Sacramento Kings Blog – Page 77 – NBA Blog

Kings waive Larry Hughes

The Sacramento Kings today waived guard Larry Hughes. Hughes was acquired from the New York Knicks as part of a three-team trade on February 18, 2010, and did not appear in any contests with Sacramento.

Overall this season Hughes, when playing for the New York Knicks before coming to Sacramento, averaged 9.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 26.5 minutes per game.

For his career, Hughes averages 14.4 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 31.2 minutes per game.

The Kings roster now stands at 14.

Jon Brockman out two to four weeks

Sacramento Kings forward Jon Brockman will miss two to four weeks of action with a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee, which was confirmed by an MRI taken yesterday.

Brockman, currently in his rookie season, is averaging 3.0 points (.511 FGs, .600 FTs) and 4.6 rebounds per game through 44 outings of which he has started in four.

T-Mac deal: Knicks clear much-desired cap space

By Jerald Hoover

The big deal is finally done and as it seems all parties got what they wanted out of the trade: The Knicks created much-needed LeBron James cap space (for this summer’s free agency class) all the while bringing in a former All-star whom they hope can be lighting in a bottle and regain more than a glimpse of his former self. McGrady alone can be enough to entice others to come along for the ride if he looks anything he used to.

Flashy point guard Sergio Rodriguez, aka “Spanish Chocolate,” was brought in as an apparent upgrade over Chris Duhon, who seems to be devoid of any type of penetrating move. Rodriguez, while turnover-prone, is lightning quick at 6-foot-3 and has exceptional court vision.

Did the Knicks give up too much in the way of first round picks. In a word, NO! First off, first round picks are a crap-shoot at best, and yes, even those picked 1st or 2nd in the draft. Please see the file on the Clippers Michael Olowokandi and Detroit’s Darko Milicic for top picks in their respective drafts.

The Knicks are just flip-flopping on the 2011 pick, and yes they’re giving up the 2012 pick, but it’s Lottery-protected. Not only that, if one thinks about it the Knicks could always parley someone like Wilson Chandler to a team for a first round pick.

The Rockets not only rid themselves of McGrady and his high maintenance ways (according to them), but they bring in a young scoring stud in Kevin Martin to go along with Aaron Brooks in the backcourt. They should be extremely explosive. Swingman Trevor Ariza should have a field day.

The Sacramento Kings gained a young forward in Carl Landry who should help down low with Jason Thompson.

Jerald L Hoover is a producer and director of a Mount V, NY basketball documentary: Four Square Miles to Glory.

Wizards trade Dominic McGuire to Kings

Washington Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld announced today that the team has acquired a protected 2010 second-round draft pick from the Sacramento Kings in exchange for guard/forward Dominic McGuire and cash considerations.

“This trade continues the process of putting us in a more positive financial position,” said Grunfeld.

McGuire was initially acquired by Washington with the 47th overall pick in the second round of the 2007 NBA Draft. In 190 career games (58 starts) with Washington, McGuire has averaged 2.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 15.8 minutes per game.

CJ Watson scores 40

Marcus Thompson II of the Bay Area News Group reports:

The victory, only No. 15 in a lost season, was comfortably in hand. Yet just before the Warriors had completed a 130-98 rout of the Sacramento Kings, every player on the bench — including all of the injured players — was on his feet.

And when guard C.J. Watson’s left-handed layup rolled in, giving him a career-high 40 points, the players erupted in delight. It was a moment that showed why these players are happy that the team is unlikely to make a trade by today’s noon deadline.

“Things are feeling good,” rookie guard Stephen Curry said. “You can tell. Everybody’s smiling, having fun. “… Hopefully this whole unit’s going to be back next year.”

Kings to trade Kevin Martin to Rockets

Adrian Wojnarowski and Marc J. Spears of Yahoo report:

The Houston Rockets have reached an agreement in principle to acquire Kevin Martin from the Sacramento Kings, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

The proposed deal has the Rockets sending Tracy McGrady, Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey to the Kings for Martin, Sergio Rodriguez, Hilton Armstrong and Kenny Thomas.

