Wizards' Pick

[Jespher]

A lot of teams look to be shopping their lotto picks this year. Some are trying to avoid paying the luxury tax that will drop with the salary cap, while others have veteran filled teams that underachieved (Clippers) or were injured (Wizards). With the money saving action at the trade deadline, and at least 5 roster spots to fill this summer, it would be fantastic if Geoffe could grab an extra lotto pick to finalize the rebuild. The Wizards seem the most tempted to deal their pick, as they like their team when healthy, and are approaching the luxury tax without adding any rookie salaries. They also don't have any bad contracts they will try to force on the Kings, making a mutual deal more likely.

Kings out

Dante Greene + Cash
Houston's 1st Round Pick

Kings In

Juan Dixon (Expiring)
1st Round Pick (Hasheem Thabeet?Ricky Rubio?Jeff Teague?)

Wizards Out

Juan Dixon (Expiring)
1st Round Pick (Hasheem Thabeet?Ricky Rubio?Jeff Teague?)

Wizards In

Dante Greene + Cash
Houston's 1st Round Pick (Darren Collison?Patrick Mills?)

Why the Kings do this: Build the franchise from the inside out. 2 picks in the top 4 this year would give them a great shot at landing a future all-star quality talent (and maybe even 2). Gives them a shot at either a stacked front line of Griffin and Thabeet, or one inside, and one outside player. Dante is still raw, and if he can't play when the team is this bad, he isn't really in the Kings future plans as much as we fans have hoped.

Why the Kings don't do this: Any salary increase in this economy could be a deal breaker for the owners, as well as sending off a promising young talent in Greene. This is a weak draft year, and Geoffe might be looking to next year to fully retool the franchise, but we as fans would appreciate it if he could pull it off sooner rather than suffering through another year of crapball.

Why the Wizards do this: Two words, "luxury tax". This would be trading down to get another young talent and cap flexibility. In any year with a weak draft class, this looks like a winning strategy, especially if the Wiz are aiming to win now rather than building for 4 years from now.

Why the Wizards don't do this: If they get the number one pick, they would get killed by their fans for moving it. If they get the #2-5 pick in the draft, the fans would be disappointed that they had to sit through an entire year of crap for no future all-star talent. It's bad business to ostracize your fan base.

Kings Future Lineup (Drafting 1 Big/1 Small)

PG Ricky Rubio (or Jeff Teague)/Beno Udrih/Bobby Jackson (Minimum FA)
SG Kevin Martin/Francisco Garcia/Bobby Jackson
SF Andres Nocioni/Francisco Garcia
PF Blake Griffin/Jason Thompson/Kenny "Expiring Contract" Thomas
C Spencer Hawes/Jason Thompson

+ Second Round Pick (SF/PF?)

Kings Future Lineup (Drafting 2 Bigs)

PG Ramon Sessions (RFA)/Beno Udrih/Bobby Jackson (Minimum FA)
SG Kevin Martin/Francisco Garcia/Bobby Jackson
SF Andres Nocioni/Francisco Garcia
PF Blake Griffin/Jason Thompson/Kenny "Expiring Contract" Thomas
C Spencer Hawes/Hasheem Thabeet

+ Second Round Pick (SF/PF?)

 

[Smills91]

A lot of teams look to be shopping their lotto picks this year. Some are trying to avoid paying the luxury tax that will drop with the salary cap, while others have veteran filled teams that underachieved (Clippers) or were injured (Wizards). With the money saving action at the trade deadline, and at least 5 roster spots to fill this summer, it would be fantastic if Geoffe could grab an extra lotto pick to finalize the rebuild. The Wizards seem the most tempted to deal their pick, as they like their team when healthy, and are approaching the luxury tax without adding any rookie salaries. They also don't have any bad contracts they will try to force on the Kings, making a mutual deal more likely.

