Chasing restricted free agents is tricky business for a number of reasons. Most important, in my opinion, is the fact that, if you want to make it difficult for the other team not to match, generally you need to overpay. Next, according to my understanding, is around the cap hold it creates for 7 days during the free agency period (i.e. how the Marcin Gortat / Brandon Bass scenario played out of Dallas - I'll let our community cap experts explain the details) . Also there's the fact that, if an RFA is worth pursuing, generally the contract will be matched by the team holding his rights. Off the top of my head, the only time I can think of where an RFA offer was not matched was when Utah let Wesley Matthews go.

Despite these challenges, this is something Kings management needs to consider. For instance, I am incredibly frustrated by the fact that the Kings did not pursue Marc Gasol last offseason. Why not try? Why not be part of those conversations? Even if Marc did not want to sign a Sac offer sheet, we are at least raising his price, right? We've been saving up to have cap space for years right ? I'm not saying we even had a chance at Marc Gasol, but why not try for him? He's and Cousins would work well together and would have given Sacramento an imposing front court for the next decade.

So, this post serves two purposes. First, I'd like to bring to point out that there are great RFAs available this year and to analyze/discuss them. Second, I want HERE WE STAY Nation to vocally challenge Kings ownership and management to aggressively pursue at least one RFA this offseason. We have the cap space. We have the need. In fact, we have glaring holes. We even still have our amnesty clause (Salmons or Garcia). Why the hell wouldn't we pursue one of these guys? If the Maloofs are committed to winning they need to step up and prove it. Aggressively pursue an RFA. Shit or get off the can Maloofs. #HEREWESIGN (I'm open to suggestions on a better war cry).

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Excuse me if a fanpost isn't the right medium for this, but I just want to get a discussion going on whether we still need a pass-first point guard.

I am of the opinion that we do. I still believe that Thornton is best served coming off the bench, and being part of the closing lineup. So I believe that would mean Tyreke moving to the 2.

So how would we get a PG? Who is available? Who would you give up?

Also, is a productive small forward higher priority?

This next year's draft is supposed to be lacking PGs. Does that mean we have to trade for one? The only one that I can think of that is available is Ramon Sessions. I do not know a ton about him, but I believe he is at least considered decent.

So let me hear your thoughts. Go Kings!

I am hoping to get a discussion going on Wilson Chandler. As of now he is #StuckInChina, but he is an RFA when he comes back, correct? I haven't seen him play a whole lot, but I think he would have demanded quite a contract if he hadn't been stuck in China.

What do you think about him fitting in with the Kings? Do we already have too much invested in our mediocre set of 3's?

How big of a contract would you feel comfortable with if the Kings were to make him an offer?

Any idea when he'll be able to come back?

Any idea how the contract/RFA process will begin when he is released?

Hello Kings Fan Friends, 

I would like to request (as I am not capable of such analysis) that someone do a write-up of Mark Gasol's defense.  We know Chandler is a world class defender.  We know Dalembert is a very good defender.  I know that Mark Gasol is good, but I haven't watched him play, and therefore have no idea why he is good.

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1. John Wall - kid's got everything to make a team better, and sell tickets

2. Evan Turner - no question he will be very good.

3. Demarcus Cousins - Great second scoring option to go with Tyreke.

4. Derrick Favors - Something we've never had - freak athlete.  May actually fit with Tyreke better as he wouldn't clog the lane like Cousins would.

5. Greg Monroe - Love the size, rebounding and passing.  Perfect replacement for Hawes.

6. Wesley Johnson - BPA despite lack of positional need.

7. Avery Bradley - Help make us the best two-way backcourt in the league.  Good second ball-handler, scorer, defender.

8. Eric Bledsoe - No good bigs left, so another good guard with the star potential. I'm of the opinion that most guys below here are role players.

9. Cole Aldrich - Defensive presence - not ideal here, but useful.

10. Al-Farouq Aminu - Defense, rebounding, offensive garbage man.

11. Patrick Patterson - Super Solid

12.  Ekpe Udoh - Another solid defensive presence.

13. Ed Davis - I know this is low, but I don't what proof we have this guy will be good.

14. Gordon Haywood - Sacramento would love this guy.

14. James Anderson - poor man's James Harden - shooter/scorer.

15. Damion James - Worker, athlete, very solid role player.

Ladies and Gentlemen - the point of this fanpost is to gauge interest, from a fan perspective, of the Kings making a move for Antawn Jamison.

