Kings Sign Ime Udoka

[Nicky Nix Nook]

http://www.nba.com/kings/news/press_rel ... 11_04.html

SACRAMENTO, CA, November 4, 2009 ---- The Sacramento Kings today signed guard-forward Ime Udoka to a contract, it was announced by Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“We’re excited about the addition of Ime to the Kings,” Petrie said. “He is experienced, a tough defender and has the ability to help space the floor at the offensive end.”

The 6-5, 220-pound guard-forward amassed career averages of 6.0 points (42.8 FG%, 37.4 3FG%, 70.4 FT%), 3.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game through 227 games in five seasons with the Lakers (2003-04), New York (2005-06), Portland (2006-07), and San Antonio (2007-08 – 2008-09). Undrafted after finishing his college career at Portland State, Udoka was signed as a free agent by the Lakers (8/13/03). Before joining the Kings, Udoka was with Portland during the 2009 preseason. His best year, statistically, occurred during 2006-07 when he averaged 8.4 points (46.1 FG%, 40.6 3FG%, 74.2 FT%), 3.7 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game starting all 75 contests he played in with the Trail Blazers.

Weird, I though we had plenty of SF's and not enough C's? I like Udoka, but what the hell is going on? Is this a sign that someone is on the move?

[Fola314]

It could mean that Mason is done for (Is Mason's contract guaranteed?). Also we technically have no backup SG, Martin played all but 30 seconds of the Memphis game.

[rpa]

Would have liked to see a big man signed. I mean, cmon, Sean May is 1 of the worst players I've ever seen and we're forced to play him major minutes because of how thin we are up front.

[Nicky Nix Nook]

Yes unguaranteed.

[pillwenney]

Yeah, I like the idea of replacing Mason with a guy that's a better defender and can actually shoot. Seems like a good call.

But I also agree that I would have preferred another big.

Evans\Udrih\Sergio
Martin\Casspi\Mason
Nocioni\Udoka\(Cisco)
Thompson\Brockman\Greene
Hawes\May\Thomas

This gives us 15, so if we are going to sign another big, we'll have to waive Mason.

[Nicky Nix Nook]

Yeah, I like the idea of replacing Mason with a guy that's a better defender and can actually shoot. Seems like a good call.

But I also agree that I would have preferred another big.

Evans\Udrih\Sergio
Martin\Casspi\Mason
Nocioni\Udoka\(Cisco)
Thompson\Brockman\Greene
Hawes\May\Thomas

This gives us 15, so if we are going to sign another big, we'll have to waive Mason.

I like Udoka much more than Mason...I'd even start him, which would give us good depth off the bench (Casspi/Nocioni).

Now just cut Mason and sign Jake V (or another 7' I honestly don't care).

Our roster would be much more balanced.

[KingInExile]

Udoka is one of those good, young role players that you don't pass up if he's available. I can see the logic in the move and think it is just provides more options with Garcia out. I certainly would have liked to see an announcement that we brought in a big man to fill that gap, but that really is a seperate issue. There most likely are more moves to come.

[sacking101]

interesting considering how well casspi has been playing and noc has been playing well also. He is better then mason though but when garcia gets back we are loaded at the sf position.

[Nicky Nix Nook]

Someone's got to go.

[KF10]

I like the move. But ultimately, I think this is a stop gappage for the absence of Garcia though.

[SacKingZZZ]

Udoka is one of those good, young role players that you don't pass up if he's available. I can see the logic in the move and think it is just provides more options with Garcia out. I certainly would have liked to see an announcement that we brought in a big man to fill that gap, but that really is a seperate issue. There most likely are more moves to come.

Young? Well, he's older than Mason if that means anything! hahaha.

Well, I don't get it. I like Ime so I'm not pissed, but I guess that means Greene will be looking good in his suit for the rest of the year.

[KingInExile]

Udoka is one of those good, young role players that you don't pass up if he's available. I can see the logic in the move and think it is just provides more options with Garcia out. I certainly would have liked to see an announcement that we brought in a big man to fill that gap, but that really is a seperate issue. There most likely are more moves to come.

Young? Well, he's older than Mason if that means anything! hahaha.

Well, I don't get it. I like Ime so I'm not pissed, but I guess that means Greene will be looking good in his suit for the rest of the year.

Hmmm...thought he was younger. My bad.

Frankly, if this means Greene spends more time in a suite, so be it. He hasn't done a lot in the minutes he has gotten to show that he's much more than a long term project...if that.

[cdt3]

Very smart to get a Mason who can hit a shot.

Remember next year we will lose Thomas and May. Jake V? His career numbers are 4/3/.4 blocks in 15 mins a game. Sean May is avging a 5/3/.3 in 16min. May is better at 6-9" than Jake at 6-11".

[_SRV_]

redundant if Mason is waived, inexplicable if not.

[Smills91]

Udoka is one of those good, young role players that you don't pass up if he's available. I can see the logic in the move and think it is just provides more options with Garcia out. I certainly would have liked to see an announcement that we brought in a big man to fill that gap, but that really is a seperate issue. There most likely are more moves to come.

Young? Well, he's older than Mason if that means anything! hahaha.

Well, I don't get it. I like Ime so I'm not pissed, but I guess that means Greene will be looking good in his suit for the rest of the year.

Hmmm...thought he was younger. My bad.

Frankly, if this means Greene spends more time in a suite, so be it. He hasn't done a lot in the minutes he has gotten to show that he's much more than a long term project...if that.

Why wouldn't he be near the bench? The Maloofs need to get as much money from the few suite's they have.

[KingInExile]

I was thinking that they could try to recoup some of his salary by charging him to watch the games...and he should be able to aford a suite to watch the games in.

[pillwenney]

Very smart to get a Mason who can hit a shot.

Remember next year we will lose Thomas and May. Jake V? His career numbers are 4/3/.4 blocks in 15 mins a game. Sean May is avging a 5/3/.3 in 16min. May is better at 6-9" than Jake at 6-11".

Oh well, if you have stats, then you can just throw out the fact that one is clearly a center and is capable of playing competent defense against centers, and the other is not.

I don't think anybody is denying that May is more talented, but sometimes you just need size.