Kings out

Dante Greene + Cash
Houston's 1st Round Pick

Kings In

Juan Dixon (Expiring)
1st Round Pick (Hasheem Thabeet?Ricky Rubio?Jeff Teague?)

Wizards Out

Juan Dixon (Expiring)
1st Round Pick (Hasheem Thabeet?Ricky Rubio?Jeff Teague?)

Wizards In

Dante Greene + Cash
Houston's 1st Round Pick (Darren Collison?Patrick Mills?)

Why the Kings do this: Build the franchise from the inside out. 2 picks in the top 4 this year would give them a great shot at landing a future all-star quality talent (and maybe even 2). Gives them a shot at either a stacked front line of Griffin and Thabeet, or one inside, and one outside player. Dante is still raw, and if he can't play when the team is this bad, he isn't really in the Kings future plans as much as we fans have hoped.

Why the Kings don't do this: Any salary increase in this economy could be a deal breaker for the owners, as well as sending off a promising young talent in Greene. This is a weak draft year, and Geoffe might be looking to next year to fully retool the franchise, but we as fans would appreciate it if he could pull it off sooner rather than suffering through another year of crapball.

Why the Wizards do this: Two words, "luxury tax". This would be trading down to get another young talent and cap flexibility. In any year with a weak draft class, this looks like a winning strategy, especially if the Wiz are aiming to win now rather than building for 4 years from now.

Why the Wizards don't do this: If they get the number one pick, they would get killed by their fans for moving it. If they get the #2-5 pick in the draft, the fans would be disappointed that they had to sit through an entire year of crap for no future all-star talent. It's bad business to ostracize your fan base.

Kings Future Lineup (Drafting 1 Big/1 Small)

PG Ricky Rubio (or Jeff Teague)/Beno Udrih/Bobby Jackson (Minimum FA)
SG Kevin Martin/Francisco Garcia/Bobby Jackson
SF Andres Nocioni/Francisco Garcia
PF Blake Griffin/Jason Thompson/Kenny "Expiring Contract" Thomas
C Spencer Hawes/Jason Thompson

+ Second Round Pick (SF/PF?)

Kings Future Lineup (Drafting 2 Bigs)

PG Ramon Sessions (RFA)/Beno Udrih/Bobby Jackson (Minimum FA)
SG Kevin Martin/Francisco Garcia/Bobby Jackson
SF Andres Nocioni/Francisco Garcia
PF Blake Griffin/Jason Thompson/Kenny "Expiring Contract" Thomas
C Spencer Hawes/Hasheem Thabeet

+ Second Round Pick (SF/PF?)

While I agree teams may be willing to shop their lotto picks, it's cost more IMO. Teams want CAP RELIEF as the major reason for moving their pick.

IMO, I see a deal more along the lines of Mike James/Etan Thomas/Lotto pick for TPE/Houston picks with maybe Donte Greene added in as sweetener but his inclusion is debatable.

 

[bajaden]

A lot of teams look to be shopping their lotto picks this year. Some are trying to avoid paying the luxury tax that will drop with the salary cap, while others have veteran filled teams that underachieved (Clippers) or were injured (Wizards). With the money saving action at the trade deadline, and at least 5 roster spots to fill this summer, it would be fantastic if Geoffe could grab an extra lotto pick to finalize the rebuild. The Wizards seem the most tempted to deal their pick, as they like their team when healthy, and are approaching the luxury tax without adding any rookie salaries. They also don't have any bad contracts they will try to force on the Kings, making a mutual deal more likely.

Kings out

Dante Greene + Cash
Houston's 1st Round Pick

Kings In

Juan Dixon (Expiring)
1st Round Pick (Hasheem Thabeet?Ricky Rubio?Jeff Teague?)

Wizards Out

Juan Dixon (Expiring)
1st Round Pick (Hasheem Thabeet?Ricky Rubio?Jeff Teague?)

Wizards In

Dante Greene + Cash
Houston's 1st Round Pick (Darren Collison?Patrick Mills?)

