The Sacramento Kings on Thursday signed top draft pick Pervis Ellison and veteran forward Wayman Tisdale in deals that reportedly will bring the players about $11 million each over the next five years.
Ellison, a forward-center, was the first player selected overall in the 1989 NBA college draft and the last signed. He is recovering from surgery on Sept. 27 to remove bone spurs on his right foot and ankle, and it was not clear when he would play.Ellison was the 1986 Most Valuable Player of the NCAA Final Four, and is the only Louisville player to total both 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds.
Tisdale, a restricted free agent, came to the Kings in February for LaSalle Thompson and Randy Wittman. In 31 games for the Kings, the forward averaged 19.8 points and a team-best 9.6 rebounds.
He is the Kings' best low-post scorer and is expected to play Friday in the Kings' exhibition game against Seattle.
The hapless Kings have a 1-4 record for the exhibition season and won only 27 games last year.
"I'm extremely pleased to have them both signed and with us; and I eagerly anticipate the day when they are both on the floor at the same time," Kings head coach Jerry Reynolds said.
891027 PERVIS27 EMMIE ;10/28,07:26 ok
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