Latest rumor about Bonzi

Bricklayer · Jul 20, 2006

Not a bad darkhorse at all actually. Was thinking along the same lines earlier today. But not just with a Ariza type deal (and had not considered Arroyo). But also a Battie as a guy we might like (but they wouldn't want to part with). Or even a mega-salary dump by trading for Grant Hill. Send them Bonzi, KT + whatever to balance, + take back Hill's giant ender. Magic might move up to contention just that quick -- Nelson, Bonzi, Hedo, Howard, Darko is pretty complete. Meanwhile we would be clearing mega-caproom to chase a top FA next year. Of course problem is that there are very few top FAs next year unless guys opt out (but if they do, could be Vince, Rashard, and maybe even KG).

Troy · Jul 20, 2006

Warhawk said:

I wasn't angry at VF, she has brought us a lot of insight. We are all frustrated here, just when a story breaks from a reliable source I think we would want to hear who, how much, etc etc than here that Bonzi is going and then others say he is staying, etc etc. Please can people not post stuff until it is a cold hard fact? This whole Bonzi thing is way out of hand, there are so many rumors with the 6 team/16 players bla bla bla. I sure home Petrie has something up his sleeve because things are not looking good. Again, I didn't mean to pick on VF, sorry if I came across that way.

VF21 · Jul 20, 2006

No problem, Troy. I don't want to cause anyone any angst. I figured people would be interested that there was something going on behind the scenes, even if I couldn't give any details.

It just always amazes me how a few people will take a tiny little "heads up" and turn it into Bonzi being pissed or something similar. This is contract negotiations. It's business. They're gonna take as long as it takes, whether they create a horde of totally berzerk fans or not.

I guess I could stop posting stuff until it's a cold hard fact...but then it wouldn't be a "heads up," would it?

BawLa · Jul 20, 2006

Sptsjunkie said:

Very nice post. Going off what you said I doubt Bonzi would want to go to any of those teams over Sacramento except Detroit. I'll bet there is heavy shopping going around but GP isn't stupid and neither is Bonzi. I wouldn't be surprised if Bonzi stays just because the right deal for Bonzi and Sacramento isn't there.

A lot of people seem to think that if Bonzi stays it would be all bad. I fail to see why. Musselman is known to use his bench heavily and we can always do a midseason trade with a team that is at the bottom or wait until next offseason to move him.

HndsmCelt · Jul 20, 2006

VF21 said:

Why should you be amazed? It's what people do. They get a few facts, fertelize themwith imagination and boom out come bizare tales based ontheir own fears, suspcions or dreams. Human nature. I personally just sit back and enjoy the the show. People are the funniest animals... I'm serious Animal Planet could easlly replace Meerkat Manor with Kingsfans.

VF21 · Jul 20, 2006

NO! Not Meerkat Manor. I like that show.

HndsmCelt · Jul 20, 2006

Somehow I knew you would

Kings113 · Jul 21, 2006

Interesting post Brick and Junkie, didn't think about the Magic.

BonziFan · Jul 21, 2006

VF21 said:

I was just talking about what Grant said. I guess I should put what you all do "Take it for what its worth." I didn't turn it in to anything and I dont appreciate that comment. This is a message board and I was just posting a "heads up" as you would say. If you don't want us to post things like that just let us know instead of making snide comments.

Kings113 · Jul 21, 2006

walker60 said:

Nate still has to prove he can play the point, so far he's a very good energy guard that can do many things well and plays bigger than his size. He has looked good running the point in the summer league, and playing with a handful of his team-mates. Sounds confident about what he needs to do.

Plus, we already got young small guards with nice potential in Douby and Price. Both who have looked good in summer league, and should at least be decent off the bench for us splitting time at PG.

VF21 · Jul 21, 2006

BonziFan said:

These were your words, BonziFan. My comment was simply that we don't know how Bonzi feels. Grant rants. He ranted about Bobby Jackson and actually apologized four months later. With your user name, I would think you'd give Bonzi the benefit of the doubt instead of simply parroting what Grant Napear said.

I didn't make a snide comment. I made an observation about how quickly fans turn on people. If you took it as a personal affront, I'm sorry.

And I hope this heat wave breaks soon. People are way too touchy. I'm simply giving Bonzi the benefit of the doubt, unlike Grant Napear who often makes statements he later has to either deny or ignore.

Again, if I said something that you feel was a personal insult, I'm sorry.

BonziFan · Jul 21, 2006

VF21 said:

Believe it or not, I am giving him the benefit of the doubt. I just was stating what was said hence the comment "sounds like he is pissed off." I hope it is untrue and I feel it is. I would love for him to stay, but I think he believes he is worth more if Cuttino could get 45 million +.

