Let’s make a deal
The original "King of Deals" (that's Monty Hall for all you mid-80s babies) must be proud of NBA general managers this summer, what with all action in free agency.
HAWKSVILLE - Is your head spinning?
Are you still trying to sort through all the dips, dives, twists and turns of this NBA free agent frenzy (which so far has lived up to that moniker in every sense of the word).
I know the Hawks haven’t gone crazy and done anything wildly splashy, much to the chagrin of some of you. But plenty of other teams seem happy to oblige the fantasy basketball bent in all of us.
Just reading about this four-team deal spearheaded by Dallas and Toronto to bring Shawn Marion to the Mavs and allow the Raptors to snag Hedo Turkoglu (among other benefits) should be enough to satisfy your thirst for pure craziness in the NBA summer.
Monty Hall should be hosting this stuff.
It’s a genius deal by all involved, if you ask me. It’s a just reward for the folks willing to dive into these deep, treacherous sign-and-trade waters and hook the big fish they were looking for. Who knows if it all works out the way the teams involved hope. That they are even willing to swan dive into a deal this complicated makes them winners in my book.
Yeah, I’ve campaigned for prudence around these parts in most instances, but I’m no NBA neo-conservative. I realize that in this day and age, as always, those who take the greatest risks stand to reap the greatest rewards.
That doesn’t mean the Hawks’ recent work to keep both Mike Bibby and Zaza Pachulia in the fold should be dismissed (and there’s nothing bubbling on the Marvin Williams front. Crickets on Flip Murray, too. And I suspect things will be relatively quiet around the Hawks for the next few days, no matter how many times someone tries to stoke the Amare Stoudemire-for-Josh Smith trade rumor that refuses to die). They are doing the business that good teams do in the summer. And that’s a welcome change from some of the puzzling and pulse-free summers of the Hawks’ recent past.
But if your thing is daring and dazzling trades and high-risk acquisitions, this is your time.
Since before draft night we’ve seen the Spurs remake themselves with the addition of Richard Jefferson and now Antonio McDyess. The Magic recharged themselves with Vince Carter. The champion Lakers stepped up the pace by acquiring Ron Artest. The Cavaliers grabbed Shaq. And the Celtics have added Rasheed Wallace. And those are just the major moves by the true title contenders.
Again, time will tell which moves worked and which moves were for not.
But in this day and age, simply making moves is enough to legitimize an operation. While it’s still a bit too early to judge, I’m wondering which move you think will be the best (not that I had to ask any of you to tell us what you think)?
I’ll admit, I can’t help but think the Spurs have shifted the balance of power in their favor, provided Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili return healthy and hungry this season. The Magic’s move might be underrated by some of us non-believers in the VC movement, but Ryan Anderson is legit and will help offset the loss of Turkoglu. Trading Artest for Trevor Ariza (which is what the Lakers accomplished by allowing Ariza to walk and sign with Houston did) improves the Lakers on paper, so perhaps they’ve done what was necessary to retain their championship aura. Then again, snagging Shaq usually means a greater chance at a title for his team, so maybe the Cavs have pushed themselves over the top …
What say you?
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870 comments Add your comment
Stuart
July 10th, 2009
6:03 pm
If Anderson decides not to play in the NBA, here’s a crazy thought… if we can get him cheap, and I mean CHEAP, would it be worth trying to sign Kwame Brown? He’s still a relatively young big guy who has to have some kind of upside, right? He can fill a spot we need, but if he’s still too much of a project…
niremetal
July 10th, 2009
6:05 pm
Sautee,
Uh…yeah. It does. I hardly think Chills was being “selfish” by going to Europe. On the contrary, I said he went because they offered him the biggest paycheck.
niremetal
July 10th, 2009
6:06 pm
And, as I indicated already, following the money doesn’t make you selfish. It makes you human.
Sautee
July 10th, 2009
6:11 pm
Nire,
I think the same.
kirk, and many others however would disagree, methinks.
My emoticon was not directed at you specifically.
