we were in discussions with them, good and cheap backup PF and still 21 or 22. http://twitter.com/#!/STEIN_LINE_HQ/status/86479233123233792
apparently a done deal http://basketball.realgm.com/wireta...n_To_Kings_For_Casspi_Future_First_Round_Pick
They cleared their PF clutter by trading away Landry last year, and now they have yet another PF. They also have Cousins (who can play PF), Thompson (PF only), and now Hickson. I bet they will let Dalembert walk. Solid front line, nonetheless.
I wish Portland would talk to people trying to get in on deals like this. Must be nice to have an active front ofice
I would have gladly taken hickson for batum and a future first rounder. We'd have a solid lineup Felton, Smith, Patty? Wes, Roy, Elliot Crash, Wes, Babbit LA, Hickson Camby, Oden
FWIW Hickson put up 15/10 as a starter last season and 20/12 in April. Starting for the Cavs hes bound to get his numbers but he improved a lot throughout the season, proved to be a solid starter, and hes still 22 until September. I'd say hes a fine starter next to a skilled center (i.e. ALDRIDGE but now Cousins with Sac). Don't understand this trade for the Cavs though. Valanciunas appears to project as a skilled center who could use an athletic, bullish PF next to him. Casspi is fine but looks like a role player ultimately and for whatever reason had fallen out of favor in Sac. Hickson was putting up nice numbers and its always stupid to trade a big for a small. The pick is nice sweetner but unless they use it to move up in the draft it seems like they just traded an athletic 22 y/o PF who projects as a solid starter for a role playing SF and a mid-first that will likely be a role player at best.
I would have to agree. Why trade Batum and a first round pick for a guy who will play 15 minutes a game. Unless you want to wear LMA out at center.
Meh it would be nice to have Hickson but would it be worth giving up Batum for a JJ Hickson for 1 year? There is a good chance that he would be gone after next year, he is going to be asking for a big payday and I doubt we would want to pay it.
Exactly--CLE drafted Tristan Thompson, a PF who reportedly will be pretty good, once he learns how to play basketball.