New Kings coach Michael Malone sat down with Ailene Voisin of the Sacramento Bee over the weekend for a very interesting chat on the events that led up to his hiring and his vision for the future of the club. Kings fans haven’t seen their club in the postseason in seven years and they’ve had to deal with speculation over a possible move for the last couple, but things finally seem to be heading in the right direction for Sacramento. Here’s more out of the Pacific Division..
- Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld looks at trade situations to look out for in 2013/14 and writes that the Lakers have a few pieces that could be in play. They have some attractive expiring contracts in Steve Blake ($4MM), Jordan Hill ($3.5MM), and Jodie Meeks ($1.55MM) that could hold value around the trade deadline when the deals have mostly been paid off by the Lakers. None of those three are going net a major return, but a team with playoff aspirations might be willing to deal for one of them as a rental.
- Kyler also looks at the Kings, who are no longer focused on moving DeMarcus Cousins and see him as a big part of their future. They are rumored to be ready to move on from Jimmer Fredette, but he’ll have to play well early in the season to have trade value. John Salmons could be a trade chip as he makes $7.58MM this year with just $1MM of his $7MM in guaranteed in the following season.
- After playing in the Las Vegas and Orlando summer leagues, forward C.J. Aiken has decided to go to mini-camp with the Kings, the St. Joseph’s product tells Garrett Miley of City Of Basketball Love.
And why exactly is it the Sixers who need to help out the Lakers? Didn’t the Sixers do enough for the Lakers last year when they took Bynum off their hands? F&CK the Lakers! They made their bed. Figuring it out is their problem not Philly’s!