Because of the myriad restrictions in the NBA salary cap, it is far more difficult to consummate trades than most people think. Because of this it is almost pointless to create trade rumors because there is usually a reason that the deal cannot be completed, and even if it could, the proposition is usually so one-sided that one team would never do the deal anyway.
That said “¦ here are 3 reasonable proposals that I believe would significantly improve the Bucks.
1)Â Â Â Â Â Â Andrei Kirilenko and Utah’s first rounder (#25) for Bobby Simmons and Charlie Villanueva
The Jazz have been rumored to be shopping Kirilenko for several weeks for a couple of reasons. One is that he was forced to move to small forward this season with the return to health /emergence of Carlos Boozer. As a result, Kirilenko’s production took a major slide. Offensively he simply doesn’t shoot well enough to help the team much from the outside, and defensively guarding smaller, quicker forwards away from the basket takes away his strength , his incredible ability to block shots and get steals by jumping in from the weak side.Â
The other reason the Jazz want to move Kirilenko is that he is overpaid. He has 4 yrs/$60 mil left on his contract and while that isn’t necessarily a problem it becomes one when the Jazz look down the road and realize that in 2 years they will have to extend Deron Williams and probably Boozer. They currently have $51 million committed to only 5 players for 2008-09 (including Kirilenko but not including an extension for Williams). This trade would significantly alleviate their salary cap problems.
By sending Bobby Simmons and Charlie Villanueva to the Jazz, Utah would save $30 million. Simmons would replace Kirilenko with a player who is a much better shooter and no slouch defensively (although he is certainly no Kirilenko). Charlie V gives them an inexpensive backup for all 3 frontcourt positions, and someone big who could really run well with Deron Williams (incidentially, Villanueva originally committed to the University of Illinois as a High School Junior, only to de-commit when Bill Self left for the Kansas job).
From the Bucks perspective they would address the team’s major weakness , defense. Kirilenko is probably the best defensive player in basketball. His help ability covers for the mistakes of all of his teammates and he makes every fast break (for the other team) interesting because nobody is better at swatting away layups from behind. Offensively, he’s crafty around the basket but not a great shooter, which doesn’t matter so much because that is a skill that plenty of other Bucks are already adept at. At #6 the Bucks would still be able to take a starter-level small forward (Jeff Green, Julian Wright or Al Thornton) and at #25 several interesting prospects should still be available (Alando Tucker, Marc Gasol, Josh McRoberts).
The problem with this deal is the health of Simmons. The fact that he didn’t play last year would probably be a deal-breaker, but Kirilenko has never been a picture of health either. This would be a ballsy move by both Milwaukee and Utah, and I’d like to see it happen.
2)Â Â Â Â Â Â Marvin Williams and Atlanta’s second pick (#11) for Earl Boykins and the #6 pick (Mike Conley)
Atlanta needs a point guard. Atlanta loves those 6′10″ guys who can get up and down the floor. Atlanta wants Al Horford. Atlanta has young power forwards galore in Shelden Williams and Marvin Williams.
From Atlanta’s perspective, this deal might let them undo the damage made by passing on Chris Paul 2 years ago while also allowing them to get the player , Horford , they really want in this year’s draft. They could add Conley as well, giving them a young starting 5 (Conley, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Horford, Shelden Williams) that could really blossom in a year or two. Boykins opts out of the final year of his contract and becomes a free agent, saving Atlanta $3 million.
The Bucks would add a 21-year old Marvin Williams plus get a small forward that they might have considered at #6 (Julian Wright, Al Thornton, or Thaddeus Young). By all accounts Williams is a good kid with a solid work ethic, and a good bet to eventually reach his all-star potential. He’d be a solid backup power forward immediately, and could offer the Bucks a strong bargaining chip in 2 years when he and Villanueva are eligible for extensions. Not bad, considering the Bucks might still be able to draft the player they would have taken anyway (Julian Wright).
