Now we can talk basketball

[PetrieUnderstudy]

Now that we know that we have at least another year in Sacramento we can concentrate on personnel. In the Bee's interview with Petrie he discussed the need for another ball handler and some front court help. We all know that SF was our most inconsistent position. The Maloofs also commented today that they are ready to spend some money. I scoured the free agent list and came up with 2 names that wouldn't break the bank while filling Petrie's needs. I'd like to see the Kings sign Jose Barea and Chuck Hayes. They are both in the prime of their careers and durable. Barea has been playing behind Kidd, has great experience, and has just killed the Kings. He plays with a lot of energy and enthusiasm and I think he'd be a perfect change of pace PG off the bench. Hayes though undersized, is an tough defender, rebounder, brings energy, and has a great attitude. I grew up playing sports and attitude goes a long way towards the success of a team. If we could some how land the 1st pick I'd take Derrick Williams. I'd offer our first 2nd round pick along with some cap relief to move up into the 1st round and draft Bismack Biyombo as a high potential project and then draft Isaiah Thomas with our late 2nd round pick. We'd still likely be under the cap space by signing economical free agents since there aren't really any superstars available via free agency.

15 man roster:

Tyreke Evans/Jose Barea/Isaiah Thomas
Marcus Thornton/Beno Udrih/Francisco Garcia
Derrick Williams/Donte Greene/Omri Casspi
DeMarcus Cousins/Chuck Hayes/Bismack Biyombo
Samuel Dalembert/Jason Thompson/Hassan Whiteside

Thomas, Biyombo & Whiteside would be the guys in suits to develop (maybe Garcia w/his injury history).

We shoot for .500 in 2011-12, get an arena approved, and be ready to compete with Memphis, OKC, Chicago & Miami for Championship in the rail yards by 2013-14!

[UKF]

NBA Draft Lottery: May 17

NBA Draft: June 23

Here's the class of 2011 Free Agents(via Hoopsworld):

Point Guard:
Aaron Brooks, Phoenix Suns - $2.0 million – Restricted ($3.0 million Qualifying Offer)
Andre Miller, Portland Trail Blazers - $7.3 million – Team Option ($7.8 million)
Goran Dragic, Houston Rockets - $2.0 million – Team Option ($2.1 million)
Leandro Barbosa, Toronto Raptors - $7.1 million – Player Option ($7.6 million)
Rodney Stuckey, Detroit Pistons - $2.8 million – Restricted ($3.9 million Qualifying Offer)
T.J. Ford, Indiana Pacers - $8.5 million – Unrestricted
Carlos Arroyo, Boston Celtics - $1.2 million – Unrestricted
Ronnie Price, Utah Jazz - $1.3 million - Unrestricted
Patrick Mills, Portland Trail Blazers - $0.9 million – Unrestricted*
Sasha Vujacic, New Jersey Nets - $5.5 million – Unrestricted
Sebastian Telfair, Minnesota Timberwolves - $2.7 million – Unrestricted
Charlie Bell, Golden State Warriors - $3.9 million – Early Termination Option ($4.1 million)
Willie Green, New Orleans Hornets - $4.0 million - Unrestricted
Mario Chalmers, Miami HEAT - $0.9 million – Unrestricted*
Jason Williams, Memphis Grizzlies - $1.4 million – Unrestricted
Earl Watson, Utah Jazz – $1.2 million - Unrestricted
Pooh Jeter, Sacramento Kings - $0.5 million – Team Option ($0.8 million)
Jose Barea, Dallas Mavericks - $1.7 million – Unrestricted
Sundiata Gaines, New Jersey Nets - $0.7 million – Unrestricted*
Chris Quinn, San Antonio Spurs - $0.9 million - Unrestricted
Royal Ivey, Oklahoma City Thunder - $1.1 million - Unrestricted
Marcus Banks, New Orleans Hornets - $4.9 million - Unrestricted
Earl Boykins, Milwaukee Bucks - $1.4 million - Unrestricted
Anthony Carter, New York Knicks - $1.4 million – Unrestricted
Acie Law, Golden State Warriors - $0.7 million - Unrestricted
John Lucas, Chicago Bulls - $0.7 million – Unrestricted*
Ben Uzoh, New Jersey Nets - $0.5 million – Unrestricted*

