Reportedly, Matt Barnes has agreed in principle to sign with the Orlando Magic.

Barnes averaged 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists last season for the Phoenix Suns.

He is regarded as a versatile swing-man, capable of defending three positions on the floor.

He brings a workman-like attitude and toughness to the Magic bench.

Barnes, a Sacramento native, sports a tattoo on his shoulder that reads, “Sacramento’s finest.” He has been very proud of that fact since being a two-sport High School star in Sacramento.

Having bounced around the league, playing for several teams, Barnes is the kind of player that takes nothing for granted and gives everything he has every minute he gets. This attitude will be a welcome addition to the Magic as they continue to build a championship team.

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For the Kings, new assistant coach Mario Elie has been given the responsibility of fixing one of the worst defenses in the league.

Elie has come in and immediately stressed the importance of perimeter defense, especially considering the Kings lack of any true shot- blockers or intimidators down low.

“We really don’t have shot blockers back there, so we have to depend on our guys up front to handle their business, keep their guys in front,” Elie said. “That’s something I was really good at so I’m going to try to relay that message come the season.” (Sacramento Bee)

Elie knows that last season far too many teams were able to break down the Kings on the perimeter, leaving the team scrambling on defense. This is an area the Kings simply have to improve in.

To go along with this, Elie mentioned that the team must also play with some “swagger.” He knows from experience what the team’s reputation around the league is.

“Anytime I would play against Sac, whether I was a player or a coach, the label on them was ’soft,’ ” Elie said.

The Kings have taken steps toward changing that conception about them through personnel changes.

The draft brought tough- minded players Tyreke Evans, Omri Casspi, and Jon Brockman into the fold.

The team will attempt to bring these players along and teach them from the beginning about how the team expects to be viewed in the future and what they can do to change it.

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Yesterday in Las Vegas the Kings worked out former Bobcats forward Sean May. The workout was also seen by representatives from the Portland Trailblazers.

May has played in just 82 games in his first three seasons in the NBA due to three different knee surgeries. There were also many reports that he had a falling out with Bobcats coach Larry Brown.

While the Kings were working out May, another King, Ike Diogu waits for his fate. On a team that is clearly looking for frontcourt help, many are confused as to why Diogu hasn’t received a contract offer.

Diogu was impressive in starting the last two games of the season for the Kings, but his team option was declined. Many expected him to be brought back into the fold with the Kings at a lower price. That has not happened. Diogu waits patiently.

“I was disappointed (the Kings declined the offer), because I felt that I handled myself extremely well in a very tough situation last year,” Diogu said by phone from Phoenix. “I felt I could’ve helped the team a lot earlier than I was given the chance to, and I felt like they knew what they were getting.”

It remains unclear if Diogu or May will receive offers from the Kings, who clearly need to fortify the frontcourt.

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Here we are, Wednesday, July 15th. Today is also known as the slowest day in the sports year.

Historically, the day after the MLB All- Star game is the slowest sports day of the entire year.

There are no major sports playing today. None.

Perhaps you care a lot about summer league basketball? Maybe European football (soccer)?

If you don’t, you’re left with tidbits of information from other sports.

If you tune in to ESPN you can see the same highlights of last night’s All- Star game (over and over), complete with the same over- analysis of a game with little significance in the first place.

Today actually isn’t as bad as it used to be. Some of the younger readers may not remember a time when we would anxiously sit around waiting for the big 3:30 Sportscenter (back when it wasn’t on all day long) where we would actually be looking forward to those highlights of the All- Star game.

It was really quite pitiful, but it was all we had.

Thanks to the emergence of the internet, we have stories that weren’t available to us several years ago.

We now have the ability to hear about the ongoing Brett Favre updates, which really don’t mean anything since it’s the same information we get almost every day.

We have a report about the Lakers and Lamar Odom being far apart in contract negotiations. This is hardly breaking news.

There are the reports about where Allen Iverson will play next year. Again, basically the same information that has been out there all week.

There is a report that Pedro Martinez is about to sign with the Phillies. One problem: this is also a story that has been reported for almost a week.

Oh wait, there is breaking news about Terrell Suggs getting a contract extension from the Ravens! This is information that changes everything! Oh wait… it’s just another story that effects our sporting lives in no way whatsoever, unless you’re a big Ravens fan I suppose.

Now there’s a story about the WNBA All- Star starters being announced. This raises the age- old question: if a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it…. you get the point.