Why the Kings do this: Build the franchise from the inside out. 2 picks in the top 4 this year would give them a great shot at landing a future all-star quality talent (and maybe even 2). Gives them a shot at either a stacked front line of Griffin and Thabeet, or one inside, and one outside player. Dante is still raw, and if he can't play when the team is this bad, he isn't really in the Kings future plans as much as we fans have hoped.

Why the Kings don't do this: Any salary increase in this economy could be a deal breaker for the owners, as well as sending off a promising young talent in Greene. This is a weak draft year, and Geoffe might be looking to next year to fully retool the franchise, but we as fans would appreciate it if he could pull it off sooner rather than suffering through another year of crapball.

Why the Wizards do this: Two words, "luxury tax". This would be trading down to get another young talent and cap flexibility. In any year with a weak draft class, this looks like a winning strategy, especially if the Wiz are aiming to win now rather than building for 4 years from now.

Why the Wizards don't do this: If they get the number one pick, they would get killed by their fans for moving it. If they get the #2-5 pick in the draft, the fans would be disappointed that they had to sit through an entire year of crap for no future all-star talent. It's bad business to ostracize your fan base.

Kings Future Lineup (Drafting 1 Big/1 Small)

PG Ricky Rubio (or Jeff Teague)/Beno Udrih/Bobby Jackson (Minimum FA)
SG Kevin Martin/Francisco Garcia/Bobby Jackson
SF Andres Nocioni/Francisco Garcia
PF Blake Griffin/Jason Thompson/Kenny "Expiring Contract" Thomas
C Spencer Hawes/Jason Thompson

+ Second Round Pick (SF/PF?)

Kings Future Lineup (Drafting 2 Bigs)

PG Ramon Sessions (RFA)/Beno Udrih/Bobby Jackson (Minimum FA)
SG Kevin Martin/Francisco Garcia/Bobby Jackson
SF Andres Nocioni/Francisco Garcia
PF Blake Griffin/Jason Thompson/Kenny "Expiring Contract" Thomas
C Spencer Hawes/Hasheem Thabeet

+ Second Round Pick (SF/PF?)

I'm all for trying to aquire another 1st round pick in the top ten. However, if Wash. is serious about moving the pick, I would underbid for it. I certainly wouldn't give up two players of the future for one player of the future. There's no guarantee that Rubio will even put his name in the hat, and there's no guarantee that anyone we pick with the aquired pick will be better than Greene. I also don't see the Maloff's giving away cash in the current climate.

 

[Jespher]

I think this is a reasonable 1st proposal. It is doable for both parties, and improves the outlook for both teams. If Washington needed more, then it might be worth going more towards a SMills package, and if the Kings thought the deal was to rich for them I could see them modifying it also, but it seems like something both sides should have interest in.

 

[Dime Dropper]

Also, people are setting themselves up for a fall if they expect this year to be the year that the rebuild is finalized. We are neither very young nor very talented. There is a long way to go.

I've noticed it in other threads, too. Unless we happen to stumble on a Wade or Kobe, this rebuild is not going to be done after this year. It's arguably the first "real" year of the rebuild. It's gonna take time.

 

[Jespher]

Also, people are setting themselves up for a fall if they expect this year to be the year that the rebuild is finalized. We are neither very young nor very talented. There is a long way to go.

I've noticed it in other threads, too. Unless we happen to stumble on a Wade or Kobe, this rebuild is not going to be done after this year. It's arguably the first "real" year of the rebuild. It's gonna take time.