BawLa · Jul 21, 2006

HndsmCelt said:

Why should you be amazed? It's what people do. They get a few facts, fertelize themwith imagination and boom out come bizare tales based ontheir own fears, suspcions or dreams. Human nature. I personally just sit back and enjoy the the show. People are the funniest animals... I'm serious Animal Planet could easlly replace Meerkat Manor with Kingsfans.

LOL, watch spike tv.

mcsluggo · Jul 21, 2006

Entity said:

Holy f***.

People, don't get pissed off at Bonzi because of the random drivel that drools out of the dumb-*** Napear's piehole.

John Galt · Jul 21, 2006

Well, I for one believe Bonzi is pissed because I know I would be. I would not expect a pay cut after last season. From the end of the season till the offer sheet was put to my agent, I would have been expecting a MINIMUM of a 4 year deal starting at 8M with annual raises. But my imagination might be running wild with dreams of 9 or 10M. The actual offer (was it 5/36?) would have been extremely deflating.

Bonzi is a passionate guy. I can see him saying to his agent "screw Geoff, the Maloofs, and Sacramento - take the next best deal you can get".

This isn't based on any rumors or hints I've read here or elsewhere... it is just my opinion/guess.

I hope I'm wrong, but I have believed for a long time that we will end up with a crappy S&T along the lines of the Webber trade... some crappy parts that will make people's jaws drop with disappointment.

Cecil · Jul 21, 2006

Bonzi must be realizing that nobody is willing to pay him the money he wants. Otherwise, they would have already done it. That's the reality for above average players hitting thirty. Their opportunity to score a huge contract is over unless they are Ray Allen, Ben Wallace, or Shaq type players. Either he goes to a team with cap room (who most likely will pass and wait to use it next year when there are better FA), or he takes a pay cut from last year. He is a great player who just seemed to get his sh*t together this past season. Previously, he had an ongoing discipline problem with different teams. He doesn't have much going, except an excellent playoff performance that warmed the hearts of most people on this message board.

Sacto=Slappo · Jul 21, 2006

Cecil said:

Bonzi must be realizing that nobody is willing to pay him the money he wants. Otherwise, they would have already done it. That's the reality for above average players hitting thirty. Their opportunity to score a huge contract is over unless they are Ray Allen, Ben Wallace, or Shaq type players. Either he goes to a team with cap room (who most likely will pass and wait to use it next year when there are better FA), or he takes a pay cut from last year. He is a great player who just seemed to get his sh*t together this past season. Previously, he had an ongoing discipline problem with different teams. He doesn't have much going, except an excellent playoff performance that warmed the hearts of most people on this message board.

Yep.

BTW, it's good to be back. I hope Bonzi can say that soon about Sacto.

bibbinator · Jul 21, 2006

Imagine what this board will be like in 2010-11 with Bonzi playing 10-12 minutes a game, a $10 million salary, ~ a million per mpg , and completely untradeable. How many 30 year olds get 5 year contracts anyways? I would suspect he's in an elite group just for doing that.

Then again, we'll know when we know.

e'tinas · Jul 21, 2006

VF21 said:

I agree with you VF, but your first post in this thread seemed like a little more than a heads up..................."
It appears very likely Bonzi Wells will NOT be playing for the Sacramento Kings next season.

That's all I have; take it for whatever you think it's worth..."

It was probably the "very likely" that made us all freak out.

e'tinas · Jul 21, 2006

bibbinator said:

Why wouldn't we just trade Bonzi before 2010-11? Pay him for 2-3 more years of quality service then trade.

yanon · Jul 21, 2006

bibbinator,

A large expiring contract is appealing to teams that are seeking salary cap relief.

I think the Kings should worry more about Bonzi reverting back to his old self (12.8 ppg and 4.7 rpg) right after signing a huge long term contract.

Troy · Jul 21, 2006

yanon said:

Like the Knicks, or are they way to much in the red to even care at this point. We could give them 11M in expiring contracts, which will help them so very little since they are at 120M or so, more than double the cap.

Cecil · Jul 21, 2006

e'tinas said:

Wow. Quite the risk taker. No thanks on betting that people will trade for him. You can't predict that.

Kings113 · Jul 21, 2006

Or we can always go to the option where it's a good possibility he won't be able to play as much, and give Martin the starting job 2-3 seasons down the line. He's talked about stuff like that himself "I'm getting older..." "These legs won't always be there for me".

Bricklayer · Jul 21, 2006

Cecil said:

Of course not. NOBODY trades for a 32 year old. I mean, they are just normally taken out to pasture and shot.

