Here's what I see...

[PetrieUnderstudy]

Per today's Sacramento Bee it appears that there is a mutual interest in Jason Williams rejoining the Kings his agent has had continuing discussionswith Petrie. The Kings would utilize their $2 million bi-annual exception. I think it would be a good signing.

Other things mentioned in the Bee this week is Abdur-Rahim attempting to come back from knee surgery. I have a gut feeling he's going to do the Kings a favor and retire. His pay is guaranteed because he's insured but the final 2 years of his salary would come off the Kings cap. The article mentioned what a classy guy he is and how much the Kings organization respects him. I think Shareef has some guilt (lack of other word) and therefore will medically retire to help the Kings cap/rebuilding situation.

Throw in the 2 previously mentioned things with the fact the Kings are looking to move Artest along with Kenny Thomas' contract and we can be looking good in a hurry. I think with the Lakers letting Turiaf walk the Odom for Artest/Thomas trade is going to go down.

We are going to be major free agent players!

2008-09 Roster

Beno Udrih/Jason Williams/Sean Singletary
Kevin Martin/John Salmons/Quincy Douby
Lamar Odom/Francisco Garcia
Mikki Moore/Sheldon Williams/Jason Thompson
Brad Miller/Spencer Hawes

[_SRV_]

I hope what you say happens, but the Lakers are reluctant about taking on KT's salary, and in case Odom comes here, he'll start at PF and Salmons will start at SF, Odom will be 3rd string SF in this case.
I'd hate it if we got Odom, and still started Moore.

[Ballings7]

Odom I think would definitely play PF... just because of the allowance of minutes there would be for Salmons and Garcia, plus Douby. And why start a guy who is proven and better at playing PF than SF? Relating to with the Heat, and the last two years with the Lakers (especially this past year). Also starting Odom at PF puts out a more talented line-up on both ends.

Beno
Kevin
John
Odom
Brad

However, I don't think getting Odom for a year makes sense for this team. Nor do I think we should get him. Especially with, while only for one year, it's still a whole season--how it'll effect our young bigs minutes. Because he's not going to play SF, at least from the overall team stand-point and from his stand-point, he shouldn't play SF primarily.

[Bac2Basics]

I was thinking the same thing.
If the Odom for Artest/KT thing actually happened, I expect Odom to play most of his minutes at the PF spot.

Last night, Carmichael Dave seemed to believe that because the Laker's let their option to match Turiaf go, that it may make the deal more likely.

[Ballings7]

I think they'll look at FA defensive bigs way before they decide to take on KT.

[King Baller]

I think they'll look at FA defensive bigs way before they decide to take on KT.

Who is available that is good enough to help the Lakers? And then what is the Laker cap room? They did not sign Turiaf due to salary cap issues, right?

KB

[Ballings7]

Were talking about back-up role-playing bigs here - whom aside from his enthusisam he had, can give relative to what Turiaf gave the Lakers, in play.

Fouls, defensive presence, toughness, hustle, some help on the boards, maybe some form of a jumpshot (depending who it is, Turiaf's was occasionally takent and average at best).

I just don't believe that what Carmichael Dave alluded to with Turiaf-Kenny is an incentive to take Kenny's contract on for them. Combined with Walton, Radmanovic's multi-year MLE-range contracts, and maybe Vujacic's eventual 4-5 year MLE-level deal.

Lakers are over the cap, and have the MLE, vet. mininum contracts, and maybe the bi-anual exception to use.

I think Carmichael Dave is contributing to the media hype machine of "Odom for Artest is out there!" "Artest on the Lakers?!?!" "Hey, the Kings could get rid of KT", off of the move by the Lakers to let Turiaf go. But obviously didn't honor other factors involved with the Lakers taking KT's deal on, and the Lakers internal players situation.

I'd rather stand pat than deal at all with the Lakers. Kenny's contract will be an expiring after this season, and Odom will only be here for one year and take up more time from the young bigs (combined with Moore, Brad, and maybe even SAR). That'd be three significant minute veteran big men, leaving limited room for three young talented big men (all different). Odom's more of a big than he is a SF, in physical make-up.

[ICMTM]

If Odom comes here and has a great season IMO he's more tradeable in February than anyone else. Worse case scenario he expires as a free agent. A better scenario is we trade him for either talent, picks, expirings, or a combination of the three. For us to come up big in free agency we will need to have talent on the roster. Otherwise Sacramento isn't the city to draw big named free agents.

[chriswebb86]

It might be hard for some of Kings fans to be willing to move Artest to the Lakers, but I think it was KIE who said that bringing back someone like Odom who could have more value around the deadline could be a great move even if he just leaves after he expires. IT would free up money next to maybe make a run at someone like Josh Smith or Oakafor if they sign one year deals, or to trade for a big name player giving another team some cap room.

[Ballings7]

I doubt we'll get involved with Okafor or Smith.

[KingInExile]

It might be hard for some of Kings fans to be willing to move Artest to the Lakers, but I think it was KIE who said that bringing back someone like Odom who could have more value around the deadline could be a great move even if he just leaves after he expires. IT would free up money next to maybe make a run at someone like Josh Smith or Oakafor if they sign one year deals, or to trade for a big name player giving another team some cap room.

