Speedy Claxton is terrible this year, and nothing Marvin Williams has done in the NBA has impressed me. I'd rather keep Bibby or let him opt out.
For the most part I agree, however, Speedy played very well under Muss and I expect him to be more of a back-up PG for us in the future. With the NBA game going towards QUICKNESS and dribble penetration, Speedy fits the bill there. He's basically in this for the short term fix and to make the deal work for salary purposes.
As Marvin Williams hasn't really done much YET, he's still oogles potential at the 3/4 positions. He's athletic and could potentially become a star player maybe a rich man's version of Jamison with more athleticism. But if management is really worried about losing Bibby for nothing, OR if they're not sure they want to invest the amount of money in Bibby over the next 6 years, then this may very well be a viable option.
It's an opportunity cost situation. Three options...Bibby at a high price? Break up bibby with a kid with endless potential AND ATHLETICISM IN THE FRONTCOURT with a speedy back-up PG? OR try and sign someone in the 2008 FA market.
The answer is a an answer to the philosophical question of the Maloofs/Petrie in WHERE they want this franchise to go. If it's to get younger, more athletic and defensive minded...then this is a highly viable option. If they want to stay with the status quo then keeping Bibby makes sense.
I'm personally a big fan of Bibby and Miller and love the shooting/passing that they bring to the ball club. But I'm a bigger fan of the Kings as a whole. I want this team to become DOMINANT. To build a dynasty. And for that to happen we're gonna have to get lucky. Trades are the surest bet and that's still a crapshoot. There is nothing secure in drafting players or spending a lot of money in the free agent market.
While the Kings STILL look great on paper we are missing that most important element that was our strenth during the Adelman era: CHEMISTRY. That was a well oiled machine then, and today the parts just don't fit. Martin/Artest are the best option to KEEP due to age, which is why Miller/Bibby/SAR become the most likely trade bait.
We're far from 1-2 trades away from contending again. It's gonna take 2-3 years and we can still be remotely competitive during that time, but we won't be contending for a couple years.
While this isn't my FAVORITE deal, because I value Bibby more, it is a deal that could very well put this team in a position to begin a strong rebuild. Martin is 23, Douby is 22, Marvin Williams would be 21, Artest is only 27, Garcia is 24, Salmons is 27 and we still have the ability to deal Brad/SAR along with our 12 million exprings to build on that nucleus.
Geoff tried to build around Mike/Peja/Brad when he traded Chris...but all 3 of those players abilities deteriorated from the time that decision was made to one extent or another. Geoff without a doubt has Martin as a piece that will be a mainstay of the Kings for years to come. Now it's almost necessary to cyphen off our other assets to get into a position to build around him and artest.
