After reading the recent Bee article about a discussion between the Kings and Hornets that would send Kenny Thomas to New Orleans for Emeka Okafor.
In name value this sounds like a big win for the Kings. In contract and overall value this is a horrible deal for the Kings. Okafor has huge money, 5 years, $62.5 million, left on his deal. This would give the Kings two near max contract deals and a bunch of young talent that will quickly be running out of team options. In other words, they'd be right back in salary cap hell.
Let's not also forget that Okafor has a history of back problems. These have not been there since turning pro, but last time I checked back problems don't get better as you get older.
Petrie holds a really large bargaining chip with Thomas' expiring contract. The kind of piece you use to pick up a couple young promising players with team options and draft picks, not one high (some might say over) priced player. Petrie should think Artest trade, not Webber trade. Think Trailblazers, not Knicks.
The Kings are building and shouldn't forget that. They have had a small amount of success early this season, but this is not the time to get punch drunk and thinking this is a playoff team. There is no need to make quick fixes. Stick to the plan. Clear payroll. Build a core through the draft. Then, add pieces through trade and free agency.
The dividends are starting to show. No reason to change the strategy now.
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