Western Notes: Kings, Rondo, Irving

The Kings‘ organization has had its share of dysfunction over the past few years, but Brandon Williams, who was recently named the team’s assistant GM, believes the franchise doesn’t get enough credit, as Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee passes along.

“I started to feel like I know what a lot of people outside of the organization know, and reading reports. And who knows if that’s true?” Williams said. “There’s always a little bit of truth, but who knows until you’re a part of it? And what I felt being around him and others is that the organization might be a little bit misunderstood.

“I do think there’s a real strong desire to put good people in place and to compete for something special, and there’s certainly no disillusionment that it isn’t going be hard. It’s going to take a lot of grinding effort.”

Before joining the Kings, Williams worked in the Sixers’ front office during their rebuild and his time in Philadelphia should only help him as he looks to build the Kings into playoff contenders.

Here’s more from the Western Conference:

• The Kings added several veterans this offseason and Garrett Temple tells Alex Kennedy of Hoops Hype that he believes it will help the team build a winning culture. Sacramento added Zach Randolph on a two-year, $24MM deal, George Hill on a three-year, $51MM contract, and Vince Carter on a one-year, $8MM deal this summer.
• DeMarcus Cousins believes Rajon Rondo, who signed a one-year deal with Pelicans, can bring leadership to the team, as William Guillory of The Times-Picayune relays. “His [basketball] IQ is through the roof,” Cousins said. “He’s so smart sometimes that it’s actually kind of scary. You might think he’s psychic, it’s kind of freaky. He has leadership qualities, he’s always going to bring out the best in his teammates.”
• If they are going to enter the Kyrie Irving sweepstakes, the Jazz would likely have to give up No. 13 overall pick Donovan Mitchell, Benjamin Mehic of The Deseret News speculates. Mehic argues that a proposal of Ricky Rubio and Mitchell for Irving should entice both sides.