This is my first post so please bear with me.

There appears to be a growing consensus that Washington does not want the #5 pick because of the luxury tax hit they would take from the comparatively high salary the #5 pick commands. As I said in another post, I find it ironic that the Wiz played poorly enough to have the second worst record in the league, and yet they can’t even afford the consolation prize. But I digress.

Here is my first question: Does anyone understand the rules about exchanging salaries in association with draft picks. In other words, how much salary can a team hope to unload by exchanging picks with another team? Every time I try to read the league rules on this subject my eyes glaze over. Because Washington is dealing from a position of weakness, they probably can’t get the deal they want, which is unloading Jamison, and they may not even be able to attach any more than either Thomas or Songaila individually to the deal. (Undoubtedly they’d prefer to get rid of both, assuming the rules allow it.)

My next question: Is it in the Kings interest to take on a Darius Songaila or an Etan Thomas so that they can acquire the #5 pick? Having #4, #5, #23, and #31 puts the Kings in a good position to acquire a lot of talent and possibly to move up to get someone like Rubio, assuming they want to do that. For the record, I have no informed opinion on who the Kings should pick in the draft because I frankly don’t know shine-ola about NCAA or European hoops. I’m just thinking strategically. The downside is, of course, almost everyone is looking to trim costs, and having multiple first round picks (as well as taking on Thomas or Songaila) seems to be at odds with that strategy. The issue is as much about the accounting books as it is about talent.

Finally, aren’t certain other teams better positioned than the Kings to take on salary in exchange for the #5 pick? In particular I’m thinking of Memphis and OKC, both of which have modest team salaries next season and are in full rebuilding mode already. I would think Portland belongs in this conversation as well. Their team salary is dropping from about $80M last season to about $50M this season as Francis and LaFrentz finally come off the books, and Pritchard is notorious for draft day maneuvering.

Thoughts? Feedback? Derision?