Bee: Bulls may be close to deal (Darius)

[Warhawk]

http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/13473697p-14314430c.html

Bulls may be close to deal

A published report says Darius Songaila is checking out real estate in Chicago.

By Sam Amick -- Bee Staff Writer


The paper from Detroit is sitting somewhere inside Kings headquarters, and no one is rushing to respond to the offer sheet for Maurice Evans. It will sit there until next Thursday, at which time Evans will become a former King and the newest Detroit Piston.


Thursday, Geoff Petrie reiterated he is letting the restricted free-agent shooting guard go with his best wishes.

The Kings' president of basketball operations also is expecting another paper to arrive he'll likely let sit, an offer sheet for his other restricted free agent, forward Darius Songaila.

Wednesday, the soon-to-be former King visited Chicago and, according to the Arlington (Ill.) Daily Herald, is browsing the area's real estate market, apparent indicators he's close to joining the Bulls. The delay in his negotiations, however, has raised some questions as to whether a more complex deal is on the horizon.

The Kings have 13 players under contract, including forward Jamal Sampson's minimum-guarantee deal. They are already over the salary cap. While not wanting another salary on the books, they would not mind attaining a draft pick or trade exception via a possible three-team deal that could involve another Bulls player.

The signing of forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim was ill-timed for Songaila's purposes, and Petrie is willing to help.

Songaila's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said: "Geoff, to his credit, said, 'I'm not going to leave Darius in a bad situation. I'll work with you ... because it's not a great opportunity for him with the Kings right now.'"

Opportunity will be there for others. The Kings' only roster void seems to be a true backup for Peja Stojakovic, though Petrie said the versatility of forward Corliss Williamson, and guards Bonzi Wells, Kevin Martin and Francisco García should do the job just fine.

"Kevin is only in his second year, and Francisco's a rookie, but if we're going to get more athletic, and bigger and longer and those things, and develop some younger players, it's got to start sometime," Petrie said. "We have a lot of confidence in those guys."

New faces will arrive for training camp come Oct. 3. League rules allow 20 players in camp, though Petrie said he plans on having 18.

 

[fishgirl]

I'd still hate to see Darius go, but as things stand, I just hope he'll be happy in Chicago, if that's ultimately where he's headed.

 

[Jkbiker]

Yesterday's Bee



According to Petrie, the Abdur-Rahim signing put the Kings' budgeted payroll for 13 players over the salary cap - including a slot for one who has yet to be signed. Considering co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof have made their desire to avoid luxury tax spending clear, the next addition will be the last and, most likely, not one of major consequence. Barring a trade, the new-look Kings are virtually in place. "It's unlikely that we would keep a 14th or 15th guy that we would pay tax on," Petrie said. "There's still a lot of players out there. There'll be a lot of players in training camp who will be waived, and there will still be players available then. But the roster we have at the moment, the way it's comprised, are the guys who will play all the minutes.

"It's unlikely that we would keep a 14th or 15th guy that we would pay tax on," Petrie said. "There's still a lot of players out there. There'll be a lot of players in training camp who will be waived, and there will still be players available then. But the roster we have at the moment, the way it's comprised, are the guys who will play all the minutes.
"It's unpredictable. Sitting where I'm sitting today, I don't think I feel any rush to fill (the 13th spot), but that could change tomorrow."


Today's Bee

The Kings have 13 players under contract, including forward Jamal Sampson's minimum-guarantee deal. They are already over the salary cap. While not wanting another salary on the books, they would not mind attaining a draft pick or trade exception via a possible three-team deal that could involve another Bulls player


So which is it? 12 or 13 players under contract?
Does this mean Jamal's minimum-guarentee deal is not signed?
The hoopshype site shows Price's min salary listed but not Jamal's
Or is Price's contract subject to making it through training camp?


Sounds like the entire 13 man roster is set to me.
Unless some TGTBT trade proposal is dropped on GP's desk
But that could happen anytime from now to Feb

I wish Darius well, nice that it shows GP as a good guy trying to help darius get more $, (really only if we can get a pick or exception) PR staff had a good spin on that

 

[Warhawk]

I'm hoping that any deal with Chicago would bring another center our way....

 

[Rowdyone]

While I understand the decision to let DS go I have a few misgivings because I don't think he got the credit he deserved for being able to run the high post offense through him. He's a decent passer to cutters and can hit his shot from there as well meaning his man must guard him closely opening the middle for the cutters. I just hope we get something for him in return that we can turn into a positive on our side.

 

[Diabeticwonder]

I'm hoping that any deal with Chicago would bring another center our way....

That would be great. However, I really think that they are confident with Skinner backing up Brad and perhaps Samspon, depending on what he can do. Skinner started a ton of games last year and although he wasn't phenominal, he did a very good job considering that it was a whole new system for him.

 

[Warhawk]

That would be great. However, I really think that they are confident with Skinner backing up Brad and perhaps Samspon, depending on what he can do. Skinner started a ton of games last year and although he wasn't phenominal, he did a very good job considering that it was a whole new system for him.

Wasn't a knock on Skinner (I like the guy), but he's kinda short to play the 5 except in limited minutes, I think. I like him as a backup to the 4 more than the 5, but he, as this team is currently constructed, will be Brad's backup.

 

[loopymitch]

I thought we signed Sampson, Ok now I'm confused.

 

[HndsmCelt]

I for one will miss Darius's hustle... diving for balls, seting decent picks etc. but glad to see GP is looking to get something for him even if it's draft picks. More interesting was this little tid-bit: "Kevin is only in his second year, and Francisco's a rookie, but if we're going to get more athletic, and bigger and longer and those things, and develop some younger players, it's got to start sometime," Petrie said. "We have a lot of confidence in those guys."
Now IF they get some PT we could be on to something!