If the Maloofs are really worried about the economy and their costs it is in their best interest to build a winner sooner, rather than later. The longer the Kings continue to dwell in the cellar, the more disillusioned the fan base will become. Without a major TV deal, or revenue sharing, the only way small market teams can remain competitive financially is if they put a quality product on the court. The vast majority of revenue generated by the Kings occurs within the arena (that is why the Maloofs have been pushing for a new building for years now) from ticket sales, concessions, team store sales, and parking. The fans are some of the best in the league, and they still rabidly support the Kings, however, they will no longer pay to watch perennial losing basketball.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

I'm all for trying to aquire another 1st round pick in the top ten. However, if Wash. is serious about moving the pick, I would underbid for it. I certainly wouldn't give up two players of the future for one player of the future. There's no guarantee that Rubio will even put his name in the hat, and there's no guarantee that anyone we pick with the aquired pick will be better than Greene. I also don't see the Maloff's giving away cash in the current climate.

A deal like this wouldn't even go down until draft day (probably wouldn't be finalized until the pick was ready to be made), so we would know who was available to pick. If there's a player we like and a team like Washington is willing to deal, I could let Greene go if that's what it takes to get it done. It's two players for one, sure, but if the net swap is (best case) Ricky Rubio for Greene and a shot at Collison/Mills (who might even be gone by Houston's pick), I do that.

 

[Kingster]

Also, people are setting themselves up for a fall if they expect this year to be the year that the rebuild is finalized. We are neither very young nor very talented. There is a long way to go.

I've noticed it in other threads, too. Unless we happen to stumble on a Wade or Kobe, this rebuild is not going to be done after this year. It's arguably the first "real" year of the rebuild. It's gonna take time.

Totally agree. And if you believe that the Maloofs are going to cut costs (which I do), it's hard to imagine them paying big bucks for a FA in the next couple of years. Instead, they'll probably go with the cheaper draft picks.

 

[sidney]

I suppose if all the rule deadlines line up we could try to use our 09 cap space to take back more in salary and try a...

Mike James (expiring 2010)
High 1st

for

our high 2nd

Washington would save for 2010:
6.5M Mike James salary
4M high first starting salary
roughly 10m luxury tax payment

20M+ savings in this economy would be huge for them.

 

[Dime Dropper]

If the Maloofs are really worried about the economy and their costs it is in their best interest to build a winner sooner, rather than later. The longer the Kings continue to dwell in the cellar, the more disillusioned the fan base will become. Without a major TV deal, or revenue sharing, the only way small market teams can remain competitive financially is if they put a quality product on the court. The vast majority of revenue generated by the Kings occurs within the arena (that is why the Maloofs have been pushing for a new building for years now) from ticket sales, concessions, team store sales, and parking. The fans are some of the best in the league, and they still rabidly support the Kings, however, they will no longer pay to watch perennial losing basketball.

You seem to be suggesting that it is in the Maloofs hands whether or not the rebuild is finished after this year or not. It's not. Obviously everyone wants the rebuild to be complete sooner rather than later, but just wanting something doesn't make it happen (which seems to be what you're saying).

 

[Capt. Factorial]

I suppose if all the rule deadlines line up we could try to use our 09 cap space to take back more in salary and try a...

Mike James (expiring 2010)
High 1st

for

our high 2nd

Washington would save for 2010:
6.5M Mike James salary
4M high first starting salary
roughly 10m luxury tax payment

20M+ savings in this economy would be huge for them.

This would seem like a no-brainer for us. We're at $45M for next year right now, this would add $6.5M for James, ~$8M total for the high Sac/Wash picks, ~$1.5M for Houston's pick for a total of ~$61M, well over the cap but we should be safe with regard to the tax ($71.15M this year, but will go down). We'd have 12 players under contract:

Udrih/James
Martin/Garcia
Nocioni/Greene
Thompson/KT
Hawes
+ 3 picks.

Probably two slots left (Jackson cheap?, McCants?, other?) to get to 14 and we'd be good to go and still probably under the tax. Furthermore, about $17.5M of that money would be expiring (James, KT, Mikki's buyout). We wouldn't have a lot of capspace in the summer of '10 (not like we're going to entice any big name FAs anyway) but we'd probably be under the cap at any rate.

So if the Wizards would toss away a high pick to save $20M, I say we help them out.

