I can't see us getting Joe Johnson (esp with regards to his big contract)...as for harrington, what role would he fulfill on our team?I can't see him as a replacement for Stro or Wesley...
Well, I'm not a realgm nut, so I have no idea how the salaries match up, but I thought Harrington had a bigger deal than the MLE and was assuming Wesley would have to be added for the deal to work and Atlanta wouldn't mind because he's an expiring contract.
Nevermind. Real GM explained it to me. Stromile Swift from Houston Swift was recently signed a contract and as a result he cannot be traded until Dec 15 December, 2005.
My initial thought was the exact same.. as if Atlanta is a wasteland. On a different note though - they do have a LOT of good young talent!?
If JVG is actually looking to trade Alston and Swift, and Atlanta is part of the equation, I would like to resurrect this post I made about a week ago... http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showpost.php?p=2086111&postcount=8 According to RealGM trade checker, it works out financially. Stick 2678787 in the Trade ID box at www.realgm.com to view it. Also, I could see Charlotte taking on Wesley's expiring contract, since they're so damn concerned about clearing cap. I would LOVE to see them deal us Kareem Rush. Salaries match up on RealGM as well...trade ID #2678807.
Like some speculate, this might just be a jest and not serious talk. But assuming JVG is serious about trading one of the new players, Swift or Alston, I would lose some respect of him. I don't agree with edc and pasox that this is his excuse. But I do think that if JVG wanted those players in the offseason and now wanted to get rid of them after just a month of the season, then he is not a very good coach. This just shows that he either blames his players for his own inability to coach them or he didn't do his homework when he acquired them.
Well, I'm not the GM nor the coach, but those are the guys I'd guess are most available on the Hawks. That was my point. But if I must also speculate on the role those players would play on our team - Joe Johnson would be obvious. He would be a huge upgrade at shooting guard. Al Harrington can play small forward or power forward, and it's clear we at least need a back up small forward with McGrady's back being a concern. I'm sure others would suggest that he could start at small forward and we could move McGrady back to shooting guard. Either would be possible, but I think it more likely he'd be asked to log his minutes as a back up 3/4 and relieve McGrady of the heavy minutes he's playing every night.
I blame him and CD for trading Mike James for Rafer, but Stro is still a good move. Even if he doesn't work out over here, because of his contract and talent, he is a valuable trade asset.
It's fun to speculate regarding those young guys and Al Harrington/Joe Johnson both make alot of sense. Skill wise, Johnson is the ideal fit, but he's getting $20million this year on a max contract - Les isn't going to pay that. Swift straight up for an Al Harrington on the last year of his contract makes alot of sense for both teams. Hawks had interest in Swift in the offseason and Harrington fills an obvious need for us. You could then try and package Wesley, Norris, and Howard to the Hornets for PJ Brown.
How about moving Wesley and Swift for Speedy Claxton and Chris Anderson? When Swift and Anderson are eligible to be traded this month? You get very good backup PG and vicious rebounder/defender to compliment Yao and Juwan. The Hornets get post scoring (of which they have none right now) at a cheap price in Swift.
Alston's played, what 8 games as a Rocket? Stro's played 15. JVG's been dogging Wesley and David has fired back about the lack of the "clearly defined role he has". I don't know if trading Wesley could help us. Alston hasn't had a chance here yet and I don't think Stro has strong trade value. I don't doubt Doc, but if all of this is true JVG seems to be freaking out a bit IMHO. Very interesting though...
Exactly! They are in need of an upgrade at the point...someone who can get out on the break and exploit the youth of that damn college-aged roster they have. Rafer would fit nicely there. Then they could move Joe Johnson to the 2 guard.
