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06-05-2005, 11:21 PM
Inside Dish: Pivotal offseason ahead for Kings
By Sean Deveney - SportingNews
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Sacramento is facing its most critical offseason in six years. SG Cuttino Mobley can opt out of his contract, which will pay him $6.3 million next season, in search of a longer deal. If he does, the Kings must decide whether to commit to Mobley as a free agent or give more playing time to youngsters G/F Kevin Martin and G/F Maurice Evans (who must be re-signed). Beyond that, some combination of Fs Corliss Williamson, Brian Skinner, Kenny Thomas or Darius Songaila will be traded. The team will hang onto reserve G Bobby Jackson, a perennial candidate for the Sixth Man of the Year award. . . .
The players union made a very reasonable offer to the NBA last week: Forget the negotiations; let's just keep what we have in place, with some minor tweaks. Hard to argue with that. If the goal of negotiations is to ensure that everyone stays wealthy and that all teams have a chance to compete regardless of revenue, then the current deal has been very successful. Two of the best teams in the league--Western Conference finalists San Antonio and Phoenix--are based in small markets and rank Nos. 24 and 25 in total salary payouts. Essentially, the league's goal in the labor dispute is to implement rules that will protect the owners from overpaying players on long-term deals--in other words, the league wants to protect the owners from themselves. Despite the impasse, one general manager says, "There will be a deal because both sides want one and because they're really not that far apart." One prominent agent agrees, saying, "It could very well get done before July 1," which iswhen the current deal expires. . .
As expected, France's C Johan Petro will remain in the NBA draft. He is very raw, but he is a legitimate 7-footer with athleticism and a great body. A team desperate for size (most teams are) could nab Petro anywhere from the 12th pick through No. 20. . . .
More teams are looking for versatility, especially off the bench. That could lead to a new home for Clippers G Marko Jaric, who is capable of playing three positions. Jaric will be a restricted free agent this summer. Contending teams such as Denver and Phoenix, in need of backcourt depth and versatility, could take a crack at Jaric, which would force the Clippers to make a decision on keeping him. . . .
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In general, teams sell about 1,000 new season tickets each offseason. But after a 14-4 finish and a strong showing by new PG Baron Davis, the Warriors already had secured 2,000 new season-ticket orders by June 1. . . .
Lottery teams trying to decide which point guard is better--Raymond Felton or Deron Williams--should have a chance to find out. When they played in the NCAA championship game, each had 17 points and seven assists (though Felton took just nine shots and Williams took 16). Representatives of the two are trying to schedule a head-to-head workout. Williams and Felton both are lottery picks ranked behind PG Chris Paul and are expected to go anywhere from No. 3 to No. 10. Williams is bigger, a more traditional ballhandler and believed to be tougher defensively, but, as one scout says, "Felton is much quicker. He can break down a defense by himself, take over a game and still be a playmaker. Williams will be a good, solid player, but Felton has a chance to be exceptional."
By Sean Deveney - SportingNews
Headshot
Logo
Sacramento is facing its most critical offseason in six years. SG Cuttino Mobley can opt out of his contract, which will pay him $6.3 million next season, in search of a longer deal. If he does, the Kings must decide whether to commit to Mobley as a free agent or give more playing time to youngsters G/F Kevin Martin and G/F Maurice Evans (who must be re-signed). Beyond that, some combination of Fs Corliss Williamson, Brian Skinner, Kenny Thomas or Darius Songaila will be traded. The team will hang onto reserve G Bobby Jackson, a perennial candidate for the Sixth Man of the Year award. . . .
The players union made a very reasonable offer to the NBA last week: Forget the negotiations; let's just keep what we have in place, with some minor tweaks. Hard to argue with that. If the goal of negotiations is to ensure that everyone stays wealthy and that all teams have a chance to compete regardless of revenue, then the current deal has been very successful. Two of the best teams in the league--Western Conference finalists San Antonio and Phoenix--are based in small markets and rank Nos. 24 and 25 in total salary payouts. Essentially, the league's goal in the labor dispute is to implement rules that will protect the owners from overpaying players on long-term deals--in other words, the league wants to protect the owners from themselves. Despite the impasse, one general manager says, "There will be a deal because both sides want one and because they're really not that far apart." One prominent agent agrees, saying, "It could very well get done before July 1," which iswhen the current deal expires. . .
As expected, France's C Johan Petro will remain in the NBA draft. He is very raw, but he is a legitimate 7-footer with athleticism and a great body. A team desperate for size (most teams are) could nab Petro anywhere from the 12th pick through No. 20. . . .
More teams are looking for versatility, especially off the bench. That could lead to a new home for Clippers G Marko Jaric, who is capable of playing three positions. Jaric will be a restricted free agent this summer. Contending teams such as Denver and Phoenix, in need of backcourt depth and versatility, could take a crack at Jaric, which would force the Clippers to make a decision on keeping him. . . .
ADVERTISEMENT
In general, teams sell about 1,000 new season tickets each offseason. But after a 14-4 finish and a strong showing by new PG Baron Davis, the Warriors already had secured 2,000 new season-ticket orders by June 1. . . .
Lottery teams trying to decide which point guard is better--Raymond Felton or Deron Williams--should have a chance to find out. When they played in the NCAA championship game, each had 17 points and seven assists (though Felton took just nine shots and Williams took 16). Representatives of the two are trying to schedule a head-to-head workout. Williams and Felton both are lottery picks ranked behind PG Chris Paul and are expected to go anywhere from No. 3 to No. 10. Williams is bigger, a more traditional ballhandler and believed to be tougher defensively, but, as one scout says, "Felton is much quicker. He can break down a defense by himself, take over a game and still be a playmaker. Williams will be a good, solid player, but Felton has a chance to be exceptional."