Trade Rumors Piling Up in Sac-Town ; Ratliff on the Move? Others?
Trade rumors are at an all time high in the Sacramento front office, according to our sources. Many of those associated within the organization have acknowledged that multiple teams contacted general manager Geoff Petrie, however none of those talks have led to more commitment to move rumored players and assets.
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"Several teams have already expressed interest in the acquirement of Theo Ratliff since the beginning of the season. However, due to Ratliff's consistent excellence on the defensive end more playoff-bound teams have participated in trade talks."
Ratliff is now on his last year of his contract with a guaranteed $15 million, and while that scares some teams already deep into the luxury tax, other teams have trade-able players with similar contracts to absorb the hit on each respective's cap space. I reached out to head coach Rick Adelman, who denies the notion the King's are moving Theo because of rumored unhappiness in the locker room due to the changing of ownership over the offseason.
"In no way are the trade talks due because management is unhappy with Theo's attitude, according to rumors. Rumors are rumors and come from unreliable shadows in the media. I have a personal relationship with Theo. I invite all of my players over for dinner over the offseason and Ratliff assured me that he would work to become a leader for the team his season through the ups and downs.There has been a lot of downs, mostly downs. But Theo has never lost focus and has grown into a true leader, really working for All-Defense honors"
Before Day 50's game against the Golden State Warrior, Ratliffe spoke to reporters about his relationship with the team via stream.
"I love this team, man. I love this team. My teammates, my coaches, and the new management for this organization. I play for my team and do whatever is needed. I know there are trade rumors swirling around the league pertaining to me, but that's the nature of the business and I have trust in my team that they will do what's best for both sides moving forward."
Other Sacramento trade-related news stories broke after last week's press conference in which general manager Geoff Petrie let it known to the league's front offices that the Kings are looking to rebuild "starting from the ground up... with younger players through draft or trades. That's our number one priority this upcoming offseason." Anonymous sources close to the team say the Kings may also look to move Terrell Brandon, the teams leader in steals and assists by the trade deadline.
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Lock-down perimeter guard Terrell Brandon is rumored to be put on the trading block very soon. The negotiable price is still unknown to even the Kings front office, but they feel Brandon can bring interest to teams in need for a defensive specialist point guard.
Like Ratliff, Brandon is on an expiring 1 year contract worth an approximate $10 million in guaranteed salary. Team isn't looking to move players out of desperation, but to start laying the foundation of their team's identity.
"We are not winning games. Period. One win here-and-there won't cut it in this league. Staying still will not help this team out in the long run. We have to remain active in pursuing players who will fit our identity. We have players with expiring contracts on our team we would love to welcome back to the family, but negotiations will decide who goes and who stays."
Whatever happens along the way to the playoffs, look for the Kings to silently start building for the future. Step-by-step.
