Some FAs still unsigned

VF21 · Sep 27, 2004

The following teams each have unsigned players who became free agents on July 1. Do any of them jump out as possible 12th man for the Kings?

ATLANTA HAWKS (1) - F Obinna Ekezie

BOSTON CELTICS (3) - G Dana Barros, C Ernest Brown, C Michael Stewart

CHARLOTTE BOBCATS (6) - F Lonny Baxter, G J.R. Bremer, G Maurice Carter, F Desmond Ferguson, F Marcus Fizer, G Jeff Trepagnier

CHICAGO BULLS (3) - G Kendall Gill, G Jannero Pargo, F Paul Shirley

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (2) - C Ruben Boumtje Boumtje (R), F Lee Nailon

DALLAS MAVERICKS (2) - G Travis Best, C Scott Williams

DENVER NUGGETS (2) - F Mark Pope, F Ryan Bowen

DETROIT PISTONS (1) - F Tremaine Fowlkes

GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (1) - G Avery Johnson

HOUSTON ROCKETS (1) - G Mark Jackson

INDIANA PACERS - None

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS (4) - F Matt Barnes (R), C Josh Moore, G Doug Overton, F Bobby Simmons

LOS ANGELES LAKERS (3) - F Horace Grant, F Karl Malone, F Bryon Russell

MIAMI HEAT (2) - G Bimbo Coles, F John Wallace

MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (1) - F Stromile Swift (R)

MILWAUKEE BUCKS - None

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES (3) - G Darrick Martin, C Oliver Miller, F Gary Trent

NEW JERSEY NETS (1) - G Hubert Davis

NEW ORLEANS HORNETS (2) - G Courtney Alexander, G Shammond Williams

NEW YORK KNICKS (1) - G DerMarr Johnson

ORLANDO MAGIC (3) - F Britton Johnsen (R), G Derrick Dial, C Sean Rooks

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS - None

PHOENIX SUNS (2) - F Keon Clark, F Donnell Harvey

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS - None

SACRAMENTO KINGS (1) - F Jabari Smith

SAN ANTONIO SPURS (1) - F Matt Carroll

SEATTLE SUPERSONICS (2) - F Ansu Sesay, F Leon Smith

TORONTO RAPTORS (5) - C Robert Archibald (R), F Corie Blount, F Michael Curry, G Dion Glover, G Rod Strickland

UTAH JAZZ - None

WASHINGTON WIZARDS (2) - F Mitchell Butler, G Chris Whitney

(R) - restricted, team holds right of first refusal

HndsmCelt · Sep 27, 2004

Lee Nailon anybody?

VF21 · Sep 27, 2004

F John Wallace...

Hmmm. Sounds slightly familiar.

SacKings384 · Sep 27, 2004

Why not Fizer?

CruzDude · Sep 27, 2004

Hey guys, how could you miss it. The Big O (same as zero), two tons of fun, the only NBA player that has been to 8, yes 8, summer leagues trying to get in shape. Yep, Ollie, Big Ole Ollie Miller. Urp!!!!!

On a more serious level, there is Michael Stewart, the 6-11 shot blocker who could get up and down the court and started for the Kings his first year. He was an undrafted rookie, started some 50-60 games (even an undrafted rookie beat out "OP Sucks") I think in '96? He is from Sacto and had been a Kings ballboy in their early days in Sactown. Really nice guy, was in top 5 in blocked shots his first year. Would be a great fan favorite and could put up some defense and rebounds and a few points.

Who else remembers Michael?

poise · Sep 27, 2004

DerMarr Johnson, Ryan Bowen.

thedofd · Sep 27, 2004

There are still a handful of interesting names on that list. I don't know if these guys are restricted or unrestricted, or whether they'd play for the minimum, but the following guys could be good insurance against injuries or the rookies not panning out:

Fizer: We've talked about him a lot. He's not really a power forward or small forward; call him a poor man's Corliss. But he has proven that he can score and rebound on occasions. He has injury problems right now, and is reputed to be a clubhouse lawyer, which is maybe why the Kings aren't tripping over themselves to get him.

Bobby Simmons, 6-6, 235, supposedly can play SF and SG, although I remember him being more of a forward. Was a contributor for the Clippers last year, averaging 7.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg and 1.7 apg in limited minutes. He's a career 40 percent shooter, which is a concern and probably the reason he's available. Still, he's an established backup NBA player, which is really all the Kings are looking for right now.

Dion Glover: Might be the best guy out there if -- God forbid -- the Kings think Christie's injury might linger. He's 6-5, 225 and can swing from SG to SF. Averaged about 24 minutes a game in Atlanta and Toronto last year, scoring 9 ppg plus 3.6 rpg and 1.9 apg. Only shot 39 percent, though. Decent defender, solid citizen (has his own charitable foundation). Never lived up to expectations, which is why he's available.

