Kings send Greene to D-League?

[RIPskaterdude]

If Donte' Greene and Pete Carril have anything in common, it's that they're restless.

Greene, the 20-year-old rookie small forward out of Syracuse acquired by the Kings in the summer trade with Houston for Ron Artest, hasn't seen the floor in seven of the last eight games and is itching to feel like a basketball player again. Carril, the 78-year-old Princeton coaching legend whose offensive mind was such an asset to the Kings when he was assistant in Sacramento for 10 years, yearns to make an impact on the floor again as well.

It appears both men will be getting their wishes soon, as the Kings announced today that Carril will be pulled out of retirement to serve as a consultant and Greene - according to sources close to the team - will depart for the Kings' NBA Developmental League team in Reno on Saturday.

Greene's departure may only be for a few games or perhaps longer, but his mere presence on the Bighorns' roster is historical because he is the first Kings player sent to its D-League team. The team is coached by Jay Humphries, a former NBA player and Phoenix Suns assistant. Monarchs assistant coach Tom Abatemarco is an assistant coach for the team as well. It is a good thing for him if only because of the return to relevance. Greene, who said early this season that he was open to the prospect of going to the D-League, had grown frustrated as the months wore on and the continued losing had no effect on his nonexistent role.

http://www.sacbee.com/static/weblogs/sports/kings/archives/018410.html

[D-Rock]

What's to keep him from playing for both teams? Remember when Jordan Farmar played in the D-League and the NBA on the same day?

Of course they could just be doing this to get him some PT while opening up an active roster slot for when Hawes returns (meaning KT is probably going to be seeing more PT).

[RIPskaterdude]

What's to keep him from playing for both teams? Remember when Jordan Farmar played in the D-League and the NBA on the same day?

Of course they could just be doing this to get him some PT while opening up an active roster slot for when Hawes returns (meaning KT is probably going to be seeing more PT).

Hawes has already returned, he played the other night.

[SacKingZZZ]

This is good. If we aren't going to do what needs to be done "in house" might as well go for this. Pretty sad though that a rebuilding team doing as poorly as we are can't find minutes for one of the players needing development.

[ICMTM]

Good call! You don't get better by watching.

[KingInExile]

It's hard for Greene to get minutes now with so many wings in front of him (Martin, Jackson, Garcia, Salmons, Thompson...to an extent). I like this move so he can get some PT and improve himself in the areas he needs to work on. Maybe this is a way to keep him lose and ready to play so he can step right into a more consistent role after the deadline (hoping a trade might open a spot for him).

[pillwenney]

I'm not sure how I feel about it. I don't know a ton about the D-league, but if it's anything like the summer league, I question how beneficial it'll be like to a guy like Donte. He'll likely just be "the man" on that team, I would assume, which wouldn't prepare him effectively for his role here. But my bigger concern is that their coaches don't work with him as well in practice as ours would. But if Geoff is comfortable with it, I suppose it will be fine. Also I think something that may have possibly been a factor is clearing a roster spot for Kenny/Shelden.

[SacKingZZZ]

If nothing else it will keep him in game shape and he can get used to the NBA 3 point line.

[Smills91]

I'm not sure how I feel about it. I don't know a ton about the D-league, but if it's anything like the summer league, I question how beneficial it'll be like to a guy like Donte. He'll likely just be "the man" on that team, I would assume, which wouldn't prepare him effectively for his role here. But my bigger concern is that their coaches don't work with him as well in practice as ours would. But if Geoff is comfortable with it, I suppose it will be fine. Also I think something that may have possibly been a factor is clearing a roster spot for Kenny/Shelden.

Interestlingly I was just thinking about this issue, but I actually think this WILL be even MORE beneficial for Greene, because I think he has "THA MAN" future potential offensively. This may be an excellent way for him to develop for our needs. I don't think it will hurt him at all in the long run.

[King Baller]

Greene can play 40 minutes a night in Reno. Perhaps he can polish up his defense. I also hope he works on his drive/dish game and his ability to finish in the paint.

If a wing gets banged up Greene is just a short hop away.

KB

[dozencousins]

I am sure this is just temporary until the kings make a trade
The kings will just showcase their vets until a deal or 2 is june Green will be back with the team soon enough this year !

[deNIEd]

Does Greene still take up a roster spot if he is sent to D-League?

I really hope this is a move with the intention of being a trade and not because Greene needs the D-League. Like Mitch said, Donte will likely instantly become one of the best players, and you really don't improve all that much when you dominate the competition, I'd think that he would improve more from simply practicing with the team.

Also, has there ever been a player that was in D-League for any period of time that is actually a quality player today?

