We only hear about one 2 for 1, Spree for ??? and probably Wesley which was the subject of a well known if absent hoopsworld article. Well Clutch BBS abhors a vacuum. What are the MOST likely alternatives at this stage of the game?
It would be a shame if CD spoiled this great offseason by trading Wesley for Sprewell. Spree just isn't that good, and he's not a good fit for this team...especially now that we got Anderson. I don't see us moving Wesley until maybe the deadline...and that's a big maybe. I think team chemistry is right where we want it now. CD has managed to improve the team while keeping together the core group of guys from last year. I think a lot of that 2 for 1 talk was before we used the amnesty cut on Spoon...we couldn't find a trading partner, so we just cut him. If anybody gets dealt now, it'll be a 2 for 1 of Baker, Moochie, or Ward for somebody elses garbage that has a short contract. Whoever is left of the three will be cut.
While I was in the minority in wanting Spree over DA, I happily welcome DA. But now I think it would now be a mistake to trade Wesley for Spree, as I feel CD is exploring for a couple of reasons. Wesley is a better 3 pt shooter than Spree and that's always nice to have. With 2 new "starters" fighting for the same position, I'm not sure the chemistry would remain the same. Wesley would try hard to retain the starting position but I don't think he'd go funky if he came off the bench. DA or Spree may get funky coming off the bench. Spree would be signed and traded for more than the LLE. LLE would have been a bargin but Spree for somewhere in the 5-6 mill range - which he would be if packaged for Baker and Wesley and probably an additional 2nd round pick or 2 - would be over paying for a 36 year old. So while I was for a Spree/Wesley tandom, I think a Wesley/Anderson tandom is a better fit for this team than Spree/Anderson tandom.
I also agree that the Wesley/Anderson combo will be much more effective for this group of players. I hope we don't pull the trigger on a Wesley for Spree trade.
I think it's obvious that if we do make another move, it will probably be for a front court player. We've heard both CD and JVG talk about the fact that there are too many guards, and not enough forwards. Moving Wesley is not consistant with keeping chemisty; on the other hand, signing Anderson cannot mean that Wesley will pick up where he left off last year. I also don't think that we resigned Barry to have him ride the pine, especially because he was so effective in the minutes he played last year. We need to keep James because, other than Sura, he's our only capable point guard. Coming off of the injuries and being thin at pg means Sura stays too. ...So, who goes? We know Head is probably heading for the NBL. We know that Ward is basically done. We know that Moochie and BAker's contracts don't have much value, or they'd be gone by now. Maybe a trade is not in the cards. Perhaps we waive Ward, and sign a low level FA power forward. CD said we don't have much money, but with the Spoon amnesty, how much money would we have to play with? Cappologists? .....
For the Rox side of the fence the two players would be {Sura, Wesley} + {Charlie Ward, Moochie Norris, Vin Baker} ie one player out of the 7/8 rotation plus one of our turds. Looking at our roster 1: Mike James, Bob Sura, Luther Head 2: Derek Anderson, David Wesley, Jon Barry 3: Tracy MacGrady, Ryan Bowen 4: Stromile Swift, Juwan Howard 5: Yao Ming, Dikembe Mutombo IR: Charlie Ward, Moochie Norris, Vin Baker Given Howard's health and Mutombo's age, more depth at the 4/5 would not be a bad thing. That 4/5 should only see occasional backup minutes. I would then expect CD to sign a FA guard, like Jay Williams, to a one year deal. This type of 4/5 player could also be found in the FA market. Instead of a low block player, CD could do a straight guard swap. Two of our three turds would remain for a mid season, expiring contract type of trade.
I think this is right. Signing Anderson means Sprewell is out of the picture. All signs point to looking to deal for a 4 or 5. I have no idea who might be the target though. Aruba, we have no money left to play with. If we sign anyone, it's for the minimum.
Some modifications to your roster 1: Bob Sura, Mike James 2: David Wesley, Jon Barry 3: Tracy MacGrady, Derek Anderson, Ryan Bowen 4: Stromile Swift, Juwan Howard 5: Yao Ming, Dikembe Mutombo We will add another 4/5 to the roster. IR: Charlie Ward NBADL: Luther Head Cut: Moochie Norris, Vin Baker
