--The Kings will play an exhibition game in Stockton, Calif. on Oct. 15. It is the first time the team has returned to their regional neighbor since the mid-1990s, when they used to hold training camp in Stockton at the University of the Pacific.
--The Kings have until Oct. 31 to agree to an extension with fourth-year swingman Francisco Garcia, but they may instead opt to let him become a restricted free agent next summer. Garcia is coming off a breakout season, having proven himself as a quality sixth man who can play multiple positions and is a favorite of his teammates in the locker room. Whether that translates to a big payday for the Dominican player out of Louisville remains to be seen.
--Forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim has spent the summer continuing his lengthy comeback from multiple arthroscopic knee surgeries last season that limited him to six games. Yet after seeing limited progress and dealing with recurring swelling in his left knee, Abdur-Rahim told the Sacramento Bee on Sept. 6 that he hasn't decided yet whether to take part in training camp. There is a distinct possibility that Abdur-Rahim could decide to retire.
His future is a significant matter for the Kings, who could be off the hook for his contract (which has approximately $13 million remaining and runs through 2010) if he retires. According to the Bee, there have also been discussions about the Kings making Abdur-Rahim a coach for their big men.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "You're looking at the total picture with your team going forward, and how much better can it get the way it is versus what is the potential to get better by doing something different. What we decided to do is do something different. You know, if you have a big shade tree, shade's good to a point. But if there's too much shade, then the grass doesn't get to grow." -- Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie, explaining the motivation behind the Ron Artest trade in August.
