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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2007 - 17:36:10
Kings: Too Many Needs
By C. Sawyer
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Jul 2, 2007, 17:20
http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_22564.shtml
It’s July and that means vacations, BBQs and free agency. The Sacramento Kings roster is now shorter by 4 players, Ronnie Price, Justin Williams, Corliss Williamson and Vitaly Potapenko; and $11.2M. But with ~$54M remaining, the Kings have limited flexibility in the free agent market. Fortunately there is always the sign & trade option, expect the Kings to utilize it this summer.
Sacramento’s biggest money and potential free agent, Mike Bibby, chose not to opt out, no surprise, but even though the Kings still carry his $13.5M of payroll it could give the Kings trade flexibility to bring in more players than they would with just free agency alone.
How will the free agent losses impact the Kings? While Price, Williams and Williamson gave their all when they played, they were not going to be key cogs in a Sacramento rebuilding process. It still may be a possibility for the Kings to re-sign any of them for 2007-8 but it could be time for some new blood. So, who’s out there that the Kings could or would be interested in?
At PG, if the Kings trade Bibby, it will most likely be part of a trade which brings them another starting PG. What the Kings will need off the market is a veteran backup, whether they keep Bibby or not. Affordable (e.g. mid-level or below) and possibly effective PGs out there include Steve Blake (6.4ppg, 2.1rpg, 5.0apg) or Earl Boykins (14.6ppg, 2.1rpg, 4.4apg) or if the Kings step it up they could go after Mo Williams (17.3ppg, 4.8rpg, 6.1apg), although Williams will probably only be available through a sign and trade with Milwaukee.
Considering the dearth of PGs and even factoring in Bibby’s salary and down year, it is surprising he didn’t opt out. With 2 years and ~$28M left he could have found a deal for 5 years and enough to cover the $28M left on the table in Sacramento. He may have the word “Loyalty” inked on his hand but the stronger likelihood is a deal is in the works.
At SG the Kings are set with Kevin Martin starting and backups including John Salmons, with Francisco Garcia and Quincy Douby also capable of playing the two. Although 2006-7 was the breakout season for Martin, 2007-8 may be more critical to his career. Teams will be keyed in on stopping him and Martin’s response will come to define him as he gets closer to entering the free agent market. Depending on who his teammates are come November, the challenge of maintaining last season’s accomplishments will be demanding.
At SF the Kings are in a similar situation as at PG. They are working on moving Ron Artest and although Garcia can play at SF the Kings could be looking for a proven starter. If they do trade Artest and start Garcia they will have an even greater need for a veteran SF. In an ironic turn the hot SF this summer is former King, Gerald Wallace, but the Kings can’t afford him now. They may consider veteran Devean George (6.4ppg, 3.6rpg) or take a risk and try James Singleton (1.6ppg, 2.0rpg) who may just need the right circumstance to have an impact.
At PF the Kings have two well paid veterans, unfortunately neither has met expectations and both will be difficult to trade. Kenny Thomas has $7.3M and 3 years (through 2009/10) on his contract and Shareef Abdur-Rahim has $5.8M and 3 years. Whatever deal the Kings work for Bibby or Artest may require the inclusion of either Thomas or Shareef.
The Kings need a more mobile and athletic front court. Thomas, Shareef, Brad Miller and rookie, Spencer Hawes may make Sacramento the slowest front court in the West. Replacements won’t come easy. Unfortunately the available PFs are not quite what the Kings would need but possibilities include Chuck Hayes (5.6ppg, 6.7rpg, 57.3FG%), although he has received a qualifying offer from Houston, and Mikki Moore (9.8ppg, 5.1rpg, 60.9FG%). Like at PG the Kings may need to do a trade to get what they need in the front court.
At Center, with Miller and Hawes, the Kings don’t need to address the free agency market although a C/PF would be a nice addition, if they could find one for the right price.
The Kings free agency moves will be highly dependent on if they rebuild or just remodel. The Kings could tip their hat based on what free agent they court and/or eventually sign.
With so many options, opportunities or challenges, however you want to refer to it, Geoff Petrie will be busy for the next few months. At least Kings fans hope so.
