http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/story/14274066p-15083986c.html
By Sam Amick
The Kings' youth movement, apparently, isn't getting old.
The team announced Friday it has exercised the 2007-08 team option for second-year swingman Francisco García, who will make $1.1 million. García -- whose progress was severely halted by a midseason ankle injury -- averaged 19.4 minutes in 67 games, scoring 5.6 points per game on 40 percent shooting. "He's a promising young player, and we just have a lot of faith in him," Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie said. "He's getting ready for summer league, and wanted to make sure he feels part of the whole thing."
The Kings -- who had until Oct. 31 to pick up team options -- also have picked up the 2007-08 team option for third-year shooting guard Kevin Martin worth $1.8 million, though it has not yet been announced.
One youngster who appears to be leaving the movement is 23-year-old swingman Sergei Monia, a Russian who came to the Kings as part of the Portland trade last season involving center Brian Skinner. After being acquired on Feb. 23, Monia played a total of seven minutes. He has chosen to play in Europe, though Petrie said he hasn't left yet.
"It's a possibility (that he'll leave), but he's with us right now," he said.
Summer (league) is here -- Las Vegas, here they come.
Sin City is home of the NBA's summer league for the second season, with 16 teams working young NBA players and long shots alike. The first of the Kings' five games is Thursday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who might be surprised to see an overqualified player on the floor. Small forward Ron Artest wants to play and might very well join the Kings, though his inclusion has not been confirmed. Martin, García, draft pick Quincy Douby (shooting guard) and Ronnie Price will play. And after the Kings went small in the draft, picking the 6-foot-3 Douby, their search for a versatile big man will continue in summer league. According to numerous reports and sources, the team's summer-league participants will include Oklahoma forward Taj Gray (6-8, 235), Wyoming forward Justin Williams (6-10, 225), Denver center Yemi Nicholson (6-10, 240), UNLV forward Louis Amundson (6-9, 225), and Cal forward Rod Benson (6-10, 220).