Now go study.
niremetal
July 10th, 2009
6:12 pm
Stuart,
Kwame Brown isn’t a free agent.
niremetal
July 10th, 2009
6:13 pm
Ha…damn, Sautee. You’re not even letting me finish my 10-minute study break? You’re worse than the BarBri people
Stuart
July 10th, 2009
6:21 pm
I thought Kwame is an unrestricted FA coming out of Detroit this offseason. You sure he isn’t?
Stuart
July 10th, 2009
6:22 pm
or is that next year? maybe it is…
Stuart
July 10th, 2009
6:24 pm
I just can’t believe the Braves have shipped off Frenchy for Church. I guess they REALLY wanted him out of there if that’s all they get AND they send him to the Mets..
doc
July 10th, 2009
6:25 pm
yes sautee imposter it is and ra probably knows it too, not my style in many ways.
melvin ill check it out. if ando were in the room as it happened he still wouldnt believe it. too many in the know including colangio have said it only joe pissed sarver off.
Melvin
July 10th, 2009
6:25 pm
“The Mavericks were hoping to re-sign Bass, but ran out of money and playing time with the acquisition of Shawn Marion. Coincidentally, Dallas is expected to soon get restricted free agent center Marcin Gortat from Orlando; paperwork is going through on an offer sheet that the Magic are expected not to match.”
Sund, get on the phone with Ryan Hollins agent right now…
alex
July 10th, 2009
6:26 pm
Check out the monster dunks , on Chris Wilcox ,,,,,,, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LANcTB21mVA Come On Hawks Let’s Do This……
Melvin
July 10th, 2009
6:30 pm
Interesting that Orlando has decided to pay Bass around 1M/per yr less than Dallas is going to pay Gortat… Hmmm, could Gortat be overrated.
Melvin
July 10th, 2009
6:42 pm
alex,
Almost 5 mins of above the rim highlights by Wilcox and not one of them was a block shot (although you said checkout his monster dunks). If we sign him Anakin Joe will have a heart attack b/c the Hawks have signed a Chucker (Crawford) and Dunker (Wilcox). I’m sure he’s going to point out that someone needs to throw the alley oop to Wilcox. And I’m not going to even say what Clyde is going to think. Lets just say, Wilcox is not 7ft and he ain’t having that (>= 7ft only)…
We got Bibby and ZaZA back, now Go get Wilcox
July 10th, 2009
6:45 pm
Kwame Brown was a free agent but he has already resigned with the Pistons. and to all those who want to trade for Amare……. he is needing more surgery on his eye. the one that cost him his season last year. I do not want to trade our guys for this guy.
http://basketball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/60488/20090710/amare_tweets_hes_having_more_surgery/
alex
July 10th, 2009
6:51 pm
Thats what i’m talking about we need Wilcox , and Wilcox can block shots to , where have you guys been HELLO!!!!! He Is The Beast
niremetal
July 10th, 2009
6:54 pm
Melvin,
You neglected to mention that Clyde made an exception to the 7′ rule for the amazing Sean Williams.
drmaryb
July 10th, 2009
6:57 pm
o.k. CLYDE,
so that wasn’t you? Alright, I will let you off the Spud-Webb – hook then! But it sure was fun believing that it was. I know you just love impersonations!
Ken Strickland
July 10th, 2009
6:59 pm
I’ve seen an awful lot of comments saying we need to sign another QUALITY BIG. All I have to ask is WHY? Zaza averaged almost 20MPG last yr and Solo averaged almost 11MPG. No other Big off our bench averaged enough mins to merit any mention. Do any of you claiming we need another QUALITY BIG really think a QUALITY BIG
WCJ
July 10th, 2009
7:06 pm
Sekou,
are the hawks under the salary enought to sign or trade for a big man who can defend the paint and score in the low post?
cheese
July 10th, 2009
7:09 pm
you can take channing frye out of the picture for potential big men coming to the hawks he will go to phoenix and for cheap!
