Interesting comment by smart. Possibly a hint at a future trade?

[sactownfan]

At center, "we don't have anybody that can push (DeMarcus Cousins) yet," Smart said.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/10/22/4928350/kings-notes-wholl-start-smart.html#storylink=cpy

ok so obviously this could mean a few things... one a current 4 or 5 needs to improve. or this is clearly something that Smart wants to acquire in order to push Cousins. To me it sounds like its a need he wants to address....

so lets pretend thats the case... signing players seems out right now... so it seems it would have to be via trade...

2 players the kings are probably most interested in trading... Evans, Jimmer.

Evans is a talent, one that this team has messed with and confused from day one. He has not come along whatever the reason and still appears to be a one trick pony. Hes also the only player that if traded could land us a star level player back.

Jimmer, well yeah as to not be bashed by everyone i'll let you all decide what to fill in here... but hes not really worth much by himself trade wise... it would have to be for an equally disappointing big man.

maybe what Smart said was nothing but I think its a hint at something he wants to address....

also as far as trading Evans. I dont think anything happens till all-star break... just to give Evans a chance.

 

[DesertFox]

I don't think so. JT is a 3rd big on a winning team, but if Trob develops as expected, that should be what happens down the line. Chuck Hayes has his flaws but most teams do worse for a 4th big.
The team could use another center-sized body, and if they added a super talented big that would be great, but I think the team is happy with what they have.

 

[Section 101]

At center, "we don't have anybody that can push (DeMarcus Cousins) yet," Smart said.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/10/22/4928350/kings-notes-wholl-start-smart.html#storylink=cpy

ok so obviously this could mean a few things... one a current 4 or 5 needs to improve. or this is clearly something that Smart wants to acquire in order to push Cousins. To me it sounds like its a need he wants to address....

so lets pretend thats the case... signing players seems out right now... so it seems it would have to be via trade...

2 players the kings are probably most interested in trading... Evans, Jimmer.

Evans is a talent, one that this team has messed with and confused from day one. He has not come along whatever the reason and still appears to be a one trick pony. Hes also the only player that if traded could land us a star level player back.

Jimmer, well yeah as to not be bashed by everyone i'll let you all decide what to fill in here... but hes not really worth much by himself trade wise... it would have to be for an equally disappointing big man.

maybe what Smart said was nothing but I think its a hint at something he wants to address....

also as far as trading Evans. I dont think anything happens till all-star break... just to give Evans a chance.

There are only a handful of players that would push cousins. I doubt we can trade for any of them.

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

I don't think there are any tea leaves to be read in that comment by Smart.

 

[Bricklayer]

I agree no tea leaves there to be read, but I have not changed my opinion that using some combination of TRob, JT, Hayes, Jimmer, Thornton or...Reke (I would not, but we might) to go after Horford + either Korver/Morrow might be just the sort of youth for vet, smaller for bigger trade that a young team needs to stabilize itself and get ready for a playoff push.

Now this remains an unpopular stance, but let us say we were dead serious and used an expensive package, used TRob to a rebuilding Hawks team, as he would never have room to develop once Cuz/Horford were installed as starters. And we used MT to overcome the argument the Hawks would not trade Horford -- would a rebuilding team like the Hawks really thumb their nose at a #5 pick PF and a potential 20pt scorer at their weakest position/the position they just traded away their star from? We would go backward in talent, but again the end result looks to me like the sort of move young teams make to break through. Horford is just the type of player who comes over as a tough minded well established near star with playoff experience, but not such a great player that he gets in Cousins' way in making the team his own. The frontcourt rotation of 6'11" Cuz, 6'10" Horford, 6'11" JT and, well shorty defesive specialist Hayes is as rock solid as any team's and able to survive an injury wihtout disaster. Backcourt roles are clarified. IT is given a green light to be dynamic as a 6th man. And Brooks and Korver are two of the top 3pt shooters in the league, with Cisco and Jimmer logical backups for those positions. And it makes Salmons relevant again, as a versatile backup SG behind Reke's versatile starting SG.