Gary Trent: The Shaq of the MAC is a bit short for a power forward at 6-8, but he's tough and goes 250 lbs. Averaged 5.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg in 15 mpg last year; in 1998-99, he averaged 16 ppg and 7.8 rpgs and last year was the first time in the last 5-6 seasons he didn't average double-figure scoring, so he's a legitimate guy. The problem is, he only plays one position, and if CWebb stays healthy, Songaila will get the leftover minutes. But if the Kings feel they're adequately covered at guard and small forward, they could do worse than Trent.

thedofd · Sep 27, 2004

CruzDude said:

I remember him. The concern I'd have with Michael is that, while he certainly is athletic and can block shots, it's been so long since he's had the opportunity to play meaningful minutes, it's difficult to say what he'd bring to the party. I wonder what his status is and whether he'd accept an invitation to come to camp on a make-good. Skill-wise, he's sort of like Keon Clark. Of course, he has thicker ankles and less baggage.

Elektrik · Sep 27, 2004

VF21 said:

The player/players that jump out at me off this list include in no particular order are;

1-Lee Nailon- He can shoot the lights out when he is on but he is streaky
He can play some sf/sg and plays pretty good defense. I wonder what his downside is? Attitude?

2-Stromile Swift- I would love to have this guy it amazes me that he is still on this list. At this point it looks like he will be a bargain for somebody. why not us?

3-Kevin Willis-a quality insurance policy in limited minutes

4-Yogi Stewart-no other reason than a personal soft spot

5-Marcus fizer-Good banger/rebounder. Can even score a little when asked. Hey but if the Bulls dont want to keep him then ther must be reason right?

6-Hubert Davis-Wasn't this guy at one time a big 3 point specialist? Maybe I have him confused with someone else

Other than that there isn't much else that I would like to see on the Kings. they're either too old, too new, damaged goods or classic underachievers.

Mad D · Sep 27, 2004

VF21 said:

signed with Atlanta

VF21 · Sep 27, 2004

Mad D said:

Thanks.

Correction made...

Freakout · Sep 27, 2004

Elektrik said:

The player/players that jump out at me off this list include in no particular order are;

1-Lee Nailon- He can shoot the lights out when he is on but he is streaky
He can play some sf/sg and plays pretty good defense. I wonder what his downside is? Attitude?

2-Stromile Swift- I would love to have this guy it amazes me that he is still on this list. At this point it looks like he will be a bargain for somebody. why not us?

3-Kevin Willis-a quality insurance policy in limited minutes

4-Yogi Stewart-no other reason than a personal soft spot

5-Marcus fizer-Good banger/rebounder. Can even score a little when asked. Hey but if the Bulls dont want to keep him then ther must be reason right?

6-Hubert Davis-Wasn't this guy at one time a big 3 point specialist? Maybe I have him confused with someone else

Other than that there isn't much else that I would like to see on the Kings. they're either too old, too new, damaged goods or classic underachievers.

Pretty sure Jerry West has already let it be known he will match any offer (or it could have been up to the MLE) anyone makes for Swift since he's restricted.

Alacron · Sep 27, 2004

Lonny Baxter won the 2002 NCAA title with Maryland, and here's the HoopsHype scouting report:

Great body frame... Plays physical down low... Good moves... Big hands... Very energetic... Good leaping skills despite his size... Lack of size hurts him.

My question would be, why is he already with his fourth team, and why hasn't Charlotte signed him?
.....

From what I've seen Gary Trent is pretty capable. I'd think another team would be willing to offer him more than we would, but apparently it hasn't happened yet. He's a regular on the injured list, but if we're banking our hopes on our 11th man we're toast anyway.
~~

piksi · Sep 27, 2004

I do not see one player that can break into our 7 man rotation (when Doug gets back - 8). Why waste money.

nebs · Sep 27, 2004

I remember..I loved Yogi. I ran into him once at the Comcast office on Pell Drive in Sacramento, right after he signed with Toronto. He was paying his cable in person because they had shut it off. Great guy but not sure if we would get him again.

VF21 · Sep 27, 2004

piksi said:

We're not looking for someone to break into the rotation. We're talking bench filler...most likely a one-year contract at best.

piksi · Sep 27, 2004

Then why not keep Jabari. At least he can hit 2 FT when needed.

Circa_1985_Fan · Sep 27, 2004

thedofd said:

And the fact that he's a bit banged up in the legs, too. I know he's had at least one surgery. I know that's one of the reasons he didnt play in Toronto when he was there.

