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http://www.sacbee.com/content/sports/basketball/kings/story/12442520p-13298695c.html
Webber's gone
Veteran forward shipped to 76ers in six-man blockbuster
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, February 24, 2005
DALLAS - "We've come full circle."
That was the response of 1995 Kings first-round draft choice Corliss Williamson upon learning he had been traded back to Sacramento with Philadelphia 76ers forwards Kenny Thomas and Brian Skinner for five-time All-Star forward Chris Webber, swingman Matt Barnes and forward Michael Bradley.
Williamson learned of the deal from a reporter. Barnes, the former Del Campo High School star who still had not been informed officially by the Kings until just before the deal was announced, was told earlier by former teammate Brad Miller. Webber, who had flown to Dallas with his teammates in preparation for tonight's game against the Mavericks, confirmed the trade as he ate dinner.
Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie said less than 24 hours earlier he doubted such a deal would occur.
"There are some calls you make, and some calls you take," Petrie said Tuesday night. "I think, for us, we've made one major acquisition already, and my sense is we're going to go with the guys we have."
Wednesday night, Petrie was read that sentence.
"OK, well, you're going to add one more sentence to that, something that Winston Churchill said, 'Eating my own words rarely gives me indigestion.' "
Petrie said the deal came together as a result of two or three conversations over 48 hours.
"Sometimes you don't have really have a sense of where these things are going," he said. "Over the course of after I got home (from Tuesday night's win over Atlanta) and (Wednesday), they were very aggressive and committed to acquiring Webb."
Webber, who will earn $19.125 million in 2005-06, $20.178 million in 2006-07 and $22.312 million in 2007-08, was not moved, Petrie said, primarily because of money.
"It's always something you look at, but I don't think it has a lot to do with it," Petrie said. "We took back quite a bit of salary. It's obviously changing the complexion of our team. It gives us more depth and a little more flexibility."
Williamson, who has an option at the end of this season, is set to make $6 million next season and $6.5 million the following season. Thomas, who can play either forward position at 6-foot-7, will make $6.5 million next season, $7.187 million in 2006-07, $7.875 million in 2007-08 and $8.562 million in 2008-09.
Skinner will earn $4.95 million in 2005-06, $5.4 million in 2006-07 and $5.85 million in 2007-08.
The deal came one night after Webber joked with reporters about how he always hears his name in trade rumors.
"I didn't hear about being traded to Sacramento, though," Webber said of the May 1998 deal that brought him to the Kings for Mitch Richmond and Otis Thorpe. "I wonder why it's always me, too. Why is that? A little old lady falls down on the street, and I did it."
In retrospect, Petrie must not have believed this current model of Kings was capable of winning a title this season and has begun planning for the future.
The Kings have become deeper up front. Thomas is a versatile scorer who can use his quickness offensively much better than defensively.
Williamson is a solid low-post scorer who adds toughness. Skinner is the best defender of the three and a good rebounder, but he has been slowed by injuries this season.
As has been his custom after making trades, Petrie said it this decision, too, was difficult.
"This is probably the most difficult choice I've had to make," Petrie said. "Webb along with Jason (Williams) and Vlade (Divac) ushered in an era in Sacramento few believed was possible and then helped maintain it. When I talked to (Webber) earlier, he was unbelievably professional about what was really an emotional issue."
Williamson was surprised to learn about the deal. He had called a reporter earlier in the night to discuss getting together when the Kings got to town Friday before Saturday's game with the Sixers. "I was shocked and surprised," Williamson said when that same reporter later informed him he was re-joining the Kings. "I haven't sat down in an hour. I've just been walking around the room. Any team I join, I'm going to give my all. I enjoyed the city of Sacramento, and there are a lot of friends I'll get to see."
Webber's gone
Veteran forward shipped to 76ers in six-man blockbuster
By Martin McNeal -- Bee Staff Writer
Published 2:15 am PST Thursday, February 24, 2005
DALLAS - "We've come full circle."
That was the response of 1995 Kings first-round draft choice Corliss Williamson upon learning he had been traded back to Sacramento with Philadelphia 76ers forwards Kenny Thomas and Brian Skinner for five-time All-Star forward Chris Webber, swingman Matt Barnes and forward Michael Bradley.
Williamson learned of the deal from a reporter. Barnes, the former Del Campo High School star who still had not been informed officially by the Kings until just before the deal was announced, was told earlier by former teammate Brad Miller. Webber, who had flown to Dallas with his teammates in preparation for tonight's game against the Mavericks, confirmed the trade as he ate dinner.
Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie said less than 24 hours earlier he doubted such a deal would occur.
"There are some calls you make, and some calls you take," Petrie said Tuesday night. "I think, for us, we've made one major acquisition already, and my sense is we're going to go with the guys we have."
Wednesday night, Petrie was read that sentence.
"OK, well, you're going to add one more sentence to that, something that Winston Churchill said, 'Eating my own words rarely gives me indigestion.' "
Petrie said the deal came together as a result of two or three conversations over 48 hours.
"Sometimes you don't have really have a sense of where these things are going," he said. "Over the course of after I got home (from Tuesday night's win over Atlanta) and (Wednesday), they were very aggressive and committed to acquiring Webb."
Webber, who will earn $19.125 million in 2005-06, $20.178 million in 2006-07 and $22.312 million in 2007-08, was not moved, Petrie said, primarily because of money.
"It's always something you look at, but I don't think it has a lot to do with it," Petrie said. "We took back quite a bit of salary. It's obviously changing the complexion of our team. It gives us more depth and a little more flexibility."
Williamson, who has an option at the end of this season, is set to make $6 million next season and $6.5 million the following season. Thomas, who can play either forward position at 6-foot-7, will make $6.5 million next season, $7.187 million in 2006-07, $7.875 million in 2007-08 and $8.562 million in 2008-09.
Skinner will earn $4.95 million in 2005-06, $5.4 million in 2006-07 and $5.85 million in 2007-08.
The deal came one night after Webber joked with reporters about how he always hears his name in trade rumors.
"I didn't hear about being traded to Sacramento, though," Webber said of the May 1998 deal that brought him to the Kings for Mitch Richmond and Otis Thorpe. "I wonder why it's always me, too. Why is that? A little old lady falls down on the street, and I did it."
In retrospect, Petrie must not have believed this current model of Kings was capable of winning a title this season and has begun planning for the future.
The Kings have become deeper up front. Thomas is a versatile scorer who can use his quickness offensively much better than defensively.
Williamson is a solid low-post scorer who adds toughness. Skinner is the best defender of the three and a good rebounder, but he has been slowed by injuries this season.
As has been his custom after making trades, Petrie said it this decision, too, was difficult.
"This is probably the most difficult choice I've had to make," Petrie said. "Webb along with Jason (Williams) and Vlade (Divac) ushered in an era in Sacramento few believed was possible and then helped maintain it. When I talked to (Webber) earlier, he was unbelievably professional about what was really an emotional issue."
Williamson was surprised to learn about the deal. He had called a reporter earlier in the night to discuss getting together when the Kings got to town Friday before Saturday's game with the Sixers. "I was shocked and surprised," Williamson said when that same reporter later informed him he was re-joining the Kings. "I haven't sat down in an hour. I've just been walking around the room. Any team I join, I'm going to give my all. I enjoyed the city of Sacramento, and there are a lot of friends I'll get to see."