 

[Jespher]

You seem to be suggesting that it is in the Maloofs hands whether or not the rebuild is finished after this year or not. It's not. Obviously everyone wants the rebuild to be complete sooner rather than later, but just wanting something doesn't make it happen (which seems to be what you're saying).

I'm saying that it is in the owner's best interest to return this team to competitiveness as soon as possible. Every losing season will be another year in the red for them. This is unlike the Clippers who make a profit regardless of their winning total due to their large market status. Ultimately it is Geoffe's responsibility to translate that mandate from ownership into basketball decisions.

 

[kennadog]

Well I'm with Dime Dropper on this. I have no doubt at all that the Maloofs want the team to be competitive as soon as possible. I just think, no matter how much they or the fans want it, it's not going to happen this off season.

Besides, it depends on what "competitive" means. Good enough to get to the playoffs, but never have a shot at the championship? I think the Maloofs want more than that and that's going to take patience.

 

[vikinginferno]

I was mentioning in other threads about trying to get Washington's pick, but I was taking a different approach. I have heard that Washington feels without injuries they can be a very good team. Wouldn't they be VERY interested in a player like KMart then? He would fit right into their team. We could do this:

Kings get/ Washington gives up:
Washington 1st round pick
Expiring contract or yount talent

Kings give up/ Wasington gets:
Kevin Martin
Beno Udrih or other garbage/horrible contract player

This would make the Wizards lineup like this for next year:

PG: Gilbert Arenas, Beno Udrih(or not if someone else is traded), some other guy
SG: Kevin Martin, Deshawn Stevenson
SF: Caron Butler, Nick Young
PF: Antawn Jamison, Andre Blatche, Dominic McGuire
C: Andre Blatche, JaVale McGee, Etan Thomas

That could actually be a very good lineup. I am nearly positive it would make playoffs and it could make a splash there.

Then we could draft probably 2 of the top 3 picks and get maybe Blake Griffin/ Ricky Rubio or Blake Griffin/ Jeff Teague or some other combo.

I know that many of you are very skittish of getting rid of KMart, but if we are able to get younger, better on defense, and a more balanced player, then it could be very good for us.

 

[kingsnation]

I suppose if all the rule deadlines line up we could try to use our 09 cap space to take back more in salary and try a...

Mike James (expiring 2010)
High 1st

for

our high 2nd

Washington would save for 2010:
6.5M Mike James salary
4M high first starting salary
roughly 10m luxury tax payment

20M+ savings in this economy would be huge for them.

Now this makes sense. If the Wizards are willing to do something like this, we have to jump on the opportunity.

 

[beb0p]

I don't get it, if the Wizard are trying to save money, isn't it a no-brainer that they package Thomas/Haywood/Songalia with their 1st round pick and then trade to a team with the cap room to absorb the contract, like Memphis or Detroit?

 

[Jespher]

I don't get it, if the Wizard are trying to save money, isn't it a no-brainer that they package Thomas/Haywood/Songalia with their 1st round pick and then trade to a team with the cap room to absorb the contract, like Memphis or Detroit?

I don't think that there is a buyer for those contracts this year, with both an economic downturn and a weak draft class. That is why the Kings deal would make sense for Washington, giving them a lesser draft pick and some financial flexibility also.

 

[beb0p]

I don't think that there is a buyer for those contracts this year, with both an economic downturn and a weak draft class. That is why the Kings deal would make sense for Washington, giving them a lesser draft pick and some financial flexibility also.

The Piston is still trying to sign a star, economy or not. You don't think they'd jump at the chance to sign a star FA plus land a high draft pick in the same year?

 

[sidney]

I don't get it, if the Wizard are trying to save money, isn't it a no-brainer that they package Thomas/Haywood/Songalia with their 1st round pick and then trade to a team with the cap room to absorb the contract, like Memphis or Detroit?

