Sacramento Kings Blog – Page 33 – NBA Blog

Luc Mbah a Moute fails physical, so Kings void his contract

The Sacramento Kings today announced that free agent forward Luc Mbah a Moute has failed a physical examination administered by team medical staff. Subsequent to that finding, his contract signed on July 14 has been voided, according to Kings Vice President of Basketball and Franchise Operations Vlade Divac.

Mbah a Moute, 6-8, 230-pound forward is averaging 6.8 points (.444 FG%, .299 3PT%, .665 FT%), 4.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game in 466 career contests with four teams; Milwaukee (2008-09 – 2012-13), Sacramento Kings (2013-14), Minnesota Timberwolves (2013-14) and Philadelphia 76ers (2014-15).

Kings sign Omri Casspi and Luc Mbah a Moute

The Sacramento Kings yesterday signed free agent forwards Omri Casspi and Luc Mbah a Moute (BAH-ah MOO-tay), according to Vlade Divac, Vice President of Basketball and Franchise Operations.

Both players are expected to be reserves, providing depth off the bench. And both players are quality additions to a roster.

Casspi averaged 8.9 points per game on career-highs of field goal percentage (.489), three-point field goal percentage (.402) and free throw percentage (.733) in 2014-15 for the Kings. The 6-9, 225-pound forward was originally drafted by Sacramento in the first round of the 2009 NBA Draft (23rd overall) and has averaged 7.9 points (.432 FG%, .356 3PT%, .684 FT%), 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game in 394 career contests for three teams: Sacramento Kings (2009-10 – 2010-11, 2014-15), Cleveland Cavaliers (2011-12 – 2012-13), and the Houston Rockets (2013-14).

Mbah a Moute, 6-8, 230-pound forward is averaging 6.8 points (.444 FG%, .299 3PT%, .665 FT%), 4.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game in 466 career contests with four teams: Milwaukee (2008-09 – 2012-13), Sacramento Kings (2013-14), Minnesota Timberwolves (2013-14) and Philadelphia 76ers (2014-15). Selected in the second round (37th overall) by the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2008 NBA Draft, Mbah a Moute averaged a career high 9.9 points (.395 FG%, .307 3PT%, .589 FT%), 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game in 67 games in 2014-15 for the 76ers.

Kings sign Rajon Rondo, Marco Belinelli and Kosta Koufos

The Sacramento Kings today signed three free agents — guard Rajon Rondo, guard-forward Marco Belinelli (bell-uh-nell-ee) and center Kosta Koufos (COAST-ah Koo-fuss) — according to Vlade Divac, Vice President of Basketball and Franchise Operations.

Rondo, a 6-1, 186-pound guard is averaging 10.8 points (.470 FG%, .263 3pt%, .609 FT%), 4.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.8 steals and 32.6 minutes per game in 573 career games in nine NBA seasons with two teams (Boston, 2006-07 – 2013-14 and Dallas, 2014-15). Rondo, a four-time NBA All-Star, twice led the league in assists per game (2011-12, 11.7 apg and 2012-13, 11.1 apg). He was named to the All-NBA Third Team in 2011-12 and has earned four NBA All-Defensive Team honors, twice on the First Team (2009-10 and 2010-11). With the Celtics, Rondo helped Boston advance to two NBA Finals, including a championship in 2008. Rondo has 22 career triple-doubles in the regular season and 10 in the NBA Playoffs.

An eight-year NBA veteran, Belinelli is averaging 9.4 points (.430 FG%, .392 3pt%, .819 FT%), 2.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 22.8 minutes per game in 502 career games with five teams – Golden State (2007-08 – 2008-09), Toronto (2009-10), New Orleans (2010-11 – 2011-12), Chicago (2012-13) and San Antonio (2013-14 – 2014-15). A member of the 2014 NBA champion San Antonio Spurs, the 6-5, 201-pound Belinelli averaged 11.4 points (career-highs with .485 FG%, a team-high .430 3pt% and .847 FT%), a career-high 2.8 rebounds, a career-best 2.2 assists and 25.2 minutes per game in 80 games of which he started 25 that season.

A 7-0, 265-pound center, Koufos is averaging 5.4 points (.528 FG%, .617 FT%), 4.7 rebounds and 15.3 minutes per game in 424 games in seven seasons with four teams – Utah (2008-09 – 2009-10), Minnesota (2010-11), Denver (2010-11 – 2012-13) and Memphis (2013-14 – 2014-15). Selected by the Utah Jazz in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2008 NBA Draft, Koufos posted his best statistical season in 2012-13 with the Nuggets, averaging career-highs in scoring (8.0 ppg), rebounding (6.9 rpg) and minutes played (22.4 mpg) while starting in all 81 games he played in.

Kings trade Ray McCallum to Spurs

The San Antonio Spurs yesteday acquired guard Ray McCallum from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for a 2016 second round pick.

McCallum certainly looks better than the vast majority of players selected in the second round and is a very nick pickup for the Spurs.

McCallum, 6-3/190, started 30 of his 68 appearances with the Kings in 2014-15, averaging 7.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 21.1 minutes while shooting .438 (206-470) from the field and .306 (34-111) three-point range.

Originally selected by Sacramento in the second round (36th overall) of the 2013 NBA Draft, the former University of Detroit Mercy Titan has appeared in a total of 113 NBA games in his two-year career, averaging 6.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 20.6 minutes.

Kings and Kosta Koufos agree to deal

The Kings will add an underrated talent who has shown solid ability in very limited minutes to their frontcourt. Here’s the Sacramento Bee reporting:

The Kings agreed to a four-year, $32 million contract with free-agent center Kosta Koufos, a league source confirmed Saturday night.

The deal has a player option after three seasons.

