one of the mantras i have often preached is that you do not trade away all-star and superstar level talent unless you are going to get all-star or superstar talent in return. obviously, c-webb's situation made it difficult because of his uncertain health status and his inflated contract, but i still believe the kings could have done better. i dont believe petrie had to pull the trigger on the deal that eventually played out. i think it would have been more pertinent to wait until this offseason...and, possibly, a better deal. i have also maintained that i dont think it was fully petrie's decision to pull the trigger on the trade in question. i believe he was under some amount of pressure from the maloofs, who were willing to mow webb's lawn if he stayed, but unwilling to dole out the big bucks with webb's uncertain future. i have long been a fan of webber's, and i respect the man's talent and his willingness to adapt, but i can sympathize with the maloofs and/or petrie's desire to move such a huge question mark. i just wish we had gotten all-star level talent in return...or at least semi-talented players with expiring contracts. we were what, 3 seasons removed from having webb's salary off the books? now we're five seasoned removed from having thomas' contract off the books. granted, the salaries not as large, but its still got us up over the cap, and its still inflated, and thomas' value decreases as his contract increases each year...so i dont know how petrie is gonna move this "flex piece," or the others, for that matter. if thomas were 2 inches taller (which is the difference between getting the crucial defensive board or giving it up to the offense), then i might not mind waiting his contract out. but, as it stands, he gives us nothing we dont already have in less expensive players.