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The Kings have played 3 very solid NBA Playoff teams in their last three games.  Now I read a lot about the NBA and I am learning how these experts draw conclusions and I am using this new found analytical thinking to draw my own opinions/conclusions.  In this 3 game stretch, the Kings had Tyreke Evans for the first two games. The result: 2 losses.   Then Tyreke sits out a game with an injured ankle and the Kings take down Carmelo and the Nuggets.  My new found analytical thinking brings me to this conclusion: The kings are clearly better without Tyreke Evans and should explore trade opportunities for him.  In fact, let me be the first to say 'don't be surprised if the Kings explore trade opportunities for Tyreke Evans’.  Ziller did a great job explaining how well Nocioni played in his recap of the Kings-Nugs game - clearly his best game a King - maybe his best ever?  Conclusion: Andres clearly cannot play with Tyreke Evans and we should trade Tyreke in order to bring out the most in Nocioni.

Sorry, I promise the points below will have much less sarcasm and hopefully will prove to be more rational than the paragraph above.  Furthermore, I apologize for using a cheap title in order to sucker you into reading my 'fanpost'.  I personally had to make this argument given the annoying amount of 'experts' that seem to believe that Kevin Martin and Tyreke are not capable of playing next to each other.  I know it's been covered on this site many times before, but how can you call yourself an expert if you are claiming this?  What is the basis?  You're telling me that two players with this level of talent cannot find a way to play well together?  You're telling me based on their first 5 games together, which coincidentally happened to be Tyreke's first 5 games as an NBA player, is a large enough sample size to show these two cannot play well together?  Is it not possible that through 5 games in the NBA, our man child had not found his footing?  Is it possible that in a brand new system, under a brand-new coach, this team that had 3 starters that were not on the team the prior year, did not quite have it figured out  yet?  Obviously the 1-4 start cannot be attributed to the fact that Sean May and Desmond Mason, neither of whom seems to have any role on the team now (being that one was cut and the other plays Donte’s role from last year), were both in the starting lineup next to Tyreke and Kevin for those 5 games.  It would be crazy to think that players of the caliber of Mason and May would be the cause of a rough start. 

Let’s talk some real analysis.  First, what is Kevin Martin good at?  The answer is clearly that he is capable of being the most efficient scorer in the world of basketball.  Now, how do you define efficient?  The simplest answer, in my opinion, is scoring a lot of points in a small amount of shots.  Now, why would we want to let Kevin Martin get back to doing what he does best when we have the opportunity to trade him for a bunch of expiring garbage?  Sorry, I said there would be less sarcasm.  Let us use 2006 as an example.  Why 2006?  Because it’s a full year – 82 games, rather than 5.  In this year, Kevin Martin scored 20ppg on 13 shots per game.  Bibby took 14 shots per game that year and Artest took 15 shots a game that year.  Kevin Martin, statistically, was option #3 in 2006.  Yet he scored over 20ppg.  Why would anyone believe this man cannot play next to another great scorer, who happens to be a bit of a volume shooter (16 shots per game so far this year)?  Has he not proven this in the past?  Is he not a fantastic 2nd option?  Has he not shown the willingness to be a#2 option?  Kevin Martin does not have a big ego.  He doesn’t need to be the man.  He took a modest, even below-market-value, salary to play for a small market team that was clearly headed in the wrong direction at the time he signed. 

Also, it has become clear that towards the end of a close game, against a good team, the Kings need to find something else to run besides an isolation for Tyreke.  Soon, he will figure out how to score on these plays at a high percentage against any defender in the league.  However, as of now, against top defenders, this isn’t working as well as we would all like it to.  Now tell me how having Kevin Martin on the court with Tyreke Evans, at the end of a close game, would possibly make Tyreke worse as a player?  What is Tyreke’s best strength?  Getting into the lane and scoring at the rim.  What clears up the lane?  Good 3 point shooting and spacing.  Does Kevin Martin shoot well from 3 point land?  Kevin Martin shoots well from wherever Kevin Martin choices to shoot from. 

