Florence Okorie
7 November 2009
The Sacramento Kings have signed swingman Ime Udoka to a contract.
The team did not release terms of the deal announced Wednesday.
"We're excited about the addition of Ime to the Kings," Kings' President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie said. "He is experienced, a tough defender and has the ability to help space the floor at the offensive end."
Udoka spent the preseason with Portland before being waived last month.
Udoka is averaging 6.0 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game in his five-year career. He has played 227 games for the Los Angeles Lakers, New York, Portland and San Antonio.
"When the talent pool is shallow, you fill it up whenever possible. That was the rough logic behind the Kings' signing of Udoka. The 6-foot-5, sixth-year swingman spent the last two seasons as a key reserve for San Antonio, averaging 18.0 and 15.4 minutes, respectively. He was a strong defensive presence and an occasional three-point threat, although his 32.8 three-point percentage last season was the worst of his career (37.4 percent overall). Udoka unexpectedly became available when Portland cut him in favor of rookie draft pick Patty Mills from Saint Mary's. According to sources, Udoka has a nonguaranteed contract for the veteran's minimum salary that will run through the end of the season and pay him a prorated amount of $1.03 million. It won't be fully guaranteed until Jan. 10, 2010."
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