SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -Mikki Moore agreed to a contract with the Sacramento Kings on Friday night, leaving the New Jersey Nets to join his eighth NBA team.
The 7-foot Moore had a breakthrough campaign with the Nets last season, averaging career highs of 9.8 points and 5.1 rebounds while making nearly 61 percent of his shots, leading the NBA. He started 55 games for New Jersey while filling in for injured Nenad Krstic, providing energy and veteran experience as the Nets reached the second round of the playoffs.
“He brings athleticism, length, skill and experience to our team,” said Geoff Petrie, the Kings’ president of basketball operations. “We’re looking forward to watching him play for the Kings.”
Sacramento didn’t disclose the terms of the deal, thought to be for the Kings’ mid-level salary cap exception. Attempts to reach Moore’s agent, Mark Bartelstein, were unsuccessful.
Moore, who will begin his 10th NBA season in the fall, will compete for playing time with forwards Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Kenny Thomas, and fellow 7-footers Brad Miller and rookie Spencer Hawes.
Sacramento also is known to be actively shopping most of its players in potential trades, and Moore’s signing could be a prelude to a deal. But his arrival might squash the Kings’ rumored talks about trading point guard Mike Bibby for Cleveland forward Drew Gooden, who plays much the same game.
Moore also has played for Detroit, Boston, Atlanta, Utah, the Los Angeles Clippers and Seattle.
Sacramento, which missed the playoffs last spring for the first time in nine seasons, hired coach Reggie Theus last month to replace Eric Musselman.
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