Hawks stand pat at trade deadline, now look to Ilgauskas
'Big Z' seeking buyout from Wizards. (NBA.com)
Phoenix– The Hawks didn’t make any trades at today’s deadline, no surprise since GM Rick Sund had said all along he wouldn’t break up the team’s core with a deal.
“We like our core guys,” Sund said today. “I think we are positioned pretty well. We will learn some more (about the team) going forward in the last month-and-a-half and the playoffs.”
The Hawks also were unable to find any trade proposals that made sense. However, sources said the Hawks have reversed their stance on keeping their roster at the league minimum of 13 and will consider signing veterans who are bought out of their contracts by the end of this month.
The Hawks are expected to be among the suitors for veteran center Zydrunas Ilgauskas if he receives a buyout from the Wizards, sources said today. Ilgauskas was traded from Cleveland to Washington on Tuesday in a three-team deal but he’s seeking a buyout of the prorated portion of his $11.5 million expiring contract. The Wizards are cutting salary as they look to rebuild and Ilgauskas’ agent, Herb Rudoy, said his client wants to play for a contender.
Among the Hawks’ Eastern Conference rivals, only Cleveland made a major trade. The Cavaliers got forward Antawn Jamison from Washington as part of the three-team trade involving Ilgauskas.
Otherwise, the trade deadline passed relatively quietly in the East.
The Magic stood pat. The Celtics reportedly were waiting on league approval to complete a trade with the Knicks for reserve guard Nate Robinson. The Bobcats could be tougher first-round opponents for one of the top East teams after they acquired Tyrus Thomas from Chicago and Theo Ratliff from San Antonio.
The Hawks, who continue a four-game road trip Friday night at Phoenix, are 34-18 and trail Orlando by 1.5 games in the Southeast Division. The Celtics were a half game behind the Hawks before playing at the Lakers late Thursday.
“Until the end of the season I don’t look at the win column, I look at the loss column,” Sund said. “Here the trade deadline has passed and, after Cleveland, you have three teams (Magic, Hawks and Celtics) with 18 losses jockeying for position.
“I think we are pointed in the right direction. As long as we stay healthy, and that’s an important key, we can compete for these playoff spots going down the stretch.”
Ilgauskas could help the Hawks in the playoffs. Rudoy said today he hadn’t spoken to the Wizards yet about a buyout. Ilgauskas, 34, is taking a few days to think about his future, and Rudoy said the Hawks would fit Ilgauskas’ criteria for a new team if he doesn’t re-sign with the Cavs.
“If he decides to leave Cleveland, once he gets the buyout–and we hope we will have several options–he will only go to a team that can win a championship, period,” Rudoy said. “He will not be on a team that has no chance. He wants to play for one of the top teams, and Atlanta certainly is one of those teams.”
Rudoy said “a lot of teams are very interested in” Ilgauskas but declined to name them. In addition to the Cavs and Hawks, the Dallas Mavericks and Denver Nuggets are also reported to be interested in Ilgauskas.
Under league rules the Cavaliers would have to wait 30 days after Ilgauskas is waived to re-sign him, while another team could sign him immediately. Ilgauskas would have to be waived by March 1 to be eligible for a playoff roster.
Sund, citing league tampering rules, declined to comment on Ilgauskas.
Ilgauskas, at 7 feet 3 and 260 pounds, would satisfy the Hawks’ desire for a beefy center in the post to deal with Eastern Conference rivals Orlando (Dwight Howard) and Cleveland (Shaquille O’Neal). Ilgauskas could backup Al Horford at center and the two also could play together in a lineup with Horford at power forward.
The Hawks’ other options at center are Zaza Pachulia, Jason Collins and Randolph Morris.
Ilgauskas, a 12-year NBA veteran from Lithuania, was averaging career lows of 20.5 minutes, 7.5 points, and 5.3 rebounds for the Cavs. He once was an offensive threat in the post but has become more of a jumpshooter late in his career. Ilgauskas has slipped to 38 percent shooting on jumpers this season, according to 82games.com.
MC
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271 comments Add your comment
Najeh Davenpoop
February 18th, 2010
8:33 pm
I can’t imagine a scenario where Big Z would come to the Hawks, or any other team for that matter, over staying with the team that he’s been with for the last 12 years. Of course acquiring him would only help, and I’m all for it if it’s a realistic possibility, but right now I don’t think it is.