So, what can we do? I guess we’re left to tweak our fantasy team lineups, keep hitting refresh on our favorite websites, maybe spend the day on facebook or myspace.

Personally, I’d love to get outside. Unfortunately, here in the Sacramento valley, we have expected highs of over 100 degrees.

I guess I’m lucky, I have a job I can work on all day. Wait, my job is working from home writing about and editing sports stories.

Darn, foiled again!

Well, the MLB season resumes tomorrow and there are at least four division races that may go down to the wire.

NFL training camps will be opening soon, as will NBA camps in two more months.

There is going to be a lot of excitement in the sports world in the second half of ‘09… and it just can’t get here fast enough for me.

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Tyreke Evans has only been a member of the Sacramento Kings for two weeks, but he is already showing why the team thought highly enough of him to select him fourth overall in June’s NBA draft.

On Saturday against the Golden State Warriors in a summer league game he had 25 points, ten rebounds and five assists.

Despite questions about his ability to play the point guard position, Evans has showed an ability to find open teammates in his first two summer league games. At the same time, he has showed his strength as a player in attacking the basket, using his long wingspan and quickness in getting to the rim.

Said Timberwolves general Manager David Kahn, “I think he’s almost like a football player. He needs a little bit of a head of steam, but … he will always find the hole like a running back and hit the hole and take it to the basket and score or get fouled. … We thought very highly of him.” (Sacramento Bee)

Another benefit of Evans attacking the rim is his knack for getting to the free- throw line. In his first two games he has had ten and twelve free- throw attempts, respectively.

Evans figures to start this season alongside team leader Kevin Martin.

Martin is know for his efficiency and is consistently among the league leaders in free- throw attempts.

A back- court pairing of Martin and Evans, with both of them getting to the line consistently, could very well prove to be a strong starting point for the Kings’ offense. It will also create match-up problems and create havoc for smaller opponents’ back-courts.

It is only two games into summer league play for Evans, but he is already showing signs of his great promise and giving the Kings hope for the coming season.

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Yesterday the Sacramento Kings held their first practice at the campus of UNLV in preparation for their summer league schedule.

Noticeably absent on the court was first round pick Omri Casspi, who was forced to watch from the stands.

There was an apparent holdup with the paperwork releasing him from his former team, Maccabi Tel Aviv.

“I’m just waiting to get my release from the Israeli Federation FIBA,” Casspi said. “It’ll be tomorrow, more than likely, that I can practice.” (Sacramento Bee).

In other Kings news, the team officially signed it’s other first round pick, Tyreke Evans.

Evans was given the standard contract allowed by the NBA collective bargaining agreement commiserate with his selection at number four in the NBA draft. This contract would be for two guaranteed years with two team option years after that.

It is believed Evans will receive the maximum amount of $3,610,080.

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Today Shawn Marion was granted his pass out of NBA Purgatory.

Having spent last two seasons with the Heat and Raptors, today he was gift- wrapped for the Dallas Mavericks.

In a complicated four- team trade, the Mavericks get Marion for what amounts to Antoine Wright, Devean George, Jerry Stackhouse and cash.

For their spare parts they get Marion, a player who just two years ago was considered one of the best players in the league.

When properly motivated, Marion is potentially a 18/10/3 kind of player. One capable of defending four positions at an elite level.

When added to a Mavericks lineup that figures to consist of Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Dirk Nowitzki and a combination of Erick Dampier and Marcin Gortat, Marion figures to fit right in and give the Mavericks an added element they have been sorely missing.

Marion brings his elite athleticism and defensive prowess to a team lacking in both. On the offensive end, Marion will fit right in with an up- tempo offense coordinated by Jason Kidd. On the defensive end, he will give the Mavericks a true stopper, who will likely guard opposing teams’ best player during crunch time.

To the question of Marion’s motivation, getting to play with Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki should be plenty. Add to that the security of a five- year $30 million dollar contract and you have a lethal weapon that is now motivated to return to his status as one of the elite players in the league.

Add to this the Mavericks Wednesday signing of defensive specialist Quinton Ross and the forthcoming acquisition of Marcin Gortat, the Mavericks have made huge upgrades to the roster.

Owner Mark Cuban vowed to be pro- active this off-season in improving the team now, as opposed to waiting for the 2010 free agent bonanza that is expected next summer. The Mavericks have positioned themselves to be contenders this year and for at least the next three years (the length of Kidd’s new contract).

