Last gasp opportunities?

[Bricklayer]

Well, training camp is upon us, and it appears likely that nothing is going to happen. As in for the entire summer. However, some things going on around the league in recent days that I have noted. Perhaps last gasp opportunities for us to make a move:

1) Tony Battie just went down in Orlando for the season, or a major chunk of it. Earlier this offseason it was noted that Orlando had a big stack of expiring contracts, and a hole up front after they lost Darko. Then they signed Adonal Foyle. But now losing Battie as well, their starting center, might there be some opportunity there to send them Brad for some of those enders (and a pick or some such)? Lot of pressure on them to win now.

2) Cleveland has screwed around and played hardball so long with their restricted FAs, Pavlovic and Varejao, that they are threatening to lsoe them both. Seriously threatening. Pavlovic is holding the Europe escape card, and Varejao is talking taking the qualifying offer wioht an opportunity to ditch them next season. They have tried twice before to get Bibby but lacked the expendable assets to do it. Given their troubles resigning their own guys I wonder whether signing and trading them as part of a Bibby package could now be on the table to offer some new options.

3) Miami has struck out...pretty much in everything they have tried to do this summer. Rumors are they are looking at the big names out there now (Marion, Ak47 etc.) and that they tried and failed to come after our own guys earlier in the offseason. Perhaps desperation will fuel one more try by them.

4) Corey Maggete refused to reup down in Clipperland, potentially making him a FA at season's end. As the only thing apparently keeping him in L.A. was the personal interference of Donald Sterling, I wonder if the indication he might ditch them might make them more willing to consider deals with other teams for him. Not that we really need him either. They also have a bunch of SFs now (Thronton, Patterson, Tim Thomas, Maggette) and might need a patch at PF.

5) How desperate are the Lakers to do something to placate Kobe? Kobe has remained noncommittal about reporting to camp. Even if he comes though, its only a matter of time before that situation goes to hell without something dramatic happening. Artest was on the consideration list at one time.

 

[Vlade4GM]

1? Possibly. 2? Hopefully. 3? Pssh, I wish. 4? No interest in Maggette and I don't think KT and SAR are that attractive to them despite the lacking PF depth. 5? I think it's clear that the lakers really don't want Artest for more than pennies on the dollar and the kings don't want to give up Artest for anything less than a dollar on the dollar.

This offseason has been so disappointing, on so many levels. I thought I would have just forgotten about the kings by now but I just can't let go of the little hope I have left. I guess if nothing happens by this year's trade deadline I'm probably not bothering any longer but I'll still wish them luck.

 

[Gary]

My take on getting expirings for each idea...

#1) Brad for Dooling and Garrity? Not sure what else matches here.. I guess they could throw in Arroyo or something? At least this way we can start playing Hawes and go young at center, but would get three players in return to a roster that is already full (being the Kings roster). We could probably tell Dooling, and Garrity to go home?

#2) Cleveland trade is what has interested me for a while. I want to ship Bibby, and his monster contract out to Cleveland for Donyell Marshall, and Gooden. This would give the Kings SOMETHING at PF. Gooden isn't that great, but he isn't that bad. Plus we are only 2 years committed w/ both players. We would immediately turn into a decent defensive/rebounding team, but we would have a lack of scoring. Marshall can be replaced by Snow in the trade as well.. Or we could go with Newble who is expiring. But the issue again is accepting more players than trading away on a roster thats full.

#3) Miami could go either way.. Bibby for Williams, and Doleac. Or Artest straight up for Williams, and maybe a pick. This idea is of course trading away contracts or "problem players" for expiring contracts again... Nothing more please. I know the trade value on all these aren't equal. It's all about getting expiring contracts.

#4) I don't thin the Clippers will do anything this year. They are screwed w/o Brand. I can't see them taking any contracts for an expiring one unless... Hrm... nah..

#5) I can see Artest going to LALA Land. But not Bibby. PG is not a big deal down in LA the way that Coach Jackson runs the team. I could see an Artest for Kwame Brown trade though... This will net us a 1 for 1 trade and 9 million off the books come summer.

 

[chrisnu]

#5) I can see Artest going to LALA Land. But not Bibby. PG is not a big deal down in LA the way that Coach Jackson runs the team. I could see an Artest for Kwame Brown trade though... This will net us a 1 for 1 trade and 9 million off the books come summer.

The Lakers may jump on that, if offered. Coming into training camp, it looks like Bynum's lining up to be the starting center, not Brown. The Lakers also have Chris Mihm coming back, and both Larry Turner and Elton Brown have been signed. They may try and get some value for Kwame, before he jets after the season.