Enough already.  Time will tell if we Kings fans are correct in believing that these two will thrive next to each other.

Then there is the point about Tyreke not being a point guard.  Where are they getting this?  Did I fail to notice a position change?  Yes, Kevin Martin got hurt.  Yes, Beno got more minutes.  But anyone watching knows that Tyreke has been playing point guard.  He handles the ball more than any other player.  These fantastic stats that are giving him so much hype for ROY have been at the PG position.  Bill Simmons clinging to the fact that Tyreke is not a point guard only shows he is a proud guy that does not watch Kings games.  Is he a prototypical point guard?  No.  You can leave it at that, NBA experts.  We, who watch, know what Tyreke is.  He is a basketball player that likes the ball in his hands, can score, and can create for his teammates.  Please stop making the useless argument that he is not a point guard. 

Ok, moving on.  Thought #3.  Beno is not a true point guard either.  What is the difference with Beno this year?  He is not being asked to run the team.  He is being asked to be a spark off the bench.  He has a fantastic pull-up midrange game that allows him to create for others.  He makes a few pull-up jumpers and help defense starts to come, at which point he can find his open teammates.  Paul Westphal has found what Beno is good at – scoring first, passing once you effectively started scoring - if help defense doesn’t come, just keep scoring.

Thought #4.  When Kevin returns, it will become important for Donte Greene to improve at rebounding in order to play the 4 position.  Donte is playing too well to reduce his minutes.  I assume that either he or Omri will become the starting 3 when Kevin returns and I assume Omri’s minutes will not drop (he’s the man).  Donte needs to be on the court both for the success of the Kings as well as for his own improvement.  His versatility will hopefully allow for his minutes to stay about where they currently are.  I propose that these minutes, being that the reserve 2 and 3 positions are backlogged with Beno, Nocioni and eventually Garcia, would best come for Donte as the first backup big off the bench.  When JT or Spence needs a break, the other plays center and Donte plays the 4.   In fact, for specific matchups I could even see the starting lineup being Omri at SF, Donte at PF and JT at C, with Beno, Spencer and Nocioni coming off the bench.  The amazing thing about our concern at the beginning of the year (who is our small forward?) has led to Petrie acquiring/developing a very versatile group of guys that can play a lot of different positions and give opponents many different looks.

Lastly, I am curious, even concerned, as to who will see a reduction in minutes when Martin and Garcia get back. See the poll below.

David Kay of The Sports Bank wrote a piece making predictions on Rookie of the Year.  Blake Griffin takes down the Rookie of the year, but he had nicer things to say about our guy:

2. Tyreke Evans, Kings (4th overall)

‘09-’10 Prediction: 20 ppg, 5 rpg, 6 apg, 2 spg

This is about the 1,263,914th time I’ve said this; Evans is going to be an absolute stud. He is playing for one of the worst teams in the league and will have every chance to chuck up at least 20 shots a night. His size allows him to crash boards. His handles and slashing abilities will give him plenty of assist opportunities. His length and quickness will get him a good amount of steals. If Evans can develop a consistent jumper, he will eventually hover around the 30-point-per-game mark in the NBA. Yup, I just said that.

We all know that if not immediately, then at some point, Tyreke Evans will take over as the starting point guard for the Kings.  I would like to start a discussion to figure out what StR’s opinion is regarding the best lineup to put around Evans and Martin.  Assuming Tyreke is the starting 1, that pretty much means 4 positions are filled, so I'm simply referring to who the best small forward is for playing with Evans (because Martin can get his regardless of who is on the court).  I think the answer is simple and clear.

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I am thoroughly confused by this group of fans’ support of Brandon Jennings.  Are JJham and I the only two people on this site that feel like Brandon Jennings, in the interview after his Kings workout, proved he should not be the Kings’ point guard of the future?

