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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.

mitchweber wrote: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.

KingInExile wrote: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.

SacKingZZZ wrote:

KingInExile wrote: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 wrote:

SacKingZZZ wrote:

KingInExile wrote: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 wrote: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".