C Cousins Age: 22
PF Horford def vet w/ playoff exp Age: 26
SF Johnson Age: 25
SG Evans Age: 23
PG Brooks vet w/ playoff exp Age: 27

6th Thomas Age: 23
7th Thompson Age: 26
8th Korver vet w/playoff exp Age: 31
9th Hayes def vet w/ playoff exp Age: 29
10th Salmons?

11th Cisco
12th Jimmer
13th Outlaw

That's still a young team, but a team with quite a few young vets who have been places. It looks like a playoff ready roster to me, and could be that for a long time. There is not as much exciting talent, but the talent there is efficient and works together. Its a more talented team than those Atlanta 50 win teams. Being coservative and mostly using last year's numbers, potentially:

Cousins 22pts 12reb
Horford 13pts 9reb
Johnson 9pts 6reb defense
Evans 17pts 4reb 4ast
Brooks 15pts 4ast

IT 11pts 4ast
JT 7pts 5reb
Korver 9pts
Hayes
etc.

 

[bajaden]

I agree no tea leaves there to be read, but I have not changed my opinion that using some combination of TRob, JT, Hayes, Jimmer, Thornton or...Reke (I would not, but we might) to go after Horford + either Korver/Morrow might be just the sort of youth for vet, smaller for bigger trade that a young team needs to stabilize itself and get ready for a playoff push.

Now this remains an unpopular stance, but let us say we were dead serious and used an expensive package, used TRob to a rebuilding Hawks team, as he would never have room to develop once Cuz/Horford were installed as starters. And we used MT to overcome the argument the Hawks would not trade Horford -- would a rebuilding team like the Hawks really thumb their nose at a #5 pick PF and a potential 20pt scorer at their weakest position/the position they just traded away their star from? We would go backward in talent, but again the end result looks to me like the sort of move young teams make to break through. Horford is just the type of player who comes over as a tough minded well established near star with playoff experience, but not such a great player that he gets in Cousins' way in making the team his own. The frontcourt rotation of 6'11" Cuz, 6'10" Horford, 6'11" JT and, well shorty defesive specialist Hayes is as rock solid as any team's and able to survive an injury wihtout disaster. Backcourt roles are clarified. IT is given a green light to be dynamic as a 6th man. And Brooks and Korver are two of the top 3pt shooters in the league, with Cisco and Jimmer logical backups for those positions. And it makes Salmons relevant again, as a versatile backup SG behind Reke's versatile starting SG.

C Cousins Age: 22
PF Horford def vet w/ playoff exp Age: 26
SF Johnson Age: 25
SG Evans Age: 23
PG Brooks vet w/ playoff exp Age: 27

6th Thomas Age: 23
7th Thompson Age: 26
8th Korver vet w/playoff exp Age: 31
9th Hayes def vet w/ playoff exp Age: 29
10th Salmons?

11th Cisco
12th Jimmer
13th Outlaw

That's still a young team, but a team with quite a few young vets who have been places. It looks like a playoff ready roster to me, and could be that for a long time. There is not as much exciting talent, but the talent there is efficient and works together. Its a more talented team than those Atlanta 50 win teams. Being coservative and mostly using last year's numbers, potentially:

Cousins 22pts 12reb
Horford 13pts 9reb
Johnson 9pts 6reb defense
Evans 17pts 4reb 4ast
Brooks 15pts 4ast

IT 11pts 4ast
JT 7pts 5reb
Korver 9pts
Hayes
etc.

The only problem I see with this deal, and believe me I would love to have Horford, is that Horford is currently the only player that can play center for the Hawks. For that reason, I think we'd have to throw in JT. Then the question is, do you still include T. Robb. I would think not, since it would leave us thin at the post position. Too bad we couldn't throw in Salmons.

