Webber scenario?

["Thomas Murphy" <tfmiii@worldnet.att.net>]

While we're pondering potential blockbuster trades in lieu of any actual
news I thought I'd throw this out there:

1) Obviously, if Sacto can re-sign Webber they do so and none of what
follows can transpire.

2) However, if Sacto cannot re-sign Webber, they will want to extract as
much as possible and given their druthers would likely try to steer Webber
to the Eastern Conference (rather than, for example, let Webber go to
conference rival Houston as a FA with nothing in return).

3) NY is hot after Webber (who isn't?) but given the recent Knick first
round exit they might be willing to offer something significant for a
change: Sprewell and Camby.

---------
Report: Knicks close to signing and keeping Houston
New York, NY (Sports Network) - According to a published report, the New
York Knicks are close to signing guard Allan Houston to a seven-year, $115
million contract and are planning to keep him in New York.

The New York Daily News reported on Thursday that, according to an unnamed
high-ranking Knicks official, New York will also attempt to acquire
Sacramento Kings forward Chris Webber, who will be a free agent at the end
of the season, while not having to trade Houston to complete a deal.

If Houston does ink the reported deal, it would be the richest in terms of
total contract value in franchise history.

Houston is expected to option out of the final two years of his current
contract on July 1 to become a free agent. He averaged 18.7 points per game
this past season, his fifth with the club. For his career, the University of
Tennessee product is averaging 16.4 points, having also played his first
three seasons in the league with the Detroit Pistons.

Rumors during the season had the Knicks pulling off a sign-and-trade deal
with the Kings, where the teams would swap Houston and Marcus Camby for
Webber. Now, if the Knicks do complete this deal, it could be likely that if
a deal is made for Webber that Latrell Sprewell may be heading to
Sacramento. Sprewell would be making less than Houston and would be a more
attractive pick up for the Kings.
05/10 10:56:38 ET
----------------------

4) If you are the Sacto Kings do you want Sprewell and Camby? Camby can fill
in for the departed Webber (although not in the scoring column) but where
does Sprewell play? You already have Peja, D. Christie and Turkoglu at the
2/3 spots so Spree merely aggravates an existing log-jam.

5) Sacto's real needs if Webber departs are PF and PG. So now the tough
call - do you prefer Spree/Camby or this combo - A. Walker and K. Anderson?
Walker is at least comparable to Webber, if not quite the force down low.
Anderson is coming off one of his most disappointing seasons ever, so many
fans may have forgotten that he turned in one of his finest professionally
(if not statistically) just one year ago (buying into Pitino's game plan,
playing in all 82 games, posting a 3rd career best 44% from the field
including a career best 38% 3ptrs, better than 3-1 asst/to ratio). Now you
hear that Kenny is all washed up, but he is only one month older than
Sprewell. If you are Sacto, do you gamble on KA rebounding from a bad year
in bad surroundings and providing the offense and care with the rock that
Jason Williams can't, or do you go for the sure thing with Sprewell? (And
that calculation assumes that Camby vs Walker is a wash - which it isn't).
Hence the window of opportunity may be available for the following deal:

6) Sacto trades Chris Webber (sign & trade $12.6mil - 105% of current
salary), Jason Williams ($2.6 mil exp. in '03) and Nick Anderson ($5.6 mil
exp. in '03) and receives A. Walker ($11.25 mil exp. in '05) and K. Anderson
($8.35 mil exp. in '03)

NYK trade L. Sprewell (11.25 mil exp. in '05) and M. Camby ($6.25 mil exp.
in '05) and receive Chris Webber (sign & trade $12.6mil) and Nick Anderson
($5.6 mil exp. in '03)

Celts trade A. Walker ($11.25 mil exp. in '05) and K. Anderson $8.35 mil
exp. in '03) and receive L. Sprewell (11.25 mil exp. in '05), M. Camby
($6.25 mil exp. in '05) and J. Williams ($2.6 mil exp. in '03)

7) Why does it work?

Sacramento get nearly equal value in receiving Walker for Webber and shores
up its weakest position -  PG. Lemons are turned into lemonade. Walker is
signed long-term and still has potential to fulfill (in other words, his
play can improve if he puts his mind to it). A winning situation in Sacto
surrounded by other more veteran players would be the best situation for
Walker to realize his remaining potential. Although not nearly as dominant
inside as Webber,  Walker's perimeter game is more polished and along with
his quickness it may be of greater worth in combating the Lakers (against
whom Webber seemed to disappear inside anyway). Anderson provides a steady
hand at PG (very few TOs) who can contribute 15ppg. He would probably walk
the length of the country barefoot over hot coals to go to a winning
situation back west. He knows his clock is ticking so I'd expect him to show
up in top form if this deal were to go down. That having been said, Bobby
Jackson will still get a lot of minutes backing him up and still provide the
best D at the point. Starting five: Kenny A., Doug Christie, Peja
Stojakovic, A. Walker, Divac. Key subs: Bobby Jackson, Turkoglu, Scot
Pollard

NYKnicks gets the marquee player and big man they have been lusting after
(and Webber gets the biggest stage in the country - plus he's out of Shaq's
conference). NY receives the best player in the deal. They finally resolve
the Houston/Sprewell situation without losing talent and also create space
to start Rice at SF. This still leaves a hole at center which will have to
be addressed or filled by Kurt Thomas et.al. (who knows, if NY gets Webber
Ewing may want to rethink his FA destination). This will remain a veteran
team but one that now has an inside option to complement Houston and Rice on
the perimeter. Starting five: Mark Jackson, Houston, Rice, Webber, K.
Thomas? Key subs: Charlie Ward, L. Johnson, O. Harrington.

The Celts plug a number of holes (PG, SG, shotblocking, rebounding, defense)
at the price of one of its two marquee players. This sets the stage for
Pierce to continue his ascent into superstardom with an all-around batter
supporting cast. Jason Williams gives them a crowd pleaser at PG who loves
to push the tempo and run the break. The price is bad shots and TOs but it
may well be worth it to get the Cs moving once again and convert some easy
baskets. Anderson had a strained relationship with coach O'B and was
basically shelved after Pitino jumped ship. Williams gets a fresh start and
at the least provides a bit more passing and offense at PG thereby lessening
the pressure to draft a PG this year in what is acknowledged to be a weak
crop of point men. Sprewell not only provides instant offense, veteran
smarts and a one man fast break waiting to happen at SG (filling a vast hole
in the Cs lineup) but he is also one of the best perimeter and one-on-one
defenders in the game. If that defense is breached Camby will be there to
cover with his shotblocking ability. The pairing of Camby with Vitaly
Potapenko in the frontcourt should benefit both players for each can
compensate for the limitations of the other. Camby brings intensity and
shotblocking and V's strength and jumpshot should be able to handle those
bulky players that give Camby such difficulty. Three positions are shored up
(PF, SG, PG) allowing the Celts to draft the BPA with their three draft
picks, thereby laying a deeper foundation for the future. Count this team in
the playoffs next season (wouldn't a series against the Knicks be
interesting?) Starting five: J. Williams, Sprewell, Pierce, Camby, Vitaly P.
Key subs: Milt Palacio, Tony Battie, draft picks?

Thoughts? Comments?

Best wishes - Tom Murphy