http://www.sacbee.com/100/story/270946.html
The Mike Bibby trade talks between the Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers have resurfaced, according to a league source.
Although the discussions between Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie and Cavs general manager Danny Ferry have temporarily stalled -- all indications are they will continue -- a three-team deal appears to have come close to taking place. Though all of the terms of the deal are not known, the source said Bibby would have gone to the Cavaliers for forward Drew Gooden, while San Antonio center Jackie Butler also would have been sent to the Kings.
When the deal stalled, the Spurs -- according to numerous reports -- eventually agreed to send Butler and Argentine forward Luis Scola to the Houston Rockets for guard Vassilis Spanoulis, a future second-round pick and cash considerations. The Kings-Cavs deal, however, remains a focal point for both teams. It has been five months since the Kings came so close to trading Bibby to the Cavaliers, with discussions taking place up to the Feb. 22 trading deadline.
Gooden, 25, was long believed to be the centerpiece of the package coming the Kings' way, but his $6.4 million salary for the 2007-08 season is far from enough to make the deal work for Bibby, who will earn $13.5 million this season. Bibby has a player option for the 2008-09 season, but he would be paid $14.5 million if he finishes out his contract. Gooden's deal expires after the 2008-09 season, in which he will be paid $7.1 million.
Asked about the three-team talk and the prospect of Bibby going to Cleveland, Petrie declined to discuss any specifics.
"We're always open to listening to other teams," he said. "That's how, ultimately, things get done. But as far as discussing the specifics of anything like that, we're just really not prepared to talk about those type of specifics until we consummate something and then we'll be more than happy to talk about it."
Ironically, Gooden -- whose Cavs fell to San Antonio in the NBA Finals -- entered UNLV's Cox Pavilion gym with an associate of Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof before Sacramento's summer-league game against New York. At halftime, the Maloofs and team president John Thomas merrily chatted with Gooden in the corner of the gym. The Kings lost the game 96-84.
The 6-foot-10, 250-pound Gooden is entering his sixth NBA season. He instantly would aid the Kings' woeful rebounding efforts, as he has averaged 7.9 rebounds during his career and is known for his strong efforts on the offensive glass. He also has a career average of 12.1 points.
Gooden's arrival also would produce an even greater glutton of power forwards on the Kings' roster, with Kenny Thomas and Shareef Abdur-Rahim already unhappy splitting time and big man Justin Williams having recently signed a one-year deal with a team option for a second season.
"Whatever happens, happens," said Gooden, who played prep basketball at El Cerrito High School. "I've been hearing talk for six years."
Just as Petrie seemed to have cooled on the notion of trading Ron Artest, it appears moving Bibby is at the top of the priority list. And although the Cavs' Finals appearance seemed to limit the odds of Ferry retaining interest in Bibby, the GM appears motivated to add another piece in an attempt to remain atop the Eastern Conference. The emergence of rookie guard Daniel Gibson during the playoffs seemed to dispel the notion that Bibby would be coveted by Cleveland, but after being swept in the Finals, the Cavs were left knowing they need more.
Bibby, who turned 29 in May, is coming off a season in which he shot a career-low 40.4 percent from the field and averaged 17.1 points. A hand and thumb injury suffered during the exhibition season, though, contributed to a slow start, and it lingered throughout much of the season.
Drew Gooden
The Mike Bibby trade talks between the Kings and Cleveland Cavaliers have resurfaced, according to a league source.
Although the discussions between Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie and Cavs general manager Danny Ferry have temporarily stalled -- all indications are they will continue -- a three-team deal appears to have come close to taking place. Though all of the terms of the deal are not known, the source said Bibby would have gone to the Cavaliers for forward Drew Gooden, while San Antonio center Jackie Butler also would have been sent to the Kings.
When the deal stalled, the Spurs -- according to numerous reports -- eventually agreed to send Butler and Argentine forward Luis Scola to the Houston Rockets for guard Vassilis Spanoulis, a future second-round pick and cash considerations. The Kings-Cavs deal, however, remains a focal point for both teams. It has been five months since the Kings came so close to trading Bibby to the Cavaliers, with discussions taking place up to the Feb. 22 trading deadline.
Gooden, 25, was long believed to be the centerpiece of the package coming the Kings' way, but his $6.4 million salary for the 2007-08 season is far from enough to make the deal work for Bibby, who will earn $13.5 million this season. Bibby has a player option for the 2008-09 season, but he would be paid $14.5 million if he finishes out his contract. Gooden's deal expires after the 2008-09 season, in which he will be paid $7.1 million.
Asked about the three-team talk and the prospect of Bibby going to Cleveland, Petrie declined to discuss any specifics.
"We're always open to listening to other teams," he said. "That's how, ultimately, things get done. But as far as discussing the specifics of anything like that, we're just really not prepared to talk about those type of specifics until we consummate something and then we'll be more than happy to talk about it."
Ironically, Gooden -- whose Cavs fell to San Antonio in the NBA Finals -- entered UNLV's Cox Pavilion gym with an associate of Kings co-owners Joe and Gavin Maloof before Sacramento's summer-league game against New York. At halftime, the Maloofs and team president John Thomas merrily chatted with Gooden in the corner of the gym. The Kings lost the game 96-84.
The 6-foot-10, 250-pound Gooden is entering his sixth NBA season. He instantly would aid the Kings' woeful rebounding efforts, as he has averaged 7.9 rebounds during his career and is known for his strong efforts on the offensive glass. He also has a career average of 12.1 points.
Gooden's arrival also would produce an even greater glutton of power forwards on the Kings' roster, with Kenny Thomas and Shareef Abdur-Rahim already unhappy splitting time and big man Justin Williams having recently signed a one-year deal with a team option for a second season.
"Whatever happens, happens," said Gooden, who played prep basketball at El Cerrito High School. "I've been hearing talk for six years."
Just as Petrie seemed to have cooled on the notion of trading Ron Artest, it appears moving Bibby is at the top of the priority list. And although the Cavs' Finals appearance seemed to limit the odds of Ferry retaining interest in Bibby, the GM appears motivated to add another piece in an attempt to remain atop the Eastern Conference. The emergence of rookie guard Daniel Gibson during the playoffs seemed to dispel the notion that Bibby would be coveted by Cleveland, but after being swept in the Finals, the Cavs were left knowing they need more.
Bibby, who turned 29 in May, is coming off a season in which he shot a career-low 40.4 percent from the field and averaged 17.1 points. A hand and thumb injury suffered during the exhibition season, though, contributed to a slow start, and it lingered throughout much of the season.
About the writer:
- The Bee's Sam Amick can be reached at samick@sacbee.com.
Drew Gooden
Love bibby and all but its time to move on, so hopefully something gets done soon.
