What's the next move for Kings?

[Kings113]

By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PDT Sunday, July 24, 2005

Shooting guard Cuttino Mobley has agreed to a five-year, $42 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers. Bonzi Wells has been imported from Memphis to replace Mobley.



Meanwhile, athletic swingman Maurice Evans, who impressed with his jumping ability, hustle and competitive nature, works out in San Antonio, Texas, and wonders if there remains a place for him in Sacramento.

Roger Montgomery, Evans' agent, said Saturday the Kings have not aggressively attempted to retain his client. http://ads.sacbee.com/RealMedia/ads/adstream_lx.ads/www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/653578271/Button20/Sacbee/cars_160_siy_jul_5/cars_160x600_siy04.html/34323431636166643432373933383530?_RM_EMPTY_ "Based on their recent acquisitions," Montgomery said, "I would have to infer the Kings are not really into re-signing Maurice. They have not been proactive pre-Bonzi Wells and post-Bonzi Wells. So I'm led to infer they have other plans that don't include Maurice."



Evans, 26, surprised many observers by making the Kings team as a free agent last fall and then averaged 19 minutes in 65 regular-season games, including 11 starts.

During the Kings' season-ending, Game 5 loss to the Seattle SuperSonics in the first round of the playoffs, Evans replaced Mobley, who had injured a toe, and made each of his five field-goal attempts and scored 13 points in 33 minutes.

Evans may have other options, although the ability to deliver an offer sheet ultimately will tell all.

The Minnesota Timberwolves, with whom Evans played 10 games during the 2001-02 season while establishing a strong relationship with star forward Kevin Garnett, clearly have a need with the expected loss of Latrell Sprewell. The Timberwolves did draft North Carolina's Rashad McCants with their first-round pick, but Evans would seem to fit.

Moreover, new coach Dwane Casey was on Seattle's staff last season and watched Evans play well against Sonics star Ray Allen.

It also is believed the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs have interest in Evans.

Evans said he believes in his talents and is working daily to improve.

"I think they pretty much speak for themselves," Evans said of Mobley's departure and the trade for Wells that sent away Bobby Jackson and Greg Ostertag. "I can't question (Kings president of basketball operations) Geoff Petrie. He's a great (executive), and he's one of the main reasons why the Kings have been one of the top teams in the league.

"But I don't know why he wouldn't want to re-sign a player of my caliber and potential. I'm going to be a good player for whoever I play for."

Petrie said this week he would continue to talk to Montgomery and Mark Bartelstein, who represents Sacramento's other restricted free agent, forward Darius Songaila. Petrie said he anticipated the outcomes of those talks to take a few days to unfold.

Often, it's the salary numbers that work against players, but this time it could be the imbalance of Sacramento's backcourt. The addition of Wells and the selections of Kevin Martin and Francísco García, respectively, in the past two drafts give the Kings three swingmen capable of playing shooting guard and small forward, but just one point guard, Mike Bibby.

Petrie said the Kings will address acquiring a backup for Bibby.

The Kings also need a backup small forward for Peja Stojakovic. Evans would fit that bill and also be capable of moving to shooting guard. However, the salary cap could be a factor because the Kings would have to decide how much they want to pay a player who ostensibly would receive limited playing time. From Evans' perspective, he'd like to sign for as much money and receive as much playing time as possible. It is conceivable the Kings could do a sign-and-trade with Evans that could bring a backup point guard.

http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/13289669p-14131938c.html

Interesting. I still don't believe Mo is gone till he agrees to a deal with another team, but Kevin Martin is also a factor in Mo staying here. One of them will be here, and one won't.

Mo would be a good back-up for Peja though. Same for being the primary back-up SG.

The S/T mention is interesting also, Memphis said they would rather do a S/T for Watson, rather than just let him go nothing. Mo to the Grizzlies would be sweet, I like them.

I'd be disappointed if Evans went to the Sonics... I don't think that is gonna happen with all the FAs they STILL got and need to concentrate on, though. Mo going back to the Wolves would be kinda strange, I think, like just about anywhere else, he'd fit in good there though. He'd be great fit for the Pistons, sliding right into the back-up SG role.

Glad to see the talk of a back-up PG, no one specifically mentioned there, meaning it won't likely just be House coming back to simply fill that role like some people think.

 

[thesanityannex]

Interesting. I still don't believe Mo is gone till he agrees to a deal with another team,

uh................................................yeah.

 

[Kings113]

Exactly. As other people think he is already gone, when he is not, and is still on the market.

The "uh" is irrelevant.

 

[CruzDude]

Yeah, but with Bonzi, Kevin and Cisco then Mo, who gets time at the 2 and a little backup for Pedja? If Bonzi starts then we have 3 who play the 2 on the bench and no PF on the bench. I love Mo's game but...... uh.........

 

[Bricklayer]

Yeah, but with Bonzi, Kevin and Cisco then Mo, who gets time at the 2 and a little backup for Pedja? If Bonzi starts then we have 3 who play the 2 on the bench and no PF on the bench. I love Mo's game but...... uh.........

