February 23, 2005

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The Sacramento Kings today acquired the services of Corliss Williamson, Kenny Thomas, and Brian Skinner in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Chris Webber, Matt Barnes, and Michael Bradley, it was announced this evening by Kings President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.

“Trading Chris has been one of the most difficult and emotional decisions I have been involved in,” Petrie said. “He has been an instrumental force in ushering in and maintaining an exciting period of basketball in Sacramento. I can’t thank him enough for his efforts as a King. When we talked, he was incredibly professional in every way. We all wish him the best. The memories remain the property of the Kings.”

“Matt Barnes has been a pleasant surprise this season,” Petrie added. “He has become a valuable NBA player through his hard work and dedication to improvement. Michael Bradley wasn’t with us very long. However, we feel he too is dedicated to continued improvement.”

Williamson, a 6-7, 245-pound forward, in his 10th season and first with Philadelphia, is averaging 10.8 points (.465 FG%, .788 FT%) and 3.7 rebounds per game in 48 games (five starts). A member of the 2003-04 NBA champion Detroit Pistons, Williamson was originally drafted by the Kings in the first round of the 1995 NBA Draft. Known as “The Big Nasty,” Williamson played five seasons (1995-96 – 1999-00) for the Kings, averaging 12.0 points (.492 FG%, .664 FT%), 4.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game in 337 contests. While with the Pistons, Williamson was named the 2001-02 Sixth Man of the Year after averaging 13.6 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while shooting 51.0 percent from the field. As a King, Williamson scored a career-best 40 points versus Detroit on March 4, 1998.

Thomas, a 6-7, 245-pound forward, currently in his seventh season in the NBA and third with the 76ers, is averaging 11.3 points (.456 FG%, .798 FT%), 6.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists per game through 47 games (43 starts) for Philadelphia. He was only one of 11 players in the NBA to average a double-double in 2003-04 with 13.6 points and 10.1 rebounds a game. Thomas grabbed a career-high 22 rebounds versus Atlanta on April 1, 2000, becoming the first NBA rookie to reach 20 rebounds since Tim Duncan (1997-98) and the first Rockets rookie to reach this mark since Hakeem Olajuwon.

Skinner, a 6-9, 265-pound forward-center, in his seventh NBA season and first with the 76ers, is averaging 2.0 points (.386 FG%) and 2.6 rebounds per game in 24 games off the bench. Skinner had his best season in the NBA in 2003-04 with Milwaukee when he averaged 10.5 points (.497 FG%, .572 FT%), 7.3 rebounds, and 1.09 blocks per game in 56 games (54 starts) for the Bucks.

“The addition of Corliss, Kenny, and Brian gives us additional flexibility and versatility on our front line,” Petrie said. “They are all quality players who we feel will make significant contributions to our team. We look forward to incorporating them into our style of play.”

Webber is one of the most prolific players in Kings history. Now in his 12th NBA season, Webber amassed career averages of 23.5 points (.473 FG%, .238 3pt%, .691 FT%), 10.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.50 steals, and 1.47 blocks in 377 games with the Kings since being acquired from Washington for Mitch Richmond and Otis Thorpe on May 14, 1998. He departs as the club’s leading rebounder in Sacramento-era history, in addition to ranking second in points scored, field goals made and attempted, blocks, third in steals, and fourth in assists. Webber was named an NBA All-Star in five of his six-and-a-half seasons in Sacramento, becoming the first player in franchise history since Nate ‘Tiny’ Archibald to earn First-Team All-NBA honors and start in consecutive All-Star games (2001 and 2002). Webber was named NBA Player of the Month on three occasions and NBA Player of the Week seven times as a King. His contributions helped the Kings reach the NBA Playoffs in each of the last six seasons after the club advanced to the postseason only once during the Sacramento-era prior to his arrival. In addition to recording the single-greatest game in Sacramento-era history with 51 points and 26 rebounds against Indiana on January 5, 2001, Webber tallied 14 triple-doubles and five 20/20 (20 points and 20 rebounds) games with Sacramento. As valuable as he was on the court, Webber’s influence in the community made him one of the most philanthropic players in Kings history, donating time, money, and resources to children and those less fortunate.

Barnes, signed as a free agent by the Kings on October 1, 2004, is averaging 3.8 points (.411 FG%, .227 3pt%, .603 FT%), 3.1 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 43 games (nine starts). Before joining the Kings, Barnes played for the NBDL’s Fayetteville Patriots (2002-03) and the Los Angeles Clippers (2003-04). Barnes averaged 4.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game in 38 games (started nine).

Bradley, recently acquired from Orlando with Cuttino Mobley in exchange for Doug Christie on January 10, 2005, saw action in eight games with the Kings, posting 2.3 points (.667 FG%) and 1.4 rebounds per game. The 6-9, 227-pound forward is in his fourth NBA season.