 

[Bricklayer]

The only problem I see with this deal, and believe me I would love to have Horford, is that Horford is currently the only player that can play center for the Hawks. For that reason, I think we'd have to throw in JT. Then the question is, do you still include T. Robb. I would think not, since it would leave us thin at the post position. Too bad we couldn't throw in Salmons.

They still have Zaza and Petro. Same placeholders really as they had last year. Just sets them up to deal Smith at the deadline, have TRob as their PF, MT their SG, Teague as their PG going forward. 6th man in Lou. etc. Whoever they get for Smith. Into the rebuild and all.

 

[Entity]

well we have dealt with Atlanta before. Bibby for.....for.....sheldon williams was it?

 

[twslam07]

The only problem I see with this deal, and believe me I would love to have Horford, is that Horford is currently the only player that can play center for the Hawks. For that reason, I think we'd have to throw in JT. Then the question is, do you still include T. Robb. I would think not, since it would leave us thin at the post position. Too bad we couldn't throw in Salmons.

I don't think this is an issue at all. They have Pachulia and Petro as Brick mentioned. They are in rebuild mode anyway so there is no pressure on them to be a competitive team this year. Pachulia and Petro can definitely make it through the season, and then during the draft or with their 40 mil in cap space, they can address the center spot.

I like the trade. It definitely balances out our roster. A big man rotation of Cousins, Horford, and Thompson would be excellent. Horford would be a great compliment next to Cousins. Big, athletic, good defender/shotblocker, good passer, and good post game. The only thing I would change is to have Thomas start. I think he is a better distributor than Brooks, but I think Brooks is a better scorer than Thomas. We could use that scoring punch off the bench, and we could use Thomas' passing ability as a starter in order to make sure our bigs are getting the ball.

There is two things that stand out most to me though. 1. The defense from our starting unit would be very good. 2. The passing would be very good as well. Everyone in that starting rotation has the ability to average 3 apg.

I am a huge Evans fan, but I think it would be wise to holdoff on this trade until Evans has shown he can be our SG of the future.

 

[Section 101]

I don't think this is an issue at all. They have Pachulia and Petro as Brick mentioned. They are in rebuild mode anyway so there is no pressure on them to be a competitive team this year. Pachulia and Petro can definitely make it through the season, and then during the draft or with their 40 mil in cap space, they can address the center spot.

I like the trade. It definitely balances out our roster. A big man rotation of Cousins, Horford, and Thompson would be excellent. Horford would be a great compliment next to Cousins. Big, athletic, good defender/shotblocker, good passer, and good post game. The only thing I would change is to have Thomas start. I think he is a better distributor than Brooks, but I think Brooks is a better scorer than Thomas. We could use that scoring punch off the bench, and we could use Thomas' passing ability as a starter in order to make sure our bigs are getting the ball.

There is two things that stand out most to me though. 1. The defense from our starting unit would be very good. 2. The passing would be very good as well. Everyone in that starting rotation has the ability to average 3 apg.

I am a huge Evans fan, but I think it would be wise to holdoff on this trade until Evans has shown he can be our SG of the future.

Two 3rd string 15th men vs all star center.

 

[Bricklayer]

Two 3rd string 15th men vs all star center.

Its a reuild. That's going to happen during a rebuild for a year or two. To the degree you come out of it with Teage/Thornton/Robinson + Lou Williams, the guy you trade Smith for, and a likely Top 10 lottery pick this year, you put up with the pain at center for another year. And really, I think Horford would be perfect next to Cousins, but he's only an All Star because of the lack of quality centers. He's not a franchise player. Its like the Nene situation.

 

[beb0p]

The Hawks don't strike as a team ready to start tanking, rebuild yes, tank , no. I think they're where the mid-2000 Kings was - traded away the best player but still holding on to key pieces and still want to continue winning. You don't sign Lou Williams to a multi-year deal if you intend on Linning.

And the funny thing is, I don't think they're too far from another playoff berth. They struck me as team finishing just outside the top 8 but in that conference, I wouldn't be surprised if they somehow sneak into #8.

