Ok, now let's stop the Mo Taylor threads as it appears to be done. Let's start Jamie Feick threads or something... (It's off-topic, but it's in the name of sanity, so it's cool) ---------------------------- Four-team trade will send Baker to Knicks, Ewing to Sonics by Nunyo Demasio Seattle Times staff reporter The Sonics will announce a complicated, four-team trade tomorrow that will send power forward Vin Baker to New York for center Patrick Ewing. Power forward Maurice Taylor - a free agent who played for the Los Angeles Clippers last season - has agreed to sign with the Sonics for their $2.25 million exception, clearing the way for Baker's departure. According to several sources, the four-team trade - only the second such deal in NBA history - also will involve the Lakers and Pistons. The trade alters the balance of power in both conferences, and is the biggest in NBA history in terms of players exchanged: 13. The Sonics also gave up Lazaro Borrell, Greg Foster, Vernon Maxwell and Vladimir Stepania, who all went to Detroit. In addition to Baker, the Knicks received small forward Glen Rice from the Lakers, who shipped Travis Knight to New York in a sign-and-trade deal. The Lakers acquired center Chris Dudley from New York and power forward Christian Laettner from Detroit. David Falk, the agent for Ewing, Taylor and Rice, had his fingerprints all over the deal. The highlight of the blockbuster, of course, was Baker for Ewing, who played his entire 15-year career in New York. The Sonics have never had a top center alongside guard Gary Payton. But Ewing turned 38 on Aug. 5, and missed 88 games during the past three seasons because of various injuries. The Sonics believe that Ewing - voted one of the top 50 players in league history - will be healthy enough to battle the likes of San Antonio's Tim Duncan and the Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal. ------------------ Just shut up and post
I'm wondering how Payton is going to like it having Patrick clog the lane? They might be a little better but they won't contend with the fakers. On the bright side it looks like Mad Max is going to be kicking it in the motor city. I hope he likes "O" jokes. O and 14 , O and 42 ------------------ [This message has been edited by Rocket101 (edited August 21, 2000).]
Was there an extension granted to Ewing? ------------------ I've posted so much that what I say must be true. The latest on Maurice Taylor
H.E.B. , According to the ESPN article below "sources say" that no, Patrick was not/will not be granted an extension and is expected to be a free agent after next season : ------------------------- By Andy Katz ESPN.com Patrick Ewing, one of the top 50 NBA players of all-time and a member of the New York Knicks for his entire 15-year career, is at the center of a major four-team trade involving 13 players and two draft picks, sources confirmed to ESPN.com on Monday. Sources have told ESPN.com the major players in the deal have been agreed upon and the trade could be announced as early as Tuesday. Ewing, 38, will be dealt to the Seattle SuperSonics, who have coveted a dominant center for years. Ewing has battled injuries the last few seasons, but remains one of the league's top centers. He averaged 15.0 points and 9.7 rebounds per game while playing 32.8 minutes per game last season. Sources have told Katz that the Sonics will pick up the last year of Ewing's contract and he will become a free agent after next season. The Knicks and Sonics had been discussing a Ewing-for-Baker trade, but this deal makes more sense for the Knicks, who would also receive Rice. Ewing is entering the final year of a four-year, $60-million contract and wanted an extension for at least two more seasons. The Knicks will receive power forward Vin Baker from Seattle as well as small forward Glen Rice from the Los Angeles Lakers. Also, the Lakers would send Travis Knight in a sign-and-trade agreement to the Knicks, with Los Angeles receiving center Chris Dudley in return. The Lakers also would receive forward Christian Laettner from the Pistons. Detroit, attempting to clear cap room, would take on a number of role players, including Vernon Maxwell, Lazaro Borrell, Greg Foster and Vladimir Stepania from Seattle, and John Celestand and Tyronn Lue from the Lakers, and David Wingate from the Knicks. The Pistons also would receive a pair of first-round draft picks (one each from the Lakers and Knicks) and cash from New York. Since the Lakers would need to sign Rice and Celestand before trading them, and the Knicks need to do the same with Wingate, paperwork might hold the deal up longer than expected. Ewing may not be capable of scoring 25 points a game, but he remains productive. After dealing Baker, the Sonics are expected to sign free-agent power forward Maurice Taylor to their $2.5 million salary exception for this season. Taylor, who has been looking at a number of teams to sign his deal and then cash in