Right, that's the idea. We can use our cap space this summer to absorb 1 of their bad contracts for next year in exchange for their high pick. Memphis or Detroit could as well so I guess it depends on who wants to do it and what the best package is. I suppose Detroit could take 2 of their bad contracts and outbid us, but I doubt the value for their pick is worth 15M or so in contracts and lost cap space.

 

[beb0p]

Right, that's the idea. We can use our cap space this summer to absorb 1 of their bad contracts for next year in exchange for their high pick. Memphis or Detroit could as well so I guess it depends on who wants to do it and what the best package is. I suppose Detroit could take 2 of their bad contracts and outbid us, but I doubt the value for their pick is worth 15M or so in contracts and lost cap space.

It depends on what the cap is, which we won't find out until later. If the Wizard are to trade, it'll be either Ethan Thomas (who makes the most money for one year) or Songalia (who makes the most money overall in two years). I guess if it's Songalia then the Kings can possibly accomodate his contract, but if it's Thomas then no duce, we'll dont have the cap room (assume the cap is around $58.5M as rumored).

Plus, the Piston can swap pick with the Wiz. And Detroit's pick is higher than Houston's.

 

[Nighthawk1]

I was mentioning in other threads about trying to get Washington's pick, but I was taking a different approach. I have heard that Washington feels without injuries they can be a very good team. Wouldn't they be VERY interested in a player like KMart then? He would fit right into their team. We could do this:

Kings get/ Washington gives up:
Washington 1st round pick
Expiring contract or yount talent

Kings give up/ Wasington gets:
Kevin Martin
Beno Udrih or other garbage/horrible contract player

This would make the Wizards lineup like this for next year:

PG: Gilbert Arenas, Beno Udrih(or not if someone else is traded), some other guy
SG: Kevin Martin, Deshawn Stevenson
SF: Caron Butler, Nick Young
PF: Antawn Jamison, Andre Blatche, Dominic McGuire
C: Andre Blatche, JaVale McGee, Etan Thomas

That could actually be a very good lineup. I am nearly positive it would make playoffs and it could make a splash there.

Then we could draft probably 2 of the top 3 picks and get maybe Blake Griffin/ Ricky Rubio or Blake Griffin/ Jeff Teague or some other combo.

I know that many of you are very skittish of getting rid of KMart, but if we are able to get younger, better on defense, and a more balanced player, then it could be very good for us.

Uh no..? a first round draft pick isn't worth getting rid of Kmart just so we can ditch beno with him... KMart is our trade bait as far as I'm concerned for an established player not an unknown in how they'll develop in this draft..

I do like the idea of trading for Washington's 1st, I'm not sure how much it'd take but they probably will want to take Donte from us (which is a tough pill to swallow but a bullet I think we should be willing to bite).

But, unless we don't get the #1 overall draft pick and the chance to take Griffin, I don't see why we then try to grab another first rounder... I'm not a thabeet fan, and once you get past the guards there isn't much left that reaches out to me as a player I think we should reach for... I think if you have the chance to make a trade so you can pickup Griffin + Teague/Rubio then you make the trades for a 2nd pick, and if not then we should probably just be happy with Teague/Rubio instead of reaching for more and giving away some of our assets...

 

[Smills91]

Bebop. I don't see the Pistons being the TOP destination for a Wizards pick. Of course they'd like an early pick, but if I'm Washington I don't move the pick UNLESS I get some financial savings in the realm of moving James and/or Thomas at the very least. I think the Kings are the perfect trading partner here with our condition, direction and needs.

Thomas and James make roughly 6.5 million each. The Kings could take on one or the other, the Wizards preference, and then the salary difference between the lotto pick and the Houston pick which is a downgrade to the mid 1st round would equate to roughly 10 million savings, which would be 20 million dollars when you factor in the luxury tax. That's NOT chump change and they still get a shot in the 1st round while saving a butt load of cash.

