Heat Check

to sign with us in free agency, I would do it.

I’m not convinced however, that we really have a shot at the elite free agents, so my answer is “No Deal”

But not because other teams wouldn’t take him. For all my complaints about him earlier this year, I think he is a key component of our team at this point. I wouldn’t trade him for pretty much anything we could get back. I understand the whole buy low, sell high thing. But this isn’t an Ike (two games of success) Diagu scenario. He has made a complete turnaround in my opinion. We need a solid back-up point guard and at this price, I don’t think we could find anything better. Keep this guy and let the fun start when K-mart and Garcia get back.

..is it sends Beno to one of our main future competitors in the WC. The other being OKC.

…nice teeth.

If coaching was the problem all along, and PW is the solution, Beno could prove to be a really valuable rotation guy in the long run. He’s already showing signs. I want to keep seeing what we have for a while before making any significant moves. Beno rocks.

there’s no way we’d get a backup big in the draft, let alone a starter. And, without knowing what financial conditions (cap space & Maloofs willingness to spend it) will exist during next years FA signing period, there’s probable less than a 50% chance we could get a serviceable big in the FA market.

We need help at center more than we do at PG. And, it takes talent to be able to trade for talent. I won’t necessarily be happy to see Beno go. But, if we get a 10/10 big in return, I’ll say thank you very much Beno and wish him well in his new home.

But on second thought I think I would do the expiring deal. It’s not really a question of Beno’s lack of value – but rather of our need. We have a glut of talented 2’s and 3’s. We have virtually no depth in the big man department.

Further, this recent trend goes way against his past performance. I’d love to see him keep this up, but he is due for a downswing – even if it is a mild one. If we can free up his salary and sign a big man this summer – I don’t think I’d protest one bit.

Beno is still awful! I will continue to boo him at the games, or not cheer when he makes a game winning play.

Because I would do that in a heartbeat.

I don’t see his contributions declining that much and I think he could still be moved in the summer. I don’t think Beno, even after these first 20 games, has much value right now and we’d have to wait a bit more and see what else is out there. If he keeps it up maybe he could be a positive in a package with K-9.

I’d rather just wait and see where this team is at when Kevin and Cisco come back

But this is just a swap of similar talents. It retains our logjam at the smaller positions and doesn’t address our biggest need, a third big man to complement/push/improve on JT and Spencer.

I think they might be interested in a player like Andres Nocioni more (Travis Outlaw/Steve Blake for Noc works under the cap in case you’re wondering) if they were interested in a Sacramento player that was available.

I also wonder if the Kings can get anything tangible for Beno period myself. It’s not so much that teams don’t see Beno for what he’s doing this season; they see that completely and absolutely. What I don’t see is why a team would want to commit the 3 years and 19 million (or thereabouts—feel free to change the number value to what it is) particularly when so many teams have other salary concerns. Because of these salary concerns, Beno’s contract could be too much in value with the other players other teams have in contract already. I see Beno as an expensive lesson, or simply a player that Geoff Petrie mis-judged money wise, but for other teams he could be the type of player that isn’t worth keeping long term.

Meh. I think Beno is going nowhere because of the money owed him. I don’t think Portland is greatly desperate to add another PG especially if Jerryd Bayless is as unhappy as Jason Quick reported this morning.

Anyway, yeah.

A little over two months ago, at least 90% of the members here would have traded Beno for a Spam sandwich (mmm, Spam). Today, better than 80% would not trade him if offered expiring contract. This is indeed a testament to Udrih’s play and attitude during the first quarter of this season.

The only player I’d want to trade Beno for is Wabeno.

What is this Wabeno reference that keeps coming up anyway? I mean, other than a town in Wisconsin.

1 – to get rid of his contract and a similiar financial commitment should the talent be similiar
2- What is the Kings weakness? The frontcourt. One 5, one 4, and a bunch of 3.5s and some 3s. An interior defender, someone to block shots and to put a big body on the other teams’ big body. Offense – someone to make shots when Evans can’t drive and Martin is injured.

Blake is a more experienced version of Sergio. This years’ Sergio on the Kings is like last years’ Beno on the Kings in comparison. He is much better on this squad than the Nate McMillan Blazers.
Acquiring Blake is a salary dump. Patty Mills is a thinner Jonny Flynn, I like the known – again, advantage El Magico as I don’t see Patty Mills getting much playing time, last, Dante Cunningham – 6’8" 230 – too much like Brockman’s size but without the cakes, and too confusing to have Donté and Dante on the same team.

In short, Beno is playing to his contract level of value, great time to trade him, but I would like to see something added as well as subtracted (his financial commitment). Beno allows some thoughts of greed on his trade. Blake would be dependable but underwhelming.

Pass and wait for something better. But tempting.

Because if Beno keeps playing like this, he deserves at least a few votes for 6th man of the year.

BTW for those wondering, GBU will drop later tonight, work and studying for finals has taken priority.

Because if Beno keeps playing like this, he deserves at least a few votes for 6th man of the year.

BTW for those wondering, GBU will drop later tonight, work and studying for finals has taken priority.

If the average player makes about $5.85 million a year and there are 15 players on each roster and the average player thus plays 16 minutes a game, would it be fair to conclude that a guy who makes $5.85 million and plays 16 minutes a game with a (so they say) average PER of 15 is fair value?

If so, how much is Beno worth playing 30 minutes a game with a PER of 17.3?

If X / $5.85M = 30*17.3 / 16*15, X = $12.65M a year.

So is Beno a bargain?

By the same criteria, LeBron would be the most valuable NBA player based on 37.7 minutes per game and a PER of 29.8, giving him a value of $27.38 million per year.

Keep Beno, as he is needed more positionally on our roster, and lose the unncessary and costly Garcia.

I agree, but I am also willing to let Westphal sort out any potential roster and PT logjams. We have marveled at the magic he has worked with this roster. Who knows, maybe Cisco is a 20-point a night scorer under Westphal’s tutelage. Let’s take a look and see what he delivers when he comes back.

1. I think he’s playing over his head somewhat. He’s never been this good for any stretch of time.

2. Sergio’s PER is actually higher, and while he doesn’t shoot like Beno, Rodriguez brings something no one else on the roster does.

3. You can’t justify paying both Beno and Sergio, once you figure Sergio will be getting some sort of raise ($3M a year?). Sergio should be cheaper, is younger, and again, has talents not replicated on this roster.

That said, I think you pray Beno keeps it up, and you wait until the summer. Not a lot of PGs up for grabs this free agency period. All the stars are forwards and shooting guards. If Beno is still playing well and the cap/tax come in not-as-bad-as-expected, you could find an audience while ensuring you’ve locked up Sergio.