after next summer, is said to be intrigued by playing next to Ewing. Taylor, 23, averaged 17.1 points and 6.5 rebounds per game for the Clippers last season. Agent David Falk represents Ewing, Taylor and Rice. The Lakers have been looking for a power forward to complement Shaquille O'Neal and replace A.C. Green, who is expected to retire. The Lakers have been reluctant to re-sign Rice to a big-money deal. Laettner, 31, averaged 12.2 points and 6.7 rebounds for the Pistons last season. The Pistons were interested in clearing Laettner off their cap and taking on players with low salaries. After next season, the Pistons are expected to make a run at the best available free agent, former Michigan star Chris Webber. For the Knicks, this gives them an abundance of talent at the guard and small forward positions, with point guards Charlie Ward and Chris Childs and swingmen Latrell Sprewell and Allan Houston being joined by Rice and an earlier offseason acquisition, former Maverick Erick Strickland. It is expected that the Knicks are not done dealing. The Sonics acquired Baker, 28, from Milwaukee in a three-team deal in 1997 -- a trade that sent Shawn Kemp from Seattle to Cleveland and Terrell Brandon from Cleveland to Milwaukee. Baker had a strong first season in Seattle, averaging 19.2 points and 8.0 rebounds as he helped Seattle to the Pacific Division title. However, Baker's weight ballooned during the NBA lockout in 1998-99, and his numbers slumped badly in 1999, when he averaged 13.8 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Baker's numbers improved in 1999-2000 (16.6 ppg. and 7.7 rpg.), but he still fell out of favor with Seattle coach Paul Westphal, who reportedly was pushing for the deal. ------------------ Just shut up and post [This message has been edited by Dr of Dunk (edited August 21, 2000).]
I say we sign Pat to the Max next season to fill the huge hole left by Dream's retirement ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
Thanks Doc. Actually, no thanks. I was counting on the Sonics not to be in the way of the Rockets yet again. That is, if the Rockets are going to be under the cap next year. ------------------ I've posted so much that what I say must be true. The latest on Maurice Taylor
RT45, They won't be if they resign Taylor like I'm sure they are promising to do. And sure, they could break a promise and let Taylor go and go after Webber, but that would make them appear terrible in the eyes of other FAs. ------------------ Looking for next year's Dan Langhi? Draftsource.net Assimilate David Falk!!
I'm pretty sure that the Sonics WILL resign Taylor next year - gives them a pretty good nucleus with Lewis and Taylor at the forward spots and Payton running the show - of course that "void" that they filled with their "dominant" center will be gone next year and whether or not they fill it will be interesting! (considering they will be giving Taylor the max) Of course if they don't resign Taylor then nobody will frown at them - the rest of the league will jsut think "ah that Mo Taylor, he's just a trouble maker, the poor sonics gave him a chance and look how badly he treated them" ------------------
Just wanted to ask what to people think of the Knicks line-up if this trade goes down. Lawernce wrote a an interesting article at espn.com suggesting the knicks were better off with Ewing at centre than getting softy Baker. Anyways the trade will leave them with a line-up looking like PG-Ward, Childs SG-Spree, Houston SF-Rice, Johnson PF-Baker, Camby C- Gotta think Baker will play 5, but he hates the rough stuff in the Key, and where will Rice get those piles of shots he wants, and there is a too many players at the 2 and 3 spots for the team to be harmonious, my guess in there will be another trade in the works but can they be traded again after being resigned (in rices case). What about the Lakers, they don't Rice move Fox to the 3 spot and bring in Laettner who Phil apparently loves, dudley is a good back-up, but there is no way Laettner is the solution, he might not even be an improvement. As for the Pistons, they trying to do a Magic, isn't it going to fun watching Stack take 60 shots a game. Random thoughts Smeg ------------------ Discombobulation Imminent
The Knicks made that blockbuster trade with LA to get Travis Knight!! Surely he'll start at center?? I think they want to move LJ and one of Houston or Spree - although why they would do that is beyond me (move Houston or Spree) - I guess they'll use those 2 guys as bait to get a passable center. I'm thinking they should try and trade with Toronto for A.Davis ------------------
smeg LJ is a PF. Spree is a swingman between the 2 and 3 Camby will share C duties with Baker, and Baker will also play the 4. They are in need of a Center though, as Camby is injury prone. They have a nice team though. ------------------ In order to be a success in life, you need 2 things: 1. Don't tell everything you know.
