Sacramento Kings guard Mike Bibby has been traded to the Atlanta Hawks.
The Trade
The Atlanta Hawks made a trade with Sacramento Kings to add further fuel to their playoff chase this year.
- The Atlanta Hawks receive guard Mike Bibby.
- The Sacramento Kings receive guard Tyronn Lue, guard Anthony Johnson, forward Sheldon Williams, center Lorenzen Wright, and a 2nd round draft pick.
For the Atlanta Hawks
This move makes a lot of sense for the Atlanta Hawks.
The team is currently sitting at 9th in the Eastern Conference at the All Star break. Trading for an all star point guard in Mike Bibby should help them gain an advantage over the New Jersey Nets and the Philadelphia 76ers. The additional firepower that he brings should make things a lot easier for Joe Johnson.
With a little chemistry, Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson could form perhaps one of the most difficult backcourts to guard. Both players are capable of handling the ball and scoring. The versatility will make them extremely difficult to contain and key on.
Mike Bibby also brings some much needed leadership to a team whose core is relatively young.
The addition of Mike Bibby should also help out young guard Acie Law. The 11th overall draft pick out of the University of Texas A&M can be given more time to develop now that the Atlanta Hawks have a surefire starter in Mike Bibby. Plus, Acie Law can still be used in the same backcourt with Mike Bibby for stretches in the game.
For the Sacramento Kings
There’s no denying that the Sacramento Kings did this trade in order to clear some cap space.
Tyronn Lue has a $3.5 million contract. Anthony Johnson has $2.9 million. Lorenzen Wright has $3.2 million. All three contracts expire at the end of the season. That right there is more valuable than anything those three players can contribute.
Sheldon Williams doesn’t have an expiring contract this summer, but he does have something the other three players don’t have. He has potential. The 6′9″, 250 young big man from Duke still can develop into a solid starter for years to come in this league.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim, Kenny Thomas, Mikki Moore, and Brad Miller are all on the other side of 30. Sheldon Williams could form a potent inside combination with rookie Spencer Hawes, who still has a lot of developing to do.
Trading for Sheldon Williams also isn’t much of a financial risk for the Sacramento Kings. If they’re not satisfied with his development, then they scan simply choose not to resign him when his rookie contract comes to a close.
Closing Thoughts
This is another trade that sounds like it will benefit both teams.
The Atlanta Hawks get a veteran all-star guard to help in their chase for the playoffs, and the Sacramento Kings get a jump start on their rebuilding process.