A little more than two months later, Justin Williams will be getting his second NBA shot in Sacramento. And the Kings hope they're getting a legitimate shot blocker.
According to Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie, the former Wyoming center, who was signed after the Las Vegas summer league as an undrafted free agent in July and cut in late October, will be signed to a 10-day contract Friday. Williams, who has been playing for the Dakota Wizards in the NBA Development League, will need to pass a physical, which is expected to take place today.
"That's the plan," Petrie said. "He's been able to do (in the D-League) what he has good instincts for, which is rebound the ball and block shots. It's a chance for us to give him a second look."
The athletic, 6-foot-10, 230-pound Williams might help a team that is sorely lacking in frontcourt size. The Kings rank 27th in blocks per game (3.7) and are one of 15 teams with a negative rebounding differential (-0.9), both areas in which Williams specializes. Through 12 games for the Wizards, Williams led the 12-team league in blocks (3.08) and rebounds (12.3) while averaging 12.1 points.
The Kings now will be at the league maximum of 15 players. Should Williams impress as he did during training camp, the Kings can sign him to another 10-day deal starting Jan. 15. They then must decide whether to keep him for the remainder of the season, in which case they would pay him a pro-rated version of the league minimum of $412,000.
"That's beautiful," Kings small forward Ron Artest said when told of the news. "He made an impact in the preseason. He plays hard. He does what he does well."
From the bench -- When Artest and the Kings had their way with the New York Knicks on Tuesday, Kevin Martin wasn't among those looking thrilled that the team won its fourth game in five tries.
The Kings' leading scorer sat out the final 18:04, a move coach Eric Musselman chalked up to the defensive matchup with Jamal Crawford.
Ahead 71-61 early in the third quarter, the Kings had their lead cut to three by a 7-0 Knicks run. Martin had the ball stolen by Crawford and was sent to the bench for the remainder of the game. Martin had 12 points on 4-for-7 shooting and four assists.
"If he didn't want to be out there, there would be something wrong," Musselman said. "I'm glad he wasn't happy. I wouldn't want him to be happy (with not playing late). ... (But) we needed a guy to come in and defend Crawford, and John (Salmons) came in and held the fort on Crawford, which was really important for us."
It was the second time this season Martin had seen his time disappear after struggling. The first came when he logged just 23 minutes and scored two points against the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 28.
"That's his decision," Martin said. "That's fine. I'll just put that behind me just like I did the Clippers game back early in the season."
About the writer:The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com
http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/102726.html
According to Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie, the former Wyoming center, who was signed after the Las Vegas summer league as an undrafted free agent in July and cut in late October, will be signed to a 10-day contract Friday. Williams, who has been playing for the Dakota Wizards in the NBA Development League, will need to pass a physical, which is expected to take place today.
"That's the plan," Petrie said. "He's been able to do (in the D-League) what he has good instincts for, which is rebound the ball and block shots. It's a chance for us to give him a second look."
The athletic, 6-foot-10, 230-pound Williams might help a team that is sorely lacking in frontcourt size. The Kings rank 27th in blocks per game (3.7) and are one of 15 teams with a negative rebounding differential (-0.9), both areas in which Williams specializes. Through 12 games for the Wizards, Williams led the 12-team league in blocks (3.08) and rebounds (12.3) while averaging 12.1 points.
The Kings now will be at the league maximum of 15 players. Should Williams impress as he did during training camp, the Kings can sign him to another 10-day deal starting Jan. 15. They then must decide whether to keep him for the remainder of the season, in which case they would pay him a pro-rated version of the league minimum of $412,000.
"That's beautiful," Kings small forward Ron Artest said when told of the news. "He made an impact in the preseason. He plays hard. He does what he does well."
From the bench -- When Artest and the Kings had their way with the New York Knicks on Tuesday, Kevin Martin wasn't among those looking thrilled that the team won its fourth game in five tries.
The Kings' leading scorer sat out the final 18:04, a move coach Eric Musselman chalked up to the defensive matchup with Jamal Crawford.
Ahead 71-61 early in the third quarter, the Kings had their lead cut to three by a 7-0 Knicks run. Martin had the ball stolen by Crawford and was sent to the bench for the remainder of the game. Martin had 12 points on 4-for-7 shooting and four assists.
"If he didn't want to be out there, there would be something wrong," Musselman said. "I'm glad he wasn't happy. I wouldn't want him to be happy (with not playing late). ... (But) we needed a guy to come in and defend Crawford, and John (Salmons) came in and held the fort on Crawford, which was really important for us."
It was the second time this season Martin had seen his time disappear after struggling. The first came when he logged just 23 minutes and scored two points against the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 28.
"That's his decision," Martin said. "That's fine. I'll just put that behind me just like I did the Clippers game back early in the season."
About the writer:The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com
http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/102726.html
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