Drew Gooden, on the other hand, is a realistic acquisition which the Hawks should make if/when he gets bought out.
By the way, the Grizzlies traded only a second-round pick for Ronnie Brewer, a 6′7″ former lottery pick G-F who defends well and is efficient offensively. Brewer makes $2.7 million this year and is due a qualifying offer next year, which a team can refuse to exercise if they wish. If the Hawks had traded for him, he would have essentially replaced Mo Evans in the rotation, and would have provided a much needed extra swingman defender off the bench. The fact that the Hawks didn’t make such a deal either tells me that Rick Sund is not creative or that $2.7 million is too much for the ASG to add to the payroll, and neither idea makes me feel very good.
Horford Rox
February 18th, 2010
8:35 pm
MC and the blog:
How much $ did the NBA “lose” last year? Thought I heard 400 mil. If that actually is the case, then the league has a serious problem. If anybody has some good insight, I welcome your thoughts.
Also, I agree with all that say Ilguaskas would make the Hawx a legitimate contender in the East. But, I also agree with those who say he’ll definitely end up back in James-town. Basically, the Cavs stole Jameson from the Wiz. These types of “trades” cheapen the integrity of the leauge. The NBA has become of dysfunctional product of contenders vs cap room savers. Looking out west, I see the LA Clippers as an example of the latter. They got involved in a 3 team deal that landed Antawn Jameson in Cleveland and Zydrunas Ilguaskas in D.C. for about 30 days. What did the Clips get? The all mighty expiring contract! The contract of 8.9 PPG Drew Gooden, that is up at the end of the season. Mike Dunleavy (courtesy of the LA Times) had this to say, “The major consideration was to put ourselves in position to hit a homerun.” Translation: We’re clearing out cap space now, in an effort to land Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, or Chris Bosh and Joe Johnson over the summer.
The Times also quotes Dunleavy as saying, “The end result was that we were able to get the cap space that we deem necessary for the coming off season.”
Am I beginning to sound redundant? Yes. But, it’s what I call redundancy with a purpose. Ha. What do ya’ll think of teams that willingly trade talent for cap space? What about traded players being bought out and returning to their former squad? I believe these practices are detrimental to the league.
Go Hawx!! Beat em’ or beat em up!
jerrywest
February 18th, 2010
8:36 pm
Look at the ESPN PER. Among the non-suspended 20+ minutes per game players in the East, Hawks have 4 of the top 13 players. (Don’t count Artest/Nazr/Speight)
http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/hollinger/statistics?league=east&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fnba%2fhollinger%2fstatistics%3fleague%3deast
Blast
February 18th, 2010
8:41 pm
I do hope Denver knocks Cleveland off a peg or two tonight by snapping Cavs win streak. Come to think of it, Cleveland is really a boring team apart from LeBron, and maybe Hickson. They play a lot of Iso ball, lots of one on one for different players, guards dribble the ball until shot clock winds down… Sounds familiar?
The last two blogs were crazy! What’s up with one person posting in different names, then talking to themselves? Is their lives that sad? What a shame.
If Hawks could get Big Z, that would be great, but Z is going back to Cleveland. Absolutely no reason he won’t. I do like the fact that Hawks are willing to add a big man to the roster, though.
Some folks said they will be good if Hawks go 2-2 or 3-1 on this Western swing. I think if they play to capacity, they can go 4-0.
Go Hawks!!!!!
Najeh Davenpoop
February 18th, 2010
8:41 pm
PER is an insanely overrated stat, just like everything else John Hollinger comes up with in his evil lair. Using purely statistics to analyze a team sport is idiotic. I can’t even count how many times Hollinger has written a column with the basic premise of “my stats say one thing, but common sense and observation say something totally different, but here’s why my stats are right anyway”. He makes for interesting reading, the same way a car crash makes for interesting viewing, but using him to back up your arguments is not a great idea.
richbrave
February 18th, 2010
8:50 pm
I suppose BIG Z will be similar to GOODEN in that he will never play in a WIZARDS uniform.
DOMINIC McGUIRE went back to the west coast at the deadline. His expiring was bought out for $300,000 and the WIZ got the KINGS second rounder in the next draft. This last move finally got the WIZ out of the luxury tax problem.