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=aw-hillsuns071009&prov=yhoo&type=lgns&
O'Brien
July 10th, 2009
7:09 pm
Ken,
I agree with you. Why would a quality big want to come here when (barring injury/foul trouble), they will only play 8-12 minutes per game.
But Woody fails to realize that good teams play inside out. How many teams (beside the Hawks and maybe Heat) play outside in? I wish JJ would take a page from Kobe’s book. Get the other players involved early, and then take over late as needed.
I hope Woody has learned another play besides iso JJ.
Melvin
July 10th, 2009
7:10 pm
Nire,
Maybe Clyde thinks Sean is 7ft in sneakers…lol
Najeh Davenpoop
July 10th, 2009
7:10 pm
” if we can get him cheap, and I mean CHEAP, would it be worth trying to sign Kwame Brown? He’s still a relatively young big guy who has to have some kind of upside, right?”
Kwame’s been in the league for 8 years and he’s gotten worse every year since his 3rd one. If he had upside he would have realized it by now. I’d rather just re-up Solo than bring in Cake-boy.
On an unrelated note, I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised, but the Francoeur trade is a mild shocker to me. I’m not opposed to trading him (although I never understood the point of trading a guy on a rookie pay scale at his lowest trade value just for the sake of trading him) but I would have hoped the Braves could have acquired someone with some upside in return. Ryan Church is not bad I guess but he ain’t no difference maker.
George Washington
July 10th, 2009
7:13 pm
How did the Hawks let the Suns grab Channing Frye for a measly 3.8 mil over two years? Look at his numbers for Portland at the end of the 2007-2008 season.
Wabe
July 10th, 2009
7:14 pm
I like Wilcox, but I’m hoping you don’t think this ‘beast’ is gon’ come in here and play bigtime minutes (depending on what you classify bigtime). I would think whoever the Hawks choose to solidify their frontcourt rotation would play about 15-20 minutes tops…
Don’t get me wrong, 15-20 minutes would help wonders, and provides an adequate breather for starters, but that’s all I see him providing, a breather, a few boards, and a few buckets if we’re fortunate. I like Wilcox, used to watch him back when he was on Maryland, but let’s not put him on ‘beast status’. He’s just another player sitting on the bench – nothing wrong with this (it provides much needed depth) – but he’ll only play on a needs basis…
Wouldn’t classify a player with that type of role as a beast…
If he was a beast…teams would be buzzin up his agents phone and would be in lines to try and aquire him.
Melvin
July 10th, 2009
7:18 pm
Yeap. I was disappointed about the Channing Frye news myself. I think Phx got him at a great bargain….
O'Brien
July 10th, 2009
7:18 pm
Najeh,
Why would anyone give up somebody with upside for Frenchy? He’s been hitting .250, with a .282 OBP. And he’s been bad for a season and a half. My main issue is I wish we had traded him outside the division.
Anyways, I guess we should leave the baseball talk for DOB’s blog.
jerrywest
July 10th, 2009
7:25 pm
Was Sund the GM of Seattle when they signed Wilcox for $49 million? He surely knows more about Wilcox than just about anyone else in the world.
Melvin
July 10th, 2009
7:29 pm
Looks like Portland is trying to put Utah in a jam. They better get rid of Boozer quick and I don’t think the 3 team trade between them,Bulls and Blazers is going to go thru after this proposal… Can you say “Knife in the back”…lol
“By Chris Broussard
ESPN.com
Archive
The Portland Trail Blazers have offered Utah Jazz free agent Paul Millsap a four-year contract worth between $32 million and $36 million, according to league sources.
The offer includes a hefty signing bonus that will make it difficult for Utah to match. The Jazz will be presented with the offer Saturday and have seven days to match because Millsap is a restricted free agent.
