So the Kings give up what could become a top 5 C in the NBA for a good prospect in Wes Johnson, a backup PG, a white wing who can't defend, and Darko. Would you do that trade if you were the Kings?
That would be a steal in the nba now! Would I be pushing it by throwing in Hill and another 2nd rd for Hollins?
Three way involving Houston/Minnesota/Lakers Houston trades: Scola, Martin, Budinger, 2012 NY Pick Houston receives: Pau Gasol, Wesley Johnson Lakers trade: Pau Gasol Lakers receive: Scola, Budinger, Michael Beasley, 2012 NY pick Minnesota trades: Wesley Johnson, Beasley Minnesota receives: Martin Rockets do it to get their elusive big fish, finally. With Wesley Johnson, a top five pick in last year's draft that can play both 2/3 positions, to boot. Salaries in and out are close to even. LA does it to get cut salary all the while retaining a quality starting four, upgrading their SF spot with somebody good enough to start, adding Beasley who could potentially fill Odom's one-man-bench void and acquiring our Knicks pick to add to their Bynum-based offer for D12 (as could Beasley/Budinger). Minnesota does it to get the quality, efficient two that they've been searching for and to give their new coach one of his favorite players. If Rubio and Derrick Williams are any good, Martin + Love and company are good enough to be competitive now. Which, let's be honest, would be the icing on the cake if we could make a trade that helps enable Minnesota to be decent thus getting back at Stern for placing such emphasis on Minnesota's #1 being included in the CP3 deal. And keep in mind, like I just mentioned, Minny has no #1 pick this year. A losing season does nothing for them. We could even tinker the deal and make Minnesota add Darko (while we add Jordan Hill) if we feel like Minnesota isn't giving up enough. That's a possibility as well.
I wouldn't but I wouldn't have given up Martin for who they did either. Minny and the Rockets (NY pick) might have to kick in a pick. And remember Cousins was somewhat of a problem child, at least as I remember, who didn't show much promise until later in the season. Other teams passed on the big for a reason. In fact Johnson was picked right before him. The Kings have some serious holes that need filling. This gives them a chance to fill those holes and not take on any bad contracts or old players. Darko is actually getting better. And remember, this is the Kings were dealing with here.
Well, if that's the only hurdle then I'm all for it. Especially if DM is able to convince KAHHHNNN into including Darko. Adding Darko means no need to sign Dalembert. This trade could be a potential slam dunk for us.
Wesley Johnson was so-so in his rookie campaign. Hardly a bust, though. He can hit open shots and defend. At worst, he's a taller Courtney Lee.
Looking around the league and scouring rosters of teams that are questionable for the playoffs this season, I see two trade possibilities for a center. 1. Andrew Bogut - the Bucks are going to be mediocre with the possibility of SJax raising a bunch of hell and cratering their season. If they cave, moving Bogut makes sense for them. 2. Anderson Varajao - Cavaliers are going back to the lottery this season. They have no reason to keep Varajao when they could get younger and get a pick for him. Both players would likely have to be deadline deals after each team figures out they ain't got anything going on this season.
I think they will try to raise Bogut's trade value and trade him to a team like minny for young players, and picks. Morey should consider Varejao as a center because he's way undervalued. He can get a guy like him for expiring contracts, Bud, and a future 1st with protection.
This would be awesome except one thing, the clippers pick is now a late-mid first round pick, they just got paul no doubt there making the playoffs.
One other option we should definitely be looking at IMHO is the Polish Hammer, Marcin Gortat. DM the GM liked him enough to talk to him before, and unlike Sammy D he comes at a very affordable price of 6M a year. The Suns are currently rebuilding, and are milking Nash to sell tickets. Marcin Gortat for CASH (Sarver loves him some money), Jordan Hill, Dragic or Flynn and Lee.
Two Trades, one a bit of a blockbuster: Trade 1: http://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/5953666 Houston Out: Luis Scola Courtney Lee Houston In: Marcin Gortat Phx 2012 1st Rounder PHX Out: Steve Nash Marcin Gortat PHX In: Rajon Rondo Ray Allen Boston Out: Rajon Rondo Ray Allen Boston In: Steve Nash Luis Scola Courtney Lee Trade 2: http://basketball.realgm.com/tradechecker/saved_trade/5953662 Houston Out: Kevin Martin Houston In: Al Jefferson Utah Out: Al Jefferson Utah In: Kevin Martin Houston: Essentially establishes a legit front court foundation for the future: Jefferson/Gortat. Both Players are under 28, and have put up shockingly comparable PER numbers to the Gasol/Nene frontcourt Morey was shooting for. While Courney Lee is a legitimate young talent, he will probably walk after next season, and is a career back-up. Dealing Martin/Lee opens up time for our young core of lottery talent. A Bud/T-Will backcourt alongside Lowry is intriguing and essentially officially begins the rebuilding on the fly. C: Gortat/Hill/Thabeet PF: Jefferson/PatPat SF: Bud/Morris/Parsons SG: T-Will/(Bud)/(Flynn) PG: Lowry/Dragic/Flynn Utah: Overloaded at the C/PF position with minutes needed for Kanter/Favors/Milsap/Okur. They are dealing from a position of strength and adding one of the most efficient scorers in the league Boston: Steve Nash quietly had a better year than Rondo and gives him a shot in Boston, who is in a win-now mode more than ever. Scola provides a veteran scorer off the bench, the level of which they have not had, and Lee brings a defensive spark off the bench. PHX: They bring in their new franchise PG Rajon Rondo, and swap future Hall of Famers to keep the butts in the seats THOUGHTS??
Phoenix isn't doing this. No way they trade Nash, Gortat, and a first rounder for Rondo and Ray Allen's corpse.
I agree Phx wont doing this but Ray Allen is not dead. He's still better than Kevin Martin at age 36 considering he's the 3rd option on Boston Celtics. http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/players/3080
What do you think it would take? My methodology is Sarver historically has undervalued draft picks...And I can't see a better opportunity for Phx to bring in a new franchise cornerstone. Phx and Boston seem like natural trade partners, we are just part of the facilitation.
Kevin Martin does not fit on this team any more, time to trade him to Minny, but for whom? Who will they give up? DD