HoopsHype.com Rumors

Francisco Garcia spent his offseason with fellow countrymen of the Dominican Republic, competing for a spot in the 2012 London Olympics. The Sacramento Kings swingman and his team fell just short of qualifying, losing to Nigeria 88-73 in the final game of the FIBA World Olympic Qualifying Tournament. Though they didn’t reach their goal, Garcia still attended the festivities in London and appreciates the experience spent with his Dominican teammates this summer. “We grew together as a team, as a country,” said Garcia. “Next year we’re gonna do it again, try to qualify for the world games. That was a great experience for me myself, individually. (It was) a different type of game, a little more physical. And it was great representing my country. It was a great experience.” Cowbell Kingdom

Sacramento Kings, Francisco Garcia, Dominican Republic 

It is hard to envision how Francisco Garcia has a role in Sacramento, but the reality is his $6.1 million contract is available and has been for some time. ‘Sisco has struggled to stay healthy and that’s going to be the biggest hurdle in moving him. In his seven years in the NBA he has never played 82 games and over the last three years he’s missed 17, 24, and 57. HoopsWorld

Sacramento Kings, Trade, Francisco Garcia 

Sounds as if Keith Smart's hope his team would bond in the offseason is happening. Ten of the players on the roster are in Sacramento working out and playing 5-on-5. The only players that could not be in town are John Salmons, James Johnson, Chuck Hayes and Francisco Garcia. It's important that young nucleus that the franchise is depending on (DeMarcus Cousins, Tyreke Evans and Marcus Thornton) is in town. Also have to like that new PG Aaron Brooks is getting to know his new teammates. Definitely a step in the right direction and something that's needed to build team chemistry. Sulia

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, John Salmons, Keith Smart, Marcus Thornton, Tyreke Evans, James Johnson, Aaron Brooks, Francisco Garcia, Chuck Hayes 

Andrei Kirilenko: "Francisco Garcia said that he wants me to go to Sacramento. I replied 'Let's wait until the 11th'" Sport Express

Sacramento Kings, Free Agency, Andrei Kirilenko, Francisco Garcia 

Stars like Al Horford, Jack Michael Martínez, Francisco García, Charlie Villanueva, Eulis Báez, Josh Asselin, Luis Flores and Edgar Sosa have been selected for the preliminary 23-player squad of the (Dominican Republic) national team. dominicanosenbasket.com

Charlie Villanueva, FIBA, Al Horford, Francisco Garcia, Dominican Republic 

Jason Jones: Francisco Garcia has a concussion after being hit in the head by Bobby Simmons. Twitter

Sacramento Kings, Injuries, Francisco Garcia 

Alvaro Martin: RelojDe24: #AlHorford and #FranciscoGarcia will definitely play in Olympic "last chance" qualifier in July - #RafaelUribe, DR hoops Fed head Twitter

Puerto Rico, Al Horford, Francisco Garcia 

The Kings' veteran and vocal leader played 8 minutes and 40 seconds in the win before exiting with 5:59 left in the first half. But according to Smart and several players, Hayes' impact on the game began well before tip-off. Hayes organized a players-only meeting Thursday morning to watch and critique game film following the Kings' 110-83 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night, which dropped them to 2-5 to start the season. At the meeting, said DeMarcus Cousins, players "had our heart-to-hearts, we all discussed what we need to do better, we all held each other accountable. Chuck, he got on the bigs. I got on the bigs. (Francisco Garcia) got on the guards. "It showed tonight," Cousins said. "We went over film and showed our mistakes, just rotations and how in the offense we catch (the ball) and just stop. So we went over a lot and we got a good thing out of it." Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, DeMarcus Cousins, Francisco Garcia, Chuck Hayes 

Sam Amick: Source says Kings vets Chuck Hayes and Francisco Garcia called a players-only meeting for 330 today because, well, there's no head coach. Twitter

Sacramento Kings, Coaching, Francisco Garcia, Chuck Hayes 

I'm told that even if the Kings add Crawford they do not intend to waive any players using the NBA's amnesty clause to clear a salary from the books. That could change, but as of now that is not the plan. Francisco Garcia was rumored to be that player but I'm told that's not the case. Garcia has two more seasons left on his contract and if he were waived the Kings would have to pay him unless a team put in a bid to claim Garcia. Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Francisco Garcia 

