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Sacramento Kings Coverage
Why Does Corliss Start?Many people have been asking,"Why does Corliss start? Peja is so much better." Well, there is a story behind this. So gather 'round boys and girls. Today's story is The Truth About Corliss.
The Kings drafted Corliss Williamson out of Arkansas with the 13th pick in the 1995 draft. He played his first 2 years with the Kings; both were injury-filled and he didn't contribute that much. During his 3rd and final year on his rookie contract, Corliss played tremendously. He stepped into the starting lineup and averaged a career high 17.7 ppg and 5.6 rpg. Following that season, he was a free agent. He began to test the free agent waters. He was sure to receive a huge contract after his great season. At this time, keep in mind, the Kings did not have Vlade or Cwebb so they needed an inside scorer. Somehow, the new owners convinced Corliss to sign a 1-year contract with the Kings, for a miniscule 500,000$. Corliss Williamson was dealt to the Toronto Raptors in exchange for Doug Christie on September 29, 2000.
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They basically promised that if he signed that contract they would give him a huge deal the next offseason. Soon after signing Corliss, the Kings acquired CWebb and Vlade, two inside scorers. Corliss's role diminished and he rarely contributed. The next offseason rolls around (the offseason after the Kings-Jazz playoff series). The Kings had "promised" Corliss big bucks, but now he had no role with the team. They would have been foolish to sign him to a huge deal, but they also would have been foolish to let him go and look like an unloyal team. Corliss, who could have gotten about 50 mill. the offseason before, had to accept "only" 7.5 mill because of his value drop. So now, the Kings feel obligated to play him more as an act of respect. Thus, that is the reason why Corliss starts. The End. 
- Corliss Williamson, Forward, Arkansas, 6'7", 245 lbs. 
