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I guess it is a case of the eye of the beholder; because, relative to guys like Rashard Lewis, who is getting over $20 million per season, I think Hidayet Turkoglu, who outplayed him markedly, is comparatively worth more than $10 million per season.

The money rich and talent rich Trailblazers are not flinching at that number for Hedo right now.

Hedo is 30. He is seeking a $50 million 5 year contract. If he played only three more years close to the level he has played the last two, it might be worth it; because he could be a good influence, even a leader of sorts, for the Kings' young players - a clutch, extremely versatile player, an accomplished veteran fresh from the NBA Finals. But unlike he was treated while a King, he would only be valuable to the Kings if Paul Westphal treated him like he was treated in Orlando last season - showing confidence in him and encouraging him to take clutch shots and with the ball in his hands at crucial periods in a game. He thrives in that setting. Too bad Lewis' contract prohibits the Magic re-signing him.

Andres is only 8 months younger with three years guaranteed (but his contract allocates less money to him in each successive year), Francisco is 28 with four years guaranteed, Beno is 27 with three years guarantee with a fourth at his option (and if the he does not force the Kings to play him by outstanding performance during his minutes on the court, his contract may become a Kenny Thomas contract type albatross).

Though the Kings are in a rebuilding and youth movement, they will need savvy veterans with skills to help the team win games while the youth brigade are learning on the job.

On July 1st, NBA GMs can start dickering with free agent players' agents.

The Kings will have to look at their own free agents and look at other free agents who will be available off of other teams' rosters. They can reconsider their own Ike Diogu and Rashad McCants, or not.

Though the Kings will not be going after Mike Bibby or Ron Artest, they might consider players such as: Zaza Pachulia, Stephon Marbury, Ben Gordon, Anderson Varejao, Brandon Bass, Jason Kidd, James Singleton, Alan Iverson, Rasheed Wallace, Von Wafer, Trevor Ariza, Lamar Odom, Al Harrington, Hidayet Turkoglu, Andre Miller, Drew Gooden, Shawn Marion, Carlos Boozer, and Memet Okur.

If the Kings want some viable veteran help they might be able to afford and get good bang for the buck, they might consider: (front court) Drew Gooden, Al Harrington, Zaza Pachulia, (4 out of 5 positions) Hidayet Turkoglu, and/or (back court) Von Wafer.

NBA Draft Media Day Interview Transcripts (Part One)

Tyreke Evans Interview

Reporter: Are you more of a point guard of a two at the next level?

Tyreke Evans: That's a question I get a lot and I don't even really know myself. I think I'll be both to be honest, I think I'm a basketball player.

Reporter: Did Coach Calipari's decision to leave for Kentucky effect your decision to come out after one season? Would have returned if he had come back?

TE: If he had come back I think I might have stayed, but I'm not sure. I would have put my name in and see what I would have learned. If it wasn't looking good I would have come back and probably stayed another year.

Reporter: When you grew up you studied a lot of Anfernee Hardaway's game.

TE: Yea, he was my favorite player growing up when he was with the Magic. I got to speak to him a lot when I was down at Memphis.

Reporter: How did he help you?

TE: When I was struggling he told me to keep my head up and he worked out with me a couple of times in the gym. He's just a great guy.

Reporter: How did that turn you around?

TE: It did a lot for me. It got my confidence back because at the beginning of the season I was kind of down on myself, but he kept working me out along with Coach Strickland and I improved a lot since then.

Reporter: You worked out twice in Sacramento, once in a group and once by yourself. Give a sense of what those workouts were like for you.

TE: I think they went great. I knocked down shots when I was working out by myself in the first workout. In the second one I was able to show my strength and my length working against the other guards that were there. I think the GM was real impressed.

Reporter: You're on a short list of guys that they are looking at with the number four pick, how do you think you compare to the other guys on that list?

TE: I think I did well; there were a lot of guards there. That was a good group of guys for sure, but I think I did well.

Reporter: You have more size than some of the other guys being looked at in that spot and you probably have a more NBA-ready body. How do you think that is going to propel your game to the next level?

TE: I know the NBA is a man's game; there are a lot of strong players out there. I think I'm on my way to getting ready for that. When I get to whatever team that takes me, I'm going to get in the gym and get some more weight on me; I'll be good.

