http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/259317.html
Ailene Voisin: Petrie not revealing game plan just yet
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Columnist
Published 12:32 am PDT Friday, July 6, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1
Geoff Petrie went to Las Vegas to observe the Kings' summer-league games, and by the time he returns, he should have gained a much better sense of direction. And then it will be time to spill his secret.
Elevator or escalator?
Fast or faster?
Either he points one way and the Kings immerse themselves in an aggressive, full-bore rebuilding undertaking. Or he points the other way, and the makeover becomes more of an incremental and methodical endeavor, with all eyes peering toward the potentially rich free-agent opportunities in the offseason of 2009.
Kings fans desperately want to know. Give them a sign, a signal, or heck, send them a telegram: Can the club's basketball president immediately initiate the process -- with a series of shrewd, significant moves for younger, promising players who are capable of growing collectively -- without exacerbating an already problematic team payroll situation? Or is this going to be two years of doing penance while praying for another Greg Oden?
Petrie isn't saying. But he's looking. He's looking hard.
"A lot of the center of gravity is going to be here for the next eight or 10 days," Petrie said, "so there will be ample opportunity to talk to other teams, watch players on your own team, as well as players on other teams. Things could surface that are unknown as of now. And you can start signing (free agents) and trading players on the 11th."
Petrie's balancing act is complicated by the fact that, since the breakup of the beloved bunch in 2004 -- the Vlade Divac, Peja Stojakovic and Chris Webber era that began with the big strike year of 1999 -- he has spent freely for less. The Kings continue to rank right up there with the league leaders in overpaid slugs.
Brad Miller will earn $13.5 million next season. Mike Bibby is on the books for $13.5 million. Ron Artest is a bargain at $7.8 million, particularly when compared to the 2007-08 salaries of Kenny Thomas ($7.3 million), Shareef Abdur-Rahim ($5.8 million) and John Salmons ($4.7 million).
"At some point, you have to exercise restraint," Petrie acknowledged. "Can you get a player who is going to change the direction of your team? Probably not. And you have to ask, How many of those midlevel contracts do you want when your team is trying to refurbish?"
And he prefers the term "refurbish" to "rebuild" because ... ?
Because he says he believes the Kings already have a few of the building blocks, foremost among them Kevin Martin, the emerging Francisco García, the potential of rookie Spencer Hawes, Quincy Douby and Justin Williams. That goes along with the possibility -- and this is a stretch here -- that new coach Reggie Theus can reach Miller, while getting something out of Bibby and Artest before they're traded and/or their salaries expire.
"I think our team underachieved last year," Petrie said, "and one thing that is very important right now is getting back to playing an entertaining style of basketball, where the players look like they're having fun playing together."
Meantime, he must regain his magical touch and avoid repeating the mistakes of the past two seasons, namely the signings of Abdur-Rahim (2005) and Salmons (2006) to the midlevel exception, unduly burdening the team payroll. But more than anything, what the Kings need now -- what Petrie needs to bring to the table within the next several weeks -- is a blueprint that offers a clear, concise sense of direction.
Which way are the Kings going? Down a few more notches while preparing for a big strike in '09? Or effectively tinkering along the way, without jeopardizing their next potential great (salary cap) escape?
And who knows? Maybe Petrie will get lucky over there in Vegas. The New York Knicks, having acquired Zach Randolph last week, reportedly envision Artest as the missing piece. If so, Petrie should hold out for the immensely popular (and young) David Lee and considerably more. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers are weak at point guard, and the Cavs, in particular, are said to remain intrigued by Bibby. If so, any swap should include the high-energy (and currently unsigned) Anderson Varejao. Hedo Turkoglu is available, though not nearly as desirable as the more physical Lee.
"If something comes along," Petrie said, "you have to be ready to act. But I don't see how you can go on forever, adding salaries, $5 (million) and $6 million at a crack, and never have one major leg at improving your team."
Agreed.
And please. No more slugs.