Two league sources tell Y! Sports the Kings are unsure whether they will keep McGrady or expand the trade to three teams and send him to the New York Knicks.

McGrady’s agent, Arn Tellem, had worked diligently with the Rockets to broker a trade for T-Mac to the Knicks, and sources say he’s now determined to get him out of Sacramento. Tellem also represents the Kings’ prized rookie, Tyreke Evans.

Brother of Omri Casspi having fun at All-Star

Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee reports:

Eitan Casspi had the right idea.

No media obligations, no autographs to sign and no high-profile games to play – unless table tennis inside the Nike suite qualifies.

The brother of Kings small forward Omri Casspi had his slice of All-Star Weekend paradise Friday afternoon, when he alternated between the pingpong table and the massage station inside the swank setup at the Hyatt Regency. As for his brother and fellow fan and media favorite Tyreke Evans? It was quite a different experience.

They were Kings of the room in the morning, when reporters still surrounded them long after every other Rookie team member was done with those duties. They were embraced by children while visiting area schools in the early afternoon. They commanded the most attention in the hotel lobby, where fans of all sizes came in from the snow to have them sign pictures, balls and even T-shirt sleeves. Both players graciously obliged.

And when they made their way to Nike’s four-star hideaway that was fitted with snacks and drinks, music and dartboards, a paid barber on site, video games and even a scenic view of Texas’ winter wonderland, even that setting wasn’t relaxing enough. By the time the late afternoon arrived, Evans and Casspi poked their heads in and proceeded to head the other way. It was nap time.

Kevin Martin set to return

Sacramento Kings’ guard Kevin Martin today has been cleared for full contact participation after he was examined by Dr. Robert Szabo. Martin will practice tomorrow and accompany the team on the upcoming six-game, 10-day road trip.

Martin underwent surgery to repair a non displaced hairline fracture of the navicular bone in his left wrist on November 9th. He averaged a team-leading 30.6 points per game through the first five outings of the season before missing the last 31 games due to the injury.

The 15-21 Kings are currently the 13th seed out of 15 teams in the strong Western conference.

Hornets trade Hilton Armstrong to Kings

The Sacramento Kings today acquired the services of center-forward Hilton Armstrong in a trade with the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for a conditional 2016 second round pick and cash considerations, according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

“We’re looking forward to having Hilton join the team,” explained Petrie. “He gives us an athletic player who can play the four and five positions. We think he can come in and contribute and we’re looking forward to watching him play.”

Armstrong, who is currently in his fourth NBA season, is averaging 2.8 points (.380 FGs, .464 FTs) and 3.4 rebounds per game for the Hornets through 18 outings. He has amassed career averages of 3.6 points (.513 FGs, .605 FTs) and 2.7 rebounds per game through 209 contests.

Selected as the 12th overall pick in the 2006 NBA Draft by New Orleans, Armstrong enjoyed a four-year career at the University of Connecticut and was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year as a senior.

Tyreke Evans hits game-winner to beat Nuggets

Saturday in Sacramento, the Kings beat the Denver Nuggets 102-100. It was a great game, and the win came in dramatic fashion.

Sam Amick of the Sacramento Bee reports:

With the score tied 100-100 after Nuggets point guard Chauncey Billups buried a three-pointer over Evans with 11 seconds left, Kings coach Paul Westphal called for the isolation play that sparked much debate among fans and media in recent weeks…

With seven seconds left, Evans took an inbound pass behind halfcourt and slowly dribbled toward Kenyon Martin. Evans drove left, then pump-faked Martin and Nene in the lane, and spun 360 degrees before burying a 10-footer.

“Coach told me before the other games that if he had a chance to call one-four flat and put the ball in my hands, he would do it again,” said Evans, who had 27 points on 10-of-15 shooting. “I’m just glad he didn’t give up on me and he gave me that opportunity.”

The Kings not only broke a five-game losing streak, they finished in a fashion that lifted their broken spirits.

Spencer Hawes had a big game off the bench for the Kings, shooting 8-of-10 for 10 points and five rebounds.