PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- All-Star Chris Webber was traded from Sacramento to the Philadelphia 76ers late Wednesday night as part of a stunning six-player deal.
The Sixers sent Brian Skinner, Kenny Thomas and Corliss Williamson to the Kings for Webber, Matt Barnes and Michael Bradley.
The Sixers called a news conference just before midnight. The deal comes one day before the NBA trading deadline.
Sixers president Billy King was looking to make a deal to improve the Sixers frontcourt as they make their playoff push. The Sixers are 26-27 and just a half game behind Boston for first place in the Atlantic Division.
Kings general manager Geoff Petrie had been shopping Webber, who has three years about $62 million left on his contract. The Kings are 34-20 going and are 7 1/2 games behind Phoenix in the Pacific Division.
King insisted he wouldn't part with any of his prized nucleus of young players to make a deal and he didn't have to.
Thomas had fallen out of favor with first-year Sixers coach Jim O'Brien, while Brian Skinner was a free-agent bust. Corliss Williamson was a valuable sixth man off the bench, but none of them have the pedigree of Webber.
Ray Costanzo 24 February 2005 18:01:40 [ permanent link ]
"Chris Zabel" <alephnull@earthlink.net> wrote in message news:0ygTd.5757$Ba3.3117@newsread2.news.atl.earthlink.net...> An insanely good deal for the Sixers and a somewhat baffling move for the> Kings.
Yes!
In terms of impact blows the Vince Carter deal out of the water.
Yeah, kinda. :]
The Sixers now have a 2 to 3 year window while Iverson is still an elite> level superstar to compete for a title(you read that right).
YES!
The Kings> This move makes the Sixers> attractive to quality veterans willing to play for the exception in the> future also.
Definitely
Now maybe we'll get lucky and be able to trade Glenn Robinson for, I don't know, even the worst 12th man in the league would be a good trade.
<Swyck@nospam.com> wrote in message news:cb1s11hfrqlipk0dbsm8ukel7v3fhalqlj@4ax.com...> On Thu, 24 Feb 2005 07:27:25 -0800, "DaveL" <dave1027@comcast.net>> wrote:> <snip>
If, and this is a huge if, Webber has two good years left on his body, the Sixers will challenge for it all next year. Big Dog's contract is gone after this year, and next year's free agent market might provider any missing pieces. I am just glad they didn't have to give up Dalembert or Jackson.