If we don’t agree on that, can we at least agree on this:  Point guards need to be smart.  More than any other position, point guards need to be able to use their brains.  They need to understand the offense better than anyone else.  They need to make good decisions.  They need to understand their teammates and know how to utilize them to the best of their abilities.  Sure Jennings is young, but so are the rest of the point guard prospects we're discussing.  Yet these guys are smart enough to control themselves in an interview.  People on this site have said "he was just being honest" and "I appreciate his honesty".  Well, it wasn’t honest.  He exaggerated his own stats.  He said he had 6 assists, when the reality was that it was 2 assists. He also, conveniently, withheld the fact that Rubio was in his second game back after a wrist injury.  He lied incorrectly stated that he and Rubio played about the same amount of minutes.  Sorry Brandon, 23 is not equal to, or approximately equal to 8.5 (I just deleted a Jennings SAT joke - I don't want to stoop to his level). 

Which leads me to my next point.  Does it not concern this fan community that the guy a lot of you want to run your team could not meet the absolutely minimal requirements for a blue chip prospect out of high school to get into college?  We may have forgotten, or perhaps never heard in the first place, that the kid didn't always want to go to Europe.  His plan was to play at Arizona.  Europe came into the picture only when Jennings couldn't meet the requirements to get into Arizona. Pioneer?  Perhaps.  However, perhaps he didn't have a better option.  Going back to this match-up in which Jennings claims he outplayed Rubio, let's keep in mind we're discussing the point guard position.  Let it be known that in Rubio's 8.5 minutes, he actually had 3 assists.  Compare this to Jenning's 2 assists in 23 minutes while also pointing out Rubio did not take a shot in those 8 minutes and you get a better idea of which of these two guys is has a pass-first mentality and who plays unselfishly.

Let's quickly touch on some current and ex-players as examples, while attempting to keep this post from getting way too long.  Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Steve Nash, John Stockton, even Rajon Rondo and Derick Rose, just to name a few, are excellent point guards.  Have you ever heard any of them have a rant like Jenning's?  Have you ever heard them disrespect a peer and show such immaturity?  This is the part of my argument that's a little harder to back up with examples, but hopefully you get my point. This are calm, respectful, even-keel men who let their play speak and elevate the play of their teammates.  Furthermore, notice the absolute range in athleticism of these guys.  Let's stop talking about athleticism and start talking about point guard skills.

Brandon Jennings is currently reminding less of the gentlemen listed above, and more like point guards in the mold of Stephon Marbury and Gary Payton.  I don't think too many of you will stick up for Marbury, but a lot will say 'what's wrong with GP?'.  As furius.d recently pointed out, GP was definitely a head case.  He was selfish and undermined his coach and organization.  The mold I'm talking about is players that have all the talent/potential in the world, but no idea how to control their own ego.  Talented point guards (or talented players in general) that are head cases, can and often do, wreck franchises.  How many franchises did Marbury wreck?  How many rings did GP win?  ONE (With the HEAT- when he was a role player and had, hopefully, mature a great deal since his prime).

I just do not get how a rational group of fans, as is my perception of this group (StR), could think this should be the leader of this franchise for the next 12 years. It is not my intention to bash this kid by any means.  This is simply my opinion, with support of my opinion, as to whether this is the right guy to play point guard for the Sacramento Kings.  I recognize that he has elite athleticism.  I recognize the league is shifting towards the ultra-quick PG.  And I recognize that he could mature and could become an elite point guard in the league.  But what has this kid shown that makes him worth the obvious baggage that he will bring to Sacramento?  Sure their are reports that he handled himself well through adversity in Europe, but this interview alone takes away any maturity and professionalism points he accrued overseas.  This rant showed immaturity and a lack of composure and respect.  He could not control his mouth or his jealousy over the 'hype' and attention Rubio has received.  How is he going to react when the Kings potentially lose another 60 games next year?  Or any other frustration in his career when a reporter puts a mic in his face and eggs him on to say something stupid?  Who will he throw under the bus then?  Westphal?  Petrie?  Martin?  Let the Warriors and their group of head case owners have this kid.  He may have the most potential as a basketball player of the guys available at #4, but I doubt his talent and potential will ever make him a champion.  His selfishness and immaturity will prevent that and if in fact he's good enough, will potentially ruin a franchise.