Shooting Guard
(name, team – 2010-11 salary – status)
Ray Allen, Boston Celtics - $10.0 million – Player Option ($10.0 million)
Jason Richardson, Orlando Magic - $14.4 million - Unrestricted
Jamal Crawford, Atlanta Hawks - $10.1 million – Unrestricted
Arron Afflalo, Denver Nuggets - $2.0 million – Restricted ($2.9 million Qualifying Offer)
Wilson Chandler, Denver Nuggets - $2.1 million – Restricted ($3.1 million Qualifying Offer)
Shannon Brown, L.A. Lakers - $2.1 million – Player Option ($2.4 million)
C.J. Miles, Utah Jazz - $3.7 million – Team Option ($3.7 million)
J.R. Smith, Denver Nuggets - $6.0 million – Unrestricted
DeShawn Stevenson, Dallas Mavericks - $4.2 million – Unrestricted
Mike Dunleavy, Indiana Pacers - $10.6 million – Unrestricted
Chris Douglas-Roberts, Milwaukee Bucks - $0.9 million – Unrestricted*
Nick Young, Washington Wizards - $2.6 million – Restricted ($3.7 million Qualifying Offer)
Sonny Weems, Toronto Raptors - $0.9 million – Unrestricted*
Mo Evans, Washington Wizards - $2.5 million – Unrestricted
Daequan Cook, Oklahoma City Thunder - $2.2 million – Restricted ($3.1 million Qualifying Offer)
Anthony Parker, Cleveland Cavaliers - $2.9 million – Unrestricted
Eddie House, Miami HEAT - $1.4 million – Player Option ($1.4 million)
Marquis Daniels, Boston Celtics - $2.5 million – Unrestricted
Marcus Thornton, Sacramento Kings - $0.8 million – Unrestricted*
Roger Mason, New York Knicks - $1.4 million - Unrestricted
Marco Belinelli, New Orleans Hornets - $2.4 million – Restricted ($3.4 million Qualifying Offer)
Gary Forbes, Denver Nuggets - $0.5 million – Unrestricted*
Michael Redd, Milwaukee Bucks - $18.3 million - Unrestricted
Delonte West, Boston Celtics - $1.1 million – Unrestricted
Stephen Graham, New Jersey Nets - $1.0 million – Team Option ($1.1 million)
Dominic McGuire, Charlotte Bobcats - $0.9 million – Unrestricted
Alonzo Gee, Washington Wizards - $0.6 million – Unrestricted*
Jeremy Lin, Golden State Warriors - $0.5 million – Team Option ($0.8 million)
Von Wafer, Boston Celtics - $0.9 million – Unrestricted

Small Forward
(name, team – 2010-11 salary – status)
Caron Butler, Dallas Mavericks - $10.8 million – Unrestricted
Thaddeus Young, Philadelphia 76ers - $2.9 million – Restricted ($4.0 million Qualifying Offer)
Grant Hill, Phoenix Suns - $3.2 million - Unrestricted
Tayshaun Prince, Detroit Pistons – $11.1 million – Unrestricted
Shane Battier, Memphis Grizzlies - $7.4 million - Unrestricted
Reggie Williams, Golden State Warriors - $0.8 million – Unrestricted*
James Jones, Miami HEAT - $1.1 million – Unrestricted
Al Thornton, Golden State Warriors - $0.9 million – Unrestricted
Jason Kapono, Philadelphia 76ers - $6.6 million - Unrestricted
Josh Howard, Washington Wizards - $3.0 million - Unrestricted
Rasual Butler, Chicago Bulls - $0.9 million - Unrestricted
Jamario Moon, L.A. Clippers - $3.0 million – Unrestricted
Julian Wright, Toronto Raptors - $2.9 million – Restricted ($4.0 million Qualifying Offer)
Peja Stojakovic, Dallas Mavericks - $0.9 million - Unrestricted
Earl Clark, Orlando Magic - $1.9 million – Unrestricted
Kelenna Azubuike, New York Knicks - $3.3 million - Unrestricted
Quinton Ross, New Jersey Nets - $1.1 million – Unrestricted
Shawne Williams, New York Knicks - $0.9 million – Unrestricted
Ime Udoka, San Antonio Spurs - $0.9 million - Unrestricted
Vladimir Radmanovic, Golden State Warriors - $6.9 million - Unrestricted
Joey Graham, Cleveland Cavaliers - $1.0 million – Team Option ($1.1 million)
Jawad Williams, Cleveland Cavaliers - $1.1 million – Unrestricted*
Rodney Carney, Golden State Warriors - $0.9 million – Unrestricted
Jeremy Evans, Utah Jazz - $0.5 million – Unrestricted*
DaJuan Summers, Detroit Pistons - $0.8 million – Unrestricted*
Damien Wilkins, Atlanta Hawks - $0.8 million – Unrestricted
Steve Novak, Dallas Mavericks - $0.9 million - Unrestricted
Derrick Brown, New York Knicks - $0.7 million – Unrestricted*
Darnell Jackson, Sacramento Kings - $0.9 million – Unrestricted*
Cartier Martin, Washington Wizards - $0.9 million – Unrestricted*

