http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=24411 This would be an excellent move. Even though Salmons is making $6M in 2010, it is offset by the $16M (probably $24M if we re-signed Lee) we save by unloading Curry and Jeffries. Salmons is also having a career year, so I wouldn't be opposed to him staying with us past 2010 if he keeps this up.
It's a solid trade for the Knicks, but why would the Kings do this? They're foolish if they think they have a future with a core group of Martin-Hawes-Lee. Not to mention they'd be stuck with Curry AND Jeffries contracts.
Why are they foolish builing with that core. Martin is a quailty #1 scoring option. He's still developing and there's no reason to think he won't continue to improve. One he develops a true "go-to" move he will be very good. Hawes is a good shotblocker and low post scoring option. Next to Hawes I would want to put a garbage type PF. I think Thompson will be better than Lee but the two of them can fill that role nicely. They've got a good role player in Beno (certainly he can be upgraded if someone falls to them, say, Jennings). They are missing a franchise type guy but I think there's hope that Donte Green can eventually fill into that role, although every team hopes their 1st round pick do this but few actually do. My point is it's too early to give up on him. Sure, they're not playing for a champoinship anytime soon but I do think they've got some nice pieces and are a lucky draft pick away from being pretty decent. As to your point of why would they make that trade, I don't know. Personally I think Lee is way overrated. Granted, I don't watch a lot of the Knicks but I see a few games here and there and I just don't see what he can bring to a good team other than being a backup, undersized, energy role player. Could they think Jeffries will bring something to the table? From what I've seen, he's overpaid but seems like he could be pretty decent in the right role. More than anything, I think the Kings just want to end the only remaining link to their past (Miller) so they can move on with Hawes and Thompson getting more minutes. I don't think they'll have any problem letting Curry rot on the bench.
