Thomas for Okafor plus NBA Power Rankings 2009-2010 Week 3

There was an article in Sunday's Sacramento Bee suggesting that the Kings have had discussions with New Orleans about a trade involving Thomas and Hornets center Emeka Okafor. I really don't like this idea. Okafor has five years and $62.5 million left on his contract, including this season. Thomas' $8.7 million contract expires at the end of this year.

I would prefer to see Petrie continue to build the Kings with young players. The Kings currently have six of their last seven first round picks on the roster, including:

• Kevin Martin - 26rd overall - 2004
• Francisco Garcia - 23rd overall - 2005
• Spencer Hawes - 10th overall - 2007
• Jason Thompson - 12th overall - 2008
• Omri Casspi - 23rd overall - 2009
• Tyreke Evans - 4th overall - 2009

They did not have a first round pick in 2003. Their 2006 first round pick was Quincy Douby (19th overall). I would be surprised if there was another team with even half of their own first round picks over the same period on the roster. I am going to do some research over the next week and see how many drafts pick each team still has on its roster.

I have started to enjoy watching the Kings again over the last couple of weeks and would like to see them stick with a youth movement. Currently, the Kings have the second youngest team in the league.

The Kings jumped six spots from 25th to 19th in Marc Stein's weekly power rankings of NBA teams, ahead of the Jazz, Bobcats, Warriors, 76ers, Wizards, Clippers, Hornets, Grizzlies, Nets, Knicks and Timberwolves!

NBA Basketball Power Rankings

Fitting that Houston was the victim when the Kings extended their miraculous, shocker-of-the-season start to 5-4. Sacramento's scrappy play without the injured Kevin Martin strikes us as very Rockets-esque.