Question: Sam, if the Kings are truly to transition to a youth phase, don't they need to get rid of the biggest contract burdens? Will it be possible to move Brad Miller and/or Kenny Thomas, or are we pretty much stuck to ride it out with them?
Chris J., Sacramento
Answer: I don't see how they move Brad, who has three seasons and around $34 million left on his deal. Not only has his game taken a plunge, but he spent much of last season dealing with foot problems that just wouldn't go away.
The Kings' hope is that Spencer Hawes develops quickly, taking over the center spot so Brad can play some power forward the way he did when Vlade Divac was here. Those were his best years.
Now, Kenny is a little different. He's owed nearly $24 million for the next three seasons, but he has an early termination option after this season that - if exercised - would make him an unrestricted free agent. So if the Kings can't trade him before then, and depending how this season goes, I could see Kenny opting out just to get in a better situation. Even before then, though, I wonder if he wouldn't be willing to restructure his current deal just to get moved.
The setup with Kenny and Shareef Abdur-Rahim sharing time hasn't made either player happy, and they could have even more minutes taken away this season if new coach Reggie Theus gives the youngsters some run.
- Sam Amick
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