With lots of cap space, King popular in Nets GM role

Billy King has been back in the game for just two weeks, but he is one of the most popular executives in the NBA.

King, the new Nets general manager, has cap space, plenty of glorious cap space. And because of that, every agent and general manager in the league can't wait to get him on the phone and let him know what they can do for his team.

"It feels great to finally be in this position," King said in a recent phone interview. "I did all the hard work to get this space in Philly, and it never came to fruition. Maybe this is the way it was supposed to be."

It's been 2 1/2 years since King was fired from the 76ers, a team he was trying to help transition into the post-Allen Iverson era. King was president of the 76ers from 2003-07, and by the time he left he was a polarizing figure. Most fans remember him as the executive who lavished expensive contracts on Samuel Dalembert and Kenny Thomas. Others remember him as the successful peacemaker between Iverson and coach Larry Brown, and as the guy who did an admirable job digging the team out of the salary-cap hell that resulted while it hung on to Iverson for too long.

By the end, things had unraveled so badly for King that there weren't many job opportunities being thrown his way. So he waited, spent time with his family and thought about what he would do when he got his next shot.

It's a situation that has helped him forge a common bond with Nets coach Avery Johnson, who also spent two seasons out of the game after the Mavericks fired him in 2008. Johnson, who was hired by the Nets earlier this summer, played a major role in hiring King. They didn't know each other well before King came to interview, but King said he and Johnson immediately felt a bond.

"Avery and I both had that experience away from the game, and we've talked about it," King said. "For me, I think it really allowed me to reflect on what I could do better. When I first went to Philly, I was 32 years old. Now, I'm coming into a situation where I am 44. I would say I'm much wiser, and maybe a little more patient. At this age, I realize you don't have to rush to do everything."

For Nets fans, King's newly found patience means he isn't going to rush out and pay top dollar for the power forward the team so badly needs. Especially when he doesn't think there is someone out there who merits it.

The Nets failed to lure Chris Bosh, LeBron James or Dwyane Wade to New Jersey in free agency. And though it would be hard to imagine that rookie Derrick Favors, the No. 3 pick overall in the draft, would be ready to step into a starting spot as a 19-year-old, King is not ruling it out.

"Is Derrick Favors ready to start?" King said. "I don't know. I think we will give him a chance. We need a power forward."

Still, it seems likely that the Nets will add a veteran power forward. And their $14 million in cap space will give them a lot of flexibility when it comes to pursuing one. Though King said he doesn't believe there are any free agents left who could make an impact, he is exploring all his trade options.

And he's having a great time doing it, being once again the most popular kid on the block.

"Maybe this was all a part of the plan," King said. "Maybe it was God wanted me to have cap space, but I had to wait a couple years for it and play with my kids first."