But hey, that's just one guy's opinion.  Hopefully Jenning's supporters will help me understand what they see in him that makes him more attractive than Rubio, Holiday and Flynn. 

Luckily, Geoff Petrie makes the decisions for the franchise and I am sure he will keep class and professionalism in mind while making his selections.

So... Who is going with me?  Where you may ask?  To watch the more competitive version of our favorite NBA team, the Kings' Summer League team, in Las Vegas, NV.

The great thing about the Kings' Summer League team, (and unfortunately the negative for our real team) is that the starting lineup includes about 40% of the team's actual starting lineup.  I'm going to go out on a limb and say we're probably the only team that can claim this.  This is assuming that (about to be) 3rd year player Spencer Hawes and (about to be) 2nd year player Jason Thompson play this summer.  I mentioned it in my last post, but probably the best thing we have going for us, is that on the roster just happens to be the Lebron James of Summer League.  Our Pal, local hero, and Kings' cheerleader, Donte Greene, averaged 22.6 ppg in summer league last season, including an impressive 40 point performance in his first summer league game.  Combine this impressively lanky front court (average height: 6'11'') with 3 June draft choices and we Kings fans finally have a winning product.  

Who do I think would nicely fill out this roster?  Glad you asked.  I've given my take on the point guard prospects who will probably be available at #4, but thanks to a very convincing article Ziller referenced about Jennings, I've opened my mind to him a little bit.  However, I think I still favor Holiday to run the point for the Summer League Kings.  Next, I've clearly stated who I would like to have playing the 2 guard for this squad, assuming he's available at #23.  So for my summer league dream team, pencil in Terrence Williams at the 2.  Then, for the X-factor, the not-so-talked-about #31 pick, I'm going with the freak athlete potential 6th man in Rodrigue Beaubois.  Think about it - he could be our backup point guard (talking real team now), thus ending the Beno experiment.  However, he could also give Kevin a rest when we want to go small, being that Holiday can guard 2 guards.  I think the guy's got a little Ben Gordon in him - obviously not there yet, but kid's got potential.  Based on his highlights, he seems to be able to shoot, he's got a sweet hesitation, a floater and his freak athleticism and 6'10'' wingspan make him a decent defender already.  Why not gamble a little with the 31st pick?  Besides, this summer league team would be way too American without him. So add in filler undrafted players, like Jerel McNeal, and we've got ourselves a competitor:

PG - Holiday (also fine with Jennings or Evans)

SG - T. Williams

SF - Donte Greene

PF- Shock

C - Hawes

6th Man - Beaubois

 Also, I've heard Vegas is kinda fun and the weather that time of year is supposed to be fantastic.  Exhibit G, think you can see if the Maloofs will hook us up with the Rainman Suite in your follow-up interview? 

So, who is going with me?

Mike: Do you think we'll get there by midnight?
Trent: Baby, we're going to be up five hundy by midnight!
Mike: Yeeeeaaaaahhhhhh!
Trent: Vegas baby! Vegas!
Mike: Vegaaaaas!

I feel like Colin Cowherd for my shameless hook in the title there.  Man do I dislike that guy.

Jennings.  There is something about this guy.  I just don’t like him.  Granted this is based off one time seeing him play – the Mickey-Ds All-American game- but I just didn’t like his attitude or his flashy style.   That coupled with the fact that he couldn’t get his grades/SATs high enough to get into Arizona (can’t the athletics department get ANYONE in?) make me doubt him.  You cannot deny his athleticism.  The kid can fly and is quick.  But is he a point guard?  Your point guard should be a leader.  Something about this guy does not make me feel comfortable with him leading our team.  While Bibby’s leadership skills weren’t obvious, his consistency alone was a great leadership quality.   Also, how many points a game will come from the opposing backcourt if ours weighs less that 350 pounds combined? Sure, the reports out of Europe say he has handled his situation with class and maturity, but I don’t know if I am convinced.   Something about this kid makes me feel as though he’d take making sportscenter over winning a game.  I want a winner.