I think you could, emphasis on COULD, stay pretty much in house, sign Doug to be the backup PG, Mo to largely be a backup SF, and call those guys your little man core

6'1" PG -- Bibby
6'5" OG -- Bonzi
6'9" SF -- Peja
6'7" PG/OG -- Christie
6'5" SF/OG -- Evans
6'7" OG -- Martin
6'7" OG/PG/SF -- Cisco

you could do it that way. But not sure at all its the best way. Especially not when you could stay equally in house while bring back a bigger and cheaper player in Matt Barnes to fill the backup SF spot and be able to swing both to the 2 and 4.

 

[piksi]

I think you could, emphasis on COULD, stay pretty much in house, sign Doug to be the backup PG, Mo to largely be a backup SF, and call those guys your little man core

6'1" PG -- Bibby
6'5" OG -- Bonzi
6'9" SF -- Peja
6'7" PG/OG -- Christie
6'5" SF/OG -- Evans
6'7" OG -- Martin
6'7" OG/PG/SF -- Cisco

you could do it that way. But not sure at all its the best way. Especially not when you could stay equally in house while bring back a bigger and cheaper player in Matt Barnes to fill the backup SF spot and be able to swing both to the 2 and 4.

You forgot Corliss as a center

 

[King4Life]

"Moreover, new coach Dwane Casey was on Seattle's staff last season and watched Evans play well against Sonics star Ray Allen. "

I know this is old, but I have to comment on it. Rick Adelman said on radio that Cuttino's offense was better than Mo's defense. I disagree. Unlike when Cuttino was on the floor, Ray Allen wasn't 'shooting in the gym by himself' (to quote Barkley) when he was guarded by Evans. Evans is a better rebounder and was the better defender in the Seattle series, so giving Cuttino so many minutes over him in that series was a mistake.

 

[PFFFT!!]

The Kings also need a backup small forward for Peja Stojakovic. Evans would fit that bill and also be capable of moving to shooting guard. However, the salary cap could be a factor because the Kings would have to decide how much they want to pay a player who ostensibly would receive limited playing time. From Evans' perspective, he'd like to sign for as much money and receive as much playing time as possible. It is conceivable the Kings could do a sign-and-trade with Evans that could bring a backup point guard.

.

Backup small forward? Wasn't Corliss the backup? Forget Songalia, I'd be hardpressed not to go for Mo. I would definitely use the midlevel. I would put Mo as the backup small forward and trade Corliss for a backup PG. If possible get rid of Kenny's contract and package him up with Skinner for 1 PF with an expiring contract.

 

[piksi]

Backup small forward? Wasn't Corliss the backup?

Corliss is a center now

 

[PFFFT!!]

Corliss is a center now

You mean Skinner is the backup Center. Doesn't Skinner have more rebounding abilities than Corliss?

 

[sauce-26]

How about Scott Pollard as our backup center.

 

[VF21]

You mean Skinner is the backup Center. Doesn't Skinner have more rebounding abilities than Corliss?

Yes...

I think some people are referring to the occasions when, while Skinner was injured, Corliss was actually put in as a "center" although he didn't really play the position.

-------------------------

Scot Pollard as back-up center?

The Pacers are just going to give him to us? With the announced acquisition of Sarunas J., we really don't have anything the Pacers want and I think they're still smarting over the whole Brad Miller scenario. I don't see them sending Pollard back to us, unless it was clearly a benefit to them. The team and fans have come to like Pollard and respect him for what he can do for them.

All that aside, Pollard is only getting older. This infatuation with all players who have previously worn the Kings uniform has to stop sometime. Yes, he was a great guy and it was a lot of fun while he was here. Yes, he was an excellent back-up center for Vlade BEFORE his back problems. He isn't that player any longer and the LAST thing we need to do is reinforce our aging roster with more of the same.

 

[Andriod_KiNg]

Garcia is the likey option behind Williamson for the backup SF spot...

 

[BobbyJ_for3!]

I think I see what everyone has said about bringing back Mo. If we were to get Mo and Matt back, we would have way too many 2-3s......

The possility there tho is the ability to trade a couple of them. I say resign both Evans and Barnes, resign house and trad him and corliss for a similarly servicable PF.

PG - Bibby, Price, Cisco
SG - Wells, Martin, Evans, Cisco
SF - Peja, Barnes, Evans
PF - Thomas, trade PF
C - Miller, Skinner

true, we'd be more 1-3 heavy than perhaps most teams, but who says tahts bad, esp in a season where none of us reallly see the kings winning the chamionship...play all these guys, let them develop some chemistry...have a big bench

perhaps trade martin for a big man of similar/less talent(PF/C harder to come by)

eh, i dunno about my theory just now...oh well, tis not so good

 

[captain bill]

That team is still hurting bad at PF. I want to see Mo back, and like him more than Martin, but I think we absolutely have to get a PF and backup PG first. The Kings are playing this smart. They know a guy like Evans won't be aggressively pursued until teams have gotten the rest of business in order, and so I think they are trying to make sure the rest of the team is in decent shape. If we can get a starting PF, then we can try to resign Evans and bolster the bench. But otherwise I think the starters should be our top priority.