I don't see the Pistons in rebuild mode yet, and wasting cap space on a Mike James or Etan Thomas doesn't help them land, say, Carlos Boozer who IMO is probably a lock to go to Detroit.

Memphis, MIGHT be interested, but I think their owners are far too cheap to absorb more salary.

Okalahoma city is probably our biggest competitor as Presti is a shrewd GM with some nice assets to go with the cap space along with additional picks.

So there you have it.

 

[vikinginferno]

Uh no..? a first round draft pick isn't worth getting rid of Kmart just so we can ditch beno with him... KMart is our trade bait as far as I'm concerned for an established player not an unknown in how they'll develop in this draft..

I do like the idea of trading for Washington's 1st, I'm not sure how much it'd take but they probably will want to take Donte from us (which is a tough pill to swallow but a bullet I think we should be willing to bite).

But, unless we don't get the #1 overall draft pick and the chance to take Griffin, I don't see why we then try to grab another first rounder... I'm not a thabeet fan, and once you get past the guards there isn't much left that reaches out to me as a player I think we should reach for... I think if you have the chance to make a trade so you can pickup Griffin + Teague/Rubio then you make the trades for a 2nd pick, and if not then we should probably just be happy with Teague/Rubio instead of reaching for more and giving away some of our assets...

I'm sorry to say this as I love KMart, but he is overrated by many fans on this website. He is a one-dimensional shooter that thrives on being able to make shots and drawing fouls, but that is about it in his game. I would rather be able to have Griffin/Rubio or Griffin/Teague. We would get much younger and I would like to see McCants starting at the 2. After figuring out the Griffin/JT situation we would have a very good lineup for the future. Also this would happen after the lottery so we would know what picks everyone has so if they have 1st and we have 2nd, 3rd, or 4th then I would love to do it or other way around.

Maybe we could get them to include their 2010 first round pick also.

 

[Sarunas]

While some of those scenarios would be nice, i really dont think this year , with the draft as weak as it is, is the year that we should be making drastic moves for extra lottery picks. I think I would rather keep donte or KMart over most of the lottery picks available. But then again I wouldnt mind acquiring Griffin and Rubio or Griffin and Teague in one day.

 

[Jespher]

While some of those scenarios would be nice, i really dont think this year , with the draft as weak as it is, is the year that we should be making drastic moves for extra lottery picks. I think I would rather keep donte or KMart over most of the lottery picks available. But then again I wouldnt mind acquiring Griffin and Rubio or Griffin and Teague in one day.

To the contrary. Because it is such a weak draft class, the Kings can actually afford to pry away a high lotto pick. If it was a 2006 level draft, no one would want to move their picks. Buy now while the price is cheaper because of the decreasing luxury tax and poor economy, and reap the basketball rewards later due to more young talent.

 

[beb0p]

Thomas and James make roughly 6.5 million each. The Kings could take on one or the other, the Wizards preference, and then the salary difference between the lotto pick and the Houston pick which is a downgrade to the mid 1st round would equate to roughly 10 million savings, which would be 20 million dollars when you factor in the luxury tax. That's NOT chump change and they still get a shot in the 1st round while saving a butt load of cash.

I see your point Smills, but consider this: if the Wiz are to move someone it's going to be Ethan Thomas, who makes the most annual salary out of all their scrubs. The numbers are of course not exact but he makes around $7M. The Kings' numbers are also not exact but we have roughly just under $7M of cap space. So when I do the math, we just don't have room to fit Thomas' contract. Unless Thomas' salary is lower than reported and the Kings' salary is also lower than reported and/or the cap is higher than $58.5M as rumored.

But that's a lot of ifs. If his salary is lower, or if the Kings' total salary is lower or if the cap is higher, etc. And it just doesn't sound feastsible to me.

Plus, also consider this: If the Wiz's pick is top three, our pick is top three; and so you combine the salary with all three 1st round picks, it comes to about $10M. Assuming we're just able to fit Thomas under the cap, this extra $10M can possible push *us* over the luxury line, depending on where the league set the new limit. Perhaps it's worth it for a high pick. But again, it's a lot of finese with numbers that we aren't sure at this point.

