Al Thornton

[SacKingZZZ]

^^^ I gotta agree. I have mentioned this a few times on the trade board mostly replying to Smilll's Salmon trade proposals. I just don't get why we would trade Salmons for potential talent when the "potential" isn't likely to be any better than Salmons even if these young players even reach their "potential". Then I think maybe salary wise, no that can't be it because Salmons is on one "potential" reach their potnetial we would have to pay them more than Salmon to keep them around. I guess people think Salmons is old, lol.

I think who or what Salmons goes for should depend also on what we need at the 3. I still think we need a little more rebounding and someone that is more comfortable spot shooting. Salmons plays like a #1 option, and his driving off an open looks kills the offensive flow. Although he is finally getting better in that area and is more confident just taking the open look.

[KM44]

I really don't think salmons is the answer for us in the future. He is a great one-on-one scorer, very versitle when it comes to defending the 1-3. But he isn't AMAZING. Thorton/Wright/Young could be stars, and the potential of hawes, thorton, martin could make a championship combo. Salmons isn't a flow kind of guy, martin is our go-to-guy, and salmons would hinder that. Thompson plays a role of the rebounding body-banger, hawes is a big man with ball skills, martin is the scorer, and salmons is...

He isn't a role player, you guys saw what he did off the bench last year, but we already have our guy in martin. Then we get a playmaking point in the draft, but we need an athletic SF who can make some plays and be a lockdown defender. Salmons isn't that guy, so we want that guy.

[Nicky Nix Nook]

I really don't think salmons is the answer for us in the future. He is a great one-on-one scorer, very versitle when it comes to defending the 1-3. But he isn't AMAZING. Thorton/Wright/Young could be stars, and the potential of hawes, thorton, martin could make a championship combo. Salmons isn't a flow kind of guy, martin is our go-to-guy, and salmons would hinder that. Thompson plays a role of the rebounding body-banger, hawes is a big man with ball skills, martin is the scorer, and salmons is...

He isn't a role player, you guys saw what he did off the bench last year, but we already have our guy in martin. Then we get a playmaking point in the draft, but we need an athletic SF who can make some plays and be a lockdown defender. Salmons isn't that guy, so we want that guy.

I have thought the same way for some time (dont get me wrong I love Salmons, hes a stud). HOWEVER, i was thinking, we have a SF in Greene who has a bunch of potential (best case Rashard Lewis) and we have the tweener in garcia (PG/SG/SF). Maybe after the draft, we just concentrate on developing this core of guys. I think they have the potential and talent to be a VERY solid team. Martin is molding into an allstar (if not for his injury last year he would have been) but honestly I dont ever see him being a superstar. I do however see superstar potential in Thompson and/or Greene. Why you ask? well 1: maybe its just because its really late and I am tired, but two, being 6'11 as a SF is very helpful, he has got a very positive attitude and wants to get better. Reggie said he is one of the most coachable players he has coached and I see big things. Thompson, I see being a younger chris webber in his prime. Then when you add the VERY rich man's vlade divac in hawes, thats a solid group. But even if none become superstars having three for sure future allstars (Martin, Thompson, Hawes) is a great team. Sorta reminds me of the Detroit Pistons when they won their 'ship. But hopefully we get more than 1 (thats asking a lot I know).

anyway thats probably the most optimistic outlook on the future of the Kings. The majority of this i realize is very homeristic but im in a good mood tonight lol.

denied will probably have a field day with this one...

[Ballings7]

Like Smills said, and I've thought this for a little while now, Wright would be a very good fit next to Kevin, as well as for this team

And in the case of trades for Ron, I was all for getting Wright

I don't see Wright ever succeeding like he can elsewhere in New Orleans until Posey/Peja are gone or not finishing games anymore. Which won't happen for awhile, if ever, for Wright. Wright at most there is likely a guy off the bench who will have limited impact because of lack of PT.

Thornton's definitely a multi-dimensonal scorer and a good athlete, but there is significant questionability in how much impact he'll have in other areas of the game (rebounding probably being where he can up the most). Thus not quite fitting solidly or better next to Kevin for the longer-term, which is why I wasn't into us possibly drafting Thornton. I like him in general, but for this team? Not quite.

I'd definitely rather have a player legitimately similar to Bruce Bowen next to Kevin over probably more of a scoring SF like Thornton. Why? Better team fit.

With a SF complementing Kevin relatively well, be it a strong shooter/defender/offensive deferer, or a two-way player (a versatile guy like Wright or ideally a star) - you increase your team's balance and compatability. Especially with the starting line-up.

Having basically all scorers, offensive-minded players out there for your main line-up, just isn't the way to go to form a winning-style squad for the extended future.