USA - Offseason action looms for Nocioni, Udrih, Casspi

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The NBA season is complete, but four Kings could find themselves playing competitively close to the start of training camp this fall.

The FIBA World Championship will be held Aug. 28-Sept. 12 in Turkey. Forward Andres Nocioni will play for Argentina while guard Beno Udrih is contemplating playing for Slovenia.

Rookie forward Omri Casspi will play for Israel in the European Championships. Meanwhile rookie guard Tyreke Evans awaits word on an invitation to Team USA's training camp in July in Las Vegas.

As of now, the Kings aren't advising anyone to skip playing for their country.

"There's certain obligations players have that go with the territory," said Kings coach Paul Westphal. "We can certainly give our opinion, but every player has a different circumstance. We'll look at all of them and decide what works best."

Udrih said his health would be a factor. He said he's had problems with both of his heels lately.

"I have a couple (of) small injuries I have to take care of and I've got to talk to the national team coach and see how the program is," Udrih said. "The year before training camp was too intense for me coming off 82 games."

For Nocioni, who is a part of one of the better international squads that includes Spurs guard Manu Ginobili, there was no question about participating.

"I'm going – 100 percent – no question about it," Nocioni said. "It's a way you keep yourself motivated. I'm really proud to be on the national team and we hope we can be in the top 3 to 5."

Casspi said Israel's first game is at the beginning of August. There have been concerns about Casspi's conditioning and need to get stronger to hold up for 82 games next season.

Casspi said he'd be playing basketball this offseason and that he'd get plenty of rest.

"No doubt," Casspi said of getting rest. "I'll have enough time to work on my game and I'll probably play in the Summer League for a couple of games. And then come back (to Sacramento), rest, work out. It will be a good summer."

Evans is still waiting for an official invitation from USA Basketball chairman Jerry Colangelo.

Reports have indicated an invite is forthcoming, but Evans hadn't heard anything as of Tuesday.

Evans would welcome an invitation to compete against some of the best players in America.

"That would be big if I get to go," Evans said.

The Kings might have reason to worry as they have had players injured during international play. None of the injuries were serious.

Udrih injured his left knee playing for the Slovenian national team before training camp, but his knee wasn't a problem this season.

Francisco García fractured his right ring finger playing for the Dominican Republic in the FIBA Americas Championship.

The Dominicans were eliminated by Canada without García and the finger did not keep García out of training camp.