 

[CruzDude]

Firstly I don't think Evans is in our mix is we keep Kevin and Cisco. Second, we need a true PG who picks up some of BJax's hustle and speed. I see Skinner at the 5 and Brad at the 4 then Brad slides over to the 5 and Thomas or anyone of 3-4 others play a generic 4 depending on matchups. I donno...... its all pretty confusing. Why isn't House on anyones radar now?

 

[Alacron]

We don't have any reason to sign Evans now unless we are planning on trading Kevin or Cisco.

Also, to sign Evans we'd have to use part of the MLE, which I would much rather see spent on a backup point guard and/or the best available big man.

The fact is we have three SGs now, and signing another one should be way low on our priority list. That's not easy for me to say considering how much I love Mo and would love to see him stay here. But we still need two more big men, one PG, and a backup SF (Barnes hopefully). I don't see any room for Mo.
~~

 

[captain bill]

I think the general consensus is that House will be looked at after the Kings look around for something better. He is a good player but he never quite clicked in Sacramento, I don't think. He was picked up as a stopgap after Bobby went down and now the Kings will look elsewhere. I like the idea of starting Brad at the 4, but we really need to get a center first. Starting Skinner really worries me. 2 blocks a game is not enough to warrant a spot in the lineup, IMO.

 

[Kings113]

I think the general consensus is that House will be looked at after the Kings look around for something better. He is a good player but he never quite clicked in Sacramento, I don't think. He was picked up as a stopgap after Bobby went down and now the Kings will look elsewhere.

Agreed.

I think we do have a reason to sign Evans, if we don't get Barnes, back-up Peja. Other than that, I'd let Mo go, he'll be doing what he'd do for us on any other team.

 

[KP]

I think it's pretty obvious Evans is gone, especially after hearing his agent the other day. The Kings just aren't making the moves they would be if they were figuring him into the equation. He'll catch on somewhere else and play just as well.

 

[Venom]

Agreed.

I think we do have a reason to sign Evans, if we don't get Barnes, back-up Peja. Other than that, I'd let Mo go, he'll be doing what he'd do for us on any other team.

And how, exactly, would we not get Matt?

There is no reason to sign Evans. None. Not much reason to sign Songaila either, if anyone was curious.

 

[captain bill]

Except that he's a very good player, better than Martin or Barnes. If we could get him without sacrificing other positions, I would take him in a heartbeat. There's a reason he has 6 teams going after him. He is a very good player and can make a big impact for a contender.

 

[KP]

Except that he's a very good player, better than Martin or Barnes. If we could get him without sacrificing other positions, I would take him in a heartbeat. There's a reason he has 6 teams going after him. He is a very good player and can make a big impact for a contender.

He is a good player but I think they are banking on the fact Kevin can be be even better eventually. Considering where the team is at right now I don't think it's that big of a gamble.

 

[captain bill]

Kevin can still be an extremely valuable bench player, even if he does not improve at all. He showed that last year against Seattle. If we could retain him easily, he would be of immense value to this team now, as it stands, despite reducing the minutes of Martin, Barnes and Garcia.

 

[Kings113]

And how, exactly, would we not get Matt?

There is no reason to sign Evans. None. Not much reason to sign Songaila either, if anyone was curious.

The Spurs and Heat, also want him. Corliss won't be here next season, so we have no back-up SF, and Martin could be used as a piece in a trade. But utlimately, I think Evans walks to one of the teams that want him, excluding the Sonics.

Songaila could be worth keeping when we trade Thomas (he won't be coming off the bench, nor starting).In the end though, I see Songaila being traded or he walks.

 

[KP]

I do have high hopes for Kevin this year, and it seems like Petrie and Adelman are high on him too. Although I did see him at the mall this weekend and he looked skinny!

 

[Kings113]

He added 8-9 lbs I read on Sacbee. Looked a little bit bigger in the VSL, but not a lot.

 

[BobbyJ_for3!]

He added 8-9 lbs I read on Sacbee. Looked a little bit bigger in the VSL, but not a lot.

i thot i had read/heard it was more than that...

he sure looked bigger to me...

evans is absolutely the best option as a backup 3-2.....toughness, defense, shooting skills, athleticism...isnt that what we want from a backup?

perhaps not, since we just traded bobby and he possessed those traits plus many more

maybe petrie is looking for a different kind of bench player now *shrugs* trades bobby and isnt very active with evans...

 

[Bricklayer]

i thot i had read/heard it was more than that...

he sure looked bigger to me...

evans is absolutely the best option as a backup 3-2.....toughness, defense, shooting skills, athleticism...isnt that what we want from a backup?

perhaps not, since we just traded bobby and he possessed those traits plus many more

maybe petrie is looking for a different kind of bench player now *shrugs* trades bobby and isnt very active with evans...

Well he traded Bobby for a bigger player with many of those same traits, so it wasn't an either or.

 

[captain bill]

I think the Kings really do want to keep Evans, they just can't throw too much at him considering other more urgent needs. It also wouldn't be wise to start him. Evans is a good 6th man, no doubt, but not starting caliber yet. I really believe if we aquire a PF through trade then we will resign Evans. Then again, what I believe doesn't count for much.