http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/273773.html
Kings Notes: Many options to fill Bibby's role if he leaves
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Sunday, July 15, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C8
LAS VEGAS -- Trade talks involving Mike Bibby and the Cleveland Cavaliers have stalled again, according the numerous sources, with the Kings' signing of forward/center Mikki Moore making a deal involving Cleveland forward Drew Gooden unlikely unless a current Kings big man is dealt first.
Should Bibby be dealt to the Cavs or elsewhere, the immediate question becomes who assumes the point-guard position. There seems to be hope that second-year guard Quincy Douby can speed up the learning curve and develop at the position, and third-year swingman Francisco García has shown an occasional ability to run the offense and bring the sort of uptempo style new coach Reggie Theus is implementing.
But the potential main benefactor in a point-guard shuffle could be restricted free agent Ronnie Price, who remains on the Kings' radar and was issued a Kings qualifying offer June 21.
Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie said he remains interested in Price, who played sparingly in his first two seasons in Sacramento after being signed as an undrafted free agent out of Utah Valley State in 2005. Utah was said to be another possible destination for Price, but it agreed to terms with former Kings point guard Jason Hart on Friday in a move that would seemingly cross at least one team off Price's list.
"I know there's some interest out there other than ours," Petrie said. "We have interest. I just talked to (Price's agent) Mike (Higgins) throughout the day (on Thursday)."
Summer league point guards Pooh Jeter (second year, University of Portland) and Mustafa Shakur (undrafted rookie, University of Arizona) could also push for a spot. Jeter, who went undrafted last season and was in the NBA Developmental League All-Star Game, has the advantage of familiarity after he made the Kings' training camp last season before being cut.
Douby out -- The task of turning Douby into a point guard hardly progressed in summer league, as back problems that developed before the session began ultimately forced him out early.
Douby left Saturday's game against Houston after eight minutes of play, when a first-quarter dunk reaggravated his back spasms. He won't play tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers, meaning his summer stint ends with two games and 29 minutes of play logged.
Douby said he first injured his back two weeks before summer league while working with the Kings' staff in Las Vegas. Douby said he has had an MRI and X-rays taken, showing no serious injury.
"It'll take about two weeks to rehab it, and I'll have to stay off the court," Douby said. "Yeah, it's disappointing because I've been working hard, working on my point guard skills."
Kings fall to Houston -- Houston overcame a 15-point halftime deficit to beat the Kings 90-72 in a summer-league game Saturday night in UNLV's Thomas & Mack Center. Forward Nik Caner-Medley, an undrafted rookie out of Maryland, led the Kings with 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Kings No. 1 draft pick Spencer Hawes had 12 points.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
Kings Notes: Many options to fill Bibby's role if he leaves
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Sunday, July 15, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C8
LAS VEGAS -- Trade talks involving Mike Bibby and the Cleveland Cavaliers have stalled again, according the numerous sources, with the Kings' signing of forward/center Mikki Moore making a deal involving Cleveland forward Drew Gooden unlikely unless a current Kings big man is dealt first.
Should Bibby be dealt to the Cavs or elsewhere, the immediate question becomes who assumes the point-guard position. There seems to be hope that second-year guard Quincy Douby can speed up the learning curve and develop at the position, and third-year swingman Francisco García has shown an occasional ability to run the offense and bring the sort of uptempo style new coach Reggie Theus is implementing.
But the potential main benefactor in a point-guard shuffle could be restricted free agent Ronnie Price, who remains on the Kings' radar and was issued a Kings qualifying offer June 21.
Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie said he remains interested in Price, who played sparingly in his first two seasons in Sacramento after being signed as an undrafted free agent out of Utah Valley State in 2005. Utah was said to be another possible destination for Price, but it agreed to terms with former Kings point guard Jason Hart on Friday in a move that would seemingly cross at least one team off Price's list.
"I know there's some interest out there other than ours," Petrie said. "We have interest. I just talked to (Price's agent) Mike (Higgins) throughout the day (on Thursday)."
Summer league point guards Pooh Jeter (second year, University of Portland) and Mustafa Shakur (undrafted rookie, University of Arizona) could also push for a spot. Jeter, who went undrafted last season and was in the NBA Developmental League All-Star Game, has the advantage of familiarity after he made the Kings' training camp last season before being cut.
Douby out -- The task of turning Douby into a point guard hardly progressed in summer league, as back problems that developed before the session began ultimately forced him out early.
Douby left Saturday's game against Houston after eight minutes of play, when a first-quarter dunk reaggravated his back spasms. He won't play tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers, meaning his summer stint ends with two games and 29 minutes of play logged.
Douby said he first injured his back two weeks before summer league while working with the Kings' staff in Las Vegas. Douby said he has had an MRI and X-rays taken, showing no serious injury.
"It'll take about two weeks to rehab it, and I'll have to stay off the court," Douby said. "Yeah, it's disappointing because I've been working hard, working on my point guard skills."
Kings fall to Houston -- Houston overcame a 15-point halftime deficit to beat the Kings 90-72 in a summer-league game Saturday night in UNLV's Thomas & Mack Center. Forward Nik Caner-Medley, an undrafted rookie out of Maryland, led the Kings with 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Kings No. 1 draft pick Spencer Hawes had 12 points.
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
