Kenyon wants out of New Jersey and we need so cap relief. Houston trades: PF Maurice Taylor (9.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 0.8 apg in 21.8 minutes) SG Cuttino Mobley (16.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.1 apg in 40.8 minutes) Houston receives: SG Kerry Kittles (12.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.8 apg in 37.5 minutes) PF Kenyon Martin (17.2 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 2.0 apg in 33.0 minutes) Change in team outlook: +4.1 ppg, +5.4 rpg, and +0.9 apg. New Jersey trades: SG Kerry Kittles (12.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.8 apg in 37.5 minutes) PF Kenyon Martin (17.2 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 2.0 apg in 33.0 minutes) New Jersey receives: PF Maurice Taylor (9.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 0.8 apg in 5 games) SG Cuttino Mobley (16.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 3.1 apg in 11 games) Change in team outlook: -4.1 ppg, -5.4 rpg, and -0.9 apg. TRADE ACCEPTED It's our turn to take advantage of the NETS!
I'm thinking they may do it if we take on some horrible contract of theirs in exchange for Moochie's contract. Right now, Collins and Zo are doing great together. They have Aaron Williams on the bench. They may do this: K-Mart Kittles Williams for Mobley MoT Moochie Amaechi Ofcourse, it all depends on whether or not K-Mart is really disgruntled. The difference between Cuttino and Kittles may be equal to the difference between MoT and K-Mart. You HAVE to consider that K-Mart won't be as effective in the West, however, playing for a contract, he may bring something special. Something like a more athletic Cato with some scoring ability. But again, only if K-Mart wants out.
The Nets (and particularly Kidd) would shudder at the first thoughts of Cuttino filling a lane on a break or Mo T barely making it to mid-court on a Kidd FB. Martin would not be nearly as effective in the West. (See NBA 02-03 Finals or Nets 02-03 record vs WC playoff teams). Of the Top 20 NBA rebounders, there are only 6 from the EC...and two are Ben Wallace and Kurt Thomas. One of the remaining four is SAR (19th),who probably benefits from the high number of shots the Hawks miss. There is no cap relief as Martin will command at least MoT money in the summer of 05. Probably back in the EC. I'm a mild fan of KMart, but I just don't see him as a Rocket. His success (like that of so many other Nets) is rooted in Kidd making him better. The Rockets need players who make those around them better and I don't see that in Martin. A bad move for both teams and probably not the best offer the Nets would get for Martin.
I really don't think KMart will be above average in the WC... but I'll still break out the champagne if that happens.
I agree that K-Mart wouldn't be half as good in the West, and would lose some more effectiveness playing a slower brand of basketball. However, talent-wise, he's AT THE VERY LEAST as good as MoT, Cato, and Eddie Griffin. In terms of heart, he's probably got the biggest one in the NBA. I would rather pay K-Mart MoT money, than pay MoT MoT money. I see him being the tough guy that Yao needs, grabing some key rebounds (which is ONE thing he does well in a halfcourt game), and bringing better offense than Cato. Basically, he'll be a VERY solid starter. Not a star, a cornerstone, or a franchise player, but a SUPER SOLID player at the 4. He won't take shots from Yao, he won't let defenses play off him, and he'll always play hard. But again, I really doubt New jersey would go for it. It's interesting to point out that Portland would not trade Wallace for him anymore though, because Randolph has become so solid at the 4. Sure, they'll get some betetr offers. But usually, when a player is disgruntled, and it becomes public, that player's value drops DRAMATICALLY (Steve Francis, Antoine Walker, Antwan Jamison, NVE from Denver). One thing I do believe though is that this team can become a lock for 6th seed with the right trade. K-Mart is the type of player that brings defense, and respecteable offense. He also brings heart. I'm getting sick of subbing offense for defense all the time at the 4, maybe it's about time we became a little more well-rounded.
