Ron Artest for Al Thornton

[BMiller52]

BMiller, I dunno link, well this entire board believed it to be true with all the inside sources...don't you remember? I'm pretty sure you were posting in the threads. Maybe someone else can add more info?
Something like Miller, Garcia for Dooling, Arroyo, and someone I think.


VeeJay - Thomas has 2 years doesn't he? Expires in 2010? Since I doubt he is part of any long term plans, or even if we play him at all, we would ultimately save like 6 million by trading him for expirings to a contender.

But I agree with you, and this is what I call rebuilding via the draft. That team will be around 20-30 wins. Likely getting a top 7 pick, and in next year's draft, a top 7 should be able to net a very good PG.

However, that team has a huge upside. Thompson would be entering 2nd year, Hawes and Thornton entering 3rd year. With likely another good lotto pick, and a team with 20 million dollars in expirings. A very very very good situation to be in. 5 lotto picks, a borderline allstar (Martin), a 6th man of the year talent (Garcia), and a max free agent.

Yeah actually I do remember that now, I just needed a little bit to jog my memory.

Man I think a Beno/Martin/Thornton/Thompson/Hawes team with Singletary, Cisco, and a lottery big man(lets say from next year's draft) would be sick. We'd be right there with Portland/OKC/LA/NO as far as future teams go. Add a sick player in FA, or even just a decent one, and we could be really good.

I don't think that team is a top 5 worst team though. Thornton really started to come on towards the end of last year, Martin is a 25 PPG guy, Hawes started to come on toward the end of last year, Thompson should be ready to play since he's a senior, and we'd have a pretty decent bench next year. Also not sure what position we'd draft in the lottery since we have our future frontcourt probably(Thompson/Hawes), a back court that is set for 3-4 years as far as contracts go, and we'd have just traded for Thornton.

Another interesting potential deal would be Ron for Donte Greene/Bobby Jackson(expiring)/1st rounder.

[Draino]

If this team was smart they should have drafted Thornton last year instead of Hawes. We would have had a BEAST in the making, instead we have another version of brad miller...

[VeeJay24]

If this team was smart they should have drafted Thornton last year instead of Hawes. We would have had a BEAST in the making, instead we have another version of brad miller...

Somewhat true, but that is irrelevant. Can't cry over spilt milk, what's done is done but it could turn out better with this deal since the Kings would have both guys. I really think the Clippers would seriously consider this deal.

[JMillott]

I don't understand why either the Clippers or Kings would be real interested in doing this deal?

The Kings have a #1 scoring option in Kevin Martin at SG who doesn't play an awful lot of defense, which is really what Thornton's biggest value is. The guy has the potencial to be a lights out scorer but a high volume one like Ron Artest not an efficent one like Martin.

I would compare Al Thornton directly to a young Michael Finely in terms of production and the volume of shots they need to get those numbers. You already get that type of think from Ron Artest but he also creates for others and is a top flight defender.

Keep in mind just how poor the Kings defense is with a Ron Artest and then picture that defense being replaced by an average defender.

As for the Clippers side of this, I don't for a second believe that Donald Sterling is going to spend this type of money on Elton Brand, Baron Davis and Chris Kaman only to risk bringing a powderkeg like Artest in or for that matter giving up the chance to surround his big three with Al Thornton and Eric Gordon on rookie deals which is ideal for Sterling.

[VeeJay24]

I don't understand why either the Clippers or Kings would be real interested in doing this deal?

The Kings have a #1 scoring option in Kevin Martin at SG who doesn't play an awful lot of defense, which is really what Thornton's biggest value is. The guy has the potencial to be a lights out scorer but a high volume one like Ron Artest not an efficent one like Martin.

I would compare Al Thornton directly to a young Michael Finely in terms of production and the volume of shots they need to get those numbers. You already get that type of think from Ron Artest but he also creates for others and is a top flight defender.

Keep in mind just how poor the Kings defense is with a Ron Artest and then picture that defense being replaced by an average defender.

As for the Clippers side of this, I don't for a second believe that Donald Sterling is going to spend this type of money on Elton Brand, Baron Davis and Chris Kaman only to risk bringing a powderkeg like Artest in or for that matter giving up the chance to surround his big three with Al Thornton and Eric Gordon on rookie deals which is ideal for Sterling.

