What about OT, KT, Wiz, & Willis for Austin Croshere and either of Indiana's teenage forwards besides O'neal. Just throwin out stuff.
How about: Houston trades Kevin Willis and Moochie Norris. Boston trades Joe Johnson and Kenny Anderson.
I don't think Boston would agree to trade Joe Johnson and Kenny Anderson for Norris and Willis. We need to improve at SF and at Center but we can't afford another big contract.
One team that Kevin Willis might be a good fit on is the Bucks,but I don't think we can get anyone of much use to us in return.
They would if they think they will win the east this year by adding Willis plus they have Kedrick Brown. It is basically tradeing KW for a first round draft choice.
Bucks trade Tim Thomas to Houston. Houston trades KT, Walt and Willis to Bucks. Tim Thomas is expensive at 9.5 million, but he is an athletic 3 who can score from the 3 pt. line. KT and Tim Thomas have similar numbers this year, with KT making less than 1 million. Bucks get equal production, but will save 8.5 million next year when Walt and Willis' contract expire.
Tim Thomas is a more talented player than KT.He is the player that the Bucks are grooming to take Glen Robinson's place in the future,I seriously doubt that they would give him up.
Why would anyone be "grooming" to take Glenn Robinsons place is beyond me. Its not as if Big Dog is one of the older players. I bet he probably isnt older then 28.
ROckets03: You are correct, Big Dog just turned 29 in January. This year his salary is 8.9 million and he is signed through the 2004/2005 season. Tim Thomas' salary is 9.6 million and he is signed through the 2005/2006 season. This year, the bucks are paying out over 18 million to their SF position, and this amount will continue to go up until 2004/2005 (barring a trade). While I agree with Saleem that Tim Thomas is more talented than KT, my argument is that the Bucks can get the same production from KT that they are currently getting from Tim Thomas and save 8.5 million.
How about this trade? Houston sends Willis/KT to Orlando. Orlando sends Garrity to Houston. Throw in the Toronto pick if necessary. Orlando gets a legitimate center & a productive PF to fill the role that Garrity has been playing lately. They've been using Grant at center & he's only 6'10" 245 lbs. Between Ewing & Willis, they'd have two 7 footers at center. They should be able to split the minutes between them. Garrity at 6'9" 238 lbs, is more suited to the SF spot & is shooting 42% from the field & 42% from 3 point range. He'd fill in nicely for us. This story explains why I feel Orlando would be open to talking about the trade. They appear to want a PF/C, but would they part with Garrity? I think they would. http://www.floridatoday.com/!NEWSROOM/sportstoryA12252A.htm Magic unlikely to land LaFrentz By John Denton FLORIDA TODAY ORLANDO -- The Orlando Magic have a strong interest in trading for Denver's Raef LaFrentz, but likely will shy away from any possible deal for the 6-foot-11 center because of the Nuggets' insistence that any transaction also involve disgruntled point guard Nick Van Exel. Van Exel's agent, Tony Dutt, contacted the Magic last week seeking a possible trade to Orlando. But Orlando is reluctant to acquire Van Exel because of his questionable attitude and salary. Van Exel is making $9 million this season, the third year of a six-year, $77 million deal. Van Exel could become more attractive to the Magic and other teams if he would agree to exercise an escape clause in his contract after the 2003-04 season, a move that would void $26.5 million. The NBA's trade deadline is 6 p.m. Thursday. Orlando (27-25) is seventh in the Eastern Conference standings; the top eight teams make the playoffs. But Magic general manager John Gabriel said there is no pressure to make a move. "Nobody is just giving (centers and power forwards) away," Gabriel said. "(If) you want to find out who's making a deal just look at who's in crisis. You've got teams like Golden State, Denver, Atlanta and New York. "But I like the guys we have. We have some things we're not doing defensively, but we're getting better. If any team is on an upswing right now, it's us." Though NBA tampering rules prohibit teams from publicly discussing other players, Orlando covets LaFrentz for obvious reasons. The Magic's smallish frontline needs size, athleticism and shot-blocking, and LaFrentz would fill all areas. He is second in the NBA in blocked shots (3.0 a game) and is averaging 7.4 rebounds a game. He also is one of the game's best shooting big men, ranking ninth in 3-point shooting (43.8 percent). He has scored 30 points three times this season and is averaging 14.8 points a game. LaFrentz, 25, will become a restricted free agent at season's end. "Let's put it this way," Magic power forward Horace Grant said, "I'd rather play with him than against him." But to get him, the Magic might have to part with small forward Mike Miller. The NBA's reigning Rookie of the Year has filled in nicely for an injured Grant Hill and has boosted his scoring average to 16 points a game. He admitted that he was bothered by trade rumors that arose last season, but he is resigned to the fact now that they are a part of life in the NBA. "I think so," Miller said of being on the trade block, "but what can you do? I think my name will be out there my whole career. When you first hear it, it really touches you. I found out a lot in the second half of last season that this is a business. You've just got to take care of what you can -- and that's playing basketball." All-Star guard Tracy McGrady said he favors any trade that improves the Magic, but he is hoping that Miller, his closest friend on the team, isn't involved. "Without a doubt that would be tough to take," McGrady said. "I don't want to see my man Mike go anywhere. The friendship that we've established over the past two years is really strong. He's like my brother, and you never want to see family leave." Van Exel is one of the game's most dynamic playmakers (8.1 assists a game) and is having a career year in scoring (21.4 points a game). But his shooting percentage (40.8 percent) and bouts with former coaches Dell Harris and Dan Issel raise question marks.
