I am suggesting the more accurate analogy is the slow runner trying to steal the base. The outcome with PLD should have been known. At least the risk sould have been known, based on his career so far.
The problem with keeping PLD is the fact that he will have a NMC, or NTC kicking in on 7/1. So, the Kings need to decide this year if they are going to try to trade him. If so, they need to do so before 7/1. PLD likes LA and the beach life to much to want to move anywhere, IMO.
Yeah, I get it. I don’t think we necessarily have opposing views here.
Absolutely there were concerns about PLD and I would expect that the Kings (Blake) were not only aware but had been convinced that they could manage the player and get the production.
Which is why I think it was a mistake to not put PLD in the best position to succeed.
Now, should the Kings have to accommodate every aspect of an 8M$ player? Hard to imagine the answer is yes. But the well known concerns should have led to an understanding inside the organization that this was a different type player who needed special handling. Some guys need a kick in the butt, others respond to the pat on the back. Whatever approach, this acquisition has been far from successful.
I think this was a crucial move and Blake should have known that it had to work out, not for the team but for his own job security.
I would be very curious about the relationship with PLD and McClellan. I think that’s a real key here.
You are exactly right that this is an off-season decision with the NMC/NTC right in front of them.
Given the circumstances, I believe they have to move on and salvage what they can out of this. I have no idea what the market could be for PLD after this season. But, if the Kings can shed the contract and obtain a big winger or defensive player and maybe add a couple mil to the available cap space, it’s not a bad result moving forward. It is still salvageable in my opinion.
Part of my patience with this PLD situation was based on how important he was to the future of the Kings. I wanted him to succeed (not in a rose colored glass manner) but in a granular form. He is a guy who could be an impact player who helped the team improve a lot.
We have seen enough to know the risk and it just seems obvious and prudent to cut the loss. I can’t see the logic in not moving him.