 

[Vlade4GM]

The Lakers may jump on that, if offered. Coming into training camp, it looks like Bynum's lining up to be the starting center, not Brown. The Lakers also have Chris Mihm coming back, and both Larry Turner and Elton Brown have been signed. They may try and get some value for Kwame, before he jets after the season.

You don't think the lakers have already offered Kwame+? If they have the kings aren't having it and if they haven't they obviously have a big problem with Artest.

 

[chrisnu]

You don't think the lakers have already offered Kwame+? If they have the kings aren't having it and if they haven't they obviously have a big problem with Artest.

I doubt it. This is Mitch Kupchak we're talking about. He traded Caron Butler for this guy. I doubt that any calls have been made. Too busy overpaying Luke Walton and Derek Fisher.

 

[cfechter]

Well, training camp is upon us, and it appears likely that nothing is going to happen. As in for the entire summer. However, some things going on around the league in recent days that I have noted. Perhaps last gasp opportunities for us to make a move:

1) Tony Battie just went down in Orlando for the season, or a major chunk of it. Earlier this offseason it was noted that Orlando had a big stack of expiring contracts, and a hole up front after they lost Darko. Then they signed Adonal Foyle. But now losing Battie as well, their starting center, might there be some opportunity there to send them Brad for some of those enders (and a pick or some such)? Lot of pressure on them to win now.

2) Cleveland has screwed around and played hardball so long with their restricted FAs, Pavlovic and Varejao, that they are threatening to lsoe them both. Seriously threatening. Pavlovic is holding the Europe escape card, and Varejao is talking taking the qualifying offer wioht an opportunity to ditch them next season. They have tried twice before to get Bibby but lacked the expendable assets to do it. Given their troubles resigning their own guys I wonder whether signing and trading them as part of a Bibby package could now be on the table to offer some new options.

3) Miami has struck out...pretty much in everything they have tried to do this summer. Rumors are they are looking at the big names out there now (Marion, Ak47 etc.) and that they tried and failed to come after our own guys earlier in the offseason. Perhaps desperation will fuel one more try by them.

4) Corey Maggete refused to reup down in Clipperland, potentially making him a FA at season's end. As the only thing apparently keeping him in L.A. was the personal interference of Donald Sterling, I wonder if the indication he might ditch them might make them more willing to consider deals with other teams for him. Not that we really need him either. They also have a bunch of SFs now (Thronton, Patterson, Tim Thomas, Maggette) and might need a patch at PF.

5) How desperate are the Lakers to do something to placate Kobe? Kobe has remained noncommittal about reporting to camp. Even if he comes though, its only a matter of time before that situation goes to hell without something dramatic happening. Artest was on the consideration list at one time.

My responses to your post:

1. This may be our best chance to move Brad's contract, they should be 1/2 desperate at this point to have something resembling a functional center. Brad may actually make sense there as well since he won't need to be a super rebounder/defender there with Howard in the post. As far as equal value, I doubt Orlando gives up a pick. We'd be lucky enough to move him for the enders.
2. I just don't see the Cavs having anything really of value to us. Sure it'd be nice to get enders, but Bibby only has two more years on his contract anyway. There isn't any player on the Cavs roster who really interests me (well, any available player). Bibby still has quite a bit of value in my estimation, so unless the deal includes multiple picks, I can't see us doing anything on this front.
3. I think Miami puts their name out there for any bigger name player just to have their name mentioned around the league. They're not realistically in the hunt for any of the bigger names because they lack the assets to get anything done (what in the world would phoenix take from them in exchange for Marion???). That being said, I would happily trade Artest to them for Wright, 1st rounder and a filler/ender.
4. Not sure Maggette interests me unless we were somehow able to finagle a first rounder out of them as well - but Brick's point is well taken, they have too many SF's to being with. And secondly, who of our guys would they want?
5. Not sure anything on the Lakers interests me with the exception of Bynum, and I can't see the Lakers parting with him in any deal involving Artest. Although, Kobe + Odom + well behaved Artest does sound somewhat intimidating....

 

[Vlade4GM]

I doubt it. This is Mitch Kupchak we're talking about. He traded Caron Butler for this guy. I doubt that any calls have been made. Too busy overpaying Luke Walton and Derek Fisher.

Well there were strong rumors that the kings wanted Odom for Artest so if that's true they were in talks so either Kwame wasn't enough for Artest or the lakers didn't want to part with Kwame to get Artest. If both teams were willing to do it it probably would've happened by now.

