Travis Outlaw is facing a steeper learning curve than many of his new Kings teammates, with whom he practiced for the first time Monday after being acquired Saturday.
Outlaw will have just one week in the team's offensive system when the regular season begins on Dec. 26, and coach Paul Westphal said Outlaw will play both small forward and power forward, which are "radically different" positions in the Kings' offense.
"He has a lot to learn -- probably more than anybody," Westphal said. "We had him concentrate on the big forward spot today and he looked real good."
Outlaw (6-foot-9, 207 pounds) said he won't be picky about where he plays on the floor. "Whichever one I can get playing time in, I think it's up to me how I make the opportunity out of it," he said.
During Monday's practice, Outlaw wore a brace on his right wrist, which he broke doing a boxing workout during the lockout. He said he had surgery that involved placing two screws in the wrist, but said the wrist is now "doing great."
It didn't appear to visibly bother him while shooting Monday. He was not hesitant to shoot during team drills and was working on his jump shot after the team session alongside rookie forward Lawrence Hill.
Entering his ninth season, Outlaw has averaged 9.5 points and 3.5 rebounds during his career. He was waived by the New Jersey Nets last Friday under the amnesty clause, and the Kings were awarded Outlaw in a waiver claim the next day.
"I'm happy just to be coming back to playing," Outlaw said. "Young team, but it's a lot of potential."
- Matt Kawahara
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.