Kings need to plan for future

With NBA training camps starting in a matter of days, it’s time to look at what’s in store for the Sacramento Kings.

The Kings made some big moves this off-season, sending their most talented player, Ron Artest, and 2008 draft picks Sean Singletary and Patrick Ewing, Jr., to Houston. In return, the Kings get Bobby Jackson, rookie Donte Greene and a first-round pick in 2009.

Point guard Beno Udrih was signed to a 5-year contract extension, and the team added depth at this position by signing Bobby Brown out of Cal State-Fullerton.

Sacramento drafted 6’11" forward-center Jason Thompson out of Rider. Thompson averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds his senior year at Rider, according to the Kings’ website.

It’s safe to say the Kings are in the midst of their "rebuilding" stage. They are young, with seven players on the roster having played three seasons or less.

Head coach Reggie Theus must realize this team, as constructed, are not contenders. There is no need to play the veterans extended minutes. The young guys like Thompson, Spencer Hawes, Donte Greene and Shelden Williams need a chance to play. This is part of the rebuilding process.

I was a fan of the Artest trade. I loved Artest while he was a King but it was time to move on. They weren’t in a position to win a championship when he was here, and I like the potential that Greene has.

Jackson, who played for Sacramento from 2001-2005, is a fan-favorite. But, at the age of 35, he doesn’t have much gas left in the tank. If Brown does in fact make the team, I would rather see him get some playing time.

I want to see Kevin Martin take control late in games and establish himself as the true leader of this team. His scoring should increase with Artest gone.

What kind of team will the Kings be? They’re not a defensive team. They were one of the worst defensive teams last season, giving up 104.8 points a game, and losing their best perimeter defender won’t help. On the flip side, they were eighth in the league in scoring, at 102.5 per game.

If I’m Theus, I let these guys run. With the Western conference being as stacked as it is, they will struggle to win 40 games let alone make the playoffs. Might as well have fun with it. The way this team is constructed, they are better suited to play fast.