Chris Broussard covers the NBA for ESPN The Magazine. “
The Truth
July 10th, 2009
7:32 pm
As I wrote in a previous blog;
Here is our center lineup:
1) Al Hordford- 6′10″ 245 lbs – under contract
2) ZaZa Pachulia- 6′11″ 275 lbs – agreed to new contract
3) Randolph Morris- 6′11″ 275 lbs – under contract
4) Solomon Jones – 6′10″ 245 lbs – tendered offer made
5) Garret Siler – 7′0″ 291 lbs – Schedule to report to Hawks Camp
What are we really saying if we are still screaming for another “Big”?
Blast
July 10th, 2009
7:32 pm
Lots of flurry this off season. Magic and Dallas basically swapped players. Gortat for Bass. Orlando lost Hedo but got Carter. Now McDyess is signing with Spurs. Spurs and Orlando really retooling.
Window of opportunity…
Nique
July 10th, 2009
7:33 pm
I’d move either Williams or Smith & our 2cnd next year to Utah for Boozer & Kiralenko. Utah has decided that they wanna move him to make room to resign Milsap & Kiralenko has wanted out of there the last 3 years & he’ll bring a more intense defensive presence to the SF position & is an all around ball player & Boozer is a proven low post threat which we desperately lack & has the skilll to step out & knock down the perimeter J & is a proven allstar
Ken Strickland
July 10th, 2009
7:34 pm
Sorry about the interruption.
Do any of you who think we need another QUALITY BIG actually think one would sign with the Hawks knowing he’d end up getting Solomon Jones mins, along with the inconsistency? I don’t think the 10.7MPG Solo averaged was the problem, but rather the high number of DNPCD in between playing opportunities. If he’d gotten those same mins consistently, without all of the DNPCD, both he and the team would have benefitted.
I’m also having trouble figuring out the logic, or lack thereof, of the individuals that constantly claim AHorford(6′10″ 245lbs) is too small to play the center position, or SJones(6′10″ 245lbs) isn’t big enough to be effective. Yet, some of these same individuals are constantly advocating that we acquire AStaudemire(6′10″ 249lbs), MCamby(6′11″ 235lbs), CWilcox(6′10″ 235lbs), LPowe(6′8″ 240lbs) or BBass(6′8″ 250lbs). WHERE’S THE LOGIC?
It’s like giving a list of technical reasons why a Camero isn’t a good car, then going out and buying a Firebird.
vava74
July 10th, 2009
7:36 pm
Wilcox is talented and gifted but lacks heart.
He is a born underachiever and would poison us IF he actually wanted to come here, which I don’t think is the case.
Hoops
July 10th, 2009
7:39 pm
Ken,
I guess the thinking here on a 3rd big man is that we need to upgrade from Solo. If we get a better player than Solo & Morris, then that player would get more than 10-11 minutes per game.
Personally, I want the Hawks to get a player that can play PF & C. But, if the Hornets are still entertaining trades for Tyson Chandler, the Hawks should look into a trade for him. That would allow Horford to play at PF alot. Horford, Chandler and Zaza could take care of most of the minutes at center. In this scenero Zaza would become the third post player. If Morris is not going to play any more than what he did last year, the Hawks are really wasting that money. I guess he is just insurance for foul trouble or an injury. Some combination of Marvin/Chills/Morris/Andersen could get Chandler and a draft pick.
niremetal
July 10th, 2009
7:39 pm
Head-scratcher for Portland. I don’t see how Millsap gives them $8M worth of anything. Sure, he’s a tough player who crashes the glass well. But they already have 3 solid big men in Aldridge, Oden, and Przybilla. Unless they’re planning to move Przybilla, they’re paying $8-9M per season to a guy who won’t play more than 20 minutes a game. And frankly, I’d much rather have a tough guy who’s 7′1 (Przybilla) than a tough guy who’s 6′7 (Millsap).
In any case, $8M is WAY too much to pay for a 6′8 PF who put up so-so numbers as a fill-in starter in the most PF-friendly offense in the NBA.
