Kings sign veteran Ostertag

Ostertag, 31, spent all nine of his previous NBA seasons with the Utah Jazz and has averaged 5.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.85 blocks for his career. The 7-foot-2 center was a first-round draft choice by the Jazz in 1995 and played in two NBA Finals with Utah in 1997 and 1998.

"We’re really excited to add a veteran center with valuable playoff experience to our roster," said Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie. "By adding Greg, it gives us a chance to improve in some areas where we’ve been struggling over the past couple of years. This gives us another rebounder and an interior presence at the basket."

Ostertag, who compiled 6.8 points and a career-best 7.4 rebounds per game last season, will serve as a backup to All-Star Brad Miller in Sacramento and help fill the void left by Vlade Divac, who was expected to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.

"I’m excited about joining the Kings," said Ostertag in a statement released by the Kings. "I hope everyone knows that I’m not going to replace Vlade with scoring and passing, but I will be rebounding, blocking shots and taking up space in the middle.

"Hopefully, I’ll be able to help these guys reach their ultimate goal of winning a championship. They’re a good team. They still have their core with Chris (Webber), Peja (Stojakovic), Brad (Miller), Mike Bibby and Bobby (Jackson). I’m not coming in looking to be the star. I’m just coming in looking to do my part."

Ostertag was deemed expendable by Utah after the club signed free agents Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur in recent weeks.