 

[Warhawk]

I for one will miss Darius's hustle... diving for balls, seting decent picks etc. but glad to see GP is looking to get something for him even if it's draft picks. More interesting was this little tid-bit: "Kevin is only in his second year, and Francisco's a rookie, but if we're going to get more athletic, and bigger and longer and those things, and develop some younger players, it's got to start sometime," Petrie said. "We have a lot of confidence in those guys."
Now IF they get some PT we could be on to something!

I thought so, too. (Hence the reason I bolded it)

Really, it would be nice to see some young talent be developed here instead of always finding veteran players.

 

[Kings113]

Wasn't a knock on Skinner (I like the guy), but he's kinda short to play the 5 except in limited minutes, I think. I like him as a backup to the 4 more than the 5, but he, as this team is currently constructed, will be Brad's backup.

Agreed, we need a big man. There are some who can be had and are decent/solid.

 

[SacTownKid]

Wasn't a knock on Skinner (I like the guy), but he's kinda short to play the 5 except in limited minutes, I think. I like him as a backup to the 4 more than the 5, but he, as this team is currently constructed, will be Brad's backup.

Backing up anyone in a Kings uniform typically means limited minutes anyway.

 

[Tomcat]

Personally, I would hate to see Darius go. I thought he did a great job when C-Webb was injured. I feel like the Kings are letting another Jimmy Jackson slip away....

 

[SLAB]

To be 100% honest, I could care less seeing Darius go.

He is what he is...A steady player...He'll never blow you away with stats, but he'll never be terrible.

If I had to chose between either keeping K-9 for the remainder of his contract, or keeping Songaila and somehow giving K-9 the slip, I would keep K-9 in a second...He's the better player, and there's no way around it.

 

[VF21]

"Kevin is only in his second year, and Francisco's a rookie, but if we're going to get more athletic, and bigger and longer and those things, and develop some younger players, it's got to start sometime," Petrie said. "We have a lot of confidence in those guys."

I think that's a very important point that Petrie made. While some around here have kept talking about wanting to do a trade involving Martin, I think Petrie's making it pretty clear that - barring some mega-deal - he's more interested in developing the younger players. IMHO it's about time!

 

[Big Cuz 15]

is there anyway we can get one of their young 7 footers in a s&t? i know i'm smoking~!
i don't think we will but one can dream. if they are including a draft pick will it be a future 1st or second? i hope its not a second...

 

[Kings113]

http://www.nbadraft.net/index.asp

While it may not mean too much now, 2nd round/2nd roundish (bigger players only) has some nice players:

Bobby Jones, Eric Williams, Pops Mensah-Bonsu, Chuck Davis, Torin Francis, Curtis Sumpter, Paul Milsap, Taj Gray, Steven Smith, Ivan Chiriaev, Kosta Perovic.

My friend who's an avid-college basketball fan/watcher, says they're good. I know about Eric Williams though, he's a good big man.

We're guranteed to draft fowards/center next year.

 

[SacTownKid]

I think that's a very important point that Petrie made. While some around here have kept talking about wanting to do a trade involving Martin, I think Petrie's making it pretty clear that - barring some mega-deal - he's more interested in developing the younger players. IMHO it's about time!

Well, lets hope that it actually happens this time! Marin and Garcia will be very interesting to watch this preseason. Those two will be battling it out for the backup minutes.

 

[Kings113]

Yeah, that's going to be fun.

 

[kingsofnba]

Eddy Curry for Songaila, KT and 1st round pick

with all this talk about tyson chandler, i think the bulls are more likely to trade eddy curry... i think the bulls covet chandler more than curry at this point, because of curry's heart problems last season... i really don't see the bulls trading chandler... but curry may be on the trading block... because of his irregular heartbeat last season, i think many teams got scared away from curry, even the bulls... curry has since been medically cleared to play again, but is not getting any love...

if the kings had to give up one of the core, it may not be worth the risk, because of the potential heart problem... but if the kings could package songaila with maybe kenny thomas and a 1st round pick for eddy curry, then maybe the kings can get this done...

 

[VF21]

The Bulls don't have to do a trade. They're making an offer to Darius that we can't/won't match...

We are NOT in the driver's seat in any of these deals. A restricted free agent doesn't belong to a team. We made a qualifying offer to Darius to make him a restricted free agent. Now, however, Chicago is willing to make a better offer straight out. Because Darius is restricted, the Kings have the OPTION of matching that offer. It doesn't mean they can or will match it.

The Bulls don't need to make a trade to get Darius. Why would they bother?

 

[VF21]

I thought we signed Sampson, Ok now I'm confused.

Right now, it appears he might have a minimum deal, meaning he'll be paid through training camp and possibly the start of the season, but unless his contract is guaranteed, he might not be around much longer than that.

 

[kingsofnba]

The Bulls don't have to do a trade. They're making an offer to Darius that we can't/won't match...

We are NOT in the driver's seat in any of these deals. A restricted free agent doesn't belong to a team. We made a qualifying offer to Darius to make him a restricted free agent. Now, however, Chicago is willing to make a better offer straight out. Because Darius is restricted, the Kings have the OPTION of matching that offer. It doesn't mean they can or will match it.

The Bulls don't need to make a trade to get Darius. Why would they bother?

true, but if the bulls tried to low ball songaila with their 1.67mil exception, instead of 2.2mil, the kings may be tempted to match... it is not out of the realm of possibility that the kings match on songaila's offer... especially if he is not signed for more than the LLE... now if the bulls don't want to play ball with GP, you never know, the kings could possibly match the offer if it is the LLE... especially since the LLE would had been his salary, if he didn't opt out... but if it is the 2.2mil, then kings probably won't match