Koufos, 26, averaged 5.2 points and 5.3 rebounds as a backup with Memphis last season.

The 7-foot, 265-pound Koufos gives Sacramento an experienced backup for DeMarcus Cousins.

Kings, Rajon Rondo agree to short-term deal

The Sacramento Kings have landed some temporary help at the point guard spot. Rajon Rondo’s stock is down these days. He’s never been a good outside shooter, but his overall affect on a team has been questioned lately. Joining the Kings, who have plenty of individual talent that can use some help working together efficiently as a squad, will be a good test, and fun for fans to watch. Here’s the Sacramento Bee reporting:

The Kings reached an agreement with point guard Rajon Rondo on a one-year deal worth approximately $10 million, a league source confirmed Friday.

Rondo met with the Kings on Friday and left the facility before deciding to sign with the team.

Best known as a four-time All-Star with Boston, Rondo finished last season with Dallas.

It was Rondo’s first full season since tearing his right ACL in 2013. He averaged 8.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 10.8 assists in 22 games with the Celtics before he was traded to Dallas last December.

Carl Landry undergoes wrist surgery

Carl Landry undergoes wrist surgery, out 4-5 months

Sacramento Kings forward Carl Landry underwent successful surgery this morning to repair a torn ligament in his right wrist, the team announced today. The procedure was performed by Dr. Michelle Carlson at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

Landry experienced wrist soreness during the 2014-15 season, missing five games as a result (Jan. 16 – Jan. 23). An initial evaluation at that time by Dr. Carlson indicated surgery was not necessary. When pain in the wrist persisted during the offseason, Landry underwent an MRI early this week which revealed that a procedure was required to repair the injury.

He will begin rehabilitation immediately and is expected to be out approximately four to five months.

Kings sign David Stockton through 2015-16 season

Kings sign David Stockton through 2015-16 season

The Sacramento Kings announced today that the team has signed David Stockton through the 2015-16 season. The Kings had previously signed Stockton to a 10-day contract on February 20.

A day later, Stockton made his NBA debut at the STAPLES Center against the Los Angeles Clippers. He recorded one point (0-2 FG, 1-1 FT), two rebounds and one assist in seven minutes off the bench in his lone appearance with the Kings.

Stockton, a 5-11, 165-pound guard, averaged 20.1 points (.461 FG%, .398 3pt%, .824 FT%), 4.2 rebounds, 9.4 assists, 2.5 steals and 30.5 minutes per game in 43 contests of which he started 38 for the Sacramento Kings NBA D-League affiliate Reno Bighorns in 2014-15. Stockton recorded two triple-doubles, a 36-point, 10-rebound, 14-assist performance against Idaho on March 22 and a 26-point, 10-rebound, 15-assist effort vs. Bakersfield on March 31. Eight times he scored 30 or more points, including a career-high 44 points on March 4 vs. Rio Grande. He had 21 point-assist double-doubles, including a 37-point, 22-assist game against Texas on March 6. Among D-League leaders, he ranked 11th in scoring, third in assists and second in steals per game. Undrafted, Stockton was selected by the Maine Red Claws in the third round of the 2014 NBA Development League Draft on November 1, 2014. He was later traded to the Reno Bighorns on draft night.

Like his father, Hall of Fame guard John Stockton, he played collegiately at Gonzaga (2010-11 – 2013-14).

Carl Landry suspended one game for leaving bench area during altercation

Carl Landry suspended one game for leaving bench area during altercation

Sacramento Kings forward Carl Landry has been suspended one game without pay for leaving the bench area during an altercation, it was announced today by Rod Thorn, President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 6:10 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Utah Jazz’s 101-95 win over the Kings on April 5 at Sleep Train Arena.

Landry will serve his suspension on April 7, when the Kings host the Minnesota Timberwolves.

To view the play, click on this link.

Kings sign Sim Bhullar to 10-day contract

Kings sign Sim Bhullar to 10-day contract

The Sacramento Kings announced today that the team has signed Sim Bhullar to a 10-day contract, according to Kings General Manager Pete D’Alessandro. Bhullar becomes the first player of Indian descent to be on an NBA team’s regular season roster.

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Bhullar became the first player of Indian descent to sign with an NBA team when he inked a contract with the Kings on August 15, 2014. The 7-foot-5, 360-pound center was a member of the Kings squad that captured the 2014 Samsung NBA Summer League title in Las Vegas.

Bhullar played for the Kings D-League affiliate Reno Bighorns and averaged 10.3 points (.727 FG%, .600 FT%), 8.8 rebounds, 3.9 blocks and 25.8 minutes per game in 39 games, of which he started 17. He led the D-League in field goal percentage and blocks per game. Bhullar recorded 11 double-doubles this season and had a triple-double with 26 points (12-15 FG, 2-5 FT), 17 rebounds and 11 blocks on February 22 versus the L.A. Defenders.

On February 26, 2015, Bhullar became the first NBA D-League player to make a guest appearance on a late night talk show when he joined the “The Late Late Show” with guest host Kunal Nayyar of “The Big Bang Theory.”

In his two seasons at New Mexico State, the Aggies standout averaged 10.2 points (.633 FG%, .496 FT%), 7.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 2.9 blocks and 25.3 minutes per game in 65 career games. Bhullar was a two-time Western Athletic Conference Tournament MVP, helping the school reach the NCAA Tournament in 2013 and 2014. As a freshman, he was named WAC Freshman of the Year after accruing averages of 10.1 points (.621 FG%, .465 FT%), 6.7 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 24.4 minutes per game for the Aggies. He set a single-season school record for most blocked shots with 85 and his .621 field goal percentage ranked fourth on the NMSU single-season list and first in the WAC in 2012-13.