Ironically, when I heard Webber was traded to the Sixers I was fine with it. Foolishly, I assumed he was traded for something like Dalembert, Glenn Robinson's expiring contract, Kedrick Brown's expriring contract and a draft pick or two. While I wouldn't have made that trade personally, it would have made plenty of sense (Kings get actual cap relief, Dalembert provides desperately needed defense, picks could turn into something nice). This trade, on the other hand, has to be one of the worst trades in NBA history.
- If you were disgruntled with Webber's crappy defense and aversion to the post, you'll LOVE Kenny Thomas - he's has NO post game, is a HORRIBLE defender (and undersized to boot), and he LOVES the elbow jumper as much or more than Webber. It's like we traded Webber for Webber Jr. who has all Webber's faults with none of his strengths.
- The Kings get NO cap relief - in fact, their cap situation is arguably WORSE thanks to KT's longer contract (with the 15% trade kicker, KT might have the WORST overall contract in the league, outside of Allen Houston).
- The Kings barely get younger in this deal - Thomas is almost 28, Corliss is as old as Webber (and has looked pretty washed up this year), and Skinner is almost 29.
I just can find no logic behind this trade. How are we supposed to take on the elite frontcourts in the West with Miller/Thomas? We now have a 0% chance of ever beating SA now or in the future (Bowen just OWNS Peja and Miller is useless against Duncan), we can't beat Dallas anymore (2-0 with Webber vs. them in playoffs, 0-1 without), we can't beat Minnesota (if they get their act together), or Seattle (they'll get about 80000 offensive rebounds per game now instead of just 70000). The only elite team I like our chances against is Phoenix (also undersized, and equally crappy defensively). The Kings' biggest problems were rebounding and defense, and this trade addresses none of those issues. I'm sorry, but if Minnesota and Denver start playing well, I don't expect the Kings to make the playoffs now, or any time in the near future. Might as well dismantle the whole team, and get it ready for the move to Vegas.
- If you were disgruntled with Webber's crappy defense and aversion to the post, you'll LOVE Kenny Thomas - he's has NO post game, is a HORRIBLE defender (and undersized to boot), and he LOVES the elbow jumper as much or more than Webber. It's like we traded Webber for Webber Jr. who has all Webber's faults with none of his strengths.
- The Kings get NO cap relief - in fact, their cap situation is arguably WORSE thanks to KT's longer contract (with the 15% trade kicker, KT might have the WORST overall contract in the league, outside of Allen Houston).
- The Kings barely get younger in this deal - Thomas is almost 28, Corliss is as old as Webber (and has looked pretty washed up this year), and Skinner is almost 29.
I just can find no logic behind this trade. How are we supposed to take on the elite frontcourts in the West with Miller/Thomas? We now have a 0% chance of ever beating SA now or in the future (Bowen just OWNS Peja and Miller is useless against Duncan), we can't beat Dallas anymore (2-0 with Webber vs. them in playoffs, 0-1 without), we can't beat Minnesota (if they get their act together), or Seattle (they'll get about 80000 offensive rebounds per game now instead of just 70000). The only elite team I like our chances against is Phoenix (also undersized, and equally crappy defensively). The Kings' biggest problems were rebounding and defense, and this trade addresses none of those issues. I'm sorry, but if Minnesota and Denver start playing well, I don't expect the Kings to make the playoffs now, or any time in the near future. Might as well dismantle the whole team, and get it ready for the move to Vegas.
