Off-Season Game Plan: Kings
6/22/2006 5:23:51 PM
Adding Ron Artest changed the face of the Sacramento Kings part way through the 2005-2006 season. While the result still ended up being a first-round playoff loss, the Kings were a lively underdog and have potential to improve.
The biggest change for the team this summer will be the hiring of new coach Eric Musselman, who should provide a different kind of energy -- particularly on the defensive end -- compared to his predecessor, Rick Adelman. Musselman had a short stint as a head coach in Golden State a few years back and he is a good hire; an up-and-comer that is held in high esteem throughout the league. Whether or not he gets the Kings any further than Adelman will, of course, depend on the talent Musselman has at his disposal.
Much of the Sacramento roster shouldn't change too much this summer. The only significant free agent is shooting guard Bonzi Wells. Wells figures to generate enough interest that the Kings might not want to get involved in the ensuing bidding war and the Kings have a successor, Kevin Martin, well-groomed for the position.
Martin would join starting point guard Mike Bibby in the backcourt, and Bibby is the Kings' top offensive performer. He could distribute the ball better, but some of that is also a function of a Kings offense that doesn't rely solely on the point guard to set up plays.
Artest adds an element of toughness on the perimeter and, while he's the ultimate wildcard performer, his commitment at the defensive end of the floor is an example that all teammates should emulate. The rest of the forward rotation isn't quite as inspiring, with undersized power forward Kenny Thomas, and declining Shareef Abdur-Rahim manning the power forward spot.
In the middle, the Kings have the versatile Brad Miller. While he's no leaper, Miller has a blue-collar work ethic to go with excellent passing skills and he's one of the league's best at the position. Deadline acquisition Vitaly Potapenko adds a nice touch of muscle off the bench, making the Kings more difficult to play against than they have been in the past.
With the roster slated to remain largely intact, the Kings can look to the draft in an effort to increase their athleticism, either by grabbing a shotblocker like Hilton Armstrong, or a high-flying wing like Maurice Ager, or even a point guard to back up Bibby if Jason Hart activate his option year.
While the Kings don't have any cap room to speak of, they can still compete in the quest for mid-level free agents. A guy like Marcus Banks, who started to show some potential with the Timberwolves, might fit in with Sacramento.
Without a blockbuster move, the Kings are going to have to hope that Musselman can keep the momentum going with a team that went 20-9 after the All-Star break and with improved defense perhaps earn a homecourt advantage in the playoffs..
GM/COACH
Geoff Petrie/Eric Musselman
CENTERS
Returning: Brad Miller, Vitaly Potapenko. Free Agents: None
FORWARDS
Returning: Kenny Thomas, Ron Artest, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Corliss Williamson, Sergey Monia. Free Agents: None
GUARDS
Returning: Mike Bibby, Kevin Martin, Jason Hart (PO), Francisco Garcia, Ronnie Price. Free Agents: Bonzi Wells (UFA)
DRAFT
19th - Maurice Ager, Hilton Armstrong, Rajon Rondo, Kyle Lowry
FREE AGENCY
$55M
TRADE MARKET
Thomas (four years, $30.5M), Williamson (one year, $6.5M)
