SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 14 -- The Sacramento Kings added bulk up front Wednesday, signing free agent forward-center Keon Clark.
Terms were not disclosed.
Clark became an unrestricted free agent last month after the Toronto Raptors rescinded their qualifying offer.
"I'm very much excited to be here," Clark said. "It's not too often you go from a playoff team to another playoff team with championship potential, and that it what this team is. I think I can add a spark to the game, and hopefully I'll be able to prove it."
Clark was one of the better free agents available this summer, but some suitors might have been hesitant for salary cap concerns. In addition, Clark was cited on a marijuana possessions charge last month.
The 6-11, 221-pound Clark averaged a career-high 11.3 points and 7.4 rebounds last season. He was even better in the playoffs, averaging 13.4 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in five first-round games.
"Adding Keon gives us a lot more versatility," Kings coach Rick Adelman said. "Having him adds depth up front. He's athletic. He can block shots off the ball. He runs the floor, and has developed into a good offensive player. With the other players we already have, I just think he gives us that much more versatility on our front line."
The Kings had the best record in the NBA during the regular season, but were defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference finals. One of the goals in the offseason was to get some frontcourt help to better match up with the Lakers and superstar center Shaquille O'Neal.
Clark will join a frontcourt rotation that includes Chris Webber, Vlade Divac and Scot Pollard.
The 27-year-old Clark was acquired by Toronto from the Denver Nuggets in January 2001 as part of a six-player trade. |end| Content: 15008000 15008001
