thedofd
Bench
http://proxy.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=ford_chad&id=1945932
OK, so we have mixed opinions of Bob Ford's columns on ESPN Insider. But here's part of a larger article (link above) about potential trades that I found interesting and made me start thinking re: possibilities for the Kings:
Luke Jackson
Jackson was one of the highest risers in the draft last summer. After scouts routinely predicted most of the year that Jackson would be a bubble first-round pick, he rocketed up the charts after a series of strong workouts and landed in Cleveland with the 10th pick. The book on Jackson said he was one of the few players in the draft that would be able to come in and immediately provide a team with solid outside shooting and a mature offensive game.
The Cavs need a solid outside shooter and another perimeter scoring option, but so far Jackson hasn't seen the light of day. With the Cavs taking their pursuit of the playoffs very seriously this year, it looks like Jackson might not get off the bench. While the team is still high on him, if he could be used to draw in a veteran shooter like Michael Redd <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3442>, the team would jump at a deal.
Redd has been telling people close to him he wants to sign with the Cavs this summer when he hits restricted free agency. The Cavs will have the cash to do it, and the Bucks will have few resources to stop him. If the Cavs offered Jackson and Anderson Varejao <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3847>, another rookie the Bucks are high on, would the Bucks bite? It might be their only legit shot to get something of value for Redd before he leaves.
Now, the author can't say with any certainty that the Bucks would accept the two rookies from Cleveland for Redd. But if that's even in the ballpark, it seems to me that the Kings could make a stronger offer. For example, realgm.com says that Bobby Jackson and Kevin Martin (and the requisite draft picks) would work from a cap standpoint for Redd. I'd go even further and be willing to add in any other bench players the Bucks might want. Of course, you'd have to get a wink and a nod from Redd's agent that he'd be willing to re-sign with the Kings, but that's doable even if unethical. The Bucks would probably prefer to trade Redd to the West Coast than to a team in their own division.
I know that there's a lot of sentiment out there to keep version 4.0 of the Kings together for one last run before trying to retool, and generally speaking, I'm not an advocate of breaking up the core. But if there's a chance to land an all-star caliber shooting guard without giving up a starter? I say you have to go for it. I'd miss Bobby, certainly, but with Doug you'd still have a great 3-guard rotation -- one with a future (Redd is only 25, one year younger than Bibby and six younger than Jackson). If you had to give up, say, Darius Songaila as part of the deal, you go out and get a Gary Trent or someone to fill the hole.
OK, so we have mixed opinions of Bob Ford's columns on ESPN Insider. But here's part of a larger article (link above) about potential trades that I found interesting and made me start thinking re: possibilities for the Kings:
Luke Jackson
Jackson was one of the highest risers in the draft last summer. After scouts routinely predicted most of the year that Jackson would be a bubble first-round pick, he rocketed up the charts after a series of strong workouts and landed in Cleveland with the 10th pick. The book on Jackson said he was one of the few players in the draft that would be able to come in and immediately provide a team with solid outside shooting and a mature offensive game.
The Cavs need a solid outside shooter and another perimeter scoring option, but so far Jackson hasn't seen the light of day. With the Cavs taking their pursuit of the playoffs very seriously this year, it looks like Jackson might not get off the bench. While the team is still high on him, if he could be used to draw in a veteran shooter like Michael Redd <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3442>, the team would jump at a deal.
Redd has been telling people close to him he wants to sign with the Cavs this summer when he hits restricted free agency. The Cavs will have the cash to do it, and the Bucks will have few resources to stop him. If the Cavs offered Jackson and Anderson Varejao <http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=3847>, another rookie the Bucks are high on, would the Bucks bite? It might be their only legit shot to get something of value for Redd before he leaves.
Now, the author can't say with any certainty that the Bucks would accept the two rookies from Cleveland for Redd. But if that's even in the ballpark, it seems to me that the Kings could make a stronger offer. For example, realgm.com says that Bobby Jackson and Kevin Martin (and the requisite draft picks) would work from a cap standpoint for Redd. I'd go even further and be willing to add in any other bench players the Bucks might want. Of course, you'd have to get a wink and a nod from Redd's agent that he'd be willing to re-sign with the Kings, but that's doable even if unethical. The Bucks would probably prefer to trade Redd to the West Coast than to a team in their own division.
I know that there's a lot of sentiment out there to keep version 4.0 of the Kings together for one last run before trying to retool, and generally speaking, I'm not an advocate of breaking up the core. But if there's a chance to land an all-star caliber shooting guard without giving up a starter? I say you have to go for it. I'd miss Bobby, certainly, but with Doug you'd still have a great 3-guard rotation -- one with a future (Redd is only 25, one year younger than Bibby and six younger than Jackson). If you had to give up, say, Darius Songaila as part of the deal, you go out and get a Gary Trent or someone to fill the hole.
