On Kevin Martin's 'Trade Value'

by Ziller on Dec 18, 2007 1:58 PM PST in Commentary

Don't worry, there are no rumors regarding trades of Kevin Martin. The subject is Bill Simmons' annual trade value column, which is a basically a giant ranking of the most valuable players taking into account age, contract length and salary along with performance and production and potential. The idea: You'd never trade #1 straight-up for anyone; you'd only trade #2 straight-up for #1, etc.

No Kings made the top 50. Kevin Martin made the honorary #51 position.

This edition's toughest omission because he's re-enacting the first few years of Reggie Miller's career, leaving the door open that, you know, he might become the next Reggie Miller. But given that he just signed a $55 million extension, wouldn't you rather have everyone in the following group at prices ranging from "piddling" to "highway robbery?"

The following players, Simmons writes, are valuable than Martin.

Monta Ellis, who makes a pittance this year but will command a new contract with an average salary upwards of $8 million starting next year, which works out to costing 75% of Martin for about 60% of the offensive production, 50% of the defensive potential and a degree less efficient shooting, and who has not shown he can carry an offense. (Martin has proved he can carry an offense by taking on a superstar level usage rate and maintaining his insane efficiency levels. Ellis' usage level is below average and his efficiency is only average.) Don't forget Martin makes next to nothing this season, too. I think Simmons might have Ellis' contract incorrect in his mind here.

Michael Redd, who through 2011 will make $66 million and is currently Martin's equal as a player, but is four years older. Martin will make about $31 million over that same time period, and will be on the books for two more seasons at a total of about $25 million. Put another way: Next summer, one player will be 26 years old and due $55 million for five seasons of work. The other will be 30 and due $51 million for three seasons of work. They are essentially equals today. Pick one.

Chris Kaman, who has rejuvenated his young career through 20 games so far this season... and is owed about $4 million less than Martin for one less year of service. I won't talk about hot streaks or flukes or even 'resigning yourself to having an average at best defense for the next five years unless you conjure up a Bill Russell at power forward because your defense at center will be terrrrrrible'... I'll just ask you if you know any GMs who would trade Kevin Martin for Chris Kaman straight up. Please, let me know, I've got stacks of Bibles and encyclopedias to sell.

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Yeah I saw that

that was absolute garbage. Martin has to make that list, as does Artest in my opinion. Simmons is usually really good on basketball though.

Also - how did Kenny Thomas not make the worst contracts list?

by coachtheus on Dec 18, 2007 3:39 PM PST 0 recs

Never mind

he's #12, right next to Reef at #13. No love for Brad Miller?

by coachtheus on Dec 18, 2007 3:40 PM PST 0 recs

Podcast

In the podcast where Simmons hashes the list out with his buddy, Speed Racer was initially in the 20s or 30s. His buddy, who clearly isn't familiar with Kevin's game, used the logic that Kevin isn't valuable because he put up his numbers playing for a team that's "been garbage for a handful of years" and he probably wouldn't perform as well if he played for a better team where he presumably would get fewer touches. Simmons agreed. I think they'd reassess his placement on the list if they took a second to realize how efficient he is and how he put up those numbers last year with Bibby and Artest barely letting him touch the ball. You can't really expect a regular dude who doesn't follow the Kings to notice this, but Simmons, a sportswriter and one of the alleged last 20 NBA fans on earth, should know better.

by Jeff Reguilon on Dec 18, 2007 3:46 PM PST 0 recs

While I personally enjoy Simmons

I never care for his opinion on Sac. He's a big city guy, and it's all he knows or cares about really. To him Sac will always be small time, which is fine with me, but when lists like this of his I always roll my eyes. He's not really a numbers kind of guy. He's more of an anecdotal story teller type of writer.

I am the stone that the builder refused I am the visual, the inspiration That made Lady Sing the Blues..I'm the spark that makes your idea bright...

by pookeyguru on Dec 19, 2007 1:50 AM PST up 0 recs

Bill's East-Coast Bias

Read that, and knew I had to come over here to read the backlash. Relatively quiet so far.

I, for one, am fine with Martin being left off the list. It's not like the Kings are going to trade him anytime soon, and I don't mind if Speedracer sneaks up on the national sportswriters who, as has been documented on this site on several occasions, never give Martin his due.

Simmons never gives Sacramento and Bay-area teams their due. Sometimes he's right, sometimes he's way off. But seriously, just point out the last time he said something good about any player on the Kings, A's, Giants, or 49ers.

In Geoff we trust...

by Exhibit G on Dec 18, 2007 5:24 PM PST 0 recs

Redd vs. Martin

>>Michael Redd ... is currently Martin's equal as a player.<<

Sorry, but I think you've been drinking a little too much Kool-Aid. I will grant you that Martin might have more upside than Redd due to his youth if he doesn't catch the injury bug.

>>They are essentially equals today. Pick one.<<

If I am looking for someone to step up in the fourth quarter and take the last shot, I am going to pick Redd without thinking twice.

by coolcatreportdotcom on Dec 18, 2007 7:36 PM PST 0 recs

However

I may not disagree with what you said but I would NOT trade Martin for Redd staright-up...ever. Redd is who he is and will not improve, he is at his peak of basketball prowess. You can absolutely argue that Martin can get even better... will he, who knows but the potential is there.

by Mityt on Dec 18, 2007 8:04 PM PST up 0 recs