 Tyreke Evans is probably not a point guard.  Can someone please give me an example of a player that was a good scorer in college, considered a tweener for the NBA, who actually made it as a point guard?  I’m not saying this guy doesn’t exist, but I can’t think of him.  While the Princeton offense doesn't necessarily require a traditional point guard, I doubt Tyreke is a fit.  If in fact Petrie thinks we need to take a bit of the scoring burden off of Kevin Martin sometime in the next few years, then Evans might be the best fit.  I do think he could be taught to move off the ball and could benefit from Spencer’s high post passing.  However, contrary to other StRers,  I think he has an equal amount of bust-potential as Jrue Holiday.  Sure, he'll be a good scorer with the ball in his hands - pretty sure that's a no-brainier, but will he be a team player?  Why didn’t he play as well off the ball?  Does he not understand how to move without the ball?  Does he not have the b-ball IQ to know when to make the proper cuts?  Could he be taught these things or will he demand the ball be in his hands?  If he does turn out to be a good player, will he learn to be loyal to small market team as K-Mart has or is he the type to run when his rookie deal ends?  Will he be a good locker room guy?  This team is too young and fragile to have a bad apple poisoning them.  That being said, he is the craftiest scorer in this draft not named James Harden.  He is effing huge for the PG position (although it’s strange that I have no memories of him dunking) and if he could develop a 3-ball, he could be one of the better scorers in the NBA.  Note I did not say one of the better point guards in the game.  I don’t love him, but I’d be happier with him than with Jennings.  At the very least, he would be incredibly fun to have as a scoring 6th man during his rookie year, while he learns to play with a team.

Jrue Holiday actually seems like he could be a point guard.  While he didn’t play the point in college and will have a lot to learn before he is an effective NBA point guard, I see him being able to play right away.  Put him in the game for defense, have him bring the ball up and then throw it into the high post.  While you need to teach him some PG skills and the Princeton offense, you cannot teach incredible size or defensive desire.  Sure there is the argument that a great player should be able to show he’s great in college, but if there’s one coach who is strong-willed enough to keep his players within his system, its Ben Howland.   I don’t know if it’s a guy repping the guys paying his bills, but Thorpe said he sees a little CP3 in this kid.  Darren Collison, who will be selected after Holiday, despite playing point for a team that made 3 straight Final Fours, said the kid has scary potential.  He is barely shorter than Evans and does not have Evan’s incredible scoring ability, but he makes up for it with defense and potential to actually be a legit point guard.  Why not draft a player with massive upside/potential who is huge and already a good defender?  Geoff Petrie already made that mistake passing on Rondo and I doubt he’ll do it again. 

Now for what I claimed would be a short piece on Little Ricky Rubio.  My roommate (a warriors fan who has a soft spot for the kings after I forced him to watch about 80% of their games last season, despite 79% of those being losses for the purple and white) and I have been in love with the idea of Ricky Rubio ending up on either of our teams ever since we watched (and rewatched) Ricky’s highlight videos on YouTube.  Being that the Dubs have no shot at him now that the lottery is over, my roommate has joined me in hoping the Kings get him (or at least is successfully pretending to).  However, time has passed and I have had time to put a little thought into Rubio… I have my doubts.  Perhaps this is my mind subconsciously preparing me for the fact that he will not be a King next year, but perhaps I’m a little nervous that the kid is a little risky to use our only top 5 pick in years for.  First off, there is his slight frame.  Yes he is probably just finishing up puberty (Jrue Holiday is the same age, by the way), but who knows if his body will ever be able to handle 82 games a year plus international duties.  Then there’s the fact that he is 18 and moving away from home.  Spain is like a 15 hour flight.  Who knows if he will miss the paella, the warm topless beaches of the Mediterranean, or the boy-band ass he’s currently pulling?  Next, who is to say he will guard anyone?  Yes he seems to have the desire and yes he is great at tallying up the steals, but man-to-man?  Against Chris Paul? Tony Parker?  Aaron Brooks? Deron Williams?  How about the freak athletes like Westbrook and Rose?  I love that little Spanish sensation, but I wouldn’t put my money on him staying in front of ANY of those guys- all of which are going to be around a long time.   Of course you could argue that his offense out-weighs his defense.  If he elevates the play of the other four guys on the court, then this could definitely be true.  Wait… I going down the wrong route here.  No positives about this guy, just the continued (not-so) subconscious self-convincing that it’s okay if we don’t get Rubio.  The problem:  If Rubio turns out to be injury prone, homesick or a total defensive liability, what is the worst that could happen?  Well, for one, Sacramento could lose its team.  [Sidenote, I have no idea who the hell I’ll root for if the Kings?  Would I be able to love them if they played next to Disney Land?  Would the time spent writing this post be in haste as I try to rid my mind of the memory of the back cuts and C-Webb’s infectious smile?  The biggest sports fanatic I know was a Sonics fan – he claims to have retired from NBA fandom.]  I guess my point is that the front office needs to ask themselves ‘Are we in a place to take risks?’.  The conservative response would be no - Rely on Petrie to slowly make this team better and we will win the fans back.  The pessimist (and in this case, possibly the realist) would say – ‘Unless we get someone like Rubio and he turns out to be everything we want him to be or more, we’re going to lose this team anyway’.  In other words, risk is the town’s only hope. 

