http://www.sacbee.com/351/story/149938.html
Kings Notes: Price, Williams face the unknown
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:04 am PDT Thursday, April 5, 2007
DENVER -- Corliss Williamson is a known commodity, and his resurgence this season all but guarantees that his future will include guaranteed money in some NBA city come October.
Vitaly Potapenko is still just 32, with a 6-foot-10, 285-pound frame that some team surely will want as, if nothing else, a big-man insurance policy.
But not all of the Kings' free agents-to-be have résumés that speak for themselves. Second-year point guard Ronnie Price and rookie forward Justin Williams are within weeks of not knowing where their next hoops paycheck will come from.
Price, who was signed to a two-year deal as an undrafted free agent, said the uncertainty has yet to enter his mind.
"It's crazy, because a lot of people have been asking me ... and I tell them the same thing, that I don't think about it," Price said. "I haven't even really talked about it with my agent or even thought about it. I'm pretty sure that as the days get closer, it's going to be something that's talked about."
Price became the first NBA player from tiny Utah Valley State. His playing time this season has been sporadic at best, but the Kings' fade from the playoff race could change matters.
Meanwhile, Williams recorded season highs in minutes (23), points (eight) and rebounds (13) Wednesday against Denver.
Williams, who was undrafted out of Wyoming and bounced from the Kings' training camp to the NBA Development League and back, said he plans to play for the Kings' Las Vegas summer-league team and hopes to stay in Sacramento.
"I'm just going to wait until the season finishes out and see how everything goes depending on summer league and how things go out there," Williams said.
By George -- Nuggets coach George Karl was back on the sideline after a one-game absence, doing what he loves and relieved his loved one is doing well.
Karl's son, Coby, 23, underwent surgery to remove his thyroid 13 months ago after he was diagnosed with cancer, and he had a second procedure Monday.
The operation lasted approximately seven hours in Boise, Idaho, where Coby was the leading scorer for Boise State last season. He still hopes to make an NBA roster next season.
"I didn't know it was going to be that long," said Karl, who left the team to be with his son and family. "You just worry about him being under anesthesia that long and all the nightmares about surgeries. But he's doing great ... . He's ready to put this behind him and start the recovery."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
Kings Notes: Price, Williams face the unknown
By Sam Amick - Bee Staff Writer
Last Updated 12:04 am PDT Thursday, April 5, 2007
DENVER -- Corliss Williamson is a known commodity, and his resurgence this season all but guarantees that his future will include guaranteed money in some NBA city come October.
Vitaly Potapenko is still just 32, with a 6-foot-10, 285-pound frame that some team surely will want as, if nothing else, a big-man insurance policy.
But not all of the Kings' free agents-to-be have résumés that speak for themselves. Second-year point guard Ronnie Price and rookie forward Justin Williams are within weeks of not knowing where their next hoops paycheck will come from.
Price, who was signed to a two-year deal as an undrafted free agent, said the uncertainty has yet to enter his mind.
"It's crazy, because a lot of people have been asking me ... and I tell them the same thing, that I don't think about it," Price said. "I haven't even really talked about it with my agent or even thought about it. I'm pretty sure that as the days get closer, it's going to be something that's talked about."
Price became the first NBA player from tiny Utah Valley State. His playing time this season has been sporadic at best, but the Kings' fade from the playoff race could change matters.
Meanwhile, Williams recorded season highs in minutes (23), points (eight) and rebounds (13) Wednesday against Denver.
Williams, who was undrafted out of Wyoming and bounced from the Kings' training camp to the NBA Development League and back, said he plans to play for the Kings' Las Vegas summer-league team and hopes to stay in Sacramento.
"I'm just going to wait until the season finishes out and see how everything goes depending on summer league and how things go out there," Williams said.
By George -- Nuggets coach George Karl was back on the sideline after a one-game absence, doing what he loves and relieved his loved one is doing well.
Karl's son, Coby, 23, underwent surgery to remove his thyroid 13 months ago after he was diagnosed with cancer, and he had a second procedure Monday.
The operation lasted approximately seven hours in Boise, Idaho, where Coby was the leading scorer for Boise State last season. He still hopes to make an NBA roster next season.
"I didn't know it was going to be that long," said Karl, who left the team to be with his son and family. "You just worry about him being under anesthesia that long and all the nightmares about surgeries. But he's doing great ... . He's ready to put this behind him and start the recovery."
About the writer: The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.