Found this story in the Sacramento Bee. If Orlando acquires Jason & Davis, look out. A change of scenery might help his attitude. http://www.sacbee.com/sports/kings/articles/2001/jun/20010624kings1.html Point guard for a price: Kings shopping J-Will By Martin McNeal Bee Staff Writer (Published June 24, 2001) The official word from the Kings' front office is they have no intention of trading the popular and talented - yet enigmatic - point guard Jason Williams. But, according to sources both inside the Kings' organization and around the NBA, that's not the real deal. "Oh, we're going to look at the possibility of trading him," said a source inside the Kings' organization. "There is no doubt about that. That happened already around the (February) trade deadline. "But things were going well (with the way the team was playing) and there was the thought about whether or not to make a move like that at that time." The Orlando Magic and the Indiana Pacers are interested in Williams, said sources from both teams. The sources said they haven't yet spoken to the Kings about Williams, but likely will in the future. And, as yet, there has been no mention of what the Kings would receive in trade. "We haven't spoken to them about Jason," said the member of the Magic organization, "but I think we would have some interest." "I don't think there is any question that (the Kings) will see what they can do with Williams," said an Eastern Conference team official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "When are they going to make the deal for Williams?" asked a Western Conference team executive. "I think it's common knowledge they are going to see what they can get for him. (The Kings) have put the feelers out there." Neither Kings president Geoff Petrie nor coach Rick Adelman, told about the subject of this story, returned The Bee's phone calls. There are, however, potential obstacles to a trade. The Kings owners, the Maloof family, don't want to trade Williams. He is the favorite player of family matriarch, Colleen Maloof, Joe and Gavin's mother. It likely will take a serious sales job by Petrie and Adelman to convince the Maloofs to move Williams. Also, the Kings' front office places a higher value on Williams than other league executives. Said one front-office executive of the possibility of trading Williams: "I think he's in play everywhere. The problem with Jason is I think Sacramento wants his value to be his potential and anyone that is thinking about trading for him wants his value to be what he's proven on the court. "That's the sticking point. I wouldn't give up a lot to get him. I'm not sure what 'a lot' is, but he's too volatile to spend a lot on." Said another executive: "The Kings want to trade him as the No. 7 pick of the draft (as he was in 1998) compared to what he has done. It's going to be hard to find a middle ground on that one." So the reality is there is interest around the league - although in varying levels - in the 25-year-old Williams, who, following the team's final loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals for the first time publicly questioned whether a trade might be the best thing to jump-start his career. Williams always had maintained that he loved playing in Sacramento and for the Kings, but repeated benching by Adelman, as well as an increasingly shaky relationship between the two, prompted the third-year pro to speak out. Meanwhile, on the other end of the spectrum, both Adelman and Petrie, who love Williams' offensive skills as a point guard, clearly have become frustrated by his unwillingness to show more on-court maturity and dedication to improvement. They also are tired of his off-court behavior. Williams was suspended for the first five games of last season for failing to adhere to the league's anti-drug program. He was fined three times by the league this past season. Twice he was fined for improper contact with fans following each of Sacramento's games in San Antonio. And in March, he was fined for racist remarks to a group of Asian American fans sitting near the court at the Oakland Arena. Ironically, Williams had his best shooting season as a professional - with a .407 shooting percentage and a scoring average of 9.4 a game. He also made a concerted effort to reduced the number of three-point attempts, as was desired by Adelman. Williams, however, never has consistently shown the defensive aggressiveness the Kings' coaching staff has wanted. As a result, Adelman often went with backup Bobby Jackson last season during the fourth quarter, much to Williams' dislike. Sitting on the bench during the fourth quarter is not exactly a highlight of one's résumé. There's no doubt Williams is fond and respectful of Orlando coach Doc Rivers, and that Indiana coach, former point guard and future Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas long has been an admirer of Williams' abilities. "Jason would have no problem playing for either of those guys," said a member of Williams' management group. "I know he would love to play for either of them." Williams not only played at the University of Florida in Gainesville, but spent time around the Magic organization after he was dismissed from the Gators' basketball program in 1998 for violating team policy. In fact, the Magic had hoped to select Williams during the 1998 draft, but the Kings surprised them by taking Williams with the seventh pick. Currently, the Magic is attempting to raise support for a new arena, and bringing in a fan favorite such as Williams could enhance that quest. Despite comparatively sub-par statistics and performance, Williams was the Western Conference's third-highest vote-getter among guards in All-Star balloting behind Jason Kidd and Kobe Bryant. Another factor is the likelihood that free-agent forward Chris Webber, for whom Williams has the utmost respect, will explore the possibility of joining the Magic and Pacers after the July 1 negotiating period begins. There is no indication at this point that a Williams trade would be linked to a Webber signing. Thomas has said that Williams has exceptional court vision. "He's got something you can't teach," Thomas has said in the past. "He can see. He can see things on the floor that other players cannot. That's a special gift." ------------------
Seems interesting that the two teams (Indiana & Orlando) that have value to give up in a S&T for C-webb also will be intersted in his buddy J-W. Makes you wonder if C-webb may be asking his suitors to bring J-W as well.
