Sacto Kings Interested In Former Warrior Monta Ellis
SACRAMENTO (CBS Sports) - After opting out of an $11 million contract for next season with the Milwaukee Bucks, Monta Ellis is discussing a free-agent deal with the Sacramento Kings, league sources told CBS Sports.
With several avenues closed off as teams fill their needs for guards in free agency, Ellis could wind up with the Kings, who began doing their homework on him weeks ago. According to a person familiar with the situation, Kings owner Vivek Ranadive began inquiring about Ellis around the time his purchase of the Sacramento franchise was completed in late May.
Ranadive, a former minority partner in the Golden State Warriors, identified Ellis as a possible free-agent target as he was finalizing his group's purchase of the Kings. Ellis, 27, played the first six-and-a-half seasons in Golden State. The Kings hired former Warriors assistant Michael Malone as head coach in late May and later installed former Warriors executive Pete D'Alessandro as general manager.
Ellis played with the Warriors from 2005-2012 after being drafted in the second round. He was traded for current Warriors center Andrew Bogut.
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