Why do some people live in denial? We do have someone by the name of Glen Rice, making 8M, whom I promise you Rudy will refuse to bench, no matter what the circumstances. I'm pretty sure that we won't be acquiring anyone that would play more than 10min/game at best, because: Cato/Willis Cato's playing great, and Willis is an excellent backup. This C rotation is better than many other teams right now. Plus, Willis is playing a major part in keeping Cato motivated. KT/Griffin/Taylor Taylor is out for the season, so right now, we need both others. Although I do think Cato will be dealt this offseason, or mext mid-season. Rice/T-Mo Rice hasn't had the chance to show what he's capable of, so it would be stupid to bench him, get rid of him, or whatever. We will not get another SF because our franchise thinks/knows that T-Mo is our swingman of the future. His wish is basically our command. Mobley/Torres No need for change here. We have possibly the best 2nd tier SG in the league. Which is great considering he'll soon be 3rd option. Francis/Mooch No use wasting my 'breath'. I'd love to see us trading for Lamar Odom or Rashard Lewis, but in all likelyhood, it isn't happening. Although, if Odom would agree to be our 6th man, backup 4 spots, play big minutes. SG, SF, PF, C. He'd play 35 minutes, why complain? KT, Mooch, 2 first rounders for Odom, Dooling
Sacramento trades: SF Hidayet Turkoglu (10.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.9 apg in 24.2 minutes) PF Lawrence Funderburke (4.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 0.7 apg in 13.9 minutes) Sacramento receives: PF Kenny Thomas (14.2 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.9 apg in 34.8 minutes) C Kevin Willis (6.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 0.3 apg in 17.8 minutes) TRADE ACCEPTED Rockets 1. Francis/Norris/Brown 2. Mobley/Torres 3. Turkoglu/Morris/Williams/Rice* 4. Griffin/Funderburke/Taylor* 5. Cato/Collier Why the Rockets should do it: - Turkoglu is a good shooter allows for better spacing - Give Willis a real chance at winning a championship ring Kings 1. Bibby/Cleeves/Price 2. Christie/Jackson 3. Stojakovic/Wallace 4. Webber/K.Thomas 5. Divac/Pollard/Willis Why the Kings should do it: - Willis gives them another strong body against Shaq. - Moving Turkoglu will give Gerald Wallace more minutes.
Willis has never made it to the NBA Finals let alone won championship rings. The closest he ever got was a couple of Conference Finals appearances, including the 6 game WCF with the Rockets a few years ago, and a 7 game series with the Hawks against Bird's Celtics where the Hawks got arrogant and blew a 3-2 series lead.
Tim Thomas also happens to be EG's cousin, just worth noting. I wouldn't mind trading for him-Cassell just got hurt, so maybe they'd like a backup in Moochie, too?. I'd trade KT/KW/Moochie for Thomas and something. hottoddie-I'd pass the Magic trade. Talent wise, I don't think Garrity is better than KT, let alone KT+KW+pick.
I've always had the upmost respect for Willis. He plays hard ever night, does the all the dirty work without complaining and at his age, still plays the game with great intensity. Even though he is a tyrannosaurus rex with his short arms he is still a good defender in the post because of his strength. He came here for less then he could of got elswhere when Barkely came to town and I wish we could take care of him and trade him to a contender. A late first round pick would do...every team needs help against Shaq unless he gets hurt so there should be teams interested.
I completely agree milo, I'd like to see Big Kev get a serious crack at a ring. You know it's weird, the Lakers are saying they need frontcourt help and are considering going after Oakley, why not go after Kevin Willis? Another 7-footer who is a great rebounder who can form sort of a "Twin Towers" line-up with Shaq and fill in minutes as a back-up. That would seem to be a perfect fit. Obviously the Lakers don't have anything we would want, but maybe a 3-way deal?
Willis + Toronto pick for Garrity would be ok,since we are not playing Willis at all,but adding KT would weaken us.
