Kings notes: Hopefuls might get caught in numbers game
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Kings Notes: Hopefuls might get caught in numbers game
Guaranteed money will come into play when the Kings choose their final roster for the season.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:43 am PDT Sunday, September 17, 2006
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C14
http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/24629.html#comments_here
There is much to be learned from the cash that's handed out come training camp time.
A team's confidence in a player can be gauged by the size of his deal, considering owners want a payoff if they decided to pay up.
That being said, let the number crunching begin for the Kings' session that will begin Oct. 3 as we pontificate about who might or might notmake the squad. Technically, Loren Woods -- the 7-foot-2 center and five-year veteran who signed with the Kings on Aug. 15 -- is among those whose contract is yet to be guaranteed. But although the entirety of his $950,000, one-year deal isn't guaranteed until training camp ends, $300,000 of that amount is guaranteed and Woods also was given a $100,000 separate advance.
Translation: He'll have to be a bust not to stick, considering his would be a $400,000 cut if the Kings let him go.
Sticking with the big men, promising rookie forward Louis Amundson (6-9, UNLV) was guaranteed $75,000, the most of the rookie invitees. But his league minimum salary of $412,000 won't be guaranteed until Jan. 10, keeping him motivated long into the season if he survives.
No one impressed in the Vegas Summer League like Amundson, who had team co-owner Gavin Maloof predicting that he'd not only make the team but be a significant factor this season. Should he be right, the Kings can keep Amundson around, as they have a team option on his second season.
Justin Williams, though, will be the one vying for an upset selection. Williams, a 6-10 rookie forward from Wyoming who averaged 5.4 blocks in 30 games last season, was guaranteed $10,000. He is a fierce swatter (see 11 blocks vs. BYU and 12 blocks vs. Utah) whose league minimum salary would come in spurts -- half of it is guaranteed on Nov. 15, the rest coming on Jan. 10. With a superb camp, Williams could force the Kings into a tough decision.
The long shot in the group is Pooh Jeter, a 5-11 point guard from the University of Portland who deserves kudos for still being in the purple picture. In the summer league, Jeter became the Eric Musselman martyr, learning a tough lesson about the new coach that his teammates won't soon forget. During one practice, numerous players weren't setting screens as Musselman instructed, but it wasn't until Jeter became the latest to botch up the drill that the coach laid into him.
"He used him as an example, yelled at him real bad," Amundson said. "But after the play was over, he came over to him and made sure there were no hard feelings. He made his point that it's going to be much different than it has been in years past. Guys are excited for it."
Still, Jeter -- who was given $7,500 and whose salary would be guaranteed on Jan. 10 if he miraculously made it -- seemingly has little hope with Jason Hart and Ronnie Price on board. Both point guards have this year's salary guaranteed, as Hart will make $1.68 million, and Price will make $664,000.
Money doesn't always dictate roster spots, though. Two years ago, the Kings waived second-round draft pick Ricky Minard and free-agent signee David Bluthenthal before the season, moves that cost nearly $400,000 in guaranteed money.
Wells to Denver? -- According to the Denver Post, the Nuggets continue to show interest in former Kings shooting guard Bonzi Wells.
The Nuggets' interest began in February, when they contacted the Kings about a trade involving Wells. Denver's current shooting guards are 21-year-old J.R. Smith and rookie Yakhouba Diawara, and the Nuggets could use the veteran presence of Wells, who turns 30 Wednesday.
But the Nuggets, like the Kings, are near the luxury tax threshold of $65.42 million with their payroll, meaning there is little -- if any -- room for the Nuggets to sign Wells outright since Denver ownership has made it clear it would prefer to be a non-tax-paying team. The Kings' own proximity to the luxury tax means a sign-and-trade deal between them and the Nuggets also is highly unlikely. Houston and Miami also are said to be pursuing the free agent.
Coming west -- Ron Artest had a busy few weeks, from serving his brawl-related community service in Detroit to hitting the blacktops for numerous tournaments and events in New York City to promoting his rap album that will be released in late October.