Jason Jones: Source tells me as of now the Kings have no plans to amnesty Francisco Garcia. #NBAKings Twitter

Sacramento Kings, Free Agency, Francisco Garcia 

Crawford has reached out to current Kings players to get a feel for what it's like in Sacramento and if he is to go with the Kings, a source has told CSNNW.com that the Kings will use the amnesty on Francisco Garcia to clear up room. I've not been able to confirm if Crawford has spoken with a Blazer as of yet. CSNNW.com

Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Free Agency, Jamal Crawford, Francisco Garcia 

Garcia added that he recently spoke with free agent Samuel Dalembert, one of the Kings' priorities. Garcia did not know if the center would return to the Kings. Garcia worked out Thursday and put up a few shots on an otherwise empty practice court. When other Kings are on the court with him, Garcia will feel more comfortable. "I played the whole summer, but I just miss my teammates," Garcia said. "You miss the whole thing. The fans, the practices, yelling at each other, getting at each other – I just miss all that." Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Kings, Free Agency, Samuel Dalembert, Francisco Garcia 

Sacramento Kings guard-forward Francisco Garcia has filed a federal lawsuit against the maker of an exercise ball he blames for a 2009 weightlifting accident that left him with a broken arm. The 6-foot-7, 195-pound Dominican native was balancing himself on the Stability Ball Gymnic Plus while lifting dumbbells when the ball exploded, throwing him to the floor and causing him to break his right forearm, the lawsuit said. Reuters

Sacramento Kings, Law, Francisco Garcia 

With the 2011 FIBA Americas Championship right around the corner, John Calipari wants to make sure that his team is ready to face elite competition. Calipari is coaching the Dominican Republic national team and will call upon some familiar faces to prepare his squad for the tournament, which begins on August 30. On August 15, Calipari's two teams will collide at Rupp Arena, according to tweets from the head coach. Team Dominican Republic will face Team Kentucky, which will be made up of eight of the program's former stars. Calipari will coach the national team while Sam Bowie and Joe B. Hall will lead the Kentucky alum. Team Dominican Republic will include NBA players Al Horford, Charlie Villanueva and Francisco Garcia. Team Kentucky will include John Wall, Rajon Rondo, Tayshaun Prince, DeMarcus Cousins, Jodie Meeks, Nazr Mohammed, Eric Bledsoe and Keith Bogans. HoopsWorld

Charlie Villanueva, Al Horford, Francisco Garcia, John Calipari, Dominican Republic 

There was talk the Spurs have offered point guard Tony Parker to Sacramento for forward Omri Casspi, swingman Francisco Garcia and the Kings' No. 7 pick. San Antonio would select Lithuanian center Jonas Valanciunas. News-Herald

Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Trade, Tony Parker, Omri Casspi, Francisco Garcia, Jonas Valanciunas 

Francisco Garcia, 35, an NBA fan from Fullerton, said he is eagerly awaiting word on whether the Kings are coming. "I just find it hard to believe that when the smoke clears, Anaheim won't look like the best option for the NBA," he said. Orange County Register

Sacramento Kings, Francisco Garcia 

Are you going to play at the pre-Olympic tournament for sure? Francisco Garcia: I'm going to play this year. ESPN.com

Francisco Garcia, Dominican Republic 

Have you spoken with Horford, Villanueva or Ariza about their plans? Francisco Garcia: I've spoken with Al Horford and Villanueva and they told me they are going to play too. ESPN.com

Charlie Villanueva, Al Horford, Francisco Garcia, Dominican Republic 

You’ve been back for three games now, how are your legs feeling? Francisco Garcia: I feel better, I feel better. I’m still getting my timing and into game shape, but my legs feel good. JH: You just missed 21 games with the calf injury, and this isn’t the first time you have had a freak injury keep you out for a while. How much would you like to play a whole season and get a little bit of luck with the injuries? Francisco Garcia: Well, you know you can’t really control injuries. I wish I could play the whole season all the time, but with the way I play so hard… Next year, I’m going to try and stay as healthy as I can just like every year. Cowbellkingdom.com

Sacramento Kings, Francisco Garcia