Power Forward:
David West, New Orleans Hornets - $8.3 million – Early Termination Option ($7.5 million)
Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs - $18.8 million – Early Termination Option ($21.1 million)
Andrei Kirilenko, Utah Jazz - $17.8 million - Unrestricted
Jeff Green, Boston Celtics - $4.5 million – Restricted ($5.9 million Qualifying Offer)
Boris Diaw, Charlotte Bobcats - $9.0 million – Player Option ($9.0 million)
Troy Murphy, Boston Celtics - $0.9 million – Unrestricted
Carl Landry, New Orleans Hornets - $3.0 million - Unrestricted
Kenyon Martin, Denver Nuggets - $16.5 million – Unrestricted
Glen Davis, Boston Celtics – $3.3 million – Unrestricted
Ronny Turiaf, New York Knicks - $4.2 million – Player Option ($4.1 million)
Kris Humphries, New Jersey Nets - $3.2 million – Unrestricted
Reggie Evans, Toronto Raptors - $5.1 million – Unrestricted
Louis Amundson, Golden State Warriors – $2.2 million – Player Option ($2.4 million)
Chuck Hayes, Houston Rockets - $2.3 million – Unrestricted
Yi Jianlian, Washington Wizards - $4.1 million – Restricted ($5.4 million Qualifying Offer)
Josh McRoberts, Indiana Pacers - $0.9 million – Unrestricted*
Jared Jeffries, New York Knicks - $0.9 million - Unrestricted
Luc Mbah a Moute, Milwaukee Bucks - $0.9 million – Unrestricted*
Jason Smith, New Orleans Hornets - $2.2 million – Restricted ($3.1 million Qualifying Offer)
Craig Smith, L.A. Clippers - $2.3 million – Unrestricted
Dante Cunningham, Charlotte Bobcats - $0.8 million – Unrestricted*
Joey Dorsey, Toronto Raptors - $0.9 million – Unrestricted*
Joe Smith, L.A. Lakers - $1.4 million – Unrestricted
Malik Allen, Orlando Magic - $1.2 million - Unrestricted
Jonas Jerebko, Detroit Pistons - $0.8 million – Unrestricted*
Sam Young, Memphis Grizzlies - $0.9 million – Team Option ($0.9 million)
Juwan Howard, Miami HEAT - $1.4 million - Unrestricted
Brandan Wright, New Jersey Nets - $3.4 million – Restricted ($4.6 million Qualifying Offer)
Darius Songaila, Philadelphia 76ers - $4.8 million - Unrestricted
Leon Powe, Boston Celtics - $0.9 million – Unrestricted
Shelden Williams, New York Knicks - $0.9 million – Unrestricted
Chris Wilcox, Detroit Pistons - $3.0 million – Unrestricted
DJ Mbenga, New Orleans Hornets - $0.9 million - Unrestricted
Brian Skinner, Milwaukee Bucks - $1.0 million – Unrestricted
Hamady Ndiaye, Washington Wizards - $0.5 million – Unrestricted*
DeMarre Carroll, Houston Rockets - $1.1 million – Unrestricted
Solomon Jones, Indiana Pacers - $1.5 million - Unrestricted
Brian Cardinal, Dallas Mavericks - $1.4 million - Unrestricted
Brian Scalabrine, Chicago Bulls - $1.2 million - Unrestricted
Josh Powell, Atlanta Hawks - $1.0 million – Unrestricted
Melvin Ely, Denver Nuggets - $1.1 million - Unrestricted