Cuban said via his twitter account, “It’s been a long day of looking at spreadsheets, reading NBA cap rules and rubbing my eyes.”

His long day will soon be paying huge dividends for his new championship- caliber Mavericks.

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In tonight’s NBA draft, the Kings had to hit it big.

They went in holding the number four, 23, and 31 picks. For a team with the worst record in the league last year, they needed to get these picks right.

As the night played out, the Kings did as well or better than anyone could have expected.

With their number four pick they took Memphis guard Tyreke Evans.

Evans shined in both of his pre- draft workouts with the team and it was commonly believed he would be the pick.

Evans is a freakishly long and athletic player who’s strength and ability to get to the rim set him apart from the other players. He will immediately help the Kings, playing alongside team leader Kevin Martin.

The Kings biggest need entering the draft was at point guard. It remains to be seen if Evans will have what it takes to be a point guard in the NBA, but regardless, he was the best player available and the right pick for this team.

Kings General Manager Geoff Petrie commented on Evans’ ability to play the point:

“He considers himself a point guard. They put him at point guard at Memphis this year, and they won 27 games in a row,” Petrie said. “Does he have to get better as a point guard? Absolutely, but he thinks of himself as a point guard. … He’s just too good of a talent to pass on.” (Sacramento Bee)

Kings owner Gavin Maloof was elated with the pick.

“A (6-5) point guard who’s 220 pounds, and that can score, who can defend the (point guard, shooting guard and small forward) positions with a 7-foot wingspan who’s really, really fast. I don’t know where you find those guys. They’re one in a million. I think early on we all kind of liked Jonny Flynn and I still think he’ll be good. But this guy was just another dimension. He’s an anomaly.” (Sacramento Bee)

The one complication of this pick was the fact that Ricky Rubio had fallen and was available. There had to be at least a moment of hesitation on whether or not to reconsider and take Rubio.

In the end, cooler heads prevailed and the Kings got their man in Evans.

With the 23rd pick, the Kings took guard Omri Casspi from Israel.

Casspi is considered by experts to be, “a very tough, scrappy, slashing player.” (ESPN)

Casspi will look to become the first Isreali- born player to make it to the NBA.

“It was everything for me,” Casspi said. “I’m so happy right now. Nobody can even imagine. I cried like a baby, and that’s something I try not to do a lot.”

The Kings next traded the number 31 pick to Portland for the 38th pick. In the process, they also picked up a young point guard from the Blazers in Sergio Rodriguez.

Rodriguez will be able to come right in and contribute for the Kings.

With the 38th pick the Kings selected forward Jon Brockman from Washington.

Brockman is considered a solid player in the paint, with a mean streak.

At 6-7 and 255 pounds, Brockman led the Pac-10 in rebounding the last three seasons, something the Kings need desperately.

“Most of rebounding is just a desire to go get the ball,” Brockman said. “Not being afraid of going through some elbows and doing whatever it takes to get it. That’s kind of how I play.”

This is exactly the kind of player and attitude the Kings need.

With this pick, the Kings completed an incredible night by adding four players with one thing in common: toughness.

This is a team that absolutely has to improve on defense and in rebuilding. Adding tough players was clearly a priority for the Kings, who have often been called a “soft” team.

On this night, the Kings took major strides toward changing this mentality.

On this night, the Kings are big winners.

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The NBA the lottery played out much like it was expected to, with a couple of surprises, one bonehead move and a lot of repetitive analysis. The following is one man’s account of how it played out.

1.Clippers: Blake Griffin
This was the most obvious pick of the draft. Griffin has been the number one player on the board since midway through the college season. This was truly a no- brainer.
Mark Jackson on the pick: “Griffin is going to a great situation on a talented team.”… Um, I’ve never heard that about the Clippers before. Did he get them mixed up with the Lakers or something.

2.Grizzlies: Hasheem Thabeet
Presumably this pick meant that the Timberwolves weren’t able to move up. The knock on Thabeet has been that he lacks an offensive game. In interviews we learn that he grew up playing soccer until he was a teenager (a game where you don’t use your hands). Could this explain his lack of offensive skills? Does it mean he can still improve them.
Stu Scott: “Hasheem means ‘destroyer of evil’.” Interesting.

