The Sacramento Kings wrapped up their last day of a four-day mini camp in Natomas. Here are notes, quotes and video (above) from the final practice before the team heads out to Las Vegas for Summer League.
- The Kings cut two players as guard Adrian Oliver and forward Gus Gilchrist were let go. As of this writing, it appears the Kings will carry 17 players into Summer League, including Isaiah Thomas and Tyler Honeycutt. Whether those two play is still up in the air. Honeycutt will likely watch from the sidelines due to the stress fracture he suffered in his right foot. Meanwhile, Thomas will be in Las Vegas if his class schedule at the University of Washington permits. He’s currently finishing up his undergraduate degree.
- Assistant coaches Alex English and Bobby Jackson remained mum on Summer League lineups and rotations. “I think we know that Whiteside and Robinson and Fredette will start,” said English. “Those are three of our starters, still talking about the other guys.” Added Jackson: “We’re catering to our guys first and foremost, but there’s still a lot of minutes there.”
- English was asked how game planning and preparation will compare to regular season action. “We’re going to try and simulate as much as possible what we do during the season,” he said. “We got one of our scouts over there and he’s going to look at what teams are running.”
- Dominique Johnson is one Summer League invite that’s impressed coaches during this four-day mini camp. Surprisingly, he hasn’t sought much advice or feedback, but he has a reason. “I really haven’t talked to the coaching staff,” said Johnson. “That was one mistake that I made when I was in the D-League. They said I was asking too many questions, trying to figure out what was going on. So now I just go in and play and do what I’m told to do.”
- Besides Jimmer, Whiteside and Robinson, who else should Kings fans look out for during the team’s five-game schedule? Darnell Jackson recommends paying attention to Michael Lee. “He was with me in Ukraine. He can play inside and he can play the outside. Left-handed, tall, skinny, can shoot the ball.” Jackson also likes Dominique Johnson combo-guard skills.
Reminder: Kings begin Summer League play on Friday against the Charlotte Bobcats. Games will be televised on NBA TV and you can view the complete Kings’ Summer League schedule here. And be sure to follow Cowbell Kingdom tomorrow and all next week. We’ll be down in Las Vegas for all the action.
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