http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/266938.html
Drew might not be able to join Theus as assistant
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:12 am PDT Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C7
LAS VEGAS -- Kenny Natt roamed the hardwood Tuesday, coaching new players and enjoying a new experience during the Kings' summer-league game at UNLV's Cox Pavilion.
And somewhere, Larry Drew just might have been a bit jealous.
Natt is the Kings' newest assistant under coach Reggie Theus, a former player and a Jerry Sloan product as an assistant in Utah and previously an assistant in Cleveland. Drew is the Atlanta assistant who verbally accepted an offer to join Theus, his former Kings teammate. But his agreement might not be enough. Hawks general manager Billy Knight confirmed to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution what Theus had feared: They won't let him out of his contract, which has one season remaining.
"That's our position," Knight told the newspaper. "We're going to require employees under contract to honor those contracts. Obviously, if an assistant got a chance to be a head coach somewhere else, that's a different story. But for another (assistant coaching) position, we're not going to allow them that latitude."
Knight's move is unorthodox, mostly because he had granted the Kings permission to speak with Drew, just as he had allowed Cleveland to speak with David Fizdale but is now keeping him from accepting the Cavaliers' assistant-coaching offer. Before the report was published, Theus said he hoped Drew would join him.
"He's under contract, but he wants to come," Theus said. "I know that. We'll just have to see. They have to allow him to go. I think a combination of the two would be good. If it doesn't work out, then we keep on rolling."
Though Natt is the only assistant to be hired so far, the Kings are receiving additional help in Vegas from two coaches with ties to Theus. Former Kings guard Randy Brown -- an alumnus of the New Mexico State program Theus coached the past two seasons, a former King and a three-time NBA champion with Chicago -- is on staff. Damon Archibald, a former Theus assistant at New Mexico State whose father, Lynn, recruited Theus to UNLV, also is lending a hand.
Kings undefeated -- It wasn't quite the 26-point blowout over the Chinese national team Saturday night, but it was another victory for the Kings.
In improving to 2-0 in summer-league play, the Kings downed Washington 75-64 Tuesday. Third-year swingman Francisco García led the team in scoring for the second consecutive game with 21 points. First-round draft pick Spencer Hawes, who impressed with a 19-point debut, scored just eight points on 4-of-16 shooting against the Wizards. Second-year center Justin Williams, a restricted free agent, posted a second consecutive double double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Moratorium ends -- The league's moratorium that began July 1 ends today, allowing teams to sign all free agents and make trades. The league also set the salary cap for the 2007-08 season at $55.63 million.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
Drew might not be able to join Theus as assistant
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:12 am PDT Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C7
LAS VEGAS -- Kenny Natt roamed the hardwood Tuesday, coaching new players and enjoying a new experience during the Kings' summer-league game at UNLV's Cox Pavilion.
And somewhere, Larry Drew just might have been a bit jealous.
Natt is the Kings' newest assistant under coach Reggie Theus, a former player and a Jerry Sloan product as an assistant in Utah and previously an assistant in Cleveland. Drew is the Atlanta assistant who verbally accepted an offer to join Theus, his former Kings teammate. But his agreement might not be enough. Hawks general manager Billy Knight confirmed to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution what Theus had feared: They won't let him out of his contract, which has one season remaining.
"That's our position," Knight told the newspaper. "We're going to require employees under contract to honor those contracts. Obviously, if an assistant got a chance to be a head coach somewhere else, that's a different story. But for another (assistant coaching) position, we're not going to allow them that latitude."
Knight's move is unorthodox, mostly because he had granted the Kings permission to speak with Drew, just as he had allowed Cleveland to speak with David Fizdale but is now keeping him from accepting the Cavaliers' assistant-coaching offer. Before the report was published, Theus said he hoped Drew would join him.
"He's under contract, but he wants to come," Theus said. "I know that. We'll just have to see. They have to allow him to go. I think a combination of the two would be good. If it doesn't work out, then we keep on rolling."
Though Natt is the only assistant to be hired so far, the Kings are receiving additional help in Vegas from two coaches with ties to Theus. Former Kings guard Randy Brown -- an alumnus of the New Mexico State program Theus coached the past two seasons, a former King and a three-time NBA champion with Chicago -- is on staff. Damon Archibald, a former Theus assistant at New Mexico State whose father, Lynn, recruited Theus to UNLV, also is lending a hand.
Kings undefeated -- It wasn't quite the 26-point blowout over the Chinese national team Saturday night, but it was another victory for the Kings.
In improving to 2-0 in summer-league play, the Kings downed Washington 75-64 Tuesday. Third-year swingman Francisco García led the team in scoring for the second consecutive game with 21 points. First-round draft pick Spencer Hawes, who impressed with a 19-point debut, scored just eight points on 4-of-16 shooting against the Wizards. Second-year center Justin Williams, a restricted free agent, posted a second consecutive double double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Moratorium ends -- The league's moratorium that began July 1 ends today, allowing teams to sign all free agents and make trades. The league also set the salary cap for the 2007-08 season at $55.63 million.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
