Kings Could Be Sellers in Trade Market

There might be a shortage of wins in Kings Land of late, but there is no shortage of trade chatter.

One disclaimer regarding all: the signs remain strong that there is a directive from on high for Kings basketball president Geoff Petrie to avoid taking on any salary unless it's a can't-miss opportunity, which obviously limits the possibilities in play here.

As proof of the Preserve Cap Space For Post-Lockout 2011 mission being pushed by Kings owners Joe and Gavin Maloof, we present the most recent and dramatic example: the Kings had a chance to basically steal Michael Beasley from Miami in July, absorbing his rookie-scale contract ($4.9 million this season, $6.2 million next season and restricted free agency in the summer of 2012) in their salary cap room in the process while raising their talent pool by adding the No. 2 pick in the 2008 draft.

I'm told that the only way Omri Casspi,the second-year small forward, is traded is if the team landing him agrees to take back one of the Kings' long-term deals, most likely that of swingman Francisco Garcia (combined $11.9 million owed in next two seasons with team option in 2013-14 for $6.4 million).

But sources with knowledge of the Kings' thinking say even that isn't very likely, especially with Garcia playing an increased role of late and the fact that his leadership and veteran presence have never been needed as much as they are now.

The market for Carl Landry, as one source close to the Kings assessed it, would not be the problem. Nearly every playoff-contending team could use a proven scorer like him coming off the bench, and there's no risk involved because his $3 million expiring contract means it'd be nothing more than a short tryout. But since it seems unlikely that the Kings will not add to their league-low payroll, it comes down to whether anyone is willing to give up a draft pick(s) to rent him or swap expiring deals.