Circa_1985_Fan · Sep 27, 2004

VF21 said:

someone that did what Peeler did for us last season

Kev.in · Sep 27, 2004

I like Lonny Baxter, but he's one of those younger guys who is probably looking to get on with a bad team where he can get playing time, improve and do something that'll earn him a longer term contract.

DoughDole · Sep 27, 2004

piksi said:

And how about Flip Saunders' facial expression when he knocked them down. Priceless!

Didn't he not accept the invite to the King's summer league? Perhaps he expected the Kings to resign him sooner but since they only sent out another SL invite for him, he didn't appreciate it and decided to bolt to another team. If all is well, I'd rather the Kings get a 4/5 and looking at the FAs on that list my vote would be Jabari.

LPKingsFan · Sep 27, 2004

Lee Nailon has a past history of lighting things up against the Kings, so my money's on him...

Circa_1985_Fan · Sep 27, 2004

I thought I read like a month ago that New Jersey was looking into Jabari...oh well...we'll take him back, he's a decent 12th man.

kingskings! · Sep 27, 2004

Alacron said:

Thanks, Alacron!
I couldn't remember if it was 2001 or 2002 that the Terps took the NCAA, now I don't have to look it up.

(It was actually 2001-2002, yeah...I looked it up).

This team had no real star (Lonnie Baxter, Juan Dixon were the inside outside duo) other starters were Steve Blake, Chris Wilcox, and a kid out of La. who never made into into the NBA...I'll change this if his name comes to me.

This was a great, fun, and exciting team to watch, they were the NCAA equivalent of watching the Kings play. Yet not one of these kids has made any significant mark in the NBA. Like Alacron, I wonder...what is it about Lonnie Baxter that has him playing for his 4th (or 5th team) in so few years. Or even the other players (I think Blake and Dixon are still with D.C. and Wilcox is on the Clips)...how can you be the NCAA champs and make so little impact in the league as individual players? I'm not very good with bball history, so I'm actually asking for some perspective from those who know far more than I ever will.

Oh yeah, the last starter's name was Byron Mouton, I think he had tryouts with Detroit and D.C. maybe played with an NBDL team (or two). If I remember correctly Wilcox and Dixon went in the 1st round draft that year, Baxter in the 2nd round, Mouton never hit a team, and Blake came out of the first round the following year. I loved this team, can you tell?

KK!

Circa_1985_Fan · Sep 28, 2004

kingskings! said:

Thanks, Alacron!
I couldn't remember if it was 2001 or 2002 that the Terps took the NCAA, now I don't have to look it up.

(It was actually 2001-2002, yeah...I looked it up).

This team had no real star (Lonnie Baxter, Juan Dixon were the inside outside duo) other starters were Steve Blake, Chris Wilcox, and a kid out of La. who never made into into the NBA...I'll change this if his name comes to me.

This was a great, fun, and exciting team to watch, they were the NCAA equivalent of watching the Kings play. Yet not one of these kids has made any significant mark in the NBA. Like Alacron, I wonder...what is it about Lonnie Baxter that has him playing for his 4th (or 5th team) in so few years. Or even the other players (I think Blake and Dixon are still with D.C. and Wilcox is on the Clips)...how can you be the NCAA champs and make so little impact in the league as individual players? I'm not very good with bball history, so I'm actually asking for some perspective from those who know far more than I ever will.

Oh yeah, the last starter's name was Byron Mouton, I think he had tryouts with Detroit and D.C. maybe played with an NBDL team (or two). If I remember correctly Wilcox and Dixon went in the 1st round draft that year, Baxter in the 2nd round, Mouton never hit a team, and Blake came out of the first round the following year. I loved this team, can you tell?

KK!

Were you a fan of the old Terps teams with guys like former Kings Walt Williams and Evers Burns?

AleksandarN · Sep 28, 2004

VF21 said:

That was probably Petrie's worst drafting mistake ever. Why did we pass up a player like that? He was the perfect athlete.

kingskings! · Sep 28, 2004

Circa_1985_Fan said:

Nope, I have family in Maryland that follow the Terps and Kings closely, they turned me on to the team that year and they played a lot of nationally televised games that season that allowed me to watch them on the west coast. It was a fun team and we watched tons of basketball that year....sigh....it would have been a perfect basketball season if the Kings had won that year as well.

BJax24 · Sep 28, 2004

re-sign jabari smith!!!!!

Kingballer · Sep 28, 2004

BJax24 said:

Not a bad idea. Jabari is a good role player and proved that he can deliver when needed. Can be a good back up center and can play a few minutes to tire out the opponents big men.

Bricklayer · Sep 28, 2004

There's really no reason to bring a Jabari Smtih type player back. Had him, he's borderline NBA material, part of a weak bench last year. Would rather take a flyer on somebody else and see if they actually pan out than stay with a borderline talent. Just no point to that.

Some FAs still unsigned

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