Reporter: Sacramento has a young team right now. Is that something that is appealing to you because you can come in and make a big impact on this team?

TE: Sure, I think I can bring a lot to a team right away. It would be Kevin Martin and I, a couple of big guards in the backcourt and I think that would be a good thing.

DraftExpress: What have you been hearing from the Kings?

TE: They've been looking at me a lot. I heard that Memphis has been looking at me; I've been hearing a lot of good news so I'm pretty happy.

DX: It seems like the Kings are targeting a guy who can provide leadership and help change the team culture, do you feel like you can do that right off the bat?

TE: Definitely; while at Memphis I was a point guard and helped to be a leader in the locker room, I would speak out for the team. I think I can come in and do that.

DX: Minnesota acquiring that second pick, is that good for you? Do you feel like you can play there?

TE: I definitely do; I worked out for them and they liked my size and my ability to create and make people better.

DX: One GM told us from your workout that you were the Ron Artest of this point guard class. Do you take that as a complement?

TE: I mean I can see that. From the workout I was bullying other players out of the way who weren't strong enough, so I can see that as being a way to describe me.

2009 NBA Free Agency Primer

Last year the NBA's salary cap was set at $58.68 million. The cap threshold has typically increased by a few million each season since its inception, but the slumping economy has adversely affected the NBA as well. While the salary cap for the 2009-2010 season won't officially be determined until later in July, there have been strong indications that the cap might actually decrease from the previous year for the first time since 2002; possibly settling in at $57.3 million. For our purposes, let's assume it stays relatively stable - in the $57-58 million range.

So, which teams are currently positioned to bid the most on the 2009 free-agent crop? After examining each team's salary commitments it is clear there are very few teams with much of cap space available this summer. And once you factor in guaranteed money owed to 2009 draft picks and minimum cap holds, you are essentially looking at only six teams with significant cap-room to make a run at a free agent. Here are the teams, along with their approximate cap space in parentheses: Detroit Pistons ($18 million), Memphis Grizzlies ($20 million), OKC Thunder ($15 million), Portland Trail Blazers ($8 million), Sacramento Kings ($12 million), and Atlanta Hawks ($9 million).

However, this certainly doesn't mean that all these teams will use the cap space afforded to them. If history is any indicator, franchises such as the Grizzlies and Thunder are in no hurry to spend their entire allowance and bump up against the cap. (Last season, the Grizz had the lowest payroll in the League). As far as Sacramento is concerned, the Kings owners, the Maloof brothers, have been hit hard by the economic downturn. And the Kings - while they have some nice young pieces on the roster - are certainly not going to compete for the title next season; so don't expect them to break the bank for top-notch, expensive talent. In addition, Atlanta's trade for Jamal Crawford will certainly eat into their expected maneuverability.

Ike Diogu? Probably not, at $4 million per year.

I mean, Beno had some good games when he was brought over; but what happened last season? I order to be worth the money being projected to spend on him he would have to be a topflight backup point and a competent starter when called upon. Sure, it could happen; but, regardless the reason for his bad season, the hopes people has for him are all but gone. That is why the Kings were so hot for Ricky Rubio for awhile but then traded for Sergio Rodriguez and drafted Tyreke Evans. They are looking at Beno's contract as another albatross; and he will have all that to overcome to prove he is worth his paycheck - which will be hard to do with limited minutes on the floor.

Ike Diogu's qualifying offer is the problem. Whether Ike can rise to the occasion constantly like he did those two games at the end of last season or not is a weighty question for a franchise that is hurting financially and the qualifying offer they must make to make him a restricted free agent is almost $4 million.

Josh Heytvelt, an undrafted (due to dismissed drug charges not due to a lack of ability), but skilled and underrated big, might be a less expensive option, if somebody else does not snap him up first.

Even better, due to Tyreke Evans already on the team, might be Shawn Taggart. He is a very formidable man, and can shoot, pass, and dribble well for someone of his size. He can get down low pretty fast, and he is a master at defense.

Jon Brockman might be tough, and Spencer Hawes' pal, but he does not have the height or size of either of these undrafted bigs.

And then there are skilled veteran bigs looking for mid-level money, that Geoff already likes, in Drew Gooden, who would strengthen the Kings frontcourt rotation - and Chris Anderson, who might demand too much money to outbid the Nuggets.