Sacramento Kings Blog – Page 43 – NBA Blog

Kings destroy Cavs by 44 points

Here’s the Sacramento Bee reporting on the Kings, who unleashed a dominating win yesterday:

Last Sunday, the Kings held a players-only meeting. It’s the kind of meeting that’s praised if wins follow but mocked if losses continue.

Since the gathering, the Kings have won a season-best three consecutive games. So, of course, it was just what the team needed.

Sunday at Sleep Train Arena, the Kings matched the third most lopsided win in franchise history, routing the Cleveland Cavaliers 124-80.

The victory margin equaled a 44-point win over Denver on Dec. 12, 1992, and trailed only a 56-point win over Philadelphia on Jan. 2, 1993 and a 58-point victory over Dallas on Dec. 29, 1992.

The Kings led by 46 points, their biggest advantage of the season, and tallied season highs in points, 3-pointers (15) and blocked shots (eight).

Sacramento Kings recall center Hamady Ndiaye from D-League

Ndiaye recorded six points (3-7 FG, 0-2 FT), five rebounds, one steal and three blocks in 32 minutes starting for the Bighorns against the Warriors at the Kaiser Permanente Arena in Santa Cruz last night.

Originally from Senegal, the 7-foot center is averaging 0.4 points (3-9 FG, 0-1 FT), 1.3 rebounds and 5.3 minutes per game in 14 appearances this season for the Kings.

This was Ndiaye’s second game with Reno this season; the first coming on December 6 vs. Santa Cruz.

Isaiah Thomas having great season for Sacramento Kings

Here’s the Sacramento Bee reporting on 5-9, 185-pound Kings guard Isaiah Thomas, who is having an impressive season:

Since being drafted at No. 60 in 2011 – a resounding last – Thomas has nudged Tyreke Evans off the ball, outperformed his more celebrated teammate Jimmer Fredette, outplayed veteran Aaron Brooks, beat out Greivis Vasquez, the pass-first point guard who was acquired during the offseason and traded again before the turkey and dressing had cooled.

Finally, or for now at least since there should be nothing final about a team with an 8-19 record, Thomas has his own team to run. And he has shown no signs of slowing down. In his eight games as lead guard, he is averaging 20.9 points, 7.1 assists and 3.2 rebounds, numbers that most diminutive NBA guards of the modern era (Muggsy Bogues, Earl Boykins, Nate Robinson, Keith Jennings, Spud Webb, among them) couldn’t reach with a step ladder.

“I’ve always been the shortest guy out there,” Thomas said the other night, “and always had to make adjustments. You have to use different moves, tactics, either to shoot over the defense or get past people.”

A sampling of the left-hander’s favorite offerings include high-arching floaters, 3-pointers in transition, stepback 19-footers, hesitation dribble-drives that freeze defenders and open the lane for dunks, bank shots, layups and an increasing array of off-balance circus shots he admits stealing from colleagues Steve Nash, Jason Terry and Chris Paul, all of whom beat him by a few inches.

Sacramento officials presenting arena impact study tonight

Here’s the Sacramento Bee reporting on the city’s quest to build a new downtown arena:

Sacramento city officials will present their draft Environmental Impact Report on the proposed downtown arena to the public tonight. The forum will be held at 6 p.m. in the lobby of City Hall, 915 I St.

The report, released Monday, concluded that a new arena would not cause serious traffic impacts on downtown streets before and after events, partly due to the fact that 10 to 15 percent of fans are expected to travel to games and concerts by public transit and walking.

Deal is official: Toronto Raptors trade Rudy Gay to Sacramento Kings

Deal is official: Raptors trade Rudy Gay to Kings

The Sacramento Kings today acquired forwards Rudy Gay and Quincy Acy along with center Aaron Gray from the Toronto Raptors in exchange for guard Greivis Vasquez and forwards John Salmons, Patrick Patterson and Chuck Hayes, according to Kings General Manager Pete D’Alessandro.

“We’re excited to welcome these additions to our team,” said D’Alessandro. “In Rudy we’ve acquired one of the league’s proven scorers while Aaron and Quincy provide size and depth in our frontcourt. We also appreciate the contributions and efforts that John, Chuck, Greivis and Patrick made to the Kings organization. We all wish them the very best moving forward.”

“We thank Rudy, Aaron and Quincy for their time here. They were great professionals and strong community ambassadors of the Raptors,” said Raptors President and General Manager Masai Ujiri. “The trade gives us good flexibility and more certainty as we plan for our future.”

