'Melo to the Kings? Of course, if possible

Talking trade reports with Sacramento Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie always is a little dicey.

Actually, it's usually an exercise in frustration because Petrie usually gives up less information than love from your pops after a bad report card. He did say he's been on a bit of vacation and merely monitoring life via e-mail.

However, since folks have been writing and talking about the merits of pursuing Denver Nuggets all-star forward Carmelo Anthony, I figured I'd weigh in.

Of course, the Kings should attempt to acquire Anthony.

Even according to Petrie, Anthony is one of the NBA's top 15 players. I'd put him among the top 10 and I'm not a huge 'Melo fan. He's a bit of a gunner and he'll not win any defensive player of the year awards.

Yet, as a scorer (still a fairly important quality in this game), the boy is about as competent and versatile as there is. Anthony has a lethal mid-range game and at 6-foot-8, can score inside and out.

No one on the Kings has established themselves as a consistent producer, so to add a player of Anthony's ilk would be a no-brainer.

Of course, you don't give up respected unless it's possible to ensure you can lock up Anthony and build around him. However, Tyreke Evans, Anthony and DeMarcus Cousins is a trio around which I can work.

Anthony is the oldest at 26 and his acquisition, if pulled off quickly, immediately would make the Kings a playoff contender. They'd be a team few would want to play.

No doubt, a trade of such magnitude would be tough to make happen, much less quickly.

Now, there are all types of factors to be considered, but some would answer themselves.

Anthony, whom I've yet to be heard from, reportedly wants to be traded to New York. ... Or Houston. Whatever. Anthony's unspoken words have come through the failure to sign a three-year/$65 million extension.

That seems to indicate he no longer wants to play in Denver, unless the kid has mental issues of which I've never heard. Bypassing $65 million for three years at age 26 almost makes me want to question his sanity, particularly entering a season after which a lockout, in my opinion, surely is to follow.

Following the lockout, it's conceivable new rules under a new Collective Bargaining Agreement could prevent a similar offer.

But what does Anthony want? Is it a title? Does he want to help hook up his wife, La La's career? Which is the priority?

If he's all in on a title, then the Kings should be all in on acquiring him. If not, then make sure that real cap room is spent on a player dedicated and committed to winning.

Meanwhile, the Kings are expecting most of their players in town around Sept. 15. Petrie said second-round pick Hasaan Whiteside has been working with assistant coach Shareef Abdur-Rahim at the team's practice facility while first-round choice DeMarcus Cousins has been working out in Mobile, Al. and now in Washington, D.C.

"So there is some surveillance going on," Petrie said with a laugh.

• The NFL is back and few things are sweeter

College football is all right, but there's nothing better than the NFL.

Things are on the uptick in the San Francisco Bay Area with the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders.

Imagine that, the Raiders legitimately have a shot at a wild-card berth with luck and good health. As much I've liked Jason Campbell since his days at Auburn, I'm also down with backup Bruce Gradkowski.

As for that offensive line and head coach Tom Cable, there are the places of uncertainty. If the line can protect and the wideouts catch passes, it'll be up to Cable to prove he can lead.

Leadership is no problem for Niners coach Mike Singletary. He's the man and everyone knows it. Singletary's squad has a great chance to win the NFC West and that's should be the goal. The Niners need to protect QB Alex Smith. I say Smith will be just fine.

The Niners finished 8-8 and lost three games by four points or less last season.

However, seeing as I'm and Giants/Jets fan, the major concerns are lines with the Giants and QB Mark Sanchez with the Jets. His inexperience is glaring. If the Jets can run the ball, they'll be fine. However, there's no track record of Sanchez being able to pass and lead the Jets to victory under duress.

As for holdout cornerback Darelle Revis, the Jets need to give up the cash. They made their bed by consistently calling him the best cornerback in the league. So pay the man.

For all the ridiculousness that has been the Minnesota Vikings and Brett Favre, they did get their man into camp. That's the bottom line.

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.