Center
(name, team – 2010-11 salary – status)
Nene, Denver Nuggets - $11.4 million – Early Termination Option ($11.6 million)
Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies - $3.6 million – Unrestricted*
Tyson Chandler, Dallas Mavericks - $12.6 million – Unrestricted
Yao Ming, Houston Rockets - $17.7 million - Unrestricted
Joel Przybilla, Charlotte Bobcats - $7.4 million – Unrestricted
Samuel Dalembert, Sacramento Kings – $13.4 million - Unrestricted
Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers - $6.8 million – Restricted ($8.8 million Qualifying Offer)
Spencer Hawes, Philadelphia 76ers - $3.0 million – Restricted ($4.1 million Qualifying Offer)
Nenad Krstic, Boston Celtics - $5.7 million – Unrestricted
Tony Battie, Philadelphia 76ers - $1.4 million – Unrestricted
Kyrylo Fesenko, Utah Jazz - $1.1 million - Unrestricted
Erick Dampier, Miami HEAT - $1.1 million - Unrestricted
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Miami HEAT - $1.4 million - Unrestricted
Jeff Foster, Indiana Pacers - $6.7 million - Unrestricted
Nazr Mohammed, Oklahoma City Thunder - $6.9 million – Unrestricted
DeAndre Jordan, L.A. Clippers - $0.9 million – Unrestricted*
Kurt Thomas, Chicago Bulls - $1.4 million – Unrestricted
Francisco Elson, Utah Jazz - $1.1 million – Unrestricted
Hilton Armstrong, Atlanta Hawks - $0.9 million - Unrestricted
Aaron Gray, New Orleans Hornets - $0.9 million – Player Option ($0.9 million)
Jamaal Magloire, Miami HEAT - $1.4 million - Unrestricted
Dan Gadzuric, New Jersey Nets - $7.2 million - Unrestricted
Ryan Hollins, Cleveland Cavaliers - $2.3 million – Player Option ($2.5 million)
Kwame Brown, Charlotte Bobcats - $1.3 million – Unrestricted
Theo Ratliff, L.A. Lakers - $1.4 million - Unrestricted
Etan Thomas, Atlanta Hawks - $1.2 million – Unrestricted
Jason Collins, Atlanta Hawks - $1.2 million – Unrestricted
Eddy Curry - $11.3 million - Unrestricted
Hamed Haddadi, Memphis Grizzlies - $1.8 million – Unrestricted*
Alexis Ajinca, Toronto Raptors - $1.5 million – Unrestricted

[ADoaN17]

I would love to see Wilson Chandler on the Kings.... he would play the 3 but he probably doesn't fit with this team. Just a dream.

[RIPskaterdude]

It feels so good to finally look forward to the draft lottery instead of that OTHER deadline.

That being said, I think we will look at a couple options. First, we need to sign Thornton ASAP. Dally is also needed, but Thornton is a bigger priority IMO. Unfortunately, I think both will get big bucks on the market (depending on the new CBA), so hopefully our "summer of spending" isn't just signing them and a potential high draft pick. It also may not be a bad idea to test out the lineup of Beno/Thornton/Evans/Cousins/Sammy D early in the post season because I think it's important to have Beno in the lineup with two players who need the ball (but shouldn't bring it up) in Evans and Thornton.

[SacKingZZZ]

Ball handler and a SF? Hmmm... Prince will solve those two issues.

[SacKingZZZ]

For some reason the name Mike Dunleavy Jr. stands out. Seems like a Petrie type to me. No thanks Petrie!

My guys are Prince, Battier, McRoberts, Mbah a Moute, Nene (if he opts out, he won't), and of course Daly and Thornton over anyone else.

My under the radar guys are Hayes, Vlad Rad, and Craig Smith.

[RIPskaterdude]

I think Battier will re-sign with Memphis, or play for a contender, but he would be great on this team. Just look at what Memphis did this year. Had a bunch of young players, but brought in some veteran leadership in Tony Allen and Battier.

[boogie-reke]

We should try go for Aaron afflalo imo if we actually loose MT.

[pillwenney]

Man, I don't know about you guys, but I'm getting the Kings at #1 a lot on Ford's lotto simulator. It seems like it's very often teams in the 4-6 range that jump up to the top couple spots.

So basically, all I'm really saying is that it's hard to know what the deal will be until the lotto happens. It's actually kind of nice to have had this distraction. Now we only have the lotto to worry about, but that's not that far off now.

[PetrieUnderstudy]

Ball handler and a SF? Hmmm... Prince will solve those two issues.

Agreed. Prince would be my number 1 target if we are unable to get Derrick Williams. Then we draft an Irving/Knight/Walker.

