ESPN: Bobby, Gooden and others could be available come March 1

[kingsnation]

The trade deadline was Thursday, but there's another deadline coming up that fans should be aware of -- the March 1 waiver deadline. Any player waived by that date can sign with another team and still be eligible for the playoffs, making it an important day for contending teams looking to ink a veteran on the cheap.

Drew Gooden, Sacramento: The Kings would gladly take a discount to buy him out. Which makes you wonder if Cleveland would want him back to shore up its frontcourt -- they're familiar with him, after all, for better or worse. The only sticking point here is Gooden's groin injury, which might keep him shelved too long for contenders to be interested.

Bobby Jackson, Sacramento: A veteran guard familiar with the playoff wars from his previous tour of duty with the Kings, Jackson could answer Boston's need for scoring off the bench while Tony Allen is on the shelf.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=PERDiem-090219

Mikki and Cassell are also among the names mentioned of course.

 

[Kingsroots]

That would be great if we could buy out Gooden's contract. I really don't see any need to have him on the team. He is only going to steal minutes from JT, Hawes, and Greene. Also, maybe even more important is that what if he comes and plays well enough to impresses Geoff who then decides to give him a contract offer! NOOOOOOO! Just cut him so none of that has a chance of happening. Besides, it's not like we won't have depth with Diagu, Simmons, and even Noc and Greene at the 4. Oh yeah Thomas too...

 

[vikinginferno]

Do we get a discount if we buy him out? Personally I would rather not get rid of Bobby J, the fans love him and he still can ball.

 

[Henkel]

Because i love Jackson i want to see him go. This could be his last year and it would be nice to see him get a shot at a ring.

 

[Andre87]

it makes me wonder if Bobby goes who will be out back-up pg - will freakin solomon?! With beno as our starter?! jeez...

 

[Jespher]

I don't think the Kings will buy out Bobby Jackson. I'm sure he would appreciate competing for a ring this year, but it seems that Bobby and Geoffe had an agreement where Bobby would be a mentor for this young team with his tenacity, and eventually work his way up in the organization after he retires (Coach? Scout? Executive?). Plus, they are trying to assemble a team whose effort will never take a night off with the trade of Brad and John for Nocioni/Gooden. Bobby would be a cornerstone in that regard for the next couple of seasons. I bet that we resign him to a 2 year deal for the minimum this summer, and he retires a King.

 

[VF21]

Jespher said most of what I would say so I'll just add this one part:

I do not want to see Bobby released and I would be really surprised if he wanted it. He's said more than once that he feels perfectly happy with finishing his career back here in Sacramento and it's pretty obvious how the fans feel about him...

 

[Henkel]

If Jackson wants to be here then obviously he should stick around. If on the other hand he wants a shot at a ring, then i think you owe him that opportunity.