Omri Casspi re-signed last month with the Sacramento Kings, who have missed the NBA playoffs during each of the past nine seasons. Based on a recent conversion that the 6-foot-9 small forward had with James Herbert of CBSSports.com, the 27-year-old veteran of six NBA seasons doesn't think that string will be extended to 10 fruitless years.

From Herbert's Q&A, which was picked up by the Kings' page on NBA.com:

"'I feel like the direction of the team is going, it's finally moving and getting some speed in the right direction. I feel like we have a good team. I felt I want to be part of something that's growing and competing for the playoffs next year and being in the playoffs, putting ourselves in position to win championships.'"

The Kings finished 14th in the Western Conference last season, 16 games out of the eighth and final playoff berth.

Casspi averaged 21.1 minutes last season for Sacramento, scoring 8.9 points and grabbing 3.9 rebounds.