Yes, it seems more than a coincidence about the interested teams being those also mentioned in the C-Webb rumors. I guess they'll do whatever necessary to make Webb happy. I'm sure Webb knows where there is a much better point guard out there to play alongside next year. ------------------
If Webber is in some way tied to Williams, then IMO the Pacers can put together a more attractive package than Orlando. The Kings already have Peja and want to resign Christie so I don't think they have much interest in Mike Miller. Best is better than Armstrong. The Kings can do better than Outlaw (who stunk against the Kings in 2 Magic losses - one without Webber playing). If it comes down to a S&T for CWebb and the Pacers will give up J. O'Neill, the Pacers win the bid hands down. Man, I'm glad the Rocks have cap room - whether we get Webber or not!! ------------------ Raef to Rocks in '01-'02! [This message has been edited by GATER (edited June 25, 2001).]
Jason Williams is currently a mediocre point guard. I hope this doesn't come out sounding bad, but Williams only gets as much press and attention as he does because he is a flamboyant white point guard. He has shot less than 40 percent for his career while averaging 11.3 points, 6.3 assists and 2.9 turnovers. He has had a history of trouble and has not proven he is over his substance abuse problem. The Kings can only get better by getting rid of him. ------------------
"The Kings can only get better by getting rid of him." I think the only reason they will get rid of him is for a deal with C-webb. C-webb & J-W are tight and best I understand would still like to play together. So if they are planning on trading JW that is a good indication that C-webb isn't coming back. Sacramento without C-webb is a very mediocure team, like our Rockets 2 years ago when Barkley & Dream was hurt, and Francis & Cat were still learning to play in the NBA. They have potential on their team, but with C-webb gone it will take them a while to re-establish themselves.
I know Webber is really good and Orlando is in desperate need of a post player, but in my opinion, adding on JWill would be horrible. I actually think Orlando is better off picking up Antonio Davis. Why? It would give that team a perfect mix of players. The young, budding superstar in McGrady. The ROY. One of the league's best all-around players in Hill, and a tough, rugged, veteran all star caliber PF, who can not only score, but do the dirty work, in Davis. Orlando is my adopted team in the East next season and I would prefer that over Webber. In fact, I think I would prefer Davis here in Houston over Webber. The guy is just tough and brings veteran leadership. Webber is good, but does he even know what leadership is yet? ------------------ I hope, when they die, cartoon characters have to answer for their sins.
