Could Hakim Warrick be had?

Hakim Warrick Blurb

We read a story yesterday about how disappointed Jerry West was that he just missed out on drafting Gerald Green. Apparently, West had Green at No. 3 on his draft board and couldn't believe that Green kept being passed over and thought he had a legit shot at grabbing him at No. 19 after he fell out of the lottery.

Then the Celtics took him right before the Grizzlies selected and West was heartbroken and suddenly "stuck" with Hakim Warrick.

West was so down afterward, when the Memphis press asked him about Warrick, West replied with, "I really don't have anything to say."

Jerry, did you see Hakim's face after he was selected? The feeling looked to be mutual.

After reading this little blurb, I was just wondering if it would be possible to work a deal for him. Since West has been trying to trade Jason Williams & Bonzi Wells, would he possibly consider some expiring contracts & a couple of future #1 picks for Hakim/JW or Bonzi? Perhaps, Wesley(expiring contract)/James(JW's replacement)/2 future #1 picks for JW/Hakim? Is 2 #1 picks too high a price to pay?

I don't buy into the argument that teams don't trade with teams within their division, but I also realize that this would be a long shot. Any thoughts? Could this happen? Could Hakim be the PF we need?

 

I'm not enamored with JW either. If they'd trade Bonzi, his salary would be $8 million, but for only one year. While Hakim is considered a tweener, he brings the athleticism that we need & he can play both the 3/4 positions.

Perhaps with James in the trade, we wouldn't have to give up any #1 picks. I don't know, but it would be interesting to see what he could be had for.

After reading this article from commercialappeal.com out of Memphis, it seems to me that West has Lawrence Roberts already penciled in as Swift's replacement, & an upgrade at that. Of all the articles I've read, Roberts keeps getting a ringing endorsement from the Grizzlies, while Hakim seems to be getting a luke warm reception. With the Grizzlies looking to get something for Bonzi (rather than lose him for nothing), I think Hakim could be had for the right price. Maybe even, just James & the two 2nd round picks they gave up for Roberts.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/mca/grizzlies/article/0,1426,MCA_475_3893351,00.html

Despite slipping, team believes MSU's Roberts can be a contributor
By Ronald Tillery
June 30, 2005

What a casual onlooker may look at as a reason for disappointment, Lawrence Roberts views as an invigorating opportunity.

Where critics see an undersized player, the Grizzlies have their sights set on toughness and rebounds.

The only people that care more about where Roberts landed in the NBA draft are pundits handing out grades.

"This," the former Mississippi State forward said, "is an opportunity to prove people wrong."

Roberts didn't harp Wednesday on his late second-round status (No. 55 overall), preferring to relish in joining a team that sorely needs a steady diet of what he does best.

So enamored by Roberts were the Griz that they gladly gave up what it took to get him from Seattle: two future second-round picks and an undisclosed amount of cash.

That may seem like a steep price, says team president Jerry West, but the Griz always believed that Roberts was an undervalued commodity in this draft.

"We were shocked that he was still available," West said.

Roberts stopped watching the draft proceedings Tuesday night once he was chosen by Seattle. But his dad didn't, and informed the former SEC Player of the Year that the Grizzlies made the deal about 20 minutes after the pick was announced.

Consider this a match made under the glass. The Griz reached out for a player who relentlessly pursues the basketball, and Roberts said he already understands that rebounding will be his primary focus.

"It's one of those things you can take pride in," Roberts said. "(Rebounding) is one of those things I take pride in. ...The one thing I can guarantee is that they won't have to question me working hard."

Expectations swelled immediately when Roberts received his Grizzly jersey. He'll wear No. 44, and the unveiling drew lighthearted ribbing from West.

"Wait a minute," West joked. "I know a guy who used to wear this number at one time."

West wore No. 44 for the Los Angeles Lakers. Roberts chose the number he wore at Baylor before transferring.

The Griz will gladly take the MSU version of the 6-9 forward. In pre-draft workouts, Roberts outperformed players that eventually were selected in the first round.

Not lost on the Griz, too, is that Roberts led the SEC in rebounding (11.0) as a senior.

"Specialists can make it in the NBA," Griz coach Mike Fratello said. "You can be a great 3-point shooter. You can be a great penetrator and cause problems that way. You can be a great defender in this league. And you can be a great rebounder.

"That's his strength without question. His coach mentioned that if his hands touch the ball it says rebound. He's strong enough to pull it away from other people, and that's one of the reasons we were attracted to him."

Beauty in the eye of the holder of the 55th pick.