3.Thunder: James Harden
Harden is a great fit for the Thunder. By all accounts, he is the most mature and NBA- ready player in this draft. Just watching him sit and talk, he has an air of cool confidence about him. He is articulate and knows a lot about the team he’s going to. He reminds me a lot of how Brandon Roy carried himself of draft night a couple of years ago. On top of that, he’s actually excited to be going there and being a part of what they’re doing.

4.Kings: Tyreke Evans
So, here was the first dilemma of the draft. It was no secret the Kings were set on Evans. Many fans (myself included) thought he was the right guy for them. The question, however, was with Ricky Rubio falling, would that change the plans? The Kings stick to the plan and get Evans. I am a big fan of this pick.
Chad Ford openly questions the pick.

5 and 6. Timberwolves: Ricky Rubio and Jonny Flynn.
Rubio fell to them and so they took him, I have no issues with that. The problem is that they immediately followed that up with another point guard in Flynn. Jay Bilas claims that they can play on the court together and that this is a great strategy for them. I am not buying it. I am assuming that they picked one of them to trade. As the night unfolds, however, that seems not to be the case. I am dumbfounded. This is not a team with just one need to fill. They should have diversified with these two picks.
Further complicating things for the Timberwolves is that it is now the morning after and there are already reports from Rubio’s Dad that he is now likely to return to Europe for several more years. I guess he wasn’t to happy with where he got picked?
The Timberwolves are now going to be forced to trade Rubio’s rights elsewhere or do some serious convincing of Rubio to stay.

7.Warriors: Stephen Curry
Not since Steve Francis has a player seemed so upset to be picked. Minutes before the draft, Curry actually admitted (on TV!) that he’d be disappointed if he didn’t get picked by the Knicks. Then he goes just one pick before them; that has to sting.
For the Warriors, they get the best shooter in this draft, a player that will fit right in and likely thrive under Don Nelson. But how motivated will he actually be?

8.Knicks: Jordan Hill
Having seen Curry go one pick before them, they take the next target on their radar in Hill. Hill looks like someone who will fit right in with the Knicks running offensive attack. He is a big man, but an athlete that can run the court. So much so that Bilas notes, “he is more of an athlete than a basketball player.”
Could this pave the way for the Knicks to let David Lee go?

9.Raptors: DeMar DeRozan
This was one of the worst kept secrets in the draft. The Raptors had targeted DeRozan and got their man.

10.Bucks: Brandon Jennings
This pick looks a lot like insurance for Ramon Sessions. Jeff Van Gundy calls him, “a very left- handed player.” ok… moving right along…

11.Nets: Terrence Williams
The Nets get another young player, Rick Pitino looks ready to cry in joy.
After trading Vince Carter earlier in the day, they draft someone who could eventually fill his wing spot. Probably a good idea.

12.Bobcats: Gerald Henderson
Another pick that was a surprise to.. nobody. And the Bobcats add another local player… no way!

13.Pacers: Tyler Hansbrough
Hansbrough goes higher than many expected. It is good to see a great college player get rewarded. (please don’t mention J.J Redick, I just ate).
The crowd chants, “o-ver-ra-ted.”

14.Suns: Earl Clark
I have heard this guy compared to everyone from Chris Webber to Antoine Walker. Well, one of those would be a good pick.
Rick Pitino says he’s very shy. Is that a quality you really want in an NBA player? Pitino is now full- on crying. I now can see it’s not that he’s happy, it’s because he just watched his starting front- court move on to the NBA and he has to figure out how to replace them.

And that is your NBA lottery and that is how I saw it.

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Draft day started early with the Nets trading Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson (a first round pick of a year ago) to the Magic for Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston and Tony Battie.

The Magic add another high- flying scorer to their wing rotation. A lineup of Lewis, Turkoglu and Carter could create matchup problems all over the place for opposing defenses. In the process, they also solve the Jameer Nelson/Rafer Alston dilemma by sending Alston out of town. Battie is replaced by Anderson, who is younger, a better shooter and basically a better player anyway.

The Magic do, however, take on much more salary with Carter’s contract. This makes re- signing Turkoglu and Marcin Gortat much more problematic.

For the Nets, the motivation is simple. In Alston and Battie they receive 16.5 million in expiring contracts. In addition, replacing Carter with the up-and-comer Lee works very well for a team trying to get younger.

The Magic are taking quite a gamble with this trade by taking on Carter. On the other hand, it could be the move that puts them over the top and is also a quick response to the Cavs adding Shaq.

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