Another team that never seems to have any luck in the lottery
(they never seem to get better either :-)), is the Sacramento
Kings. They are represented by co-GMs:
Don Hearth
With the 8th pick they select:
Clifford Rozier, PF, 6-9. Louisville
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TEAM NEEDS
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Despite an adequate center line, this team needs to get much bigger.
They need consistent rebounders and defense in the paint. Teams like
Seattle and Houston kill the Kings with their big forward lines.
Another thing the Kings need is a consistent scorer other than
Richmond. He gets his points every night, but Simmons, Williams, and
Spud show up one night, and are missing the next 2. Tisdale is a good
scorer, but does not have much else to his game. He would be a great
6th man, a la the 'Microwave' Vinnie Johnson. However, he is not the
power forward the Kings need. The Kings need size, size, and size, but
not Joe Kleine size. They need size that can play.
Last season, the Kings looked like this:
CENTER: The Kings finished last season as deep at the center position
as they have been since they moved to Sacramento (which, I admit, is
not too dificult a task). The twin-headed combination of Oldin
Polynice and Duane Causwell provide the perfect mix of shot blocking
and rebounding. Although the Kings do not expect their centers to
score much (no set plays are designed for them), they can pick up
enough garbage points to keep everyone happy. Although Polynice is a
restricted free agent, expect the Kings to match any reasonable offer
made by another team. Little utilized Mike Peplowski makes a great
12th man, and could one day become a solid back-up center if he is
given some playing time. Look for him to stick with the team.
POWER FORWARD: This position has been owned By Wayman Tisdale for the
last 5 years. However, Wayman is an unrestricted free agent, and may
be looking for more than the Kings want to shell out for a
one-dimension player (even though he is the most well-known and
popular King (including Richmond)). My best guess is that he won't be
back, which will leave a nice, big slot to use in pursuing a free
agent power forward. For without Tisdale, the Kings do not have anyone
to take his place. Trevor Wilson is a capable back-up for 15+ minutes
a game, but is by no stretch of imagination a starter. Things were so
bad at this position that Polynice and Walt Williams spent extensive
minutes here, where they were outmatched by stronger and quicker power
forwards.
SMALL FORWARD: Here lies the Kings greatest strength and biggest
source of frustration. Between 4th year Lionel Simmons and 2nd year
Walt Williams, it was expected that this position would be the one to
carry the team this year. However, Simmons was inconsistent, looking
one night like an all-star, the next a CBA player. Walt started off
the season injured and never got on track. Trade rumors swirled all
season, but due to the lack of a GM, the Kings wisely kept Williams.
Towards the end of the season, Williams looked like he was finally
healthy, and started to put up numbers that were expected after his
fabulous rookie season. If the Kings hire a good GM, look for one of
these two guys to be traded, as there is not enough minutes for both
of them.
POINT GUARD: The Kings have been searching for a reliable point guard
for the last several years. After Kenny Smith was drafted, it was
thought that the Kings would not need to find another starting point
guard for many years. However his trade left the Kings without a true
point guard for many years. Travis Mays was a failed experiment at
point guard who eventually got traded for the current starting point
guard, Spudd Webb. With the addition of Bobby Hurley, it was thought
that the Kings would not need to search for another point guard. After
his car accident though, questions still need to be answered. If he
can come back from his injuries, then this position needs very little
help. Spudd Webb has proven to be an adequate backup. So all in all,
this position does not need much help. I figure the management won't
touch this spot, but if it is found that Hurley will not be the same
player he was, then a move will be made. Also look for Labradford
Smith to stick. He got picked up midseason and seems to have found a
team to utilize his athletic ability.
SHOOTING GUARD: This position is definitely in the best shape. With
All-Star Mitch Richmond, this team doesn't need much help at this
spot. Randy Brown is a decent backup who plays pretty good defense. In
addition, Walt Williams sometimes plays at this spot. See above story
about Walt. I figure that the Kings won't do much with this spot, but
they will look for another shooter to back him up.
MY SELECTION: With the #8 pick, I select Clifford Rozier. I can see
him replace Tisdale nicely. He has a nice display of offensive moves
that will complement the Kings nicely. I am a little concerned about
his attitude and defense. He will need the right coach to bring out
his full potential.
OTHERS CONSIDERED: I don't see the Sixers picking Dare, so if he slips
to number 8, we will snag him quickly. If not, and Carlos Rogers is
available, we would take him instead of Rozier (probably). It took me
a few hours to decide between Sharone Wright and Rozier. I REALLY like
Wright's game as more of the type that the Kings need, and left to my
own choice, I might pick him over Rozier. But, my Co-GM and my friend
at work convinced me to take Rozier instead. I could see it going
either way.
WHO THEY'LL PROBABLY TAKE: If they keep the pick, they will the first
available out of the following list (assuming the big 5 are all gone):
Dare, Rogers, {Wright, Rozier}, Wingfield, Deon Thomas depending how
the interview process goes. However, .........
I expect that the Kings will try to trade this pick to get somebody of
the Kevin Willis, Dale or Anonio Davis, or Anthony Mason type player.
Low lottery picks have not worked well for the Kings recently, and the
fans are finally getting restless.
There has been some talk about packaging the pick + either Simmons,
Williams, or even Richmond to move up in the draft. I would not be
surprised if they try to get Howard, but not by giving up Richmond.
OTHER MOVES: Look for the Kings to be involved heavily in the Free
Agent market. They have a $850K salary slot exception for Hurley from
last season, and at least a $2M slot from Tisdale. They will look at
Scott Williams and any other Power Forward/Center out there.
Also, look for the Kings to trade Lionel Simmons or Walt Williams for
the right deal, but they will not give either of these players away.
They may even trade Richmond, if they can get a quality big-man or
two.
Of course, all of the above is contingent on them hiring a new GM
soon. Jim Thomas, the Kings new owner, seems to be dragging his feet
on the hiring, which has many in Sacramento speculating that he is
going to get some lackey, and Thomas will be calling the shots. In my
opinion, if they can't get a proven winner, they should keep Jerry
Reynolds, who really hasn't done a bad job since he was given full
control over player personel.
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