He'll be in Sacramento soon, though, and is conducting the Ron Artest Tru Warier basketball Clinic on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at Capital Christian High School for boys and girls ages 5 through 17. For more information, go to www.kings.com.
Guaranteed money will come into play when the Kings choose their final roster for the season.
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:43 am PDT Sunday, September 17, 2006
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C14
http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/24629.html#comments_here
There is much to be learned from the cash that's handed out come training camp time.
A team's confidence in a player can be gauged by the size of his deal, considering owners want a payoff if they decided to pay up.
That being said, let the number crunching begin for the Kings' session that will begin Oct. 3 as we pontificate about who might or might notmake the squad. Technically, Loren Woods -- the 7-foot-2 center and five-year veteran who signed with the Kings on Aug. 15 -- is among those whose contract is yet to be guaranteed. But although the entirety of his $950,000, one-year deal isn't guaranteed until training camp ends, $300,000 of that amount is guaranteed and Woods also was given a $100,000 separate advance.
Translation: He'll have to be a bust not to stick, considering his would be a $400,000 cut if the Kings let him go.
Sticking with the big men, promising rookie forward Louis Amundson (6-9, UNLV) was guaranteed $75,000, the most of the rookie invitees. But his league minimum salary of $412,000 won't be guaranteed until Jan. 10, keeping him motivated long into the season if he survives.
No one impressed in the Vegas Summer League like Amundson, who had team co-owner Gavin Maloof predicting that he'd not only make the team but be a significant factor this season. Should he be right, the Kings can keep Amundson around, as they have a team option on his second season.
Justin Williams, though, will be the one vying for an upset selection. Williams, a 6-10 rookie forward from Wyoming who averaged 5.4 blocks in 30 games last season, was guaranteed $10,000. He is a fierce swatter (see 11 blocks vs. BYU and 12 blocks vs. Utah) whose league minimum salary would come in spurts -- half of it is guaranteed on Nov. 15, the rest coming on Jan. 10. With a superb camp, Williams could force the Kings into a tough decision.
The long shot in the group is Pooh Jeter, a 5-11 point guard from the University of Portland who deserves kudos for still being in the purple picture. In the summer league, Jeter became the Eric Musselman martyr, learning a tough lesson about the new coach that his teammates won't soon forget. During one practice, numerous players weren't setting screens as Musselman instructed, but it wasn't until Jeter became the latest to botch up the drill that the coach laid into him.
"He used him as an example, yelled at him real bad," Amundson said. "But after the play was over, he came over to him and made sure there were no hard feelings. He made his point that it's going to be much different than it has been in years past. Guys are excited for it."
Still, Jeter -- who was given $7,500 and whose salary would be guaranteed on Jan. 10 if he miraculously made it -- seemingly has little hope with Jason Hart and Ronnie Price on board. Both point guards have this year's salary guaranteed, as Hart will make $1.68 million, and Price will make $664,000.
Money doesn't always dictate roster spots, though. Two years ago, the Kings waived second-round draft pick Ricky Minard and free-agent signee David Bluthenthal before the season, moves that cost nearly $400,000 in guaranteed money.
Wells to Denver? -- According to the Denver Post, the Nuggets continue to show interest in former Kings shooting guard Bonzi Wells.
The Nuggets' interest began in February, when they contacted the Kings about a trade involving Wells. Denver's current shooting guards are 21-year-old J.R. Smith and rookie Yakhouba Diawara, and the Nuggets could use the veteran presence of Wells, who turns 30 Wednesday.
But the Nuggets, like the Kings, are near the luxury tax threshold of $65.42 million with their payroll, meaning there is little -- if any -- room for the Nuggets to sign Wells outright since Denver ownership has made it clear it would prefer to be a non-tax-paying team. The Kings' own proximity to the luxury tax means a sign-and-trade deal between them and the Nuggets also is highly unlikely. Houston and Miami also are said to be pursuing the free agent.
Coming west -- Ron Artest had a busy few weeks, from serving his brawl-related community service in Detroit to hitting the blacktops for numerous tournaments and events in New York City to promoting his rap album that will be released in late October.