If I'm the Hawk's GM, I'm holding on to Horford for dear life and look to retool in the summer and make a run for the playoff. They really just need a good player at either SG or C (this is where their cap space comes in handy) and another solid role player to fill out the remaining starting position and they'll have a very good team.

 

[MassachusettsKingsFan]

I would trade anyone on the team not named DeMarcus Cousins for Al Horford. Hell, I'd give them JT and Trob if that's what they wanted. Thompson is a good player who can be replaced in free agency. Actually, the only combination of players I wouldn't give up would be Evans and Trob (the two guys on the roster with star potential). Evans and JT? done. Evans and IT? done. Evans and Thornton might be my other no.

The problem is .. the Hawks might be ok this season. I hate Joe Johnson. Always have - they could be better without him. I'm just not sure they want to blow it up yet. I mean, they will be a playoff team this season, and if Horford is on the market we won't be the only team calling. Its going to take a lot.

My two targets would be Varejao and Noah. It would take less to get them.

 

[Bricklayer]

I would trade anyone on the team not named DeMarcus Cousins for Al Horford. Hell, I'd give them JT and Trob if that's what they wanted. Thompson is a good player who can be replaced in free agency. Actually, the only combination of players I wouldn't give up would be Evans and Trob (the two guys on the roster with star potential). Evans and JT? done. Evans and IT? done. Evans and Thornton might be my other no.

The problem is .. the Hawks might be ok this season. I hate Joe Johnson. Always have - they could be better without him. I'm just not sure they want to blow it up yet. I mean, they will be a playoff team this season, and if Horford is on the market we won't be the only team calling. Its going to take a lot.

My two targets would be Varejao and Noah. It would take less to get them.

Alas the Noah hope probably went out the window when they let Asik go.

 

[bajaden]

Its a reuild. That's going to happen during a rebuild for a year or two. To the degree you come out of it with Teage/Thornton/Robinson + Lou Williams, the guy you trade Smith for, and a likely Top 10 lottery pick this year, you put up with the pain at center for another year. And really, I think Horford would be perfect next to Cousins, but he's only an All Star because of the lack of quality centers. He's not a franchise player. Its like the Nene situation.

I read all the local rags down there as well as some of the blogs, and the sense I get is that they don't want to move Horford. And the two guys you mentioned aren't anywhere near Horfords talent level. I'm surprised that Petro is still in the league to tell you the truth. I do think the Hawks are looking to rebuild, or at least remodel, but their looking at Horford as the centerpiece of that remodeling. There's no reason to discard a still young all star C/PF. I mean whats the point of starting from scratch when you have someone like Horford whose under contract for four more years.

That doesn't mean he can't be had, but I believe it'll take quite a bit to pry him away. At the same time its rumored that they want to move Smith, and your probably right, he'll likely be traded at the deadline. Smith is another player I'd love to have, but he's a lot more risky since he's going to be an unrestricted freeagent at seasons end. I beleive the deadline for extensions is Oct 31st, so as an extreme case, the Kings could extend Evans, and if the Hawks were able to extend Smith, where both salaries were close, we might be able to make a deal that way. Extremely unlikely though. I doubt Smith is willing to give up his chance at being an unrestricted freeagent, and its rumored that Mark Cuban has him in his sights in the offseason when Cuban will have around 32 million in capspace to work with.

 

[bajaden]

I don't think this is an issue at all. They have Pachulia and Petro as Brick mentioned. They are in rebuild mode anyway so there is no pressure on them to be a competitive team this year. Pachulia and Petro can definitely make it through the season, and then during the draft or with their 40 mil in cap space, they can address the center spot.

I like the trade. It definitely balances out our roster. A big man rotation of Cousins, Horford, and Thompson would be excellent. Horford would be a great compliment next to Cousins. Big, athletic, good defender/shotblocker, good passer, and good post game. The only thing I would change is to have Thomas start. I think he is a better distributor than Brooks, but I think Brooks is a better scorer than Thomas. We could use that scoring punch off the bench, and we could use Thomas' passing ability as a starter in order to make sure our bigs are getting the ball.

