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By Don Drysdale

See the first page of this article.

* Webber to Washington for Kwame Brown, Gilbert Arenas and Christian Laettner. Why the Kings might do it: A previous deal with Washington worked out OK. The Kings sent an aging Mitch Richmond to the Wizards for a Webber coming into his prime. Now they could send an aging Webber back east and fill two spots with up-and-coming players for the long haul. Laettner is included only for salary cap purposes. Why Washington might do it: Arenas was the Wizards' big off-season acquisition, but they also have two other strong backcourt scorers in Larry Hughes and Jerry Stackhouse. While Brown, the former No. 1 overall pick, has shown flashes of brilliance lately, he's developed slower than hoped. The Wizards could rise quickly in the big man-bereft Eastern Conference with Webber. Bottom Line: This trade probably doesn't do much for the Kings' chances this year, but a lineup of Brad Miller, Stojakovic, Brown, Arenas and Bibby could be a major contender after a year of jelling if we're now seeing the real Kwame.

* Webber to Detroit for Rip Hamilton, Ben Wallace and Tayshaun Prince. Why the Kings might do it: They'd fill three holes. Hamilton (25), who can be an outstanding scorer, would start at two guard, allowing Christie to play kamikaze defense off the bench. Wallace (29) replaces Webber at power forward, contributing little offensively but markedly improving the team's defense and rebounding. Prince (23) becomes Stojakovic's backup and could play with Stojakovic in a small lineup. Why the Pistons might do it: It probably would take more than Webber to get this done. The question is, how much more? If it's Wallace, Songaila and draft picks more, that's one thing. If it's Bobby Jackson more, it's less of a slam dunk, although not a definite no. Detroit is a very good team, but relies primarily on outside shooting to win. Webber would change that, perhaps giving the Pistons enough of an inside presence to win the East. Bottom Line: The trade could help the Kings this year and extend their window a couple of years. Two questions: 1) Would the fans of Detroit accept Webber after the Michigan scandal? 2) Would Wallace be as effective a defender in the Western Conference?

* Webber to Toronto for Vince Carter, Chris Bosh and Lonnie Baxter. Why the Kings might do it: Like Webber, Carter is a superstar who has had his share of injuries. But Carter is 27 and, like Pierce, could make the Kings better in a different way. However, Bosh is the key. He'd have problems guarding the West's top power forwards now, but if he ever grew into his body ... The kid's only 19, all long arms and potential. Baxter's a burly guy who could back up Bosh. Why the Raptors might do it: Toronto has some nice pieces but isn't going anywhere as currently constructed. How effective will Donyell Marshall and Jalen Rose be by the time Bosh is really ready? Webber could make the Raptors relevant in the East. Bottom Line: This trade would keep the Kings competitive this year but would really take a couple of years to pay off. Bosh weighs 210 right now. Imagine him with another 30 pounds of muscle on that 6-foot-11 frame blocking shots and crashing the boards with Miller as opposing defenses pick their poison from among Stojakovic, Bibby and Carter.

* Webber to Cleveland for Carlos Boozer, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Dajuan Wagner. Why the Kings might do it: Mainly for frontcourt flexibility. Ilgauskas isn't a great defender or rebounder for his size, but when he's healthy - and he has been the last year and a half - name three better centers on offense. If the Kings re-sign free-agent-to-be Divac, they'd have a three-headed monster in the middle. Boozer (22) is one of the most promising power forwards in the league after being a second-round draft choice, and Miller could play the spot when not at center. Wagner (20) is an undersized shooting guard who, when hot, can light it up. Can't have too many shooters. Why the Cavaliers might do it: Ilgauskas doesn't fit into their scheme well and they can find another Wagner. The Cavs would have to swallow hard to give up on Boozer, but who wouldn't like the chance to build a team around LeBron James and Webber? Bottom Line: This is one of the riskier trades, from the Kings' perspective, because of Ilgauskas' past injury problems. On the other hand, we wouldn't be discussing deals for Webber if he didn't have constant injury problems.

