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Lacking a legitimate low-post threat last year, free agent acquisition Shareef Abdur-Rahim has given the Sacramento Kings a “presence,” which, in an odd way, was one of the offseason presents delivered to Sacramento Kings coach Rick Adelman.

“We haven’t had much of an inside game the last few years with Chris’ (Webber) injury and Vlade (Divac) leaving,” Adelman explained. “Shareef gives us a presence inside and a proven scorer inside. He’s also a guy that can step out a face the basket and shoot the ball, which blends in nicely with what we do.”

Coming from a losing team to the Kings certainly worked for Mike Bibby, who has visited the playoffs all four previous years in Sacramento. Abdur-Rahim, who has never played a single playoff game since joining the NBA in 1996-97, hopes that dubious streak will stop this spring.

A versatile 6-foot-9 power forward, Abdur-Rahim played five years in Vancouver, including the last three with Bibby before they both departed in trades following the 2000-01 season. While Bibby joined a winning situation, Abdur-Rahim suffered more losing and frustration playing three years in both Atlanta and Portland.

“I had fun playing with Mike,” said Abdur-Rahim, who will enter his 10th season at age 29. “I think it was tough on everyone because we were a two-to three year-old franchise and playing in a country that wasn’t a basketball country, but nevertheless we enjoyed each other. It’s going to be great playing with him in a better situation.”

Like Bibby, who has developed into a clutch player with the Kings, Abdur-Rahim is excited about the opportunity to win on a regular basis.

“The biggest thing for me was trying to get on a team that had a chance to win and win big,” he said. “That’s what I want to try and do for the rest of my career. The guys that are already here are accustomed to winning and competing at a high level. I’m looking forward to coming in and being a part of it. It’s a nice fit for me here.”

Abdur-Rahim has been a proven scorer throughout his career, six times averaging more than 20 points per game. His career average is just a shade under that figure at 19.4. He also owns a rebounding average of 8.1 and typically gets a steal and a block each game. This season with the Kings, he has a .524 (52 percent) field goal percentage.

“We’re really delighted to be able to add a high-caliber player, as well as a high quality person, to our team such as Shareef,” said Geoff Petrie, Kings President of Basketball Operations. “He’s going to add more length, more scoring and more rebounding. His addition will improve us in a number of areas in which we wanted to get better.”

There are several newcomers to watch this season, not just Abdur-Rahim, who averaged 16.8 points and 7.3 rebounds a game in shooting 50 percent a year ago in Portland. Also garnering a lot of playing time is another player with Portland ties—Bonzi Wells.

Wells complements Bibby in the backcourt, filling out a high-scoring starting unit that includes Abdur-Rahim, Brad Miller at center and Ron Artest at small forward.

“Shareef can do a lot, score, rebound and play defense,” said Wells, who came to the Kings in a trade with Memphis for Bobby Jackson and Greg Ostertag. “Playing alongside Brad, who’s a guy who can stretch the defense with his outside shooting will be great for Shareef.”

Abdur-Rahim has the complete package offensively. He can put the ball on the floor, drop in short jumpers, floaters and dunk emphatically when needed. But he also can step out further and hit the outside shot. A year ago he made 15-of-39 3-points attempts (38 percent).

The Kings qualified for the playoffs the last seven seasons and have won 50 games in each season in the past five years. A revamped lineup could be just the thing to revitalize the Kings.

“I think we’ve been able to add pieces that are going to fit well together,” Petrie said. “The challenge this team has is that so many new players have to come together quickly. I’m talking with Shareef and the other players we have, we’re all about trying to win as a team. I’m excited this worked out.”