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The snail-like negotiations between the Kings and free-agent shooting guard Bonzi Wells went another day with no announcements, as Wells' agent, William Phillips, declined to comment Saturday.
But more than two weeks into the free-agency period, numerous player agents have indicated that Wells' unknown status makes it more difficult to seriously discuss other free agents with the Kings. While the Kings still can offer their mid-level exception ($5.2 million), they would prefer to avoid paying the luxury tax.
So should the Kings re-sign Wells, who made $8 million last season, the mid-level exception likely would go unused. There is approximately $8 million of space between the Kings' current payroll and the luxury-tax threshold of $65.4 million.
In essence, as Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie has said, Wells is the top priority, meaning others must wait. Among them is former Kings forward Darius Songaila, a Chicago restricted free agent who is not expected to receive an offer from the Bulls.
"Geoff and I have been talking," said Mark Bartelstein, Songaila's agent. "But we have eight to 10 teams that we're seriously talking to. We've told them that Darius has a great interest in coming back there. But obviously, there are other teams that are pursuing Darius. We just can't wait around forever. We're moving toward trying to get something done."
Petrie never wanted Songaila to leave Sacramento. But after nearly three months of free-agency negotiations last summer, Songaila -- who was a restricted free agent with the Kings -- did not accept their qualifying offer. When Songaila drew serious interest from Chicago, Petrie rescinded his offer, allowing the then third-year player to sign a one-year deal for $2.2 million, with a team option for a second season.
The short-term deal would not have been possible if teams had to match the Kings' offer, but Petrie's gesture allowed Songaila to give free agency another try in the near future. But the Bulls' mega-signing of center Ben Wallace and his four-year, $52 million deal brought that time more quickly than expected.
And Songaila, one of the Bulls' top reserves last season, suddenly is looking for his payday again. Even if it's from the Kings. The Kings reportedly have inquired about free-agent small forward Trevor Ariza, a third-year player from UCLA who played in 21 games for Orlando last season. His agent, David Lee, did not return a call for comment.
The snail-like negotiations between the Kings and free-agent shooting guard Bonzi Wells went another day with no announcements, as Wells' agent, William Phillips, declined to comment Saturday.
But more than two weeks into the free-agency period, numerous player agents have indicated that Wells' unknown status makes it more difficult to seriously discuss other free agents with the Kings. While the Kings still can offer their mid-level exception ($5.2 million), they would prefer to avoid paying the luxury tax.
So should the Kings re-sign Wells, who made $8 million last season, the mid-level exception likely would go unused. There is approximately $8 million of space between the Kings' current payroll and the luxury-tax threshold of $65.4 million.
In essence, as Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie has said, Wells is the top priority, meaning others must wait. Among them is former Kings forward Darius Songaila, a Chicago restricted free agent who is not expected to receive an offer from the Bulls.
"Geoff and I have been talking," said Mark Bartelstein, Songaila's agent. "But we have eight to 10 teams that we're seriously talking to. We've told them that Darius has a great interest in coming back there. But obviously, there are other teams that are pursuing Darius. We just can't wait around forever. We're moving toward trying to get something done."
Petrie never wanted Songaila to leave Sacramento. But after nearly three months of free-agency negotiations last summer, Songaila -- who was a restricted free agent with the Kings -- did not accept their qualifying offer. When Songaila drew serious interest from Chicago, Petrie rescinded his offer, allowing the then third-year player to sign a one-year deal for $2.2 million, with a team option for a second season.
The short-term deal would not have been possible if teams had to match the Kings' offer, but Petrie's gesture allowed Songaila to give free agency another try in the near future. But the Bulls' mega-signing of center Ben Wallace and his four-year, $52 million deal brought that time more quickly than expected.
And Songaila, one of the Bulls' top reserves last season, suddenly is looking for his payday again. Even if it's from the Kings. The Kings reportedly have inquired about free-agent small forward Trevor Ariza, a third-year player from UCLA who played in 21 games for Orlando last season. His agent, David Lee, did not return a call for comment.