Gater, You lost me on that one. How does the Magic signing Webber outright have anything to do with the luxury tax? If they sign him outright, then they're using space under the cap and they can't exceed the cap to sign him. The luxury tax would only be applicable if you are a certain amount over the cap. They can't exceed the cap in signing Webber, so I don't see how the luxury tax is applicable here. ------------------
Gater, You're right about Indy putting together the better package, but you're forgetting one important thing. Webber can force Sac's hand as to where he goes. Either way, Sac gets a pretty good package from either team. If Orlando gets Jason(assuming he gets his act together) & Webber, without giving up Hill, they'd have a tough starting lineup with Hill/McGrady/Webber/JW. Maybe, with us involved in a 3 way trade, Orlando could free up enough cap space to also get Davis to play center. If Orlando were smart, they'd trade Hill & keep Miller, because it would give them a lot more flexibility without gutting their team. I like the thought of us getting Hedo/Outlaw & some future draft picks for helping out with cap space. ------------------
aelliott - I may have (temporarily) lost myself. I was thinking about teams being over the cap, but forgot that they got there be resigning their own FA's. Strike the LTax comments. Simply restated - the Magic are already near or at the cap with current contracts, POpt's and picks 15 & 22. In order to clear enough room for Webber, the Kings and/or a participating team with cap room will have to absorb $12.8m of the salaries I mentioned prior. S&T is the only way with Orlando taking in no contracts (except Webbers). Even if Webber wants to be in Orlando, he can't force the Kings to take players they don't want. That means Orlando will have to have a "fire sale" with teams under the cap if they want Webber and will not give up Hill or Miller. Ask yourself this. If you were Geof Petrie and you were going to lose Chris Webber, is there anyone on Orlando that you absolutely had to have? (Hill, McGrady & Miller being untouchable). ------------------ Raef to Rocks in '01-'02! [This message has been edited by GATER (edited June 26, 2001).]
Gater, What I meant by Webber being in control is that he could threaten to sign with us outright, thereby leaving Sacramento with nothing. Even with Webber leaving outright, Sacramento will only be under the cap by about $1-2 mill. Webber could force Sacramento to make a decision as to whether or not they accept some scrubs, Miller & draft picks or get nothing in return. I doubt that Miller is off limits. If Orlando could get Webber, I'd be willing to bet that they would part with Miller faster than we would part with Cato(& that's fast ). However, the ideal move for Orlando would be to trade Hill. The only way that Orlando can get both Webber & Davis would be to trade Hill for Webber. Otherwise, they can get only one, which would be & most probably will be, Davis. According to RealGM's salaries for next year (assuming for just a moment, that Orlando would want both Webber & JW), Orlando could send Hill/Armstrong in exchange for Webber/JW (assuming that Webber signs for $12.6-12.8 mill). The salary difference is about $300,000-350,000 that Orlando would absorb. Orlando will be ~ $2.6 mill under the cap before the trade. If they then send Outlaw/Doleac to Detroit(assuming the report was correct about Detroit agreeing to take them on in exchange for delaying delivery of the #18 pick to us), that would leave them with ~ $9.3 mill to sign Davis outright & any FA's they can get with what's left. This doesn't take into account the cap space if Amaechi/DeClercq/Hudson opt out of their contracts, which would be another $3.4 mill for a total of ~ $12.7 mill in available cap space. These numbers don't take into account the value of their draft picks. These two trades would give Orlando a starting lineup of: C: Davis PF: Webber SF: McGrady SG: Miller PG: JW Not a bad starting lineup. They could then either resign any players that opt'ed out or pursue additional FA's. As far as their team depth, they would've only lost Outlaw/Doleac. Now before anyone points out that Sacramento already has Peja/Hedo & wouldn't need Hill. Well, they could trade Hedo/cap filler to Chicago for Fizer. Chicago's been trying to get Sczcerbiak from Minnesota & might consider the trade. If all this complicated BS fell into place, Sacramento would lose Webber/JW/Hedo & acquire Hill/Armstrong/Fizer. Not a bad days work. One thing that I haven't heard anyone mention is that Sacramento would be about $10-11 mill over the cap if they do a sign & trade of Webber for equal salaries. The question is are they willing to pay the luxury tax or not? ------------------
Hottodie - Good points. You have hit on the key to the whole discussion - whether or not the Magic will part with Hill and if there is a 3rd party team (which has to be under the cap) to take Hill's contract. (Interesting irony - Detroit is one of a handful of teams with the cap room)! And as you have stated, no one has mentioned the Kings' salary cap. W/O Webber but with Christie RealGM has them at $41,830,274. Add Webber and the Kings are near the Luxury Tax. (aelliott - this one I got right). What I have not effectively stated prior, is that if Hill is untouchable, then the Magic would hade to gut their roster to get Webber. And I agree with your premise, if Hill is not untouchable it is possible to sign Webber and Davis. Miller and Williams make similar $ so I guess if Hill is untouchable, so is Miller. I don't think the Magic would have any trouble getting interest in Miller. (I truly hope the Spurs don't get Miller). ------------------ Raef to Rocks in '01-'02! [This message has been edited by GATER (edited June 26, 2001).]