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@sacbee.com
Ailene Voisin: Petrie not revealing game plan just yet
By Ailene Voisin - Bee Columnist
Published 12:32 am PDT Friday, July 6, 2007
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C1
Geoff Petrie went to Las Vegas to observe the Kings' summer-league games, and by the time he returns, he should have gained a much better sense of direction. And then it will be time to spill his secret.
Elevator or escalator?
Fast or faster?
Either he points one way and the Kings immerse themselves in an aggressive, full-bore rebuilding undertaking. Or he points the other way, and the makeover becomes more of an incremental and methodical endeavor, with all eyes peering toward the potentially rich free-agent opportunities in the offseason of 2009.
Kings fans desperately want to know. Give them a sign, a signal, or heck, send them a telegram: Can the club's basketball president immediately initiate the process -- with a series of shrewd, significant moves for younger, promising players who are capable of growing collectively -- without exacerbating an already problematic team payroll situation? Or is this going to be two years of doing penance while praying for another Greg Oden?
Petrie isn't saying. But he's looking. He's looking hard.
"A lot of the center of gravity is going to be here for the next eight or 10 days," Petrie said, "so there will be ample opportunity to talk to other teams, watch players on your own team, as well as players on other teams. Things could surface that are unknown as of now. And you can start signing (free agents) and trading players on the 11th."
Petrie's balancing act is complicated by the fact that, since the breakup of the beloved bunch in 2004 -- the Vlade Divac, Peja Stojakovic and Chris Webber era that began with the big strike year of 1999 -- he has spent freely for less. The Kings continue to rank right up there with the league leaders in overpaid slugs.
Brad Miller will earn $13.5 million next season. Mike Bibby is on the books for $13.5 million. Ron Artest is a bargain at $7.8 million, particularly when compared to the 2007-08 salaries of Kenny Thomas ($7.3 million), Shareef Abdur-Rahim ($5.8 million) and John Salmons ($4.7 million).
"At some point, you have to exercise restraint," Petrie acknowledged. "Can you get a player who is going to change the direction of your team? Probably not. And you have to ask, How many of those midlevel contracts do you want when your team is trying to refurbish?"
And he prefers the term "refurbish" to "rebuild" because ... ?
Because he says he believes the Kings already have a few of the building blocks, foremost among them Kevin Martin, the emerging Francisco García, the potential of rookie Spencer Hawes, Quincy Douby and Justin Williams. That goes along with the possibility -- and this is a stretch here -- that new coach Reggie Theus can reach Miller, while getting something out of Bibby and Artest before they're traded and/or their salaries expire.
"I think our team underachieved last year," Petrie said, "and one thing that is very important right now is getting back to playing an entertaining style of basketball, where the players look like they're having fun playing together."
Meantime, he must regain his magical touch and avoid repeating the mistakes of the past two seasons, namely the signings of Abdur-Rahim (2005) and Salmons (2006) to the midlevel exception, unduly burdening the team payroll. But more than anything, what the Kings need now -- what Petrie needs to bring to the table within the next several weeks -- is a blueprint that offers a clear, concise sense of direction.
Which way are the Kings going? Down a few more notches while preparing for a big strike in '09? Or effectively tinkering along the way, without jeopardizing their next potential great (salary cap) escape?
And who knows? Maybe Petrie will get lucky over there in Vegas. The New York Knicks, having acquired Zach Randolph last week, reportedly envision Artest as the missing piece. If so, Petrie should hold out for the immensely popular (and young) David Lee and considerably more. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Los Angeles Clippers are weak at point guard, and the Cavs, in particular, are said to remain intrigued by Bibby. If so, any swap should include the high-energy (and currently unsigned) Anderson Varejao. Hedo Turkoglu is available, though not nearly as desirable as the more physical Lee.
"If something comes along," Petrie said, "you have to be ready to act. But I don't see how you can go on forever, adding salaries, $5 (million) and $6 million at a crack, and never have one major leg at improving your team."
Agreed.
And please. No more slugs.
About the writer: Reach Ailene Voisin at (916) 321-1208 or avoisin@sacbee.com
