| Salmons Migration Solution Authored by Brent Blaze - January 28, 2009 - 2:27 pm
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The front office threw in the towel on negotiations with Bonzi Wells, just off a stellar post-season performance, and settled for Salmons at the price of the mid-level exception.
Let's fast forward to 2009. Bonzi Wells is an NBA outcast chucking up shots in China's CBA league for a measly $40,000. He's coached by Bob Weiss on a mediocre team.
The Kings were decimated by injuries to stars Kevin Martin and Brad Miller earlier this season. Despite this, John Salmons rose to the occasion. It is not the 19 points per game he produces that is shocking. What is mind blowing is that a role-player stereotyped as strictly an isolation scorer (and by shooting a low field goal percentage) is shooting 48% from the field, 42% from behind the arc, and 82% from the line. Salmons has been the number one scoring option for the Kings while being successful attacking the rim, slashing, running the floor, and drilling jump shots.
This "role-player" quietly fills up the stat sheet with 4 boards, 3.4 assists, and a steal in 37.2 minutes a game.
Not to mention this so-called average defender has been drawing most of the challenging defensive assignments. NBA general managers have written Salmons off as a role-player simply putting up stats on a developing young team. However, Salmons has been so effective from the floor that he appears more like an All-Star than role player to those that have watched this season.
Media outlets are reporting that Salmons is on the trading block, and the Trail Blazers are the team with the most interest in acquiring him. General Manager Kevin Pritchard appears willing to part with expiring contract Raef Lafrentz, but so far he has been unwilling to move any young talent.
The Nuggets recently acquired the expiring contract of Johan Petro and an early second round draft pick from Oklahoma City by sending Chucky Atkins and a first rounder out of town. Steven Hunter has one year left on his deal as well, but sources indicate that his playing career is over. Linas Kleiza is an unrestricted free agent the Nuggets might lose to free agency this summer. They also have a trade exception from the Marcus Camby deal.
The Nuggets' best opportunity to win an NBA championship might be next season. While Dahntay Jones and Anthony Carter are exceeding expectations, they shouldn't be playing major minutes on a contending team. Both are excellent spot role players and should serve as injury protection. Another issue is J.R. Smith's defense. He has improved, but still has the occasional lapse which clearly has driven a wedge between himself and coach George Karl.
Finding a quality big-man is Denver's top priority, but the best deal out there is for Salmons. The Kings could swap Salmons for Linas Kleiza, Steven Hunter, and Oklahoma City's early second rounder. Petro shouldn't be in an NBA jersey, so the front office should look to move his expiring contract for a decent frontcourt player. New Jersey's Sean Williams should be given some consideration.
Denver won't use their trade exception until this summer because they wish to avoid paying any luxury tax. The front office should be able to pair up the exception along with the Bobcats' future first round pick for a talented power forward or center this summer especially as teams dump salary for 2010. Rasheed Wallace could reunite with Billups in such a deal.
Salmons' migration upstream to Denver is a two-step process. Get out of the first round in 2009 and win an NBA title in 2010. |
