Quote:
Originally posted by: ocelot_ark
talk about a cost-cutting move in exchange for a star player
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Not even a cost-cutting move.
[quote]
Updated: Feb. 23, 2005
By Chad Ford
ESPN Insider
The Sacramento Kings and Philadelphia 76ers have completed a deal that will send Chris Webber, Matt Barnes and Michael Bradley to the Sixers for Kenny Thomas, Corliss Williamson and Brian Skinner, two league sources told ESPN Insider Chad Ford.
The Kings have called a news conference for midnight ET to announce the trade.
The fact that Webber was on the block should come as no surprise to Kings fans. General manager Geoff Petrie had been shopping Webber for some time. The Kings have been concerned about team chemistry and how the offense often stagnates with Webber in the game.
The Knicks were trying to acquire Webber for weeks and looked like the only team with an owner willing to swallow the last three years and $62 million of his deal.
What is surprising, however, is what the Kings will get from the 76ers in return. None of the three players the Kings receive are as talented as Webber. Each has been struggling this year and
all three have long-term contracts equal to the three years, $62 million left on Webber's deal. In other words, this isn't a salary dump by the Kings.
Thomas has five years and $39 million left on his deal, plus a 15 percent trade kicker that will raise his salary higher. Williams has two years and $12.5 million left on his deal. Skinner has one year and $4.9 million left on his contract plus another year at $5.4 million that is 75 percent guaranteed.
While the Kings lose some star power, they do acquire some depth … something that has been sorely needed in Sacramento the past two seasons. Once the trade does become official, look for it to seriously end discussions of a Peja Stojakovic trade. Stojakovic wanted out, in part, because of a poor relationship with Webber both on and off the court. With Webber gone, his trade demands will likely end.
Chad Ford covers the NBA for ESPN Insider.