Fansided

Sacramento Kings excited about Darren Collison

By Josh Hill

May 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guards J.J. Redick (4) and Darren Collison (2) embrace at the end of game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Warriors 126-121 to win the series 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
May 3, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guards J.J. Redick (4) and Darren Collison (2) embrace at the end of game seven of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Warriors 126-121 to win the series 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Sacramento Kings were near the bottom of the Western Conference again in 2013-14, but the team is looking to drag themselves out of the depths with a mixture of young players and smart veterans.

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An example of a smart veteran added this summer is guard Darren Collison, who will be stepping into a role where he can flourish as much as he can get stuck in a Sacramento rut.

In a Q&A session with NBA.com, general manager Pete D’Alessandro stated that the team is going to be better this season in large part thanks to Darren Collison, who is coming to a team that may not be the best contender in the West with an attitude as though they’re playoff bound.

"When I talk to Darren, it’s always ‘how do we make the playoffs? How do we get there?’ That’s something that’s important to me – that you have players that are thinking that way, and more important, acting that way…His ability to pull it together – we talk about the-straw-that-stirs-the-drink analogy and that’s [our] hope for him. We want him to be that guy that brings out the talent from everyone else, while also showing his talent and leadership in the process.”"

There’s a lot riding on Collison this year, as well as D’Alessandro, as the move to sign the veteran came at the cost of giving up youngster Isaiah Thomas. That’s a price that is yet to be seen how it will turn out, as the Suns got Thomas dirt cheap and Collison may not hold up the whole season.

Still, the Kings want to get better now, and the addition of Collison came at a time when a young team needs veteran leadership he can provide.

Be sure to check FanSided.com’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league all summer long.

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