There are worse work environments for a group of 20-somethings than Las Vegas, where the NBA summer league officially tips off Friday.
But as current and hopeful Kings start a two-day minicamp in the desert today, they may as well be in Las Cruces, N.M. This is, of course, no time for distractions.
The combination of the Kings posting the league's worst record last season and having roster room for added help means there is serious work to be done. Incumbent youngsters Spencer Hawes, Jason Thompson, and Donté Greene will play under the watchful eye of Pete Carril, the Kings consultant and summer league head coach who is well aware the team's overall improvement is directly tied to the progress of this trio. Draft picks Tyreke Evans, Omri Casspi and Jon Brockman will hit the hardwood in Kings uniforms for the first time, eager to impress first-year coach Paul Westphal as he assesses his newest talent.
With five Kings games scheduled between Friday and July 17 at UNLV, they will be joined by hungry teammates as well. There are players like Jerel McNeal, the Marquette point guard who went undrafted June 25 despite averaging 19.8 points per game as a senior.
There are others like Marcus Landry, the Wisconsin forward who would be more than happy to follow the NBA blueprint set by his brother, Houston forward Carl Landry.
Of course, the Kings can add players via free agency as well. After the eventual signings of first-round picks Evans and Casspi, they are expected to have approximately $6 million of salary cap room. Yet while today is the first day teams can sign free agents, the Kings aren't expected to make any immediate announcements and don't look eager to spend their available money. They are more likely to mull their options in the coming weeks, weighing the merits of various free-agent big men to add frontcourt depth while also pursuing such a player via trade.
Read the Kings blog at www.sacbee.com/kingsblog.
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