[RIPskaterdude]

Does Greene still take up a roster spot if he is sent to D-League?

I really hope this is a move with the intention of being a trade and not because Greene needs the D-League. Like Mitch said, Donte will likely instantly become one of the best players, and you really don't improve all that much when you dominate the competition, I'd think that he would improve more from simply practicing with the team.

Also, has there ever been a player that was in D-League for any period of time that is actually a quality player today?

I think you forget that the Kings have one on their team right now... I'm talking about the All-NBDL 1st Team and NBDL Defensive Player of the Year in 2002-2003 and former starting PF of the Sacramento Kings...

Mikki "butterfingers" Moore!

[pillwenney]

Interestlingly I was just thinking about this issue, but I actually think this WILL be even MORE beneficial for Greene, because I think he has "THA MAN" future potential offensively. This may be an excellent way for him to develop for our needs. I don't think it will hurt him at all in the long run.

Ooo, I don't know about that. I mean I guess I can see why you'd say that. Right now he is like a slightly more athletic and much less skilled and intelligent version of Durant. He does have great potential, but the number 1 option on a legitimate championship contender? I really don't know about that.

[Nicky Nix Nook]

Interestlingly I was just thinking about this issue, but I actually think this WILL be even MORE beneficial for Greene, because I think he has "THA MAN" future potential offensively. This may be an excellent way for him to develop for our needs. I don't think it will hurt him at all in the long run.

Ooo, I don't know about that. I mean I guess I can see why you'd say that. Right now he is like a slightly more athletic and much less skilled and intelligent version of Durant. He does have great potential, but the number 1 option on a legitimate championship contender? I really don't know about that.

Rashard Lewis clone IMO.

D League experience will be good. I wish I could see him play more for the Kings but maybe this is a sign that a trade will be taking place soon?

[KingInExile]

Does Greene still take up a roster spot if he is sent to D-League?

Yes, players assigned to the D-League are still officially on the team's roster as one of the inactive players. However they don't have to be inactive on the team's roster. The Lakers assigned Jordan Farmar to the D-League a year or 2 ago...he played in a D-League game early in the day and then in the Lakers' game in the evening.

I really hope this is a move with the intention of being a trade and not because Greene needs the D-League. Like Mitch said, Donte will likely instantly become one of the best players, and you really don't improve all that much when you dominate the competition, I'd think that he would improve more from simply practicing with the team.

Also, has there ever been a player that was in D-League for any period of time that is actually a quality player today?

I would consider these guys "quality" as either solid role players or very promising prospects.

Rafer Alston
Kelenna Azubuike
Matt Barnes
Andray Blatche
Devin Brown
Jordan Farmar
C.J. Miles
Jamario Moon
Jose Juan Barea
Ime Udoka
C.J. Watson
Martell Webster.

[cdt3]

I'm glad Donte is going to get some PT it will make him better and he could have gotten it in college also. The Kings are making a great move to bring back coachie now everyone will be on the same page. The Kings not being successful running the triangle was the real reason Theus was fired and not wanting to run the Princeton which is the type of player Petrie has brought in.
It is about time the Kings let JT start over M(4/4)M. We are close to 40-80 with MM as our starter. Why does Natt continue to kick Shelden in the b***s? He had as much production as MM in half the minutes. If he played 20 minutes a game he would put up 8/8. KT will put up the rebounds but not the points. Shelden would be able to play a few more minutes against the big guys on every team that push around every night. I have no idea why they continue to kick him in the b***s. Why don't they put him in the D League if he won't play here so he can improve like Greene? If they let him play more they could at least trade him for something since he was all we got for Bibby if he doesn't fit the system. Let KT and MM get scrub time to earn their pay. We aren't making the playoffs this year play the young guys, get a good draft pick on a PG, and make a playoff run next year.

[mobiuseinz]

In his prime I predict Greene to avg. 21ppg and 6rpg with 1bpg and 2-3s

so this will be beneficial... I know most of you are saying "How do you know this mobiuseinz?" Well my friends I posses a tool which uses advanced mathematics to predict futures of players in the NBA... and that tool is called NBA2k9

[chriswebb86]

I think this is a great move for the Kings. This is going to get Donte some good playing time and while he can improve in practice he needs game time.

[Nicky Nix Nook]

In his prime I predict Greene to avg. 21ppg and 6rpg with 1bpg and 2-3s

so this will be beneficial... I know most of you are saying "How do you know this mobiuseinz?" Well my friends I posses a tool which uses advanced mathematics to predict futures of players in the NBA... and that tool is called NBA2k9

LOL, ya I have a different model, its called NBA Live 09. He's actually really good in that game lol.