There is two things that stand out most to me though. 1. The defense from our starting unit would be very good. 2. The passing would be very good as well. Everyone in that starting rotation has the ability to average 3 apg.

I am a huge Evans fan, but I think it would be wise to holdoff on this trade until Evans has shown he can be our SG of the future.

Do you honestly think the Hawks don't want to be competitive if they can? Do you have any idea of their attendance history? They're at the bottom of the pack when they have a good team, and in the years that they've had a bad team, they've been the team with the worse attendance in the league.

Yes, their going through a rebuild, but that doesn't mean you throw away everyone and start from scratch. Horford is a 6'10", 250 pound all star C/PF thats only 26 frigging years old. Why in gods name would you want to get rid of him. You don't get rid of him and start completely over, you start with him and all the other young players you have on the team. Like Teague, who is ready to replace Collison. This isn't a championship team as its stands now, but its still a competitive team.

I think they'd love to keep Josh Smith as well, but not at 12.5 mil a year. Anyone that thinks they're trying to trade Horford is just plain nuts. It would be like us saying were going to rebuild again and were starting out by trading Cousins at age 22. To say that they still have Pachulia and Petro, would be like saying we would still have JT and Hayes if we traded Cousins. Actually when I think about it, JT and Hayes is probably better than Pachulia and Petro.

 

[Section 101]

I read all the local rags down there as well as some of the blogs, and the sense I get is that they don't want to move Horford. And the two guys you mentioned aren't anywhere near Horfords talent level. I'm surprised that Petro is still in the league to tell you the truth. I do think the Hawks are looking to rebuild, or at least remodel, but their looking at Horford as the centerpiece of that remodeling. There's no reason to discard a still young all star C/PF. I mean whats the point of starting from scratch when you have someone like Horford whose under contract for four more years.

That doesn't mean he can't be had, but I believe it'll take quite a bit to pry him away. At the same time its rumored that they want to move Smith, and your probably right, he'll likely be traded at the deadline. Smith is another player I'd love to have, but he's a lot more risky since he's going to be an unrestricted freeagent at seasons end. I beleive the deadline for extensions is Oct 31st, so as an extreme case, the Kings could extend Evans, and if the Hawks were able to extend Smith, where both salaries were close, we might be able to make a deal that way. Extremely unlikely though. I doubt Smith is willing to give up his chance at being an unrestricted freeagent, and its rumored that Mark Cuban has him in his sights in the offseason when Cuban will have around 32 million in capspace to work with.

91. Can a player be given an extension and traded at the same time?

Similar to a sign-and-trade arrangement (see question number 88), a team may sign an eligible player to an extension (see question number 58) and immediately trade him to another team. Such an "extend-and-trade" is limited to three seasons, which include any seasons remaining on the player's current contract1. The salary in the first season of the extension can have a 4.5% raise over the last season of the existing contract, and subsequent raises are limited to 4.5% of the salary in the first season of the extension.

A player cannot be traded in an extend-and-trade after the season (for example, on draft day) in the last season of his contract, or in any season that might be the last season due to an option or ETO.

Since an extend-and-trade has greater limits than a regular extension (three seasons and 4.5% raises vs. four seasons and 7.5% raises), the rules prevent teams from circumventing these limits by extending and trading the player in separate transactions. If a team extends a player beyond the limits of an extend-and-trade (for example, if they sign a player to a four-year extension), they can't trade the player for six months. Conversely, a team cannot extend a player it receives in trade for six months, if the extension exceeds the limits of an extend-and-trade.

