Post by donatello2424 on Dec 30, 2007 0:47:55 GMT -5
Sacramento- The free agency period was a depressing one for the Kings. They went into free agency with around 37 million in cap room and failed to sign any big name players. “It was disappointing. You had probably one of the strongest free agent classes ever. We tried but many players either wanted too much or decided to sign with their old,” said General Manager Donald Southerland. Instead of hanging their head, the Kings went out and did an interesting tactic. “We decided if all the top guys were gone, we would offer some other players some big, one year contracts,” said the GM. The plan was very successful. The Kings were able to convinced Kevin Martin to accept a 1 year, 10 million dollar contract. “It was great to see Kevin back. He is a great scorer and can hopefully be a solid veteran to this team.” The Kings offered one year deals to all of their free agents who signed. “We get production, fill needs, and still get cap room next year and hope we can snag some players next year,” said the GM> However free agency is not all that the Kings did this offseason. The biggest even of the year, the UOSL Draft came. The Kings, sitting at the 10th spot, were able to snag a solid player. Darrin Perdue, the 19 year old rookie out of Purdue, was who the Kings decided to select. “We loved Darrin from the first time we saw him play in college. He blocked everything in site and was a great defender”, said the GM. “I am very happy that the Kings selected me. They have some established players already in DeJuan (Blair) and Derrick (Williams) and if I want playing time, I need to work hard and prove I deserve a spot in the rotation. I have worked hard with both of them. They helped me work on some of my post moves and how to box out. I in turn embarrassed them whenever we scrimmaged and blocked their shots into the 10th row. The Kings will probably struggle this season. They are a young team and need time to develop. They will rely on a 3rd year player a 2nd, and a rookie all to contribute many minutes.The Breakdown
The Kings are an interesting team. They have 3 very solid big men who will all get minutes.
They will likely start Derrick Williams, the sophomore out of Gerogetown. Williams surprised everyone in the league when he started to put up solid numbers starting for the Kings. Williams, who was the 6th pick in the 2nd round, was not expected to get serious minutes or even play as well as he did. After being the 10th center taken in the draft, Williams put up 9.2 ppg and 7.5 rpg in 30 mpg and earned himself a spot on the All-Rookie team. Williams could be a key sleeper for the King this year as he continues to develop.
Starting along side Williams looks to be the rookie Darrin Perdue. Perdue, who gets the start over Blair, comes in as a top defensive player already. A hard-nose defender and a beast blocking shots, Perdue main weakness are on the boards and holding his own with the offense. He will likely be matched up with the other teams top inside offensive player and allow Williams or Blair to work on the other player.
The 3rd big man is DeJuan Blair. Blair might end up regaining his starting spot will likely start off on the bench, however he will still average starter minutes. Blair has been a great player for the Kings, averaging 14.3 ppg and 10.4 rpg over his 3 year career with the Kings.
The Kings are going to give LaBryan Nash the full time starting nod this year. Nash was a highly touted rookie when he came out at 19. He struggled his first year and then was reduced to a backup role in his second year. With 2 years experience under his belt, the Kings hope Nash is ready for starter minutes. Nash is not known for his offensive game; however he is a skilled defender and rebounder. If Nash continues to develop, Perdue and he would form a nasty defensive forward combo.
Backing up Nash at small forward and the 2 guard position is going to be former first round draft pick Gerald Henderson. Henderson, who is in his 5th year, has struggled since being drafted. He has shown his solid defensive game become a second thought. While he is still young he seems to be on the downside of his career already. The Kings signed him to a 1 year contract to see if he can produce in a 6th or 7th man role. If he doesn’t workout, the Kings don’t get burned from having a long deal to deal with.
The Shooting Guard is longtime King, and fan favorite, Kevin Martin. Martin returns for his 9th season with the Kings as the team’s main scoring option. Martin is still a very dangerous player, and seems to be getting better with age. The 2013-2014 season was Martin’s best yet, when he averaged 28 ppg. There is a chance on this team Martin could average around 30 ppg with the lack of scoring in this Kings. He is also signed to a 1 year contract and is the Kings main veteran player.
The point guard is the sophomore Matias Nocedal. Nocedal is coming off a great rookie year where he played in all 82 games for the Kings and averaged 15 ppg and around 8 apg and was All-Rookie point guard. He is going to start again for the Kings and while he is still young, 22 years old, he has the presence and poise of a veteran. He is likely going to see his scoring numbers increase as he looks to be the #2 option outside of Martin. A great player across the board, Matias knows this team has a while to go. “I know we are a young team and need some time to develop. I am just happy to be in the league and playing. I know my teams needs some work but I feel we will surprise some teams. I will do whatever is needed. If I need to score I will score, if I need to get the ball to Mr. Martin or DeJuan, Darrin, or Derrick, I will do that also.”
The backup is another young player, this time rookie Jarvis Garrett. Tommy Mason-Griffin has been a big disappointment so the Kings decided to select the young Garrett in the second round. Garrett, who is also only 19 like Perdue, is going to be trust into the rotation at a young age also. He is still a very raw player but hopefully with experience and some years under his belt he will develop into a solid player.
Overall the Kings have a young team that will struggle this year. Nash needs to come into his own this year, Perdue needs to show the league what he can do, and Nocedal needs to continue to develop into a great player. The Kings have some solid young pieces, but the real question is, how long will it take them to develop those players? If free agency falls the right way next year, it could be very soon for the Kings.