Nope, wasn't me since I have generally been pretty quiet and neutral on the Odom deal (except to say I would like to see what else is out there).

[Smills91]

Kings rebuild for next off-season to pursue Luol Deng as he'll likely take the QO.

Trade 1:
Kings deal:
Ron Artest, Kenny Thomas, SAR

Cavs deal:
Wally Szczerbiak, Damon Jones, 2010 first round pick

Trade 2:
Kings deal:
Brad Miller

Pacers deal:
Rasho Nesterovic
Maceo Baston

Kings new roster:
C: Spencer Hawes, Mikki Moore**, Rasho Nesterovic*
PF: Jason Thompson, Shelden Williams**, Maceo Baston*
SF: John Salmns, Wally Szczerbiak*, Pat Ewing Jr.
SG: Kevin Martin, Francisco Garcia, Quincy Douby**
PG: Beno Udrih, Sean Singletary, Damon Jones*

* Expirings
** Team Options

Kings would be down around 30 million putting their salary cap roughly in the 35-40 million range which would give us the ability to pursue a Luol Deng, Josh Smith etc.

Kings new roster next season:
C: Spencer Hawes
PF: Jason Thompson
SF: Luol Deng, John Salmons
SG: Kevin Martin, Francisco Garcia
PG: Beno Udrih, Sean Singletary

1st round pick

Quincy/Shelden etc may or may not be back, but that's a nice yong core there

[rpa]

Kings rebuild for next off-season to pursue Luol Deng as he'll likely take the QO.

Trade 1:
Kings deal:
Ron Artest, Kenny Thomas, SAR

Cavs deal:
Wally Szczerbiak, Damon Jones, 2010 first round pick

Trade 2:
Kings deal:
Brad Miller

Pacers deal:
Rasho Nesterovic
Maceo Baston

Kings new roster:
C: Spencer Hawes, Mikki Moore**, Rasho Nesterovic*
PF: Jason Thompson, Shelden Williams**, Maceo Baston*
SF: John Salmns, Wally Szczerbiak*, Pat Ewing Jr.
SG: Kevin Martin, Francisco Garcia, Quincy Douby**
PG: Beno Udrih, Sean Singletary, Damon Jones*

* Expirings
** Team Options

Kings would be down around 30 million putting their salary cap roughly in the 35-40 million range which would give us the ability to pursue a Luol Deng, Josh Smith etc.

Kings new roster next season:
C: Spencer Hawes
PF: Jason Thompson
SF: Luol Deng, John Salmons
SG: Kevin Martin, Francisco Garcia
PG: Beno Udrih, Sean Singletary

1st round pick

Quincy/Shelden etc may or may not be back, but that's a nice yong core there

Not a fan of Deng to be perfectly honest. I just don't ever see him being more than a just above average starting SF. Now if Smith or Okafor took the QO and we had a legitimate shot at them I'd be more on board.

[VeeJay24]

I would like to take a shot at Josh Smith now. I think he could be had.

Watch out for the Lakers trying to put something together to get him, also......

[BMiller52]

I would like to take a shot at Josh Smith now. I think he could be had.

Watch out for the Lakers trying to put something together to get him, also......

Is that last part info or just a prediction? You got a link bro?

[Ballings7]

Lakers would really lack floor spacing around Kobe, Bynum, and Pau if they get Josh Smith (which would definitely be surprising) (or start Lamar Odom at SF, without Smith). Just Fisher in the starting line-up, and Kobe is more of a self-3PT-shooter than a recieving shooter. Smith would really have to improve his j and range over the summer, where he is a consistent threat.

[VeeJay24]

I would like to take a shot at Josh Smith now. I think he could be had.

Watch out for the Lakers trying to put something together to get him, also......

Is that last part info or just a prediction? You got a link bro?

Naw, it was me just thinking aloud. And I really take it back. Ballings is right, I forgot about Bynum.

He can be had though and I do wonder if Atlanta has any interest in Artest?

[Ballings7]

Well, Marvin Williams is there at SF, and he has improved each year.

But on the other side, Ron is definitely the better overall player, and would fit in with their playoff emergence (Boston, Cleveland, Detroit, Philly) now, make them a better overall team. Horford/Ron is one hell of a well-rounded two-way tandem up front, and Johnson/Artest is a really good pairing on the wings.

I don't know what would happen with Josh Smith, but Marvin would either have to go to the bench or be dealt, but just to put it out there..

While not having shown it a whole lot yet (has partially in ways), Marvin has the tools to be a nice complement to Kevin, and is still quite young. Also in general, aside from being a quality athlete, he really has above-average size at SF, and that's pretty ideal to have. I also have to gain some more familarity on his game.

I'd prefer Julian Wright for this kind of scenario, though.

[OGSactownballer]

I think it's a prediction because I have been thinking the same thing since they let Turiaf walk. don't forget that they stood by him with his heart issues and still gave him the opportunity to get his start in the League. Kupchak has little limit on funds (i.e. - Bus could give a rats about paying the tax if he is in contention), and he is fairly shrewd about jumping on bargain deals (see Pau Gasol).

Although with Childress leaving for Europe, it may mean that ATL was freeing up more money for Smith so that he doesn't take the QO and walk.