Category: The SacKings Report
Notes on the Sacramento Kings.
The Sacramento Kings announced that rookie forward Tyler Honeycutt and second-year center Hassan Whiteside have been assigned to the Reno Bighorns of the NBA Developmental League. Coach Paul Westphal felt they needed playing time in actual game situations and they would just not be able to get it with the depth of the current Kings roster. The move brings the team’s roster down to the NBA minimum of 12 players.
Sunday afternoon, it was announced by the Sacramento Kings that starting forward DeMarcus Cousins demanded to be traded and was subsequently suspended by the team for the January 1 game against the New Orleans Hornets.Head coach Paul Westphal issued the following statement."Whenever a new season begins, in any sport, there is great hope that everything will progress in only a steady, upward direction. As we all know, it seldom happens like that in this life! As coaches, we can only ask that our players do everything they can to improve themselves as individuals and teammates. If they do this with all their hearts, we live with the results. Everything that happens on a team does not become known to the public. This is how it should be. However, when a player continually, aggressively, lets it be known that he is unwilling/unable to embrace traveling in the same direction as his team, it cannot be ignored indefinitely. DeMarcus Cousins has demanded to be traded. In the best interest of our team as we go forward ...
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In a strange twist of events, center Chuck Hayes may be returning to sign a new contract with the Sacramento Kings. On Wednesday, he went through a lengthy round of tests on his heart at the Cleveland Clinic and was pronounced fit to immediately start playing basketball again. When asked whether he would consider playing for the Kings, after they voided his $21 million contract earlier this week, he indicated that he would be open to it. Coach Paul Westphal told reporters on Thursday that Hayes would be back in Sacramento on Friday, but did not go as far to say that he would be returning to the team. Other sources close to the situation have heard that a new contract worth approximately $22 million would be presented to Hayes on Friday.
Marcus Thorton was admitted to the hospital Tuesday night suffering from a painful kidney stone. He passed the stone, but is listed as day-to-day according to head coach Paul Westphal. He is expected to play in the season opener Monday night.
It looks like all three of the rookies will make the Kings 2011-12 squad this season. The team announced today that forward Lawrence Hill and guard Adrian Oliver have been cut. Furthermore, coach Paul Westphal has been so impressed that he foresees point guard Isaiah Thomas getting significant minutes along with first-round pick Jimmer Fredette. Forward Tyler Honeycutt will likely remain on the inactive list, but the team would like to see how he develops over the season.
Samuel Dalembert agreed to terms with the Houston Rockets on a two-year deal worth a reported $13.7 million. One day earlier, the center told Fox Sports that he and Sacramento were close to a deal, but Wednesday afternoon, the Kings withdrew their offer and Dalembert accepted Houston’s offer. It is unclear which happened first however. If the Kings did withdraw their offer first, it may indicate that another deal is in the works to land a quality big man in the capital city soon.
Peja Stojakovic, the sharp-shooting forward that was a key member of the great Sacramento kings teams from 1998-2006 announced his retirement today from the NBA. While a member of the Kings, fans had a love-hate relationship with him, as it was a common criticism that he would disappear at crucial times late in a game. But, no one could question his overall contributions to the glory years of Sacramento kings basketball.
The Sacramento Kings claimed forward Travis Outlaw from waivers Saturday. The 6-9 veteran was cut by the New Jersey nets through the amnesty clause. The Kings reportedly made a $3 million bid for his rights, which means the Nets will be responsible for paying the remaining balance on his $7 million contract. With the uncertainty of Chuck Hayes’ health, the Kings needed to add another big man to their roster going into the season. In addition, this brings the Kings approximately $2 million above the NBA salary minimum.
Both of the preseason matchups between the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors will be televised. Normally, preseason games don’t receive such coverage, but this year, fans in Sacramento will be able to watch the games on Comcast Sports Net California while fans in the Bay Area will be able to catch the games on Comcast Sports Net Bay Area.
The Sacramento Kings announced that Bill Walton will be returning for another season of annoying commentary on game broadcasts this season. He will split time with Grant Napier and Jerry Reynolds on the TV side and Gary Gerald on the radio side of select games. Also returning is sideline reporter Jim Gray for approximately 15 games this season. One word, why?