On the other hand, the Piston will be about $25M under the cap. That's indisputable regardless of where the league set the new limit. They have room to take on a bad contract + sign a kickass FA.

And no, they won't be rebuilding. The Pistons is just one example. I'm not saying they're the best option. Just saying the Kings is not the best trading partner for the Wiz.

 

[sidney]

I see your point Smills, but consider this: if the Wiz are to move someone it's going to be Ethan Thomas, who makes the most annual salary out of all their scrubs. The numbers are of course not exact but he makes around $7M. The Kings' numbers are also not exact but we have roughly just under $7M of cap space. So when I do the math, we just don't have room to fit Thomas' contract. Unless Thomas' salary is lower than reported and the Kings' salary is also lower than reported and/or the cap is higher than $58.5M as rumored.

But that's a lot of ifs. If his salary is lower, or if the Kings' total salary is lower or if the cap is higher, etc. And it just doesn't sound feastsible to me.

Plus, also consider this: If the Wiz's pick is top three, our pick is top three; and so you combine the salary with all three 1st round picks, it comes to about $10M. Assuming we're just able to fit Thomas under the cap, this extra $10M can possible push *us* over the luxury line, depending on where the league set the new limit. Perhaps it's worth it for a high pick. But again, it's a lot of finese with numbers that we aren't sure at this point.

On the other hand, the Piston will be about $25M under the cap. That's indisputable regardless of where the league set the new limit. They have room to take on a bad contract + sign a kickass FA.

And no, they won't be rebuilding. The Pistons is just one example. I'm not saying they're the best option. Just saying the Kings is not the best trading partner for the Wiz.

Aren't we at 45.35M this summer without SAR's salary?
http://hoopshype.com/salaries/sacramento.htm

1st pick gets just under 5M, which would leave about 8M in room if the cap is 58.5 like you say. That's enough for Etan Thomas' salary, right?

Maybe those numbers are wrong...not sure, but I don't see any way that 45M could go to the 70M luxury tax line with 10M of rookies and one 7M bad contract

 

[beb0p]

Aren't we at 45.35M this summer without SAR's salary?
http://hoopshype.com/salaries/sacramento.htm

1st pick gets just under 5M, which would leave about 8M in room if the cap is 58.5 like you say. That's enough for Etan Thomas' salary, right?

Maybe those numbers are wrong...not sure, but I don't see any way that 45M could go to the 70M luxury tax line with 10M of rookies and one 7M bad contract

That's a good catch. Does anyone knows what's the deal with SAR's salary on the Kings' cap?

 

[Capt. Factorial]

That's a good catch. Does anyone knows what's the deal with SAR's salary on the Kings' cap?

Shareef's salary will not count against the cap either this year or next. His medical waiver was granted shortly before the trade deadline.

 

[Nighthawk1]

I'm sorry to say this as I love KMart, but he is overrated by many fans on this website. He is a one-dimensional shooter that thrives on being able to make shots and drawing fouls, but that is about it in his game. I would rather be able to have Griffin/Rubio or Griffin/Teague. We would get much younger and I would like to see McCants starting at the 2. After figuring out the Griffin/JT situation we would have a very good lineup for the future. Also this would happen after the lottery so we would know what picks everyone has so if they have 1st and we have 2nd, 3rd, or 4th then I would love to do it or other way around.

Maybe we could get them to include their 2010 first round pick also.

I don't like KMart to be perfectly honest, but he does have great value to other teams in the league. He's someone you trade for an already developed star not for an unknown in a draft unless there is someone you can point at and say "This kid is going to be a superstar". We all know there isn't someone in this draft we can look at right now and say "Superstar!" but that's not to say one won't develop into one - Do you want to trade Kmart for Kwame brown though? That's the type of risk you take...