Ridiculous ridculous ridiculous.

We traded Bobby Jackson at 32. And he WAS injury prone. Traded him for a damn good OG actually. We traded Doug at 34. He was breaking down too. For another good OG. We managed to trade Mitch at 31-32? for some guy named Webber. Yep, sure is impossible to trade those 30-somethign guards. NEVER happens.

P.S. As for how many 30 year olds sign 5 years contracts -- how about all of them? That is the absolutely standard play in the NBA for a starting type player of that age. The prototyical "last major contract" that ends at about age 35 (with Bonzi a) he is NOT 30 yet, and b) a 5 year will end while he is still 34). Mike James did it this season. Ray Allen and Cat Mobley last season. Steve Nash before that. Jason Terry. Peja. Doug Christie back in the day. The list is infinite.

LPKingsFan · Jul 21, 2006

bibbinator said:

Imagine what this board will be like in 2010-11 and Ron is gone, we don't have Bonzi to slide over at SF, and we're back in the lottery?

Imagine how happy everyone will be when Bonzi slowly accepts less and less minutes (more like 20-25) to accomodate his age and Martin's emergence?

Imagine how valuable Bonzi's expiring contract will be in 2010-11?

And to the poster who questioned to Bonzi reverting back to his "old self," if by "old self" they meant his last full year as a starter in Portland (15.2 5.3) then I'm ok with that.

bibbinator · Jul 21, 2006

yanon said:

True.

I'd love to see Bonzi back, I've even got a framed picture of him and RonRon
on my wall, but there are other teams without Martin sitting on the bench , who probably need him more.

venom_7 · Jul 21, 2006

Would he want to go to those teams? Charlotte (I think) is the only team left who could possibly pay Bonzi more than we offered. I don't think Bonzi would go there, unless the price was right, and I don't think Charlotte wants him. Not with Morrison and Wallace, one of which will be moved to the 2 guard. I think this is taking so long because Bonzi and his Agent aren't in any hurry.

LPKingsFan · Jul 21, 2006

The thing is... who? Not so many answers out there really that make a better fit for Bonzi.

ATL: Already stocked with young swingmen
BOS: Any room with Pierce and Wally?
CHA: One possibility, although do they want him in the way of Morrison and Wallace? Have been penny pinching anyway
CHI: Have been spending the $$, but appear to be heading in a different direction by dumping J.R. Smith for Eisley's deal
CLE: Would make a nice tandem with LeBron, but would likely be a S&T
DAL: Hard to see with Stackhouse and Howard. Would he really go there for the MLE?
DEN: Moved on by getting J.R. Smith and possibly Van Horn
DET: Moved on by getting Flip
GS: Maybe, but time will be an issue with JRich Dunleavy and Pietrus. Unless S&T of course.
HOU: Hard to see with TMac and the newly aquired Battier manning the wings
Indy: Rumored, but already picked up Daniels and now Harrington?
LAC: Spent MLE already on Thomas
LAL: Spent MLE already on Vlad Rad
MEM: Yeah right
MIA: Spent MLE already? Don't really see them doing anything.
MIL: A possibility, but would they pay $$ for both Bonzi and Simmons for one of them to be a bencher? Doubtful
MIN: MLE on Mike James.
NJ: Carter and Jefferson... no room/time
NY: Another rumored destination. Logic doesn't work here
NO: No cap room, but since they already stole Chandler and Bobby, why not Bonzi too?
ORL: Another interesting possibility. If we got Cato/Arroyo in a S&T I'd be reasonably ok?
PHI: Don't see it, unless part of huge AI megadeal.
PHO: Done for offseason
POR: Ha
SA: Highly unlikely, spent MLE on centers; Bown/Ginobili largely untouchable
SEA: Good luck with ownership in flux and Lewis and Allen eating swing minutes
TOR: Actually would have the minutes. But do I see him going there? Not really
UTH: Doubtful
WAS: Another one talked about here, but seem to be content with Jamison and Butler.

So, looking at this list... does him leaving really make sense? Sounds more like agent rumor spreading to increase contract offer/increase fears. If he wants to be spiteful, not only would he be giving up $$ but likely also starting minutes as well. Really hard to fathom in most cases. Sure, he may be gone, but not by using his noggin.

Edit: to add emphasis:
SAC: Can offer the most money, and a starting position for 2-3 years. No brainer?

hammystyle · Jul 21, 2006

Bricklayer said:

Very good point. This was one of my concerns, but you're right. If Bonzi has 2-3 more productive seasons (and stays in line), we would probably be able to trade him and the remaining 2-3 on his contract.

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