This was posted in ESPN Insider. It would be an interesting trade if it happened. Any thoughts? ### Q: It seems like the Sonics, Bulls and Warriors are all spinning their wheels right now. They have a nice collection of players, are winning some basketball games, but seem to have duplicates at too many positions. With all of the players on those teams rumored to be on the block, is there a way to redistribute them in a way that makes all three teams better in the long run? -- David Harris, Oakland CHAD FORD: Great question David. After pondering the same thing over the past few weeks, I've been talking to sources inside all three of these teams to get a good handle on who is and isn't available, what the asking prices are and who is likely to be moved. All three teams are actively looking to make moves before the trade deadline. They all have valuable assets, but as you pointed out, have too many duplicates at key positions. While I've been told that no "serious" trade talks are going on with any of these teams, it seems to me that all the pieces are in place for a blockbuster. Why don't the Sonics, Warriors and Bulls start talking three-way on the following deal? * The Sonics send Gary Payton and Vladimir Radmanovic to Golden State. * The Warriors send Mike Dunleavy, Jason Richardson, Danny Fortson and Adonal Foyle to Chicago. * And the Bulls send Jamal Crawford, Eddy Curry, Marcus Fizer and Eddie Robinson to Seattle and Dalibor Bagaric to Golden State. Not only do the salaries add up, the trade essentially solves many of the major issues facing each team. First, it gives the Warriors the second-best point guard in the league and the veteran leadership Eric Musselman needs to turn the Warriors completely around. Radmanovic's versatility also becomes a huge plus when you factor in that Antawn Jamison is never sure where he wants to play exactly. The addition of Payton should be enough to make the Warriors a dangerous contender for the playoffs. Payton's ties to the Bay Area should make it a cinch for the Warriors to re-sign him in the summer, especially if they make a big push. For the Bulls, the deal essentially ships out four bench warmers, and brings in a dynamic, starting two guard in Richardson, the small forward of the future in Dunleavy, and two solid veterans to help the Bulls push their way out of the lottery for the first time in five years. Fortson does have a terrible contract, but the Bulls are essentially swapping it for Robinson, so call it a wash. The deal will be a little tougher for the Sonics to swallow. Payton is the Sonics right now and fans won't be happy that he was moved for prospects. But how often are you able to get three lottery picks that can help you out in a position of need? Crawford has the potential to be the star point guard of the future. Curry has the potential to be a dominant center. Even at the age of 20, he already is major upgrade over the current group of Jerome James, Calvin Booth and Vitaly Potapenko. Fizer hasn't wowed anybody in Chicago, but he's tough as nails and can score in the paint. Robinson is a little tougher fit, but he proved to be valuable in Charlotte coming off the bench and could fulfill the same role in Seattle. The trades would leave the teams with the following rosters: CHICAGO BULLS PG: Jay Williams, Roger Mason Jr. SG: Jason Richardson, Trenton Hassell, Fred Hoiberg SF: Jalen Rose, Mike Dunleavy PF: Donyell Marshall, Danny Fortson, Lonny Baxter C: Tyson Chandler, Adonal Foyle, Corie Blount GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS PG: Gary Payton, Earl Boykins SG: Gilbert Arenas, Bob Sura, Jiri Welsch SF: Vladimir Radmanovic, Chris Mills PF: Antawn Jamison, Troy Murphy C: Erick Dampier, Dalibor Bagaric SEATTLE SONICS PG: Jamal Crawford, Kenny Anderson SG: Brent Barry, Desmond Mason, Joe Forte SF: Rashard Lewis, Eddie Robinson, Ansu Sesay PF: Marcus Fizer, Predrag Drobnjak, Reggie Evans C: Eddy Curry, Jerome James, Vitaly Potapenko, Calvin Booth What all three of these teams need is balance and a solid core of young players to build around. This is a trade that ensures the viability of all three teams for years to come. ### Chris
So does this mean that both Chicago and Golden State have given up on both Curry and Dunleavy Jr respectively? Wow! I bet Chicago is now regreting trading away an all star andf co-rookie of the year in Elton Brand. Ah.....the draft.....
