No A,I. or J-Will likely for Kings

The operative word was 'wait' Tuesday during brief discussions with an agent and Kings President Geoff Petrie describing the team's current posture regarding free-agency.

"We're still in a wait and hold situation," Petrie said. "It's still in effect. We're getting ready for (the Vegas) summer league. We'll definitely have (first-round pick) DeMarcus (Cousins) and (Hasaan) Whiteside signed before we start practicing on Friday."

Agent Aaron Mintz from the Priority Sports Management firm said the Kings have been keeping in touch.

"We've been talking to them but I think they are kind of in a wait and see scenario," Mintz said.

Actually, quite a few teams have assumed the patient approach during the first few days of free-agent conversation. After all, teams cannot sign players until Thursday.

Once signings begin and money commitments reveal themselves, it's easier for teams to recognize what competitors for players can extend. And once players and agents see which teams have money available and are willing to make deals, the action and conversations become real.

Petrie will be looking to fortify the Kings backcourt, but said he didn't anticipate pursuing either Allen Iverson or former Kings point guard Jason Williams.

"The straight-forward answer would be he's not somebody we've talked about," Petrie said of Iverson. "And I don't think Jason is leaving Florida. I think they might be guys who see what happens with teams after (LeBron) James, (Chris) Bosh and (Dwayne) Wade make their decisions."

Contrary to the thoughts of some, Petrie said the team is willing to spend money and would be open to involve itself in a three-way trade.

Petrie always has maintained cash dominates the direction of free-agency.

"I told somebody the other day that free agency was a giant battle of opportunity where the ammunition is cash," he said.

Once the major players of free-agency have committed their real money, the Kings will have as much 'ammunition' as virtually any team on the board.

"I'd be interested in a (three-way) as long as it meets our parameters," Petrie said. "If we're going to take on a lot of future money, it'll have to come down to us acquiring a high-quality player and satisfy a high-quality need."

Three players - Tyreese Rice, Ryan Thompson and Connor Atchley - on the team's summer-league squad are playing in the Orlando summer league before they join the Kings this weekend.

Petrie said earlier this summer assistant coaches Pete Carril and Shareef Abdur-Rahim will return next season. Abdur-Rahim may have been the league's highest-paid assistant last season since he was still under contract as a player.

By the way

Much ado was made by Wade's statement over the past weekend that his decision would be affected by his desire to do what was best for his two sons. Wade has gone through an emotional, contentious and public divorce from his ex-wife.

So, did anyone really think his decision on where to sign would not factor in his two children? And after questioning his wife's mental stability, am I the only one who believes he might want his kids to be as far away as possible from his ex-wife?

James' decision to announce his decision Thursday night on television on his own designed special definitely qualifies as special.

As is his decision to control the advertising for the special and direct all proceeds to the Boys and Girls Clubs of America.

Anyone who concentrates any ego attached to this production rather than the money going to the kids is misguided.

Kings look to Cousins, then Monroe. Could move No. 33

The Sacramento Kings aren't sure which players will be available today following the NBA's draft four picks, but they believe either DeMarcus Cousins or Greg Monroe will be there for the taking with their selection, the fifth overall.

According to sources, the Kings would love it if Cousins was available. They apparently have the gumption to believe Cousins is an immediate impact player and their organization has what it takes to help him unveil the greatness of which his talent is capable.

They'd have no problem selecting Monroe, who is a versatile offensive performer. Monroe is comfortable handling the ball in most situations. That's a great quality for any player, particularly a 6-foot-11, 250-pounder.

Monroe has been compared to former Kings center Spencer Hawes because both are excellent passers, yet I don't see it. Monroe plays inside far more willingly and comfortably than did Hawes.

Monroe, I've been told, also has a right-handed jump hook in addition to his natural lefty jump hook. As a lover of post play, that's a beautiful thing.

One more thing on Cousins for which he rarely receives credit is egolessly handling the attention directed towards his teammate John Wall.

Wall was the man expected by observers very early to become the draft's No. 1 choice and often had the ball in his hands. Cousins had enough maturity to handle not being the offense's focal point.

