Jespher
Starter
Kings Out:
Kenny Thomas
Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Kings In:
Shawn Livingston
Quentin Ross
Juwan Howard
Change in Team Outlook: +9.0 ppg, +0.6 rpg, and +5.2 apg.
Timberwolves Out:
Juwan Howard
Timberwolves In:
Kenny Thomas
Change in Team Outlook: -4.4 ppg, +0.2 rpg, and -0.4 apg.
Clippers Out:
Shawn Livingston
Quentin Ross
Clippers In:
Shareef Abdur Rahim
Change in Team Outlook: -4.6 ppg, -0.8 rpg, and -4.8 apg.
Why Kings do this: This trade removes two old low post players and opens up playing time for Spencer Hawes, Justin Williams, and Mikki Moore. Shareef's deal become's expirings, and Kenny Thomas becomes a year shorter with Juwan Howard (who will definately be a better leader and character guy than Kenny). Shawn Livingston was a premier prospect at PG until he shattered his knee and most every ligament in it last year with the freak injury. If he can rehab and regain a semblance of his former self, he would be a terrific backup PG or even a starting PG for years to come. If he really is done with his career after the injury, then the Kings could let him just expire. Quentin Ross is also a nice pickup with this trade as it would improve out perimeter defense dramatically. This also gives the team an offense for defense substitution strategy at the end of games (something Mussellman didn't comprehend very well).
Why Kings don't do this: I've never heard of a team trading for a player who just suffered a career threatening injury and has yet to play a game since the incident. Trading for Livingston would be a gamble, but, as said above, would be both worth the risk if he rehabs well, and hardly a risk as Livingston is an expiring contract. Moving Kenny for anyone would be great in the King's perspective, even for Juwan Howard. (As an aside, isn't Juwan Howard Geoffe Petrie's perfect big man? Slow jump shooter with limited athleticism and poor interior defense. Perfect
)
Why Timberwolves do this: Earlier this year, Minnesota traded Mike James for Juwan Howard to add front court help for Kevin Garnett. Juwan was really happy to be able to play with such a dominante player, and was pretty peaved to come to the team just as they traded KG away for a bunch of win later youth. Juwan has been asking for a trade, and it has even leaked to the media. The T-Wolves don't need his low post scoring now anyway with Al Jefferson coming in. Also, Mark Madsen, the rockstar hustle player for the wolves went down with an injury just as his role was going to dramatically improve. Kenny, though antisocial, and unable to make a layup, could fill Mad Dog's roll beautifully, while allowing Jefferson and the young front court to play (Kenny at the 4 off the bench, Jefferson at the five).
Why Timberwolves don't do this: Kenny's contract sucks B***s. Kenny's offensive game is practically non existent, and his pesimistic attitude could turn corrosive on a young team with no shot, let alone lasting through a dreary Minneapolis winter. Howard is a decent pro, with a winning attitude.
Why Clippers do this: The season ending injury to Elton Brand washed away any chances of the Clippers advancing to the playoffs, let alone contending this year. Brand's absence leaves a festering void at the PF position that could be filled serviceably by Shareef. If the injury to Livingston is as bad as it looked, then it is doing the Clippers no good to keep the player on the bench. This move would go a long way to preventing the clippers from breaking the all time losing streak record.
Why the Clippers don't do this: Maybe they want to break the all time losing streak record and secure the 5th pick in the draft like Boston did this year. With a gapping hole at PF filled by either a rookie SF or Aaron Williams, the Clippers are destined for losing greatness. Why mess with a bad thing? Maybe they also don't want to give up an injured player that they thought could lead their franchise too...
Kings new Lineup (If Livingston can't play)
PG: Mike Bibby/John Salmons/Mustafa Shakur/Quincy Douby
SG:Kevin Martin/Quentin Ross/Quincy Douby
SF: Ron Artest/Francisco Garcia/John Salmons
PF: Mikki Moore/Justin Williams/Juwan Howard
C: Brad Miller/Spencer Hawes/Mikki Moore/Justin Williams
Kenny Thomas
Shareef Abdur-Rahim
Kings In:
Shawn Livingston
Quentin Ross
Juwan Howard
Change in Team Outlook: +9.0 ppg, +0.6 rpg, and +5.2 apg.
