SB Nation Blog: Carl

How do the Kings improve?

Carl — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 21:34:38 -0000

(From the FanPosts. Carl asks all the right questions. - TZ)

The current Kings roster is essentially the same as it was last season. The Kings won 38 games in a stacked Western Conference. How do they get better? Hawes will play better and get more minutes. Maybe Jason Thompson starts by December and puts up All-Rookie team numbers. Beno is more comfortable with the team and has training camp to prepare.

How many wins is that worth? Can this team contend for a playoff spot? Is Geoff Petrie in a position where he has to make a trade to improve the team, or will he go into the season with roster the Kings have now?

PG: Beno Udrih, Sean Singletary
SG: Kevin Martin, Francisco Garcia, Quincy Douby
C: Brad Miller, Spencer Hawes
PF: Mikki Moore, Jason Thompson, Shelden Williams
SF: Ron Artest, John Salmons

Others: Kenny Thomas, Shareef Abdur-Rahim

Bee: Kings to offer Beno full midlevel exception for five years

Carl — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:38:21 -0000

Numerous sources close to the team said the Kings were prepared to offer Udrih their full midlevel exception (approximately $6 million) in a five-year deal.

News 10's Brian May: Artest will not opt out

Carl — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 22:41:24 -0000

According to News10's Brian May, Ron Artest sent an e-mail today that says he will not opt out of his contract with the Kings. Read it and either weep or jump for joy.

Find the Kings a Point Guard

Carl — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 17:22:10 -0000

(From the FanPosts. -TZ)

The only point guard on the Kings roster is last night's second round draft pick Sean Singletary. What should the team do to get another point guard?

Do the Kings re-sign Beno for three to five years at mid level exception of $6 million per year? Is it better to save the $18 million to $30 million in salary to sign a less expensive point from the free agent market? Should the Kings look at trading with teams overloaded with point guards, like Memphis and Portland?

Since we know how well Petrie listens to our draft advice, let's help him find the Kings a point guard.

McNeal: Several former Kings expressed doubt about Game 6

Carl — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:44:59 -0000

Marty McNeals' column this morning says:

Over the years, several Kings from the 2001-02 season have voiced off-the-record thoughts about how they believed they'd been had in Game 6. Some said as much as soon as the game ended.

McNeal goes on to quote one unnamed player who may have a current connection to the NBA and is convinced that Game 6 was fixed.

However, if you have current ties to the NBA, you likely don't want your name linked to such comments.

That's why one player on that squad said: "What? I've been telling you that ever since it happened. That game was called with one thing in mind – the Lakers winning. But I can't say that publicly. …

"But they got us, didn't they?" said the player, who wouldn't go on the record for fear of repercussions from the NBA. "Just like I told you they did when it happened."