Originally selected eighth overall by Houston in the 2006 NBA Draft, Gay has accrued averages of 18.0 points (.447 FG%, .344 3pt%, .777 FT%), 5.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.41 steals and 36.1 minutes per game in 530 career contests spanning eight professional campaigns with Memphis (2006-07 – 2012-13) and Toronto (2012-13 – 2013-14). Through 18 contests with the Raptors this season, he registered 19.4 points (.388 FG%, .373 3pt%, .773 FT%), 7.4 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.56 steals, 1.28 blocks and 35.5 minutes per game, leading the team in blocks and ranking second in scoring, rebounding and steals.

Gray, a 7-foot center, has posted averages of 3.5 points (.515 FG%, .562 FT%), 3.8 rebounds and 12.3 minutes per game in 285 career appearances with Chicago (2007-08 – 2009-10), New Orleans (2009-10), and Toronto (2011-12 – 2013-14). Drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the second round (49th overall) of the 2007 NBA Draft, he has played for three teams in a six-year NBA career (Chicago 2007-08 – 2009-10, New Orleans 2009-10, Toronto 2011-12 – 2013-14). Gray saw action in just four games this season.

In Acy, Sacramento receives the 37th overall selection in the 2012 NBA Draft, who has averaged 3.8 points (.539 FG%, .429 3pt%, .783 FT%), 2.6 rebounds and 11.2 minutes per game over 36 career games in two seasons with the Raptors. This season, he has seen action in seven contests as a reserve, posting 2.7 points (.429 FG%, .400 3pt%, .625 FT%), 2.1 rebounds and 8.8 minutes per game.

An 11-year veteran who was in his second stint with the Kings, Salmons is averaging 9.8 points (.434 FG%, .365 3pt%, .801 FT%), 3.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 27.2 minutes per game in 814 career games with Philadelphia (2002-03 – 2005-06), Sacramento (2006-07 – 2008-09 and 2011-12 – 2013-14), Chicago (2008-09 – 2009-10), and Milwaukee (2009-10 – 2010-11). Through 18 games (started eight) this season, he has posted 5.8 points (.350 FG%, .381 3pt%, 7-7 FT), 2.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 24.7 minutes per contest.

Vasquez, who was acquired during the offseason in a three-team trade by Sacramento from New Orleans in exchange for guard Tyreke Evans, averaged 9.8 points (.433 FG%, .320 3pt%, .938 FT%), 1.9 rebounds, a team-high 5.3 assists and 25.8 minutes per game in starting all 18 games for the Kings this season. In his four NBA campaigns with Memphis (2010-11), New Orleans (2011-12 – 2012-13) and Sacramento, Vasquez is averaging 9.0 points (.429 FG%, .325 3pt%, .818 FT%), 2.7 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 24.6 minutes per game in 232 career contests. Born in Venezuela, he was drafted by the Grizzlies out of Maryland with the 28th overall selection of the 2010 NBA Draft.

Signed by the Kings as a free agent on December 23, 2011, Hayes is averaging averaging 4.0 points (.502 FG%, .612 FT%), 5.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 19.3 minutes per game in 568 career contests with Houston (2005-06 – 2010-11) and Sacramento (2011-12 – 2013-14). Through 16 games this season, he has registered 2.1 points (.438 FG%, .714 FT%), 2.9 rebounds and 11.2 minutes per game, including one start.

Patterson, acquired by the Kings last season in a multi-player trade with Houston, has accrued averages of 6.9 points (.410 FG%, .231 3pt%, .563 FT%), a career-high 5.8 rebounds and 24.4 minutes per game in 17 games (started six) this season. Drafted by the Rockets in the first round (14th overall) in the 2010 NBA Draft, he has amassed career averages of 8.2 points (.488 FG%, .341 3pt%, .713 FT%), 4.5 rebounds and 22.3 minutes per game in 204 contests in four seasons with Houston (2010-11 – 2012-13) and Sacramento (2012-13 – 2013-14).

Raptors will deal Rudy Gay to Kings

The Toronto Raptors and Sacramento Kings have agreed to a trade. Here’s the Sacramento Bee with the details:

Kings general manager Pete D’Alessandro said he owed it to Kings fans to be aggressive after years of suffering through relocation discussions and cost-cutting moves.

The Kings took a bold step away from the frugal ways of the last ownership group by agreeing to acquire forward Rudy Gay as part of a seven-player trade Sunday.

Gay, 27, comes from Toronto with a $17.9 million salary this season and a player option for $19.3 million next season.

The Kings will send Chuck Hayes, Patrick Patterson, John Salmons and Greivis Vasquez to Toronto as part of the deal. Sacramento also gets forward Quincy Acy and center Aaron Gray.