Kings: Too Many Needs
By C. Sawyer
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Jul 2, 2007, 17:20
http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_22564.shtml
It’s July and that means vacations, BBQs and free agency. The Sacramento Kings roster is now shorter by 4 players, Ronnie Price, Justin Williams, Corliss Williamson and Vitaly Potapenko; and $11.2M. But with ~$54M remaining, the Kings have limited flexibility in the free agent market. Fortunately there is always the sign & trade option, expect the Kings to utilize it this summer.
Sacramento’s biggest money and potential free agent, Mike Bibby, chose not to opt out, no surprise, but even though the Kings still carry his $13.5M of payroll it could give the Kings trade flexibility to bring in more players than they would with just free agency alone.
How will the free agent losses impact the Kings? While Price, Williams and Williamson gave their all when they played, they were not going to be key cogs in a Sacramento rebuilding process. It still may be a possibility for the Kings to re-sign any of them for 2007-8 but it could be time for some new blood. So, who’s out there that the Kings could or would be interested in?
At PG, if the Kings trade Bibby, it will most likely be part of a trade which brings them another starting PG. What the Kings will need off the market is a veteran backup, whether they keep Bibby or not. Affordable (e.g. mid-level or below) and possibly effective PGs out there include Steve Blake (6.4ppg, 2.1rpg, 5.0apg) or Earl Boykins (14.6ppg, 2.1rpg, 4.4apg) or if the Kings step it up they could go after Mo Williams (17.3ppg, 4.8rpg, 6.1apg), although Williams will probably only be available through a sign and trade with Milwaukee.
Considering the dearth of PGs and even factoring in Bibby’s salary and down year, it is surprising he didn’t opt out. With 2 years and ~$28M left he could have found a deal for 5 years and enough to cover the $28M left on the table in Sacramento. He may have the word “Loyalty” inked on his hand but the stronger likelihood is a deal is in the works.
At SG the Kings are set with Kevin Martin starting and backups including John Salmons, with Francisco Garcia and Quincy Douby also capable of playing the two. Although 2006-7 was the breakout season for Martin, 2007-8 may be more critical to his career. Teams will be keyed in on stopping him and Martin’s response will come to define him as he gets closer to entering the free agent market. Depending on who his teammates are come November, the challenge of maintaining last season’s accomplishments will be demanding.
At SF the Kings are in a similar situation as at PG. They are working on moving Ron Artest and although Garcia can play at SF the Kings could be looking for a proven starter. If they do trade Artest and start Garcia they will have an even greater need for a veteran SF. In an ironic turn the hot SF this summer is former King, Gerald Wallace, but the Kings can’t afford him now. They may consider veteran Devean George (6.4ppg, 3.6rpg) or take a risk and try James Singleton (1.6ppg, 2.0rpg) who may just need the right circumstance to have an impact.
At PF the Kings have two well paid veterans, unfortunately neither has met expectations and both will be difficult to trade. Kenny Thomas has $7.3M and 3 years (through 2009/10) on his contract and Shareef Abdur-Rahim has $5.8M and 3 years. Whatever deal the Kings work for Bibby or Artest may require the inclusion of either Thomas or Shareef.
The Kings need a more mobile and athletic front court. Thomas, Shareef, Brad Miller and rookie, Spencer Hawes may make Sacramento the slowest front court in the West. Replacements won’t come easy. Unfortunately the available PFs are not quite what the Kings would need but possibilities include Chuck Hayes (5.6ppg, 6.7rpg, 57.3FG%), although he has received a qualifying offer from Houston, and Mikki Moore (9.8ppg, 5.1rpg, 60.9FG%). Like at PG the Kings may need to do a trade to get what they need in the front court.
At Center, with Miller and Hawes, the Kings don’t need to address the free agency market although a C/PF would be a nice addition, if they could find one for the right price.
The Kings free agency moves will be highly dependent on if they rebuild or just remodel. The Kings could tip their hat based on what free agent they court and/or eventually sign.
With so many options, opportunities or challenges, however you want to refer to it, Geoff Petrie will be busy for the next few months. At least Kings fans hope so.