* Webber to Chicago for Jamal Crawford, Tyson Chandler, Eddy Curry and Eddie Robinson. Why the Kings might do it: Crawford has established that he's a legitimate NBA scorer and can play either guard spot. Odds are that one of the two "baby Bull" big men (both Chandler and Curry are 21) will ultimately develop into a force in the league. Robinson could be a decent backup to Stojakovic. Why the Bulls might do it: This was supposed to be Chicago's year to emerge as a legitimate playoff team. For whatever reason, it hasn't happened. The Bulls are tired of looking ahead to the future. Webber's no Michael Jordan, but he'd take the Windy City by storm. Bottom Line: Risky? You bet. The Kings would be betting the come on this one. Both Curry and Chandler have shown promise but not consistency. Although most observers think they're going to be outstanding players, it's not a lock. But if Chandler and Curry, in particular, ever get serious, it could be a home run.

* Webber to Memphis for Pau Gasol, Lorenzen Wright and Mike Miller. Why the Kings might do it: There's an old axiom that you don't trade quality for quantity, but there's enough quality here to keep the Kings in title contention while allowing them room to improve. Gasol (23) would take Webber's spot, Miller (23) would share minutes with Christie and Stojakovic, and Wright (28) would back up center and power forward. Why the Grizzlies might do it: Memphis has good depth but little chance at punching through the top layers of Western Conference teams. It makes some sense for the Grizzlies to give up quantity for a superstar. The Grizz lineup would look like this: Webber, James Posey, Stromile Swift, Bonzi Wells and Jason Williams with Shane Battier, Bo Outlaw, Earl Watson and perhaps Gerald Wallace off the bench. Bottom Line: One of those deals that could help both teams. If the Grizzlies asked for, say, Bobby Jackson in addition to Webber, the Kings could counter by asking for Battier, a handy guy to have.

* Webber to the Clippers for Elton Brand, Quentin Richardson and either Chris Kaman or Chris Wilcox. Why the Kings might do it: If Webber, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and Jermaine O'Neal are the first echelon of power forwards in the NBA, Brand (24) is at the top of the list for the second echelon. The Kings would have to adjust their offense a bit to accommodate Brand, who's not the passer Webber is, but their rebounding and defense wouldn't suffer. Richardson (23) - a free agent to be, so there's a risk -- is a bit erratic but has tremendous upside. If the Kings were too nervous about Richardson's status they could ask for Marco Jaric, who'd fit in with Divac and Stojakovic, instead. Kaman (21) should develop into at least a good backup center; same for Wilcox (21) at power forward. Why the Clippers might do it: L.A. is a star-powered market and Webber has, if not as much star power as Shaq and Kobe, more than Brand. The Clippers likely would ask for more than just Webber and a Kings benchwarmer to make this deal happen, though. Teams have built around worse trios than Webber, Corey Maggette and Bobby Jackson. Bottom Line: Clippers owner Donald Sterling has to be weary of playing second fiddle to the Lakers. Trading for Webber would make the Clippers almost as interesting to the L.A. market as the Kobe trial.

* Webber to the Suns for Amare Stoudemire, Joe Johnson, Tom Gugliotta and Jake Voskuhl. Why the Kings might do it: As is the case in several of these scenarios, the Kings would be giving up proven talent for the opportunity to fill a couple of spots for years to come. Stoudemire (21) and Johnson (22) lack consistency at this stage of their careers but would upgrade the Kings' athleticism. Voskuhl would be an adequate backup center. Googs is a cap throw-in whose contract expires after this season. Why the Suns might do it: The Suns are a big disappointment and it's hard to tell where they're going. What are they telling their fans these days? Hang in there until we get Kobe? Bringing in a superstar wouldn't hurt, but it's more of a sure thing to trade for one than to sign one as a free agent. The Webber-Shawn Marion forward tandem would be, arguably, the league's best. Bottom Line: This deal probably doesn't win the Kings a championship this year, although it might not cripple their chances. As is the case with the Chicago scenario, the Kings would be looking more toward taking the crown in two years. However, unlike the Chicago scenario, even if the talent they acquire from Phoenix fails to improve, it wouldn't be a total disaster.