The NBA must approve the trade today to make the deal official. All players also have to pass physicals.

Sacramento Kings recall center Hamady Ndiaye from D-League

The Sacramento Kings recalled center Hamady Ndiaye (Ah-meh-dee enj-eye) from the team’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Reno Bighorns, it was announced today by General Manager Pete D’Alessandro. Ndiaye will rejoin the Kings squad in Utah for tonight’s game against the Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena.

Ndiaye recorded seven points (2-4 FG, 3-6 FT), a team-high-tying seven rebounds, two assists and four blocks in 24 minutes starting for the Bighorns in Reno’s first win of the season, a 129-122 victory over the Santa Cruz Warriors last night at the Reno Events Center.

Originally from Senegal, the 7-foot center is averaging 0.2 points (1-6 FG, 0-1 FT), 1.4 rebounds and 5.8 minutes per game in nine appearances this season for the Kings. This was the fourth D-League team Ndiaye has seen action with, having played for the Dakota Wizards (2010-11), Maine Red Claws (2011-12) and Iowa Energy (2011-12).

Ndiaye became the second Kings player to be assigned to Reno this season after Ray McCallum played three games with the Bighorns during his stint from November 21-27.

Sacramento Kings assign center Hamady Ndiaye to D-League

The Sacramento Kings assigned center Hamady Ndiaye (Ah-meh-dee enj-eye) to the team’s NBA Development League affiliate, the Reno Bighorns, it was announced today by General Manager Pete D’Alessandro.

Originally from Senegal, the 7-foot center is averaging 0.2 points (1-6 FG, 0-1 FT), 1.4 rebounds and 5.8 minutes per game in nine appearances this season for the Kings. This will be the fourth D-League team Ndiaye will see action with, having played for the Dakota Wizards (2010-11), Maine Red Claws (2011-12) and Iowa Energy (2011-12).

Ndiaye becomes the second Kings player to be assigned to Reno this season after Ray McCallum played three games with the Bighorns during his stint from November 21-27. He will be available to play for the Bighorns tonight when Reno faces the Santa Cruz Warriors at the Reno Events Center at 7:00 p.m.

Former NBA player Keon Clark sentenced to eight years in prison

Here’s the News Gazette on a former NBA player that decided, instead of kicking back and enjoying his pro basketball money, to do a whole bunch of dumb crap:

Former NBA player Keon Clark was sentenced to eight years in prison on Wednesday after pleading guilty to weapons and driving under the influence charges in two separate cases.

“I, uh, did a lot of stuff in my past,” Clark said at his plea hearing in Vermilion County Circuit Court, tears streaming down his face. “I have to own up to it.”

The 38-year-old Danville native faced 10 weapons, drugs and driving-related charges stemming from one 2012 case and four 2013 cases.

Edgar County Circuit Judge Matthew Sullivan, who heard the case after Vermilion County judges recused themselves, signed off on Clark’s agreement with prosecutors to plead guilty to one count of unlawful possession/use of a firearm by a felon/parole in the 2012 case and one count of aggravated DUI/license suspended or revoked in his most recent 2013 case and drop the other felony and traffic charges.

Timberwolves trade Derrick Williams to Kings for Luc Mbah a Moute

The Minnesota Timberwolves today announced the team has acquired forward Luc Mbah a Moute (BAH-ah MOO-tay) from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for forward Derrick Williams.

“We are excited to acquire a solid veteran player in Luc Mbah a Moute,” said Flip Saunders, Timberwolves President of Basketball Operations. “Luc is known as one of the premier defensive players in the league with an ability to guard multiple positions. He adds a lot of energy, grit and a high basketball IQ to our team. We thank Derrick for his contributions to our organization and wish him well in Sacramento.”

“We’re excited to acquire a player with Derrick’s skillset,” said Kings General Manager Pete D’Alessandro. “He will add size, length and serve as a scoring threat in our frontcourt. We also want to thank Luc for his contributions during the short time he was a King. We wish him the best.”

Mbah a Moute, a 6-8 forward, has averaged 6.8 points and 5.3 rebounds per game over parts of six seasons with Milwaukee and most recently Sacramento. After the Bucks matched an offer sheet from the Denver Nuggets on Dec. 13, 2011, Mbah a Moute was traded by Milwaukee to the Kings on July 12, 2013 in exchange for two second-round picks. Today’s trade reunites Mbah a Moute with Kevin Love, as the pair led UCLA to a Final Four run in the 2008 NCAA Tournament.

Williams averaged 10.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game over 2+ seasons with the Wolves. The 6-8 forward is averaging 4.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in 14.7 minutes per game this season.

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