Glenn Robinson from milwaukee, George Karl wants Gary payton and is willing to trade Cassel and Glenn for him was reported by ESPN insider: They also state that they need a 3rd team to take on Glenn robinson how come not the rox? seattle needs a C Cato? Dogging it It's five games into the season for the Bucks (4-1) and coach George Karl is already getting antsy. Sure, he got his coveted tough power forward, Anthony Mason, after a preseason-long tirade to Bucks owner Herb Kohl and GM Ernie Grunfeld. But now that Karl has had a taste of Mason's toughness on the defensive end, he's craving more. A source close to the Bucks told ESPN Insider that Karl is willing to sacrifice Glenn Robinson and Sam Cassell to get it. Milwaukee is ranked 22nd in the league in points allowed (98.3), 24th in opponent's field-goal percentage (45.3) and 20th in opponent's turnovers. The usual suspects? A gimpy Robinson and an even gimpier Cassell. If injuries were Robinson and Cassell's only problems, Karl might be willing to be more patient, but according to the source, Karl believes that ultimately the Bucks will have to upgrade their defense to have a serious shot at the Eastern Conference crown, let alone the Lakers. Karl's problems with Robinson have been well documented. While Robinson is one of the premier scorers in the league, Karl has been concerned with his defense and work ethic. Robinson's ankle problems have only heightened Karl's anxiety. Cassell is a different story altogether. He plays with a fire Karl loves, but has allowed a bad contract to distract him this season. Cassell has played half-heartedly all season and considered sitting out training camp despite the fact that Milwaukee is willing to offer him the maximum extension allowable under the collective-bargaining agreement. Cassell is still unhappy with being one of the lowest-paid players on the team. Cassell is now battling bruised ribs and Robinson is still struggling with his ankle. But Karl believes Robinson is using the ankle as an excuse to get out of practice. "Glenn didn't want to serve as a good teammate," Karl told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel after Robinson skipped Thursday's practice to rest his ankle. "It's tough to make a total commitment. That's what we're trying to get everybody to do. We're trying to win a championship. Practice right now is as important as games, but I don't think Glenn buys into that." What is Karl's solution? Finding a player willing to give that total commitment -- in a word, the Glove. Karl has pined for Gary Payton since things started going sour in Seattle last year and is already pushing Grunfeld to work out a way to bring Payton, with his defense and offensive prowess, to Milwaukee. It's unlikely that a package of Cassell and Robinson will be enough to pry Payton out of the Sonics' hands -- meaning Karl will have to find a third team to take Robinson if he wants Payton in a Bucks uniform anytime soon. But is Payton still on the block at all? A source in Seattle told Insider Thursday that the team won't give Payton away, but he's clearly still in play -- especially if the Sonics could grab a young point guard or scoring power forward. With their young core of Rashard Lewis and Desmond Mason playing great basketball, and attendance sketchy despite the fact that they decided to keep fan favorite Payton, the Sonics are open to shaking things up, especially if the move addresses their long-term goals. So can Karl pull off the trade? "He's persistent and I think it is one of the few situations that Payton wouldn't go ballistic over. The question is whether Kohl is willing to commit the money to giving Payton the extension he wants." With the Bucks close to the luxury tax, Karl will have to do a serious sales job that a lineup of Payton, Ray Allen, Tim Thomas, Mason and Ervin Johnson has what it takes to challenge the Lakers. According to one Western Conference GM, they'd be as close as anyone in the league. "Suddenly the Bucks would go from being a great offensive team, to a great defensive team with plenty of scoring punch left. I'm not sure that Ervin Johnson is the answer to Shaq, but no one has that answer. But if Allen and Payton could take care of Kobe, the Bucks would have a legitimate shot."
From a completely non-number standpoint, it sound slike if we threw in KT this deal could work. Seattle wants a point guard and a scoring PF. They would get Cassel and KT - who's trade value right now is probably as high as it will ever be. Milwaukee gets GP and we end up with Glenn Robinson. 95% of the year I would say try and get this trade done, but KT is playing so well, we purposely picked up Rice - who could get better - to fill the Glenn Robinson role and shaking up the chemistry always hurts. Plus, we suck in th efrontcourt, and aside from Willis, KT is our only hope as of now. On the other hand, Glenn Robinson, even with his "reported" ankle sprain, is averaging 21 pts, nearly 6 rebounds, and 2.3 steals a game. Those are very good numbers, would certainly make up for KT's loss, would ensure that we still have a solid SF coming off the bench in Rice and would make this team the offensive threat that they were suppossed to be. Finally, the trade would shoot Willis into the starting line-up (probably with Cato), where he should be, and would mean Griffin would get significantly more minutes, which is also good in my book. Finally, throwing Walt (who Milwaukee may want to have another SF) in, REAL GM accepts the trade: Houston trades: Kenny Thomas $946,920 to Seattle Houston trades: Walt Williams $5,000,000 to Milwaukee TOTAL: $5,946,920 Milwaukee trades: Glenn Robinson $8,990,000 to Houston Milwaukee trades: Sam Cassell $4,000,000 to Seattle TOTAL: $12,990,000 Seattle trades: Gary Payton $12,926,493 to (plus Trade Kicker $1,950,456) Milwaukee TOTAL: $12,926,493 TRADE ACCEPTED
No way would the Rockets do this deal, they don't just pay Rice 9 mil a year just for him to sit on the bench. Also, if KT was traded away in this deal, who's going to be our frontcourt go-to guy? Kevin Willis? I don't think so. I've seen him play enough this season, so far most points he scored comes off feed from Francis, for an easy layup or dunk. His post-up moves really suck btw, and his hook shots aren't effective either. Bottom line, this deal would be off.
While I agree that it would weaken our frontcourt, do we really need someone who does anything other than play defense and catch open feeds from our guards. Glen Robinson's offensive game is money. You cant argue that this move would hurt our offensive production. It hampers our frontcourt, but allows Griffin to mature some more and when Taylor comes back next year we'd be a much better team. I love KT's hustle and performance thus far, but Samaki Walker of all people poured in 14 points against us on Thursday. We need more defense in the frontcourt and KT doesnt give it to us. I wouldnt want a 9 million dollar player coming off the bench, so if I could substitute RIce for Walt the deal would be even better. Fact of the mater is, Rice doesnt deserve as much money as hes getting and isnt in his prime whereas Robinson is.
The Rockets do this deal because Mo's coming back next year. That also gives them a front court scorer they badly need. This is a deal for the future. I can't imagine why Milwaukee would do that deal, though.
Karl's living in the past. Payton is a good defender, but he's no longer the lock-em-up Glove he was in the past. And if Karl is unhappy with Sammy putting up so many shots, how's he going to feel about Gary taking even more? As for Houston's involvement, I like what it would do for us in the future. But we'd basically be writing this season off, since Willis and Cato would be forced to play 40+ minutes a game each. We just don't have enough big men to make it work.