Are you saying Martin or Thornton can't play defense or that they don't play defense There's a big difference, you do know that right? I am so sick and tired of people posting that these young able body guys can't play defense. That's just false and dumb to say. Both Martin & Thornton have the tools to be above average defenders. It is up to the coach to bring that out of them. If the coach has a no tolerance attitude toward laziness on defense then defense will be played. It's that simple. So that excuse is a cop out. Thornton is no more a high volume shooter than Artest. Don't forget that this is only his 2nd year, of course he hasn't seen a shot he doesn't like yet.

As far as the Clippers are concerned, they'd do it for an opportunity to challenge which it seems is the direction they are going. They wouldn't have to keep Artest, they could easily sign and trade him after the season if need be.

[pillwenney]

If this team was smart they should have drafted Thornton last year instead of Hawes. We would have had a BEAST in the making, instead we have another version of brad miller...

[SacKingZZZ]

Yeah, couldn't disagree more about the drafting Spencer Hawes part. After drafting Jason we may very well have built the perfect team to put around Kevin Martin.

[Effigy]

Sorry guys, no possible way the Clippers do this. Ron is a free agent after this year, and we all know how well the Clippers hold onto their free agents. They're not trading Thornton for one year of Artest then watch him go sign with the Lakers or Heat or somebody next year.

[Rugged Ron Ron]

Sorry guys, no possible way the Clippers do this. Ron is a free agent after this year, and we all know how well the Clippers hold onto their free agents. They're not trading Thornton for one year of Artest then watch him go sign with the Lakers or Heat or somebody next year.

Why does anybody kept saying he's a one year rental? Last season, people say he's a one year rental. But look at now, he's playing another year. What make you think he's gonna bolt to a better team? If he's that type of person, he wouldnt want an extension with the Kings.

[SacKingZZZ]

Sorry guys, no possible way the Clippers do this. Ron is a free agent after this year, and we all know how well the Clippers hold onto their free agents. They're not trading Thornton for one year of Artest then watch him go sign with the Lakers or Heat or somebody next year.

Mark my words, Ron will sign an extension with just about any team at this point. He is desperate for a long term deal.

[Smills91]

Al Thornton a nice athletic scorer, however, I think we need a more jack of all trade/defender/rebounder type at the 3 someone who has some playmaking skills there. I don't see Thornton as that guy...I'd much rather target a young guy like Julian Wright or even Thaddeus Young than Al Thornton. However, I think ron in LaC makes a TON of sense, especially after the loss of Elton Brand.

[Effigy]

Mark my words, Ron will sign an extension with just about any team at this point. He is desperate for a long term deal.

You're assuming the Clippers don't lowball him and drive him away. If they did it to Elton Brand why wouldn't they do it to Artest? They'll offer a modest contract he'll go sign a better one with Miami or somebody like that.

[Dustin5566]

If this team was smart they should have drafted Thornton last year instead of Hawes. We would have had a BEAST in the making, instead we have another version of brad miller...

If Spencer became a 2 time all-star like Brad then I would be fine.

[Ballings7]

Good post, Smills...

I'd absolutely ove Julian Wright here, especially in the kind of offensive system were going to run, but I don't know if NO wants to do the deal... they're quite high on Wright, have no real youth outside of Paul and Armstrong, will just get more shallow on the bench, and Ron could well bolt to the Lakers or Spurs after this season (or could sign an extension).

[VeeJay24]

Al Thornton a nice athletic scorer, however, I think we need a more jack of all trade/defender/rebounder type at the 3 someone who has some playmaking skills there. I don't see Thornton as that guy...I'd much rather target a young guy like Julian Wright or even Thaddeus Young than Al Thornton. However, I think ron in LaC makes a TON of sense, especially after the loss of Elton Brand.

Sounds like Rodney Carney.............

[SoupOrSonics]

This was proposed on the Trade forum and I really like it for both teams.

Clippers Trades
-Al Thornton
-Tim Thomas

Sacramento Trades
-Ron Artest

As much of a headcase as Artest is being about all of this, Sacramento can do better...