see him played as someone who has an injury, which he doesn't," said Goodwin, whose client made $14.6 million last season. "This is all based on what could happen five or six years from now."

The terms of Sampson's deal are not yet known. Officially, the Kings become his sixth team since leaving Cal early. Sampson - who is the cousin of former King Ralph Sampson - was picked in the second round of the 2002 NBA draft. He then immediately was shipped from Utah to Orlando to Milwaukee. He has played with the Los Angeles Lakers and Charlotte since, and was waived by the Bobcats in February. He has averaged 12.2 minutes and 2.8 points over 38 games since his rookie season.

 

[piksi]

what are the chances of SAR staying healthy in Kings uniform ?

 

[kingkung]

Shareef?

eh... I'd be happy as long as the Kings don't overpay for him (and his potentially arthritic knee).

The measure of my value of a player can be determined by how disappointed I am when the Kings DON'T get him. When Shareef signed with the Nets, I was only mildly disappointed. Nene, slightly more disappointed.

 

[KingKong]

This could be a situation where either the injury gods are really pissed at us by landing Reef in our laps, only to join our epidemic team and inevitabely get injured, or they are really having a change of heart and cutting us a break with the mysterious scar tissue showing up during the physical.

 

[Bricklayer]

I hope to God we take a real long look at whatever medical reports caused this whole ruckus, but really now -- until last year Shareef had been one of the league's most durable players. The Nets decision is beyond bizarre, and I really won't be holding my breath over Reef's health -- well, that is for another two months until the first time he sets foot in Arco to meet our local spirits.

 

[thesanityannex]

I think Reef may have said some things to Thorn that struck a personal chord.

 

[whozit]

I hope to God we take a real long look at whatever medical reports caused this whole ruckus, but really now -- until last year Shareef had been one of the league's most durable players. The Nets decision is beyond bizarre, and I really won't be holding my breath over Reef's health -- well, that is for another two months until the first time he sets foot in Arco to meet our local spirits.

I am not sure that there is anything in there. Some of the reports indicate NJ came back and tried to lowball him. I think he would accept the MLE, although other options are probably being looked at. I don't blame him one bit for not flinching and saying NO.

 

[thesanityannex]

I am not sure that there is anything in there. Some of the reports indicate NJ came back and tried to lowball him. I think he would accept the MLE, although other options are probably being looked at. I don't blame him one bit for not flinching and saying NO.

Here's an article from the nydailynews.com





Nets nix deal, lose Shareef



BY MITCH LAWRENCE
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

In a disaster of their own making, the Nets yesterday rescinded their acquisition of veteran power forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim, the cornerstone of their offseason plans to land an inside scoring presence.

With the clock set to expire at midnight last night on their $4.9 million trade exception, which would have gone to Portland in the Abdur-Rahim deal, the Nets tried to salvage a bad day by acquiring Sixers journeyman Marc Jackson, who was not even on their radar when the summer started, and is not considered in Abdur-Rahim's class as player in general.

"Naturally, there's a disappointment," said team president Rod Thorn. "We had a list of guys we had interest in, and we had (Abdur-Rahim) at the top of our list. We felt he would provide us with something we needed."

Thinking that Abdur-Rahim would give them a back-to-the-basket scorer they haven't had in years, the Nets completed the sign-and-trade on Aug.3, giving him a six-year, $38 million deal. But a day later, they put the trade on hold when questions arose about his surgically repaired right knee.

Thorn said that the Nets tried to get Abdur-Rahim to agree to a shorter deal, but he refused. They also reportedly tried and failed to get the knee insured. So with the clock ticking on the trade exception, which they didn't want to lose, they rescinded the deal, leaving him to scramble to find a team for a lot less money than he thought he'd make this summer. Before agreeing to the Nets' deal, he passed on a $47million offer from Milwaukee. Now he is looking at probably having to settle for some team's mid-level exception, which would be for a maximum of $29million.

"He feels his name has been tainted," said Abdur-Rahim's agent, Aaron Goodwin. "He's very disappointed because there's nothing wrong with him. He took less than market value when he accepted the deal from New Jersey, early on. He won't get his full market value now. It's too late in the game. But we think he'll have the opportunity to go to a team and show that he's in the same great health he's been in for the past nine years."

After consulting with several orthopedic specialists since last week, the Nets were worried that Abdur-Rahim could soon develop an arthritic condition, perhaps finishing his career.

"You have to look at it coldly and ask, what kind of chance are you taking here?" Thorn said. "If it didn't work out, if something would have happened in the first year or second year, we would be in a really tough place, with the salary cap and the luxury tax. And it would have been very difficult for us to maneuver."

But because they waited until last week to find out about Abdur-Rahim's knee - a month after free agents were first allowed to begin negotiating - the Nets saw several other top free agents signed by other teams. One of the players they wanted, Stromile Swift, decided to take Houston's money as soon as the Nets got a commitment from Abdur-Rahim. Donyell Marshall was another player the Nets wanted, but he signed with Cleveland. So in an attempt to salvage their offseason, the Nets went for the 30-year-old Jackson, a career reserve who had been getting shopped by the Sixers in recent weeks. In acquiring the 6-10 Jackson, whose scoring average of 9.0 ppg in five NBA seasons is less than half Abdur-Rahim's (19.8), the Nets get to keep their 2006 first-round pick from the Abdur-Rahim deal. They also get $3million from the Sixers, with the option of swapping second-round picks next June. Jackson makes $4.55 this season and can become a free agent next summer at his choosing. If he doesn't opt out of his contract, he will make $.4.9 million in 2006-07.