Ken Strickland
February 18th, 2010
8:51 pm
ASTRO JOE-Was your response an attempt to imply Bibby isn’t a liability when it comes to defending pick and rolls? I’m sure you know it takes 2 players minimum to successfully defend a good pick and roll. If one doesn’t get the job done the effort generally fails. So, whether Mo Williams did his job doesn’t matter if Ilgouskas didn’t do his. At any rate, we all saw the end result in last yrs playoffs.
Sid
February 18th, 2010
8:52 pm
LOL @ everyone complaining about Big z shooting jumpers when in fact thats exactly the type of Big that we would need to open up the floor against a Howard or Perkins because they have to respect is shot.
Big Z is a 20 mpg player which is great because thats all we need him for. he would give us another veteran who can plug the lanes and use his 6 fouls . This guy is HUGE and thats what we need against certain teams .
Blast
February 18th, 2010
8:52 pm
Carmelo needs to step it up!
Allowing Z to be traded, then sign back with the team that traded him is a loophole in the system that Stern needs to fix. That is called ‘tampering!’
Blast
February 18th, 2010
8:56 pm
Denver is getting jobbed in this game vs Cavs. Cleveland getting all the calls, Denver getting none. Sounds familiar?
Blast
February 18th, 2010
9:15 pm
http://realestate.yahoo.com/promo/americas-most-miserable-cities-2010
Interesting read about Cleveland. Maybe we see why LeBron might want to leave and Cleveland is desperate to keep him.
KevinA
February 18th, 2010
9:24 pm
Sid
February 18th, 2010
8:52 pm
LOL @ everyone complaining about Big z shooting jumpers when in fact thats exactly the type of Big that we would need to open up the floor against a Howard or Perkins because they have to respect is shot.
I agree with what Z brings. So why we don’t use Al like this against the huge big’s is beyond me. Al has showed some range this year – so what do we do? Drive in the teeth of the defense. We should at least give Al three four shots early in the game. If he pops them then Howard, Shaq and the rest would have to move out to guard them. Who better than JJ to feed him from the corner. If they double either one we should have an open shot. JJ is 23-53 .434 FG% from the right 3 pt corner.
Horford Rox
February 18th, 2010
9:32 pm
MC and the blog:
Are the Hawx tough enough to contend with teams such as Orlando and Cleveland in the playoffs? The path to the NBA Finals will likely run through both towns. Does ATL have what it takes to conquer these foes? Judging by the regular season matchups, I’d (relucantly) say no. Do the Hawx need a Kevin Willis-esque enforcer? (2 years ago, Zaza bowed up to KG, but has he lost that fire and intensity?)
Go Hawx!! Beat ‘em or beat em up!
Horford Rox
February 18th, 2010
9:35 pm
relucantly should be relucTantly…. My 8th grade education becomes more prevelant as I type. Ha!
Go Hawx!! Beat ‘em or beat em up!
Melvin
February 18th, 2010
9:40 pm
Hawks may need to keep an eye on the Bobcats. They may buyout one of their big men Nazr, Chandler, Thomas, Diop, and Alexis.
The Spurs have traded Theo Ratliff to Charlotte, source tells Y! Sports.
KevinA
February 18th, 2010
9:42 pm
Ken Strickland
Any guard with no D suffers when they are cold. Our huckleberries are Jamal, Bibby and Teague. One young, one old and one just not used to being expected to do it. Jamal is our hope for the playoffs. They fact is – it is what we got. I like the fact woody keeps pushing Jamal. He has 30 games to figure to improve.
Wabe
February 18th, 2010
9:42 pm
I agree with Kevin. Big Z’s ability to stretch the floor would keep Howard out of the paint, which would open up the lane for guys like JJ and Jamal. It seems we’ve resorted to jumpshots when playing Orlando because Howard alters everything we try to do inside. Big Z’s ability to hit the 3 could be the answer we’re looking for against Orlando.
As much sense as it makes, at this point, I highly doubt Big Z ends up anywhere but Cleveland.
Melvin
February 18th, 2010
9:55 pm
Blast,
According to your link, look like the Hawks need to make a strong push with a S&T for Rudy Gay since Memphis is one of the worst city to living in…
Blast
February 18th, 2010
10:12 pm
If Nuggets moved the ball better, they could find open shooters like Smith, Chauncey, Carmelo and what not for the open shot.
Blast
February 18th, 2010
10:13 pm
I hear you, Melvin!