Larry
July 10th, 2009
7:39 pm
It’s really simple couple of trades put hawks over the top
1. Sign and trade Marvin and Childress to Memphis for Chandler and Armstrong
Bibby/Teague/West
Joe/Crawford/West
Josh/Mo
Al/Armstrong
Chandler/Zaza
thats eleven players Woody only goes about 8 deep anyway and maybe develop Othello with Mario at 11 and 12 solid team top to bottom hell i should be gm people would fill stands for that team.
Wabe
July 10th, 2009
7:44 pm
To answer your question Truth,
People screaming for another BIG says that no one’s confident in the ones we have…
Wabe
July 10th, 2009
7:45 pm
And Larry, looking at your roster,
it’s obviously not as easy as you’d think.
niremetal
July 10th, 2009
7:45 pm
*ding*
Ariose
July 10th, 2009
7:47 pm
CHECK THIS OLD HIGH SCHOOL PREP SPORTS ATHLETS VIDEO OUT!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws_myJf82NA
RA
July 10th, 2009
7:50 pm
Doc, I learned a long time ago that I would probably never make sense to anyone besides myself. I assure you that my wife would agree with that statement wholeheartedly. As for sticking to what I do well. Well, that list is much too short to bother with. No, I think that I’ll stick to continuing the things that I do badly in hopes of improvement:)
Hoops
July 10th, 2009
7:52 pm
Larry,
All good GM’s would know that Chandler and Armstrong play for the Hornets. Also, a really good GM would not forget to put their best post player, Horford, on their roster. Just sayin’
O'Brien
July 10th, 2009
8:00 pm
I thought Portland wanted Hinrich or Hedo? One thing they didnt need is another post presence. Maybe Portland is forcing the Jazz to figure out a way to trade Boozer to the Bulls, so Portland can get Hinrich.
Hoops,
Larry had Horford playing PF with Armstrong.
Larry,
Josh is not a SF. How often must we have this discussion?
Melvin
July 10th, 2009
8:09 pm
Ding, more like BONG….
Melvin
July 10th, 2009
8:12 pm
IF Portland get Millsap than I believe they are going to offer Felton the full MLE…
Anakin Joe
July 10th, 2009
8:15 pm
The Truth, we don’t have a contract with Solo nor Siler and RandMo sux. So that virtually eliminates 60% of your list.
Ken, ever see someone get injured in the NBA? When Smith or Horford got in foul trouble or missed games, often, Joe moved into the 3 hole as opposed to Solo coming off the bench. While at times that may have been the preferred match-up, other times, Woody did it because Solo is a foul machine. We don’t know how Woody would utilize a quality back-up PF because we’ve never really had one. We were badly out-rebounded last season and I doubt that Crawford or Teague will do much to help us with that issue. But being able to insert someone who can stay on the floor without hacking their way back to the bench would be helpful.
Melvin, I changed my mind on Wilcox. While I still don’t think he’s ideal, I’d pick him up from the airport, bring him over for a home-cooked meal and unpack his bags at this point. Because the only way he shows up in a Hawks uniform is if he is working for a super-cheap contract. Heck, I might do the same for Stromile Swift if he signs with us (did I just write that?)
The Truth
July 10th, 2009
8:17 pm
Ken
Your comment: “I’m also having trouble figuring out the logic, or lack thereof, of the individuals that constantly claim AHorford(6′10″ 245lbs) is too small to play the center position, or SJones(6′10″ 245lbs) isn’t big enough to be effective”
Let me explain: Since we are the 4th seed in the east, our competition to get better rest with our ability to beat the 1st, 2nd and 3rd seed teams in the east. That would be Cleveland, Boston and Orlando. If you look at their centers, it will become obvious that we are out muscled:
Cleveland – Shaq 7’1” @ 325lbs
Boston- Perkins 6’10” @ 280 lbs
Orlando– Howard 6’11” @ 266 lbs
Al will lose the battles because of his weight. If we put Solo on any of these guys, it’s a joke. Our only prayer is Zaza and he’s marginal. There are other teams I can also mention but why belabor the point.
Melvin
July 10th, 2009
8:17 pm
Ariose,
Look like Sheed was playing against a team full of midgets…lol