The Kings research indicated Cousins was well liked by his teammates. Whereas the nay-sayers question - even before his selection - wonder if his NBA teammates will respect him. Now, those folks are scary and uninformed how the process works.

If the Kings choose Cousins, it becomes their organization's job to work with Cousins firmly, intelligently and consistently. Coach Paul Westphal will have to show more toughness from the get-go and show the young player who is controlling the situation.

Westphal has to learn how to get the most out of Cousins and how to manage the 19-year-old he'll be watching grow up and mature before his eyes. In fact, the Kings organization - ownership, front office, coaching staff and players - will become part of Cousins' maturation.

If the Kings are fortunate enough to choose Cousins, the ability to walk his way through reaching his potential could become franchise-altering.

It's rare for Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie to give up any hint of information, but Tuesday he said his team "had the 33rd pick at this point."

Petrie chooses his words thoughtfully, always to a fault of the reporter probing for information, but the inclusion of 'at this point' seemed to indicate he certainly be open to moving up to get a player surprisingly available or moving back and possibly getting two second-rounders for one.

One never knows when it comes to that Petrie brain other than to know it's usually working.

During our conversation Tuesday, Petrie called and asked my opinion, saying it wouldn't be a draft if I didn't tell him what he should do with the pick.

That's a running joke between us because in 1998, he allowed me, then the Sacramento Bee beat writer, to watch Jason Williams work out. I was so impressed with Williams' athletic, ballhandling and passing ability, the next day I wrote Williams should be the choice.

Petrie would rather that had not been written and not so coincidentally, I've not seen an entire player workout since. Heaven forbid, I would be able to see every player's workout. That won't happen again, I don't think.

Now if he really wanted my opinion, he'd allow me see the workout,s then, more importantly, let me sit in the players interviews. The easy part is analyzing talent. It's checking out the mindset that will be handling the pressure and immediate financial windfall a first-rounder receives.

And after talking with Petrie, it hit me I'd been played - again. He'd gotten more opinion from me than I'd gotten from him.

They call him Worldwide or Uncle

It's freaking me out how much attention William Wesley is receiving these days. He's called Worldwide (allegedly given to him by Jalen Rose) or Uncle (that's by the current generation of players), but back in the day, he was just Wes.

The guy was everywhere. During the course of covering the Kings during the season, he'd pop up in Philadelphia or Detroit or Golden State or New York. Even then he had enough sense not to go to New Jersey since nobody else was either.

And we're talking 20 years ago, Wes had all types of hook-ups. He had more juice than Minute Maid and on a number of different fronts. He's comical but chill.

The low-low (staying out of the main frame) was Wes' forte.

And now, during these days of Media Gone Wild, there are folks who act like he's the pilot for the most interesting man in the world. Surely, he's the most mysterious man around the NBA.

However, until Wes finds Bin Laden or halts next year's expected lockout, he has some things to show me.

And no, I don't know exactly how Wes earns his living. Yes, I asked numerous times, and if memory serves me er what he said when it really didn't mean anything to me, he just said, "he knows a lot of people."

The only reason I asked Wes what he did was I was curious how my man got all over the country. I knew I had to write a couple of stories a day to have my airfare and hotel paid for by a newspaper.

But I'd never heard of Wes in any trouble, so not knowing what he did was no big thing. There are a couple of cats like Wes around the league. They'd just be everywhere without discernible reason for being there.

However, those guys have come and gone and Wes remains in the cut.

Check out ESPN's 30-for-30 on Escobars

If you don't like soccer, then make it a point to watch the 30-for-30 presentation on Pablo and Andres Escobar and there respective connections with Columbian soccer. Not only are their stories enthralling, but the soccer footage is amazing.

Quick hitters

Did Cleveland's Mo Williams really tweet he was on his knees begging the Cavs not to trade him?

Would that make you try to trade his butt faster, like it would me?

Chris Paul recently said he was open to being traded by New Orleans.

That's good because he couldn't prevent the Hornets from trading him, anyway.

When did things change to the point where players believe they should have their situations orchestrated to win a title instead of working through the process each year. If it was good enough for Michael Jordan, Jerry West and the rest, it seems like it should be good enough for these young boys.