With news that Nene might opt out, should we potentially go after him harder than Dalembert? He'd cost more though.

Prince, Nene, and say Walker would be an unbelievable offseason.

Evans/Thornton/Prince/Cousins/Nene

[PetrieUnderstudy]

I was listening to Scot Pollard on the Rise Guys this morning and they asked him about fixing the Kings. He talked about guys knowing their roles. That's why I like Barea, Hayes, Prince. Barea and Hayes know they are bench type guys. Prince tries to fit into the puzzle. We don't necessarily need an egomaniacal superstar (plus there really aren't any available). We need lunch pale guys that come to work everyday and hope that two of Tyreke, Marcus or DeMarcus turn out to be All Star caliber players. For anyone that followed the successful Kings teams that's pretty much the formula that was used.

[ADoaN17]

No thanks to McRoberts.....

[Nicky Nix Nook]

I like Hayes, Afflalo, Kapono (cheap), Reggie Williams (cheap).

Thornton is listed as an UFA on that list. He's a RFA.

[SacKingZZZ]

No thanks to McRoberts.....

Super underrated. He was once a lotto prospect and last year he showed flashes of pretty much every thing we could use in a player next to Cousins. Shotblocking, athleticism, shooting, passing, he really can do just about everything well.

[SacKingZZZ]

I like Hayes, Afflalo, Kapono (cheap), Reggie Williams (cheap).

Thornton is listed as an UFA on that list. He's a RFA.

I like Hayes and Afflalo but the other guys are more depth than anything else. If Petrie can consolidate a bunch of the major depth the Kings already have it would be a good thing to look at players like that, but right now they won't oust anyone from the rotation that the Kings already have. I also think with Thornton that probably takes them out of the running for someone like Afflalo since I think Denver views him as their guy at SG.

[SacKingZZZ]

I was listening to Scot Pollard on the Rise Guys this morning and they asked him about fixing the Kings. He talked about guys knowing their roles. That's why I like Barea, Hayes, Prince. Barea and Hayes know they are bench type guys. Prince tries to fit into the puzzle. We don't necessarily need an egomaniacal superstar (plus there really aren't any available). We need lunch pale guys that come to work everyday and hope that two of Tyreke, Marcus or DeMarcus turn out to be All Star caliber players. For anyone that followed the successful Kings teams that's pretty much the formula that was used.

Obviously this team isn't going to find someone that will outdo the potential of Cousins and Evans, not by a long shot, but adding another "star" type wouldn't hurt. Probably more likely to draft it than sign it though.

I think if the Kings come out of this summer with Prince/Battier and possibly Nene, while that's probably going a little far in terms of talent needed it might be wise to spend the $$$ and go for it. Some of the better FA's this year aren't good enough to be full fledged stars but are better than your everyday "lunch pail" guys. Could work out well in the long run.

[perezident]

The hell with Dally... I've been saying this for eons now... We should pair Marc Gasol and Cousins together! It is of my view that baring we do not win the lotto (that is a top 2 pick) we should package the pick and get some proven young guys who has experience. Then we should plug in a mixture of vets.

e.g

Gasol/Prizbilla/Whiteside
Cousins/JT/Wilcox
Wilson/Greene/Casspi
Thornton/Cisco/A. Parker
Evans/Beno/Boykins

[a-rod]

I like Aaron Brooks(low iq),David West(too old and injury concern), Nene(nothing special), Marc Gasol(not a good fit)...

I say rick adelman or bust

rick adelman and jerry sloan are on the market that's unbelievable....

[Sacramento_King]

I think we need to let Casspi grow into the SF position. They guy was given the runaround all year I feel and was confused and scared to play last year. Let him play and I think he'll be fine. He is aggressive, can shoot outside and drive. His defense needs work but he hustles and works hard. I think we'd be fine with Omri. Hopefully develop Greene as a defensive stopper who can pop the three and run the break. I hope they sign Leon Powe to provide big man depth. A defensive role player who knows his role. I like Barea as a off the bench hustle point guard and let the team continue to grow with the five pick hopefully higher.

[SacKingZZZ]

I have more than just a feeling that Casspi is going to be moved before the summer is up. Either on draft night as part of a bigger package or after the CBA is settled. I hope not because I think he's going to be a heck of a player and could easily be the Kings SF for years to come if given time but with all that's gone on I think he's on the table these days.