Now is the Time to Make a Move

by MadTown Hoops on Jan 29, 2010 10:03 AM CST

Each year there are a few teams which, due to chemistry issues or cheap owners or trade demands, end up in a position of vulnerability. The savvy GM exploits these situations, sometimes resulting in a championship (Pau Gasol to Lakers, Kevin Garnett to Celtics). This year is no exception and there are a few teams and situations ready to be used to the Bucks' advantage.

Washington Wizards: Who knew the impulsive and stupid, but hardly newsworthy Arenas situation would lead to this? Two Wizards suspended for the season, and the team willing to trade everyone else? Whoa. There's value to be had, for the right G.M. While Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison are the obvious jewels, Nick Young is a diamond in the rough with loads of star potential.

Phoenix Suns: Obviously the Amar'e situation is the most obvious point of attack, but the Suns are always ripe for a lopsided money saving deal. That is because the Suns owner, Sarver, is amongst the cheapest, lousiest owners in the game. To think of what the Suns might have done this decade with a competent owner, ah well. Maybe the Bucks can get something from the NBA's yard sale.

New York Knicks: The Knicks are a perpetual mess. This year's edition features an entire roster that seems to be keeping the Garden warm for next year's pipedream. With no point guard, no go to guy, and arguably no center the Knicks have plenty of needs. Nate Robinson made trade demands after a year in D'Antoni's doghouse, but he's of no use to the Bucks. The Knicks have to want something for David Lee, maybe we could try to swing a deal. Much of the roster is unappealing though.

Philadelphia 76ers: Recently GM Ed Stefanski has said that no players are untouchable. Reportedly, they are looking for value for Iguodala, Brand, Dalembert essentially anyone that they might be able to move. This looks like a rebuild folks, they're blowing it up.

Golden State Warriors: Anthony Randolph has shown flashes of absolute dominance, but he'll never show his true potential until he gets off of Don Nelson's bench. With his minor injury his value to the Warriors is at an all time low. We should try a trade with a Warrick-Alexander package.

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Comments

Butler is interesting to me

He hasn’t played well this year and has another year left on his contract, so his deal isn’t an albatross but the Wiz might still see some use in dumping him for expirings. I think he’d fit in pretty well and the local boy-makes-good angle isn’t a bad thing either.

Randolph is intriguing but they’re not going to dump him for just expirings…would you do it for expirings and a top-3 protected 1st? I think it’s a toss-up give we’re looking at late-lottery right now. Hmm.

I’d guess the Knicks don’t trade Lee in case their free agency stuff falls completely flat.

I actually like Iguodala but if you trade for him you’re basically betting the farm on a Jennings/Bogut/Iggy core since he’s got such a big contract. Not sure if I like that given the cap uncertainty past 2011.

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by Frank Madden on Jan 30, 2010 3:09 PM CST reply actions

Brand

Considering the presence of Marreese Speights, as well as the contract Brand has his Herbie Hancock on, one would think Brand could be had fairly easily. Again, it ties us to a Bogut-Jennings-Brand nucleus (two injury-plagued big men and a cocky rookie. Can this end well?) but Brand and Bogut would absolutely own the paint. Brand/Jrue for….Cap relief (Ridnour/Gadz/Warrick) and a top-3 protected 1st?

Chicks Dig The Long Ball.

by ILuvDaBush on Jan 31, 2010 10:32 PM CST up reply actions

Brand is just OK. He’s a solid defender, overrated but decent rebounder, above average scorer but needs his touches. Plus he is 30 and has had a major injury in the past. Only way I would take Brand is if he were pretty much free. He is servicable with the potential to return to his old form and be a borderline all-star but at his price tag I see no reason to risk it. I don’t want another overpaid “star” on our team.

Maybe Redd’s contract for Brand straight up(It works and would save the 76ers a bunch of money) but anything else I probably wouldn’t do.

by Superelkman on Feb 2, 2010 11:39 AM CST up reply actions

All the talk about post-2011 CBA changes has me nervous about taking on big contracts beyond that point unless you’re talking about a superstar-type talent. That’s why even Iggy—who I like—scares me. I don’t see any scenario where I’d want the back end of Brand’s deal…that’s going to be murder in a year or two.

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by Frank Madden on Feb 2, 2010 9:39 PM CST up reply actions

Philly/Washington

I could definitely see Hammond getting involved with some of the players that are out there right now, and see the Redd injury as a significant factor. He hasn’t even scheduled surgery yet, which all but assures that he won’t even be back in time for the start of next season, meaning the rest of his salary this year will be covered by insurance, and there’s a strong chance that next year’s contract will become a LaFrentz type of situation. This would save Kohl a ton of money, and allow Hammond to get the green light for a slightly longer deal with greater finances if he thinks it’ll bring a play-off caliber team to Milwaukee. To me, there are two possible choices:

Washington:

This seems to be the most logical choice. They want to blow things up, they want cap relief, and they are willing to move talent in order to get the ball rolling. Butler has been underachieving, but he is still putting up pretty strong numbers for a SF, would be a great addition to Bogut and Jennings, has a reasonable deal, could make a big return to his hometown (and bring in more revenue), plays a position of need, and has a deal that expires after next season (which gives the Bucks the financial flexibility they desire for 2011). With the situation as it is in Washington right now, I feel like a Butler for Ridnour/Thomas deal would get it done. It gives the Wiz a starting caliber PG (whom they could possibly sign on the cheap next season) that has an expiring deal, as well as Thomas’ expiring deal which they could probably just buy out to save time. It’s a complete cost cutting move, but I still feel like it would be enough for Washington considering how awful their situation is.

Philly:

This one is a little tougher to swallow for both teams, but I could still see it happening. All reports state that they are willing to move Iggy, especially if Dalembert is involved as well. If that’s the case, I’d be happy to take them both and send back Ridnour, Thomas, Warrick, and Gadz (because you have to include at least one somewhat bad contract to take back Dalembert). You’d probably have to throw in a top-3 protected 1st rounder to get it done for the 76ers, but if I’m John Hammond, I have to realize that I’m not going to get an Iggy type talent in this year’s draft, and while his contract is long, for the potential he has (especially if paired with Bogut and Jennings) it’s a pretty reasonable deal. And while Dalembert’s is a pretty bad contract, he would be of much greater value than the bench warmer that Gadz is. He could even start at PF next to Bogut, giving the front-court more athleticism and D, and once again, Dalembert’s deal expires after next season, along with Redd’s, still allowing some 30 Mil in expiring deals heading into next season between 2 players. I’d say that’s a pretty good hall for the Bucks: Two starers (including a young, budding perennial all-star with a ton of athleticism to fill a much needed hole for the Bucks) and flexibility in 2011 for 3 expiring deals, an awful contract, and a 1st rounder that might lead to nowhere (if the Bucks make a play-off push at least….which shouldn’t be too unreasonable considering the drop off after the top 4 in the east),

by BJennings on Feb 1, 2010 2:21 AM CST reply actions