Extend-and-trade transactions are rare. To date they have only been used for Kevin Garnett (traded from Minnesota to Boston in 2007) and Carmelo Anthony (traded from Denver to New York in 2011).
1 The current season counts as one full year, even if the extension is signed as late as June 30. So if a contract is extended on June 30 with one full season remaining, only one new season can be added to the contract with an extend-and-trade.

cbafaq

 

[bajaden]

91. Can a player be given an extension and traded at the same time?

Similar to a sign-and-trade arrangement (see question number 88), a team may sign an eligible player to an extension (see question number 58) and immediately trade him to another team. Such an "extend-and-trade" is limited to three seasons, which include any seasons remaining on the player's current contract1. The salary in the first season of the extension can have a 4.5% raise over the last season of the existing contract, and subsequent raises are limited to 4.5% of the salary in the first season of the extension.

A player cannot be traded in an extend-and-trade after the season (for example, on draft day) in the last season of his contract, or in any season that might be the last season due to an option or ETO.

Since an extend-and-trade has greater limits than a regular extension (three seasons and 4.5% raises vs. four seasons and 7.5% raises), the rules prevent teams from circumventing these limits by extending and trading the player in separate transactions. If a team extends a player beyond the limits of an extend-and-trade (for example, if they sign a player to a four-year extension), they can't trade the player for six months. Conversely, a team cannot extend a player it receives in trade for six months, if the extension exceeds the limits of an extend-and-trade.

Extend-and-trade transactions are rare. To date they have only been used for Kevin Garnett (traded from Minnesota to Boston in 2007) and Carmelo Anthony (traded from Denver to New York in 2011).
1 The current season counts as one full year, even if the extension is signed as late as June 30. So if a contract is extended on June 30 with one full season remaining, only one new season can be added to the contract with an extend-and-trade.

cbafaq

As I said, it would be extremely unlikely!

 

[Bricklayer]

Now I'm not going to get on here and jump up and down and say its likely, nor am I going to deny my own impression that Horford would be the guy they keep, but I will just note here that Horford is an All Star the same way Brad Miller was an All Star, which is to say he's not, and may well never be again now that they have eliminated the center position form All Star ballots. He's 15 and 10 in a good year. Efficient, defensive 15 and 10. A good player. A very useful player. But not a franchise cornerstone, unless it be as a guy you use to try to attract a star via free agency. Its not like trading a guy like Kevin Love or somebody that you expect to be your centerpiece. Reminds me of a Horace Grant type guy. If you can put him alongside an MJ or a Shaq you've got something. But if you are starting over he isn't going to carry you.

 

[bajaden]

Now I'm not going to get on here and jump up and down and say its likely, nor am I going to deny my own impression that Horford would be the guy they keep, but I will just note here that Horford is an All Star the same way Brad Miller was an All Star, which is to say he's not, and may well never be again now that they have eliminated the center position form All Star ballots. He's 15 and 10 in a good year. Efficient, defensive 15 and 10. A good player. A very useful player. But not a franchise cornerstone, unless it be as a guy you use to try to attract a star via free agency. Its not like trading a guy like Kevin Love or somebody that you expect to be your centerpiece. Reminds me of a Horace Grant type guy. If you can put him alongside an MJ or a Shaq you've got something. But if you are starting over he isn't going to carry you.

I don't entirely disagree. As I said, I think it might be possible to aquire him, but I also think their asking price would be too high. Look, ask yourself what a rebuild is. Normally you rebuild when you have a team full of older players that are close to being past thier time. Or at least nearing it. Meaning, your still a good team, but your a team with little or no upside. Basicly, your stuck in never never land. Well the Hawks fit that last description of being stuck, but not the first description of being an aging team. Smith is 26 yr's old, and Horford is 26 yr's old.

The only other players that will, or could be under contract next season are Jeff Teague, 24 years old, Lou Williams, 25 yr's old, John Jenkins, a rookie, 21 yr's old, and Mike Scott, another rookie, 24 yr's old. However, they have a huge group of players that are either unrestricted freeagents next offseason, or on non guaranteed contracts and could easily be unrestricted freeagents.

