The Kings have released 32-year old forward Kenny Thomas. Thomas played in 26 games (2 starts) for the Kings this season and he was averaging 12.0 minutes, 1.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. Thomas has now played in 632 games (406 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 27.4 minutes, 9.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. Thomas is the kind of guy that might interest teams looking for bench help now that they can get him at a bargain basement price.

The Sacramento Kings have traded Kevin Martin, Hilton Armstrong, and Sergio Rodriguez in three-team deal also involving the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks.  Martin and Armstrong are going to the Rockets, while Rodriguez is going to the Knicks.  In return, the Kings are getting Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey from the Rockets, and Larry Hughes from the Knicks.  The Knicks are also getting Tracy McGrady from the Rockets, while the Rockets are getting two future-first round draft picks from the Knicks.

Kevin Martin was a very good guard for the Kings, but he did not fit well with the Kings’ superstar rookie Tyreke Evans.  Martin also only played in 22 games this season due to a broken wrist.  In 5 1/2 seasons with the Kings, Martin played in 331 games (245 starts) he averaged 30.6 minutes, 17.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.0 steals, and shot 45% from the field and 39% from three.  The Kings got a great player in Carl Landry though, who has been one of the best 6th men this season averaging 16.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists, and 0.9 blocks in just 27.2 minutes per game.  He also only makes $3 million next year, meaning the Kings will have some money to spend in this offseason, which is full of some top-talent free agents.  Joey Dorsey hasn’t done much lately, but he gives them more depth in the front court.  Larry Hughes might be bought out, but if not he still can be a decent player at times.  Overall, this was a good deal for the Kings.

The Kings have acquired 24-year old small forward Dominic McGuire from the Wizards for a future 2nd round pick. McGuire played in 41 games (0 starts) for the Wizards this season and he averaged 5.9 minutes, 0.7 points, 1.5 rebounds and 0.2 assists per game. He has now played in 190 games (58 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 15.8 minutes, 2.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game. I like this trade for the Kings as second round picks rarely pan out.

The Kings have acquired 25-year old center Hilton Armstrong and cash from the Hornets for a conditional second round pick. Armstrong played in 18 games (0 starts) for the Hornets this year and he averaged 13.3 minutes, 2.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game. He has now played in 209 games (37 starts) in his NBA career and he is averaging 12.9 minutes, 3.6 points, 2.7 rebounds and 0.4 assists per game. Armstrong will give the Kings another decent big body off the bench to help the team this year and beyond for the price of a 2nd round pick so you have to like the trade for them.

The Kings have signed SG/SF Ime Udoka. Udoka played in 67 games (3 starts) last season for the Spurs and he averaged 15.4 minutes, 4.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.8 assists per game. He has now played in 227 games (78 starts) in his NBA career and he has averaged 20.4 minutes, 6.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.0 assist per game. This was a good signing for the Kings as Udoka has been a solid bench player in his NBA career.