Another random (but entirely doable) trade to trim the roster: Houston trades: Justin Reed and a 2008 (lottery protected) 1st round pick FOR Seattle trades: The rights to Yotam Halperin and a 2008 2nd round pick Why Houston does this deal: The Rockets get to unload a contract with multiple years remaining and to trim down the roster. It takes a first rounder to do so, but the Rockets potentially get a high second rounder that may end up being only a few spots lower in the 2008 NBA Draft order. Plus, the team gets Yotam Halperin, the 6-4, 23-year-old Israeli point guard taken #53 overall by the Sonics in the 2006 Draft. Halperin would be no means be a potential star player, but he has the game to be a crafty backup point in the mold of a Carlos Arroyo or Jose Calderon. Why Seattle does this deal: The Sonics get another first rounder to stockpile (along with its own and the Suns' pick from the Kurt Thomas trade), which may help the team trade up for a higher pick or simply add depth to the roster. While the team already has its share of small forwards, the team desperately needs defenders, something for which Reed is known. Halperin is probably not in the Sonics long-term plans, with the team having two good young PGs in Ridnour and Watson. The Sonics don't need their second rounder, as they already have the Rockets' 2008 second rounder from the Carl Landry deal (if the Sonics would prefer to simply return this pick to the Rockets instead, that's entirely possible as well). Speaking of which, the fact that Les Alexander paid the Sonics $1M for a second rounder this summer probably doesn't hurt future trade talks, either.
I forgot to mention that this trade is actually POSSIBLE under the salary cap. The Sonics have a trade exception from the Ray Allen deal into which Reed's salary falls perfectly.
Sorry to bump the thread, but I was thinking of other ideas on how to trim the roster while compiling assets, which leads me to the following question: Would you trade Luther Head for a late first round pick? Mind you, Luther has panned out pretty darn well for the 24th overall pick of the draft. Would it be worth giving him up to pick in that range again, where there are no guarantees you'll get someone as good as him? Unfortunately, there is no way of knowing where a pick will be when you make a trade like this. Cleveland would probably trade their first rounder for Luther, especially given the fact that Sasha Pavlovic might end up playing in Europe this year. Just a thought.
Now, do I know Pat Riley or DO I know Pat Riley: "Pat Riley said last week that rookie Daequan Cook -- a long shot to crack the rotation -- ''is not making a lot of shots in practice or games'' and indicated he eventually might send him for a 20-game stint in the NBA's developmental league. . . " http://www.miamiherald.com/591/story/271186.html Darryl, just get him for Snyder+Novak+Reed, it's a fair deal...
