The Kings reconvened early Monday evening for the first time since the All-Star break, practicing with the hopes of improving their play in the season's final 28 games.
But the work inside the Kings' front offices continued long before then, as the clock ticked toward Thursday's noon trade deadline and the goal of improving the roster remained unfulfilled. Yet while there was no Kings deal for yet another day, numerous league sources reported that the team continued to be active in looking at a wide range of possibilities.
Most notably, there was contact Monday between the Kings and Phoenix Suns regarding forward Amare Stoudemire for the first time in recent days. And while it appears Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof remain at least partially open to the idea of adding to payroll to land an All-Star-caliber player such as Stoudemire, the question now is whether he is still available.
The Suns fired coach Terry Porter and replaced him with longtime assistant Alvin Gentry on Monday, when Phoenix general manager Steve Kerr indicated he might hold on to Stoudemire. The coming days will reveal whether that is a hardline stance or a message meant to improve the offers made for Stoudemire.
Meanwhile, the Kings have had discussions regarding New Orleans center Tyson Chandler as another possibility that could bring more impact along with added salary. Yet those possibilities would be more likely if the Kings could first trade Brad Miller.
The interest in the center remains lukewarm leaguewide, but sources said he remains on New York's radar. The Knicks have indicated that they are interested in Miller or swingman John Salmons, with the potential players coming to Sacramento including Malik Rose ($7.6 million expiring contract), Nate Robinson ($2 million expiring contract) and Jerome James ($6.2 million this season, player option for $6.6 million next). New York also is believed to have told the Kings it has no intention of trading exiled guard Stephon Marbury and his $20.8 million expiring contract.
There remains the potential for the Kings to do a smaller deal as well, and sources said one such scenario exists with Minnesota. Third-year guard Quincy Douby ($1.4 million expiring contract) and veteran forward Mikki Moore ($5.8 million this season and only $2 million of $6.2 million next season guaranteed if waived by June 20) could go to the Timberwolves for guard Rashad McCants (expiring deal for $2.6 million).
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