O'Brien
February 18th, 2010
10:15 pm
Najeh,
I find it hard to believe that Sund could not find a way to trade a draft pick for a player that could help us this season. We dont know if JJ will resign, so it would have been good to show him that we are constantly trying to improve the team.
I will play devil’s advocate on here, because I dont see how Big Z would be a big help to us (unless ZaZa or Horford gets injured). He’s not very tough, and he’s light.
And where would he get minutes? And does anyone have confidence that Woody would utilize him correctly (ie, draw Howard out). Plus that didnt work against the Magic last playoff series.
I guess what I’m wondering is maybe Sund is saying he is interested in Big Z because he knows he wont come here, but at least Sund will look good in the eyes of the fans and players.
Traceman,
I’m surprised Rod from CP hasn’t picked up on this. You said Marvin was quite good last year. Thats not true. His defense was good, but he averaged 14 points and 6 rebs per game in 35 minutes. Sure, he had a couple good games when Joe was out, but overall, he still had his disappearing moments.
I agree that last year he was playing better than he is this year, but I dont think he was “quite good” last year. That being said, this is only year 1 of his contract, and he’s only 23. So he has time to turn it around, and the Hawks need for him to turn it around.
If not, he will lose his spot as a “core player”.
Melvin
February 18th, 2010
10:19 pm
The Refs are killing the Nuggets… If they look at the Cavs the wrong way it’s a foul then they get away with Ric Flair slap downs on defense…
Grandad
February 18th, 2010
10:22 pm
Ken Strickland:
Is it just me. I seem to have noticed quite a bit of improvement in Jamal’s defense as this year has unfolded.
Also I’ve noticed when we trap, even with all the switching, that as a whole, our defense looks much better. Perhaps we should credit this in large part to everyone seeming to understand where they are supposed to be, when switches are to occur, etc. In other words experience and repitition.
On another note – Teaguer seems to be playing without spirit and enthusiasm. When he arrived, he was brimming with confidence and
eagerness. Now he doesn’t even push the ball, he defers to other guards and scoots down the floor, spots up and watches the game.
As for those who think that ZI will slow down our running game…Wdsn slows us down more than ZI ever could. Also do you not think that J.Collins does the same thing but brings less to the table? Besides, ZI can keep up with Bibby, when is the last time you saw Bibby push the break?
Melvin
February 18th, 2010
10:22 pm
With the way these Refs are officiating the Cavs games, the league is going to lose more than 400 mil per year b/c folks are going to stop paying good money to see this foolishness…
Horford Rox
February 18th, 2010
10:41 pm
Did Boston really get N8 Robinson?
Go Hawx…blah, blah, blah… (ya’ll know the tag line by now).
Dick Berry Long
February 18th, 2010
10:42 pm
Id rather have Mr I start and Horford off the bench. We need the defense and Josh is a better Power forward that Al. Bottom line is there is enough minutes for all three, but I also think this is a scam to make the fan base think they are trying to plug this major bleeding artery, when in fact, they are content to have a good season rather that a banner season.
Grandad
February 18th, 2010
10:46 pm
Melvin:
I’m not trying to get anything started, but Rudy Gay is basically a clone of Marvin. Size, length, Marvin shoots the ‘3′ a little better,
RG finishes stronger resuting in higher fg%, MW better ft, reb./asst./
bl./ a wash. RG more min. RG more points. RG would score less on this team.
On another note…I’ve said before…Stern’s an attorney. As far as I know; NO b-ball background. HGe sees NBA as entertainment not competition. Results = Pro wrestling. ‘LeBron’s a clown !
O’Brien:
Trades – We could have made a trade.
Makes more sense to wait until summer.
Players like Marv[BYC]. I believe June 30 is magic date.
Players like ZI don’t cost us an assey.
One player I wish we could have acquired; Mason from SA.
Jody
February 18th, 2010
10:46 pm
All these PER numbers for players that continue to be thrown out are quite nice to look at and I’m sure if that decided who wins the East, the Hawks would be in good shape. However, the truth of the matters is they don’t. This team clearly struggles against the size of the Magic and the Cavs, two teams the Hawks will have to go through to get to where they need to go. I’m glad to see the Hawks looking to address this by exploring the possibility of signing someone who may get bought out. However, if altering the lineup at times against these and other teams would help offset the size disadvantage and possibly reveal other advantages, the idea needs to be considered.