3)      3-way trade: Bucks receive LaMarcus Aldridge, Sergio Rodriguez, Phoenix’s first pick (#24). Portland receives the #6 pick (Mike Conley) and Marcus Banks. Phoenix receives Earl Boykins
It seems like a lot for Portland to give up, but there’s a good reason I bring this deal up: Mike Conley Sr is both Greg Oden’s and his son’s agent. Oden and Conley, jr have played together since grade school and Conley’s Dad is doing everything he can to try and see that relationship continue. With Portland getting Oden and being stuck with Zach Randolph, Aldridge is somewhat redundant. Also, with Jarret Jack as the starting point guard and Mike Conley joining the team, Rodriguez is also stuck down the depth chart. Portland gives up a lot here, but if it nets them an eventual starting point guard plus a happier Greg Oden, I think they’d like it.
Phoenix’s participation in this deal is necessary because the Bucks traded their first round pick last year and therefore are required to have one this season. The Suns are desperately trying to get under the luxury tax threshold and rid themselves of the Marcus Banks mistake, and this deal would help with both. Boykins might opt out of his deal, saving Phoenix $3 million this season (in addition to the $15 million remaining on Banks’ contract), or could also stay with them and really do well in that system.
The Bucks would get Aldridge , a post-playing shot-blocker who could complement Andrew Bogut exceptionally well , and Rodriguez, who is nicknamed “Spanish Chocolate” for his Jason “White Chocolate” Williams-style passing (before Williams’ knee injuries). Both players are under 22 years old and could blossom in the next couple of years. Of major concern is the heart condition that caused Aldridge’s season to be shut down early this year, but apparently he will be at full strength next year.
3 deals that improve the Bucks both immediately and long-term. Okay, Larry Harris , what’s your next move?
3 responses so far ↓
1 jeramey // Jun 27, 2007 at 9:50 am
I can’t see any situation in which the Blazers would give up Aldridge ahead of Randolph. Randolph has clearly maxed out his value, while Aldridge has yet to find his ceiling.
The Atlanta offer is intriguing, I don’t know if I see the Hawks willing to give up Williams yet though. I think that would be much of a defeat to trade away your top pick from two years ago. I see them keeping Williams and drafting Horford (if he’s still available). The Spurs stacked themselves with big men (Robinson, Duncan) and we saw how that worked out.
Simmons is pretty overpaid himself, and I think his deal comes off the books one year too late for Utah to use him.
What do you think of a sign and trade with Grizzlies involving Gasol, Mo, and possibly both draft picks? The timing of the free-agent period after the draft and Mo’s status as an unrestricted free agent kill that deal though.
2 Brett // Jun 27, 2007 at 2:22 pm
Don’t forget that Zach Randolph’s reputation around the league is at Pac Man Jones-levels. He is a huge, huge character risk who has been in multiple embarassing incidents throughout his career. Any GM who trades for him would be staking his job on Randolph. I can’t imagine anyone actually taking the risk and I feel that he is totally untradeable. Aldridge for the #1 point guard prospect (who brings the intangible of his relationship with Oden) is reasonable, especially since Oden/Randolph is going to be their frontcourt for years.
Two problems with a Gasol/Williams S+T: Williams would have to be paid $11 million, and the TJ Ford contract sets his value at closer to $8 mil. Also, what would the Bucks do for a point guard? Adding Gasol would eat all their cap room, and the theoretical sign Billups and do this deal would put them well into the luxury tax. I’m sure that assumes they take Conley, but a lineup with Redd/Gasol is built to win now, not in 3-4 years when Conley starts to peak. Look at Memphis this season to see how important having a capable point guard is.
3 Brett // Jun 28, 2007 at 8:17 pm
Obviously my comment about Zach Randolph was incorrect. Only Isiah Thomas would be dumb enough to obtain him.
He doesn’t even fit on that team. How are he and Eddy Curry supposed to play together?
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