Pachulia, Devin Harris, Josh Smith, Kyle Korver, Anthony Morrow, Johan Petro, James Anderson, Damion James, and Anthony Toliver, are all players that the Hawks could just walk away from with no obligations. If they were to be that severe, it would leave them with a payroll of around 22 million dollars. Down from the current payroll of 66 million dollars. In other words they could just keep Horford and the other 4 young players and then be big players in the freeagent market next off season.

They could also decide to bring back Smith at 13 or so million, and still have plenty of cap space to work with. If they can aquire a good center through freeagency, then they can move Horford to the PF spot, where he's a much better player in my opinion. Thats where the rub comes in with Smith. Is he more of SF than a PF, or is it the other way around? And is he worth all that money at the SF position?

The bottom line is, that if you trade Horford, you really are starting from scratch, especially if you let Smith walk as well. Horford is signed for 4 more years, and is the only thing thats stable in that franchise. I just don't get why anyone in his right mind would trade a young player like that. For what? Another young player thats perhaps a little cheaper, but not as proven. I mean for gods sake, you build with young players, you don't get rid of them.

All the Hawks were looking for was financial flexability, and now they have it. I'd sure hate to be a Hawks fan and watch every star on the team go bye bye. You have to leave the fans something to be positive about.

 

[OptimusRhyme]

Kings should try and trade for Enes Kanter.. That dude absolutely ripped it up this preseason... MONSTER NUMBERS!He looks like he has allstar potential... Utah already has Millsap/Jefferson/Favors ( I think Paul and Al are free agents after this season).. somebody is going to have to be the odd man out on that team. At this point id be willing to give up anyone but Cousins in a trade. I think Kanter could be a huge steal!

 

[The_Jamal]

Now I'm not going to get on here and jump up and down and say its likely, nor am I going to deny my own impression that Horford would be the guy they keep, but I will just note here that Horford is an All Star the same way Brad Miller was an All Star, which is to say he's not, and may well never be again now that they have eliminated the center position form All Star ballots. He's 15 and 10 in a good year. Efficient, defensive 15 and 10. A good player. A very useful player. But not a franchise cornerstone, unless it be as a guy you use to try to attract a star via free agency. Its not like trading a guy like Kevin Love or somebody that you expect to be your centerpiece. Reminds me of a Horace Grant type guy. If you can put him alongside an MJ or a Shaq you've got something. But if you are starting over he isn't going to carry you.

I actually think Horford has suffered more from playing with 2 chuckers in JJ and Smoove his entire career rather than the lacking the ability to be that franchise guy. He's an unselfish enough of a player to adapt his game to them and maintain some semblence of a team offense. He's been woefully under-used his entire career and could very easily be an efficient 20-10 player with his defensive ability where he's properly featured in an offense

 

[bajaden]

I actually think Horford has suffered more from playing with 2 chuckers in JJ and Smoove his entire career rather than the lacking the ability to be that franchise guy. He's an unselfish enough of a player to adapt his game to them and maintain some semblence of a team offense. He's been woefully under-used his entire career and could very easily be an efficient 20-10 player with his defensive ability where he's properly featured in an offense

I completely agree. I think People tend to forget that he was a PF at Florida, and has been forced to play center almost his entire career. And as you said, he's a very unselfish player who has never been the focus of the offense.

 

[jalfa]

Kings should try and trade for Enes Kanter.. That dude absolutely ripped it up this preseason... MONSTER NUMBERS!He looks like he has allstar potential... Utah already has Millsap/Jefferson/Favors ( I think Paul and Al are free agents after this season).. somebody is going to have to be the odd man out on that team. At this point id be willing to give up anyone but Cousins in a trade. I think Kanter could be a huge steal!

while for Favor's and Kanter's sake, Utah should definitely trade one of their frontcourt players away, it certainly won't be either of them. those guys enter their 2nd and 3rd year respectively, are bigs, and have both shown a ton of promise (Kanter ripping up the Lakers scrubs has been one of the highlights of my preseason). not the kind of player that gets traded.

 

[upinsmoke]

I have said it before tyreke for horford please. If GP can work that out then we just became a legit player in the stacked west.