 

[perezident]

great post (to the intial poster) And not to mention a gr8 idea. Yes teams are losing players due to injury and teams want to come out the gates looking good...unless your the Mavs type team where you go 0-5 and get the best record in the

Petrie is a slack off these days imo...yeah! i'm all for the patien. thingy but! we need to do something pull a trigger men

 

[BMiller52]

1? Possibly. 2? Hopefully. 3? Pssh, I wish. 4? No interest in Maggette and I don't think KT and SAR are that attractive to them despite the lacking PF depth. 5? I think it's clear that the lakers really don't want Artest for more than pennies on the dollar and the kings don't want to give up Artest for anything less than a dollar on the dollar.

This offseason has been so disappointing, on so many levels. I thought I would have just forgotten about the kings by now but I just can't let go of the little hope I have left. I guess if nothing happens by this year's trade deadline I'm probably not bothering any longer but I'll still wish them luck.

lol Give it up bro, this team has you hooked and their your team no matter what. I was at the same point last year where I was going "damn I wish we would rebuild, makin a freaking deal Petrie!!!!" and "man if we don't make some moves I can't be a fan anymore(which isn't true and it's more like I can't stop being a fan)". It's funny cuz I remember you making those same comments.

Offseason might have been dissapointing but you're stuck and you're gonna wait it out like the rest of us.

 

[SacTownKid]

Brad Miller for Keyon Dooling and Pat Garrity!? Yeesh....I think I need to leave the pity party for a while.

 

[Big Cuz 15]

Brad Miller for Keyon Dooling and Pat Garrity!? Yeesh....I think I need to leave the pity party for a while.

we got brads replacement in hawes. it's time to move him.

 

[bajaden]

The one team you didn't mention Bricky was the Knicks. They have just lost Balkman for a while, and that may spark Thomas to make a move. I know that he said he would never include Lee in a deal, but how much time will he get with Randoff there. Balkman going down could give him a way of going back on his word.
I like Bibby to Cleveland, but I'm not a big fan of Gooden. If there was a way to do deal where the salarys matched and we could get Varejao included, I would go for it.

 

[dude12]

The Balkman injury could prove interesting. Miller for those stiffs(expirings) is not something I'd like seen done. If Miller and/or Bibby can start the season playing at past levels, this may help us get a little bit better deal or 2. Miller does not have an overlybloated contract if he's performing as he has in the past. I'm interested to see how he does. On Crandall's Saturday radio show, he was mentioning that Miller is apparently down to 5% body fat. That is hard to believe but I guess we'll see.

 

[Tarindel]

I agree, I'm not high on moving Miller (considering what we'd get in return). I think he can still be an effective part of our team if he's healthy and in shape.

 

[VF21]

The Balkman injury could prove interesting. Miller for those stiffs(expirings) is not something I'd like seen done. If Miller and/or Bibby can start the season playing at past levels, this may help us get a little bit better deal or 2. Miller does not have an overlybloated contract if he's performing as he has in the past. I'm interested to see how he does. On Crandall's Saturday radio show, he was mentioning that Miller is apparently down to 5% body fat. That is hard to believe but I guess we'll see.

The figure I heard was 15% body fat but, regardless of the number, the point is Brad has apparently been working hard. If he can bring it to the game this year, that gives Hawes some time to learn a little about the NBA before having to carry the weight and responsibility of being a starting center.

I'm gonna wait and see how Miller looks, but I think some people may be surprised.

 

[dude12]

Well, 15% sounds more like it. I heard 5% and thought that there is no way he could get to 5%. It would be interesting to see the guy start knocking down the 15 foot jumper and passing like he used to and playing defense.....uh, ok forget that last part.

 

[Bricklayer]

Brad Miller is 31 years old (32 before the season is over), injury prone and coming off a career worst season. His presence directly steals time from the only two young frontcourt players we have (Hawes/Justin). He is owed $34 million over the next 3 years and has absolutely zero percent chance of being a major part of the next Sacramento Kings team to actually matter, if there ever is one.

If you can dump that, you dump it.


P.S. As an aside, I'm not sure where the confusion of Tag and Brad got started beyond their affinity for lumbering around shooting things, but Brad's problem(s) have never revolved around being excessively portly. In fact a lack of bulk/strength has been a recurring issue defensively (amongst others).

 

[Gary]

Brad Miller for Keyon Dooling and Pat Garrity!? Yeesh....I think I need to leave the pity party for a while.

LOL.. If you read my disclaimer this was a move to clear cap space. Nothing more