So, to conclude my novella – I doubt we see Rubio in a Kings jersey next year.  If he is not in purple later this month, it’s not the of the world as I doubt he is as much of a homerun as we all seem to believe.  I very much feel and hope the Kings should take Holiday at that point as he has the lowest risk-to-upside ratio, in my opinion, being that he fits our needs better than the other two players discussed above.  If a situation arises where the Kings can trade down a couple picks and still take Holiday, then they should do it as Holiday plus another pick is obviously better than Holiday.  Either way, I am excited to have new players on the Kings.  Furthermore, and in order to end positively,  while we had the worst team in the league last year, our Summer League team is going to mop the floor with the other 29 summer league teams.  DONTE GREENE: LeBron James of the Summer League.

I am very excited that the Kings' management team is meeting with Terrence Williams at the combine in Chicago.

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When I think of Terrence Williams, the current NBA player I see is Andre Iguodala. Terrence is a beast and could fill the Kings' SF void Ziller wrote about a couple days ago.  He is possibly the best athlete in this entire draft and the antithesis of Kevin Martin.  Keep in mind that T-Will is 6'6'' and played the 2 for Louisville last year when reading the following stats I have listed.  He is an INSANE rebounder, averaging 8.9 rebounds a game, in the Big East last year.  That is 2 less rebounds per game than 7'3'' Hasheem Thabeet, in the same, ultra-competitive conference.  He is a very good passer, averaging 5.0 assists per game, or less than 2 under the average of PG Jonny Flynn.  He is a lock-down defender, which cannot truly be represented accurately by stats.  However, he average over 2 steals and just under 1 block per game.  I understand he is not an incredible shooter but that he is improving and shot 38.5% from 3 last year.  He is of the point-forward mold and is a complete basketball player - one of the most complete in the draft.  I'm thinking a better version of Doug Christie that:

a. does not inspire hatred among all of our opponents' fans due to his incessant and obnoxious hand gestures.

b. will put fans in the stands with his emphatic dunks (Gerald Wallace style)

c.  gives us some necessary badass swagger that's been missing since we traded Artest for the goofiest (yet, my favorite) player in the league.

d. he'd be the lock-down perimeter defender we obviously need. 

Terrence is a 4-year college player who had a very respected coach, both qualities Geoff Petrie seems to look for.  He could play immediately as a defensive stopper and his assist stats lead me to believe he could fit in the Princeton offense.  The only problem that I see is that while I personally think he's worthy of going as early as 4, I doubt he'll be selected over Harden (who I also love for very different reasons) and I see the Kings taking a PG at 4 to address their biggest need.  I am almost certain he will not be available when the 23rd pick rolls around as I hear the Golden State Don Nelsons, among other teams, love him.  The only knocks I hear on him is that he is slightly inconsistent and may be a bit of a head case.  How many head cases have seemed to do just fine is Sacramento? I mean the only way to get in trouble here apparently is to forget to feed your dog.

If the Kings could trade #23 and #31 in order to move up and get Terrence Williams, I think time will prove it is a good move.  If he is miraculously available at #23, I think it's a no-brainer in the 'best player available' ideology. 

That's all I have to say about that.  What are your thoughts StR?