He'll be in Sacramento soon, though, and is conducting the Ron Artest Tru Warier basketball Clinic on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 at Capital Christian High School for boys and girls ages 5 through 17. For more information, go to www.kings.com.
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whozit
Starter
OK, need to find a two for one deal out there. The Kings send two out but only take one back. Both Williams and Admundson seem to have in their skill set what the Kings are lacking. It would be nice to develop a big or two that fills that need even if they wouldn't get much time now.
Unfortunately, I don't see the Kings eating a guaranteed salary. Could happen, but I'm doubtful.
Unfortunately, I don't see the Kings eating a guaranteed salary. Could happen, but I'm doubtful.
creAtivetfh
Starter
"He used him as an example, yelled at him real bad," Amundson said. "But after the play was over, he came over to him and made sure there were no hard feelings. He made his point that it's going to be much different than it has been in years past. Guys are excited for it."
I LOVE IT!!!!
I LOVE IT!!!!
HndsmCelt
Hall of Famer
It's probably too much to hpe for, but if the Kings could loose Hart and Kenny for picks and or trade exemptions they MAY be a lot better for it NEXT season. Would love to see Jeter and Williams get a break here and if they don't work out Im not sure the team as is will be that much worse but but the cap room for next season could be crucial!
SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
I would be disappointed to see Justin be let go. He could be the next Theo Ratliff, but better at rebounding.
I wouldn't be surprised to see the Kings eat a few deals to keep these guys on board.
I wouldn't be surprised to see the Kings eat a few deals to keep these guys on board.
Bricklayer
Don't Make Me Use The Bat
I found that quote amusing -- how the heck was Louis Admundson supposed to know how things were before? Or for that matter almost all of the summer leaguers?
And given that we are talking about setting picks, an offensive play, we won't even get into the little detail about the former regime being one of the most successful offensive systems in recent league history, and Muss maybe doing well to even weakly emulate them.
ParniValjak
All-Star
I think Amundson would be the one that makes it. Everything I have read or heard about him suggest to me that Kings do plan to have him on their roster for the upcoming season.
The one player I would like to see us keep but fear that might lose out because of numbers game is Justin Williams. I like the shotblocking and rebounding that he brings and I would hope we find a way to keep him around. Hopefully Amundson and Williams make the cut.
The one player I would like to see us keep but fear that might lose out because of numbers game is Justin Williams. I like the shotblocking and rebounding that he brings and I would hope we find a way to keep him around. Hopefully Amundson and Williams make the cut.
Not to be overly pessemistic, but it frightens me that the majority of the talk surrounding personel changes for the upcoming season have revolved around undrafted free agents. Bottom line, regardless of which of these guys make the team, I don't think the team's moves addressed our issues. Hopefully, one of these guys pans out (or Salmons or Woods) but history would say otherwise.
CruzDude
Senior Member sharing a brew with bajaden
Lest we forget the NBDL... I see two of the rookie FA's going to the "D-league". Don't see Hart getting the time this year nor Pot (hard to imagine carrying Pot and Woods as the "bigs on the bench"). So maybe Williams and one other. But don't see moving KT or Corliss this year as much as that pains me.
ParniValjak
All-Star
NBDL is fine but don't forget that the maximum number of players we can carry on the roster is 15 including the potential NBDL players. We have something like 17 now so unless GP finds a way to offload a player or 2 without taking one in return, a couple or more of those players WILL miss out.
Circa_1985_Fan
All-Star
Wonder what Loren Wood's frame of mind is at the moment??
Kingzrool
Starter
I would assume that he is thinking that we would not have put 400 grand on the line if we did not want him. But it is an interesting question considering the Rookie jam that we have going on.
bajaden
Hall of Famer
last year
Bricky I think that Admundson was paraphrasing what Muss was saying. Not that Muss was there last year either. Keep up that positive attitude though, it lifts me up when I need it. Just kidding...
Bricky I think that Admundson was paraphrasing what Muss was saying. Not that Muss was there last year either. Keep up that positive attitude though, it lifts me up when I need it. Just kidding...
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