Everybody Take a Deep Breath

Before I start with the nitty-gritty, people, it's over. You can't turn back time. Whether you agree with the trade or not, it happened. You're gonna have to deal with it.

Too often we let our impulses get the best of us. As loyal Kings fans, we have two undisputed emotions: a) wanting the absolute best for the Kings b) caring for Kings players, especially if they have a long history with the team.

I think the negative reactions to today's trade were a result of these two emotions. I read in the comments thread of Sactown Royalty people basically calling for Geoff Petrie's head. That he totally screwed up this trade and all faith is lost in the man. The fact is, this trade really isn't that bad.

Honestly, what did you expect? The Kings traded away two starters on a team that is 11-43. How good can Miller and Salmons actually be? To expect Petrie to be able to pry off great talent is sadly just Kings fans putting Miller and Salmons on a fake pedestal.

If you think that Miller and Salmons are really going to help out that Bulls team, you have another thing coming. Brad, as much as I love him, is past his prime. Maybe he'll be rejuvenated but I'd bet against that. It's not like he has only been putting up okay numbers this year. He been chucking up poor 3-pointers and complaining about fouls ever since C-Webb left.

And Salmons? He is easily the streakiest player on the Kings. No doubting his talent. To be able to throw down 30 points in an NBA game is no easy task. But he also can throw out some pretty weak performances too.

It sucks that we lost out on Tyson Chandler. But no one else worth while is out there. People are wondering how we couldn't get a draft pick out of this. You know what though? At one point, enough with the draft picks! We need to pick up real players! Want to know what these "holy" draft picks become? Ike Diogu. Just read what Kelly Dwyer wrote about him today. And now he is a King.

I don't think Nocioni is as good as Salmons in terms of talent. But you know what? He is a hustler and a crowd pleaser. You will forget in two weeks how much you love Salmons. That's a guarantee.

More importantly, we got cap space. Its frustrating to hear that but sometimes its necessary. We did the same thing with Bibby and that really stung. But that's Mike Bibby! We're talking about John Salmons and Brad Miller here. Jeez.

By the way, Drew Gooden is averaging 13/8 this year. Brad Miller? 12/8. Sure he's a better passer. But his contract isn't expiring either.

Just breathe people. The Kings were bad yesterday. They will probably be bad tomorrow. Beyond that, we'll just have to wait and see.

Sam Amick Reports...

It's Salmons and Miller for Nocioni, Gooden, Michael Ruffin (expiring worth $1.1 million) and Cedric Simmons ($1.7 million expiring). And there are indications that it's close to happening.

Sam Amick

We Need Some More Time

Today was a weird day. More than that, I think today there are more questions concerning the Kings future than yesterday.

This Cassell trade smells fishy to me. He doesn't save us that much cap space so unless Geoff Petrie owed Danny Ainge a favor, this deal is confusing. Sure he provides a veteran voice on the bench, but why now? What's the point?

That's what makes me think that this trade is part of something bigger. But what? Seeing Chandler go to the Thunder was tough. Not so much because Chandler is SO great, but he is a major upgrade in terms of anyone else that the Kings have on defense.

Now Ziller is talking about how the Kings should trade for Sam Dalembert. On the one hand, the Canadian in me wants to love that. But Sam Dalembert? Why is it that the Sixers don't like him so much? There has to be an intangeble that is not being said here. Tyson Chandler, when on his game, is a game changer. Dalembert is not.

But I see Ziller's frustration. As much as the Kings need to make a trade, what team would want any of these players? John Salmons can light up the scoreboard but he also can disappear like when he scored 2 points last week. Brad Miller? The man has been on the trading block for months and so far the best deal we've seen is for Malik Rose' expiring contract for god sakes.

Hopefully Petrie can make a deal but right now, I'm just sad.

The one thing I loved from Ziller's Dalembert post was the guy in the comment thread who said he liked the trade options only because Ziller proposed them. I hope someone out there listens to my every word like that.

Kevin Martin for Jerome James. I'm tellin' ya, its a good idea.

OKC Gets Tyson Chandler

Check out the details here.

Man, that would have been an amazing pickup. Petrie, get at it.

Cassell to the Kings

I'm not going to make any alien jokes because Cassell is family now.

According to ESPN.com, Sam Cassell has been traded to the Kings for a 2nd round pick.

It's WAY too early to do real analysis of this trade because we don't know what Petrie is going to do in the next couple of days.

But, for the sake of argument, lets say that Cassell isn't waived/traded again. Having Sam Cassell in your locker room is a good thing. They've been talking about this guy becoming a coach in the league for the past 5 years. Our crappy point guards can benefit from his knowledge.

And even more for the sake of argument, let's say Cassell actually plays for the Kings. He is way past his prime and loves to throw up bricks. But if you don't like that, then you don't like Kings basketball.

Still your move Petrie. What do you got next?

From Marc Stein at ESPN

Regarding Amare:

The Kings could move to the top of the list if they were willing to part with rookie forward Jason Thompson, their two biggest expiring contracts (Bobby Jackson and Shelden Williams) and what will almost certainly be a top-five pick in June.

But the Kings aren't willing. Not to part with all that. Not yet, anyway.

Although it has talked with the Suns, Sacramento appears more focused on trying to move center Brad Miller before contemplating anything else, while also continuing to field proposals for in-demand swingman John Salmons.

"We looked at it," Kings co-owner Joe Maloof told ESPN.com when asked about Stoudemire. "Never say never, but right now, no."

I'm starting to get worried that the Kings won't pull off any deals. Hopefully Brad will go and possibly Salmons. But that trade proposal for Amare just doesn't sit with me. As I said previously, I'm all for trading for Amare. But would I trade Thompson/possibly Blake Griffin for him? I just don't know. Then again, I'm not a GM. And thank God for that. My real question is how does Ziller get to this stuff before me? Where does he live? Don't I have a three hour headstart?

Brad Miller Won't Be Chillin' on South Beach

Cross the Heat off the list as a possible destination for Brad Miller. And cross off Shawn Marion as a possible new King.

It looks like the Heat have found their big man, and it is Jermaine O'Neal. Here are the details of the trade.

As I've mentioned before, I lived in Canada. Marion, all I can say is get ready for Toronto media. If they love you, you are like a God to them (which is why Jamario Moon must be freaked out that he is being traded away. Now people will realize that he is garbage). But if they hate you, you will be traded away for Aaron/Eric Williams and the soul of Alonzo Mourning.

I wonder why Pat Riley wanted O'Neil over Miller. O'Neil has been injured for the past 4 years. When he plays, he is better than Brad. But who says he will play?