Originally published on August 10, 2005

NYDailyNews.com

 

[AriesMar27]

i really wouldnt mind getting shareef.... if he isnt injured on our squad that just means that he wasnt playing or practicing or walking through your own house with the lights of or breathing.....

if we dont lose thomas, i dont care if he ends up getting hurt..... its nothing new to us, this team plays its best ball with its starting pf injured....

 

[captain bill]

5 years, 29 mil doesn't sound bad at all to me for a player like him. I am more worried that this will prevent us from adding more depth to our bench, but maybe we can split KT's contract into 2 or 3 solid bench players. Solve a lot of our problems very nicely.

 

[ParniValjak]

5 years, 29 mil doesn't sound bad at all to me for a player like him. I am more worried that this will prevent us from adding more depth to our bench, but maybe we can split KT's contract into 2 or 3 solid bench players. Solve a lot of our problems very nicely.

5 years, $29 million is a bargain for a player like Shareef Abdur-Rahim. There is no ifs and buts about it.

Like you I am a bit concerned about adding some bench depth. However, when an opportunity presents itself to bring in a player of SAR's quality for a MLE and significantly improve the team, you can't afford not to take it. Especially if he is the best available talent for the position that you need to address.

If we get SAR (fingers crossed) then Thomas would make a very good player coming off the bench, giving us that "spark". He could back up SAR and Peja.

With Thomas and Hart we have back up SF/PF and PG positions set. We have Skinner as a back up PF/C. I am not sure if Martin is ready to be part of the rotation. I guess we will soon find out.

What I would like to see us do is get a back up C via trade. Someone who is physical, can play some D and block some shots. Maybe Sampson develops into that bloke but I would like us to get a safer option via trade. Skinner could play that role as a pinch hitter but I would prefer someone who is legit 7ft.

 

[SacTownKid]

I am not sure that there is anything in there. Some of the reports indicate NJ came back and tried to lowball him. I think he would accept the MLE, although other options are probably being looked at. I don't blame him one bit for not flinching and saying NO.

Yeah this is exactly what happened. The Nets were going to give him basically the same annual pay, but only for 3 guaranteed years and option on the fourth. Shareef was already p*ssed so he told them to stick it.

 

[thesanityannex]

Yeah this is exactly what happened. The Nets were going to give him basically the same annual pay, but only for 3 guaranteed years and option on the fourth. Shareef was already p*ssed so he told them to stick it.

Plus, Kings jersies just look better

 

[PixelPusher]

I hope to God we take a real long look at whatever medical reports caused this whole ruckus, but really now -- until last year Shareef had been one of the league's most durable players. The Nets decision is beyond bizarre, and I really won't be holding my breath over Reef's health -- well, that is for another two months until the first time he sets foot in Arco to meet our local spirits.

I've heard that the Nets are still burned over the whole Alonzo Mourning debacle, so they're probably overreacting just a bit, kind of like someone who's driving after being in a car accident, and is driving 10mph slower than the limit, braking a full quarter mile before the stop arrives, etc.

 

[captain bill]

5 years, $29 million is a bargain for a player like Shareef Abdur-Rahim. There is no ifs and buts about it.

Like you I am a bit concerned about adding some bench depth. However, when an opportunity presents itself to bring in a player of SAR's quality for a MLE and significantly improve the team, you can't afford not to take it. Especially if he is the best available talent for the position that you need to address.

If we get SAR (fingers crossed) then Thomas would make a very good player coming off the bench, giving us that "spark". He could back up SAR and Peja.

With Thomas and Hart we have back up SF/PF and PG positions set. We have Skinner as a back up PF/C. I am not sure if Martin is ready to be part of the rotation. I guess we will soon find out.

What I would like to see us do is get a back up C via trade. Someone who is physical, can play some D and block some shots. Maybe Sampson develops into that bloke but I would like us to get a safer option via trade. Skinner could play that role as a pinch hitter but I would prefer someone who is legit 7ft.

I agree with the bargain part, but not about Thomas backing up Peja and SAR. Our bench needs to be tough and good at defense and provide energy. Thomas is just more of the same problems that plague our starters. Thomas is decent as a starter, but once we get SAR I want Thomas gone. I like him alright, but we need a different type of player on the bench.

 

[thesanityannex]

I agree with the bargain part, but not about Thomas backing up Peja and SAR. Our bench needs to be tough and good at defense and provide energy. Thomas is just more of the same problems that plague our starters. Thomas is decent as a starter, but once we get SAR I want Thomas gone. I like him alright, but we need a different type of player on the bench.

If we could dump thomas, we could pick up about three quality defensive minded bench dudes, then we'd have the softest starters, and the toughest bench. it could work.

 

[SacTownKid]

If we could dump thomas, we could pick up about three quality defensive minded bench dudes, then we'd have the softest starters, and the toughest bench. it could work.

Look at our bench now. Not too shabby in the defensive department.

 

[thesanityannex]

Look at our bench now. Not too shabby in the defensive department.

Thats what I'm saying, add three more, and wham, defensive beast of a bench.

 

[ParniValjak]

I agree with the bargain part, but not about Thomas backing up Peja and SAR. Our bench needs to be tough and good at defense and provide energy. Thomas is just more of the same problems that plague our starters. Thomas is decent as a starter, but once we get SAR I want Thomas gone. I like him alright, but we need a different type of player on the bench.

Fair point