The Kings have agreed to terms with free agent Luther Head, as reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports. The New Orleans Hornets had previously signed the 6'3" shooting guard to a two-year contract in July, but later rescinded the offer due to a supposedly failed physical. Head will now head into the Kings' training camp on a non-guaranteed deal and could end up being a respectable backup at a heavily-discounted price.
The soon-to-be-28-year-old has averaged 13.2 points (42% FG, 39% 3PT), to go along with 3.9 rebounds and 3.4 rebounds per 36 minutes over six seasons with three teams. Head isn't renowned for any skill aside from his outside shooting, as nearly half of his career field goal attempts have come from behind the arc.
He's also not the most consistent performer, making over 40% of his attempts from downtown just once (44% in 2006-07), or efficient shooter, sporting a 12.4 career Player Efficiency Rating (the league-averaged is 15.0). But on a team that lacks backcourt depth and proven perimeter scorers, Head could provide a much-needed lift off the bench in spot minutes behind Tyreke Evans and Beno Udrih. When playing alongside Evans, Head also will stretch the court as a three-point threat and prevent defenses from collapsing in the paint.
As first reported by Yahoo's Mark J. Spears, the Kings have also invited J.R. Giddens, who was selected 30th overall in the 2008 NBA Draft, to training camp, but have not offered him a contract. The 6'5" guard played sparingly during his first two professional seasons, logging four times as many minutes in the NBA Development League than with the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. His putrid free throw percentage (57%) and outside shooting (0-for-10 from behind the arc) can be chalked up to a small sample size, though it should be noted that he put up only 6.4 points (40% FG, 50% FT) in 24.8 minutes in Summer League play.
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