Chicago gave up Elton Brand for Tyson Chandler. They drafted Eddy Curry with their pick. Word was that Chicago wanted Tyson all along but he was selected 2nd. And since they did not get him in the draft with their pick they traded for him. Similarly in a previous draft Chicago wanted Darius Miles but he was selected before Chicago picked so they went with Fizer. Both drafts Chicago didn't get the person they wanted it it appears they panicked with their choice because of it. Chris
Not to suggest that it didn't come direct from Chad Ford's "insider sources , but this exact same deal -- and some of the same analysis! -- was posted on a GS fan board a couple of days ago. (a little bit of emphasis added) --------------------------------- 3 way with Sonics and Bulls Posted by Ukraine Train on 2003-01-14 15:42:47 Trade ID:875869 Warriors Trade:JRICH/Dunleavy/Foyle/Fortson/#1 top 3prtctd getayton/Radmanovich/Bagaric Seattle Tradeayton/Radmanovich get:Curry/Crawford/Fizer/Robinson/#1 top 3prtctd Bulls Trade:Curry/Crawford/Fizer/Robinson/Bagaric get:JRICH/Dunleavy/Foyle/Fortson Warriors Dampier/Murphy/Bagaric Murphy/Radman Jamison/Radman Arenas/Sura/Welsch Payton/Boykins The Warriors get a stud PG with some tread left on his tires. They get instant credebility throughout the NBA and Cohan is happy because it puts butts in the seats and the Warriors on national TV more next year. Who knows the Warriors could make a run at a playoff spot this year. Radmanonivich essentially replaces MDJ and comes at a cheaper price. What's more he can play PF whereas Dunleavy can't. Furthermore the Warriors clear some of their logjam and give players more defined roles. I.E. Arenas becomes the new BG with Sura backing him up until he goes away at which point Welsch is ready to step in. Fegan is also happy because now he can get both JRICH and Arenas more money down the line. The Warriors do not need their #1 this year but its still top 3 protected should they luck out in the lotto if they are still in the lotto. Yes they are giving up a lot in JRICH's/MDJ future but you have to give to get. Seattle Curry/James/Potapenko Fizer/Booth Lewis/Robinson Barry/Mason Crawford/Anderson Seattle essentially makes this trade for Crawford who they have liked all along and Curry a young big who they can build around. McMillan is not happy with Radman and Fizer gives them more beef inside. Robinson replaces Radman and basically he had to be included to make the deal work cap wise. They also are likely to get the Warriors #1 which will be late lotto. I realize they have too many centers but they are all garbage. Its possible to work a deal which includes either Potapenko or Booth and to take Radman out but then the Sonics would not get the #1. Bulls Foyle/blount/Chandler Chandler/Marshall/Fortson Rose/Dunleavy JRICH/Hassell Williams Crumbs and Cartwright view this deal as addition by subtraction plus they are getting 2 key building blocks in Dunleavy and JRICH who can share time at SF/BG with Rose. Dunleavy fits the triangle and will be reunited with J.Williams and JRICH is a beggars man's MJ. At least they have the same number. Cartwright gets a center who can help now but Fortson is the booby prize although he could help by adding some toughness inside.
That would work. But Seattle would never give up Gary Payton unless he asks for too much money. Same exact trade. Plagiarism!
Doesn't Golden State get raped in this deal? They trade: Mike Dunleavy Jason Richardson Danny Fortson Adonal Foyle And get: Gary Payton Vladimir Radmanovic Dalibor Bagaric Obviously, Payton is a fantastic player (I'd say best PG, not second, in the league), but he's 35 or so now. This season is already lost. How many more seasons will they have with Payton? By the time they can seriously contend, he'll be retiring or often-injured. For this, they would give up on Dunleavy (after less than a half season?) and Richardson? Radmanovic helps a bit, but doesn't compare with what they are giving up. They would essentially mortgage their future to be good now -- and wouldn't even be all that good right now.
You mean to tell me Gary Payton doesn't have a no-trade clause?? If he does, there is no way in hell he'd allow a trade anywhere other than a perfect match playoff team. He's a free agent this summer. No way he doesn't just ride this season out and move to a perfect scenario. And, if he doesn't have a no-trade clause, the GS would have to be really naive to think that he'd re-up with them.
EXACTLY. I can't believe some of the crap that gets floated around before trade deadlines. Payton would play out the season and leave...so GS would get nothing for Richardson and Dunleavy Possibly the dumbest trade proposal I have heard so far this season
GP is a Bay Area brat which allows this proposal to make some sense. Just like Jason Kidd was trippin over bringing a championship to Golden State last summer...
i bet GP ends up in Indiana before he agrees to go to GS. GP for Jamal Tinsley sounds more realistic.
Also, if Seattle was going to do the trade I think they would just skip the middleman (Chicago). JR, MD2 (even though I think he will never be a quality starter), Foyle and Fortston > Curry, Fizer, Crawford, Eddie Robinson. Think of the trade this way, Seattle trades their best player and maybe 3rd best prospect (VM), GS trades their best prospect (JR) and maybe 3rd best prospect (MD), and Chicago, the worst team of the bunch and one fo the worst in the league, doesn't have to involve their two best prospects or two best players?
Ah...former Dukies together again.......Dick Vitale's wet dream. Remember how much fun Grant Hill and Christian Laetner had together in Detroit?