Timberwolves Out:
Juwan Howard
Timberwolves In:
Kenny Thomas
Change in Team Outlook: -4.4 ppg, +0.2 rpg, and -0.4 apg.
Clippers Out:
Shawn Livingston
Quentin Ross
Clippers In:
Shareef Abdur Rahim
Change in Team Outlook: -4.6 ppg, -0.8 rpg, and -4.8 apg.
Why Kings do this: This trade removes two old low post players and opens up playing time for Spencer Hawes, Justin Williams, and Mikki Moore. Shareef's deal become's expirings, and Kenny Thomas becomes a year shorter with Juwan Howard (who will definately be a better leader and character guy than Kenny). Shawn Livingston was a premier prospect at PG until he shattered his knee and most every ligament in it last year with the freak injury. If he can rehab and regain a semblance of his former self, he would be a terrific backup PG or even a starting PG for years to come. If he really is done with his career after the injury, then the Kings could let him just expire. Quentin Ross is also a nice pickup with this trade as it would improve out perimeter defense dramatically. This also gives the team an offense for defense substitution strategy at the end of games (something Mussellman didn't comprehend very well).
Why Kings don't do this: I've never heard of a team trading for a player who just suffered a career threatening injury and has yet to play a game since the incident. Trading for Livingston would be a gamble, but, as said above, would be both worth the risk if he rehabs well, and hardly a risk as Livingston is an expiring contract. Moving Kenny for anyone would be great in the King's perspective, even for Juwan Howard. (As an aside, isn't Juwan Howard Geoffe Petrie's perfect big man? Slow jump shooter with limited athleticism and poor interior defense. Perfect

Why Timberwolves do this: Earlier this year, Minnesota traded Mike James for Juwan Howard to add front court help for Kevin Garnett. Juwan was really happy to be able to play with such a dominante player, and was pretty peaved to come to the team just as they traded KG away for a bunch of win later youth. Juwan has been asking for a trade, and it has even leaked to the media. The T-Wolves don't need his low post scoring now anyway with Al Jefferson coming in. Also, Mark Madsen, the rockstar hustle player for the wolves went down with an injury just as his role was going to dramatically improve. Kenny, though antisocial, and unable to make a layup, could fill Mad Dog's roll beautifully, while allowing Jefferson and the young front court to play (Kenny at the 4 off the bench, Jefferson at the five).
Why Timberwolves don't do this: Kenny's contract sucks B***s. Kenny's offensive game is practically non existent, and his pesimistic attitude could turn corrosive on a young team with no shot, let alone lasting through a dreary Minneapolis winter. Howard is a decent pro, with a winning attitude.
Why Clippers do this: The season ending injury to Elton Brand washed away any chances of the Clippers advancing to the playoffs, let alone contending this year. Brand's absence leaves a festering void at the PF position that could be filled serviceably by Shareef. If the injury to Livingston is as bad as it looked, then it is doing the Clippers no good to keep the player on the bench. This move would go a long way to preventing the clippers from breaking the all time losing streak record.
Why the Clippers don't do this: Maybe they want to break the all time losing streak record and secure the 5th pick in the draft like Boston did this year. With a gapping hole at PF filled by either a rookie SF or Aaron Williams, the Clippers are destined for losing greatness. Why mess with a bad thing? Maybe they also don't want to give up an injured player that they thought could lead their franchise too...
Kings new Lineup (If Livingston can't play)
PG: Mike Bibby/John Salmons/Mustafa Shakur/Quincy Douby
SG:Kevin Martin/Quentin Ross/Quincy Douby
SF: Ron Artest/Francisco Garcia/John Salmons
PF: Mikki Moore/Justin Williams/Juwan Howard
C: Brad Miller/Spencer Hawes/Mikki Moore/Justin Williams
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