The Truth
February 18th, 2010
10:48 pm
I’m just pissed that Sund seems to have a reactionary strategy while the other teams (both play-off-bound and lottery) are initiating the action and being creative. Go back during preseason, management paraded all those players into camp to only find Hunter who got cut 2 months later. When Hunter was cut for Mario I knew management was clueless as to their game-plan and playoff acquisition strategy. Now management wants us to believe they are salivating for Big Z if he is available. Then what the hell was acquiring Collins was all about when he has rarely played? If he was that much of a bust, then why didn’t he get cut also? Perhaps Woody is to blame for that but it begs the question. What is Sund involvement and influence in these matters? Is he just a fly on the wall? I think Sund was pressured by the media to pretend to be involved in trading activity to give the appearance that he is doing his job. We call this CYA. I heard comments such as “Big Z is the exception to the rules”; ON REALLY!! One minute it’s not possible for the Hawks to do anything (as a rule) as previously been stated, then out of the blue, it is now possible. If Big Z agent is actually flirting with the Hawks, it’s only for negotiation leverage to re-sign with Cleveland. So in that case, it’s a win-win for Sund and Big Z’s agent. Sund will pacify the Hawks Fans with a brave effort (but come up short) and Big Z will get a better offer from Cleveland. THAT IS REALLY THE BIGGER PICTURE.
Grandad
February 18th, 2010
10:51 pm
No b-ball background. He sees……….
Can’t type a lick !
Jody
February 18th, 2010
10:52 pm
The officiating in this Cavs-Nuggets game is simply atrocious and bias to say the least.
The Troof Hurts
February 18th, 2010
10:54 pm
Yep.
Grandad
February 18th, 2010
11:01 pm
DBL=Sybil – I saw you on the other blog. Al @ the ‘3′. That was funny.
Horford off the bench, c’mon. Did you ever see the “Gong Show” on TV.
You’re like one of the contestants…too bad you can’t get the hook on this blog. ‘Course I might get it too.
Melvin
February 18th, 2010
11:16 pm
Memphis we have your consolation prize “Marvin Willams”. Can we get a S&T with Memphis for Rudy Gay. Get it done Sund this summer…
From Adrian Wojnarowski, NBA columnist for Yahoo:
Ronnie brewer has been traded to grizzlies for a pick, source says.
about 8 hours ago from UberTwitter
This means Memphis is unlikely to pay Rudy Gay this summer.
about 8 hours ago from UberTwitter
Melvin
February 18th, 2010
11:19 pm
Grandad,
Its obivious that you need to watch a few Grizzly game. If you think Marvin and Rudy are similiar players…. I guess that why Rudy is gonna get a near max deal and Marvin end up with 40 mil deal?
Traceman
February 18th, 2010
11:46 pm
O’Brien,
Yes, if Marvin could give us 14 and 6 while shooting 46% from the field (58% true shooting percentage) and playing solid D as a 4th (or 5th) option, I would consider that “quite good.” How many 4th or 5th options average more than that?
I agree that Marvin had his disappearing moments last year but he still had very solid numbers considering his place in the pecking order. If you judge Marvin as the #2 overall pick taken ahead of Paul and Deron Williams, 14 and 6 falls short. If you judge him as the 4th or 5th option that he currently is on this team (and that he is being paid to be), 14 and 6 is solid in my book.
As you said, Marvin is still only 23 and I think he has the talent to exceed 14 and 6 going forward. I still consider him a core player and I am confident that he will continue to develop be a key contributor for us forthe forseeable future.
Astro Joe
February 18th, 2010
11:54 pm
I don’t understand why all 5 starters can’t average at least 18 points and everyone on the bench at least 10. Sure, that would equal 140 points per game, but if we had an offensive coordinator, I don’t see why that wouldn’t be possible. (He said sarcastically before retiring for the night).
Grandad
February 19th, 2010
12:05 am
Melvin would you give Rudy max money? He can’t shoot worth beans.
I’m not saying he’s a bad player. Neither am I saying Marv is a bad player. I am saying, for the money, I’d rather have Marv. Better deal.
Same player[virtually]. Less money.
If I were looking for a perimeter player to spend big money, then he darn sure would have to shoot better than 31% from ‘3′, rebound better than 5 per, and asst better than 2 per, and at least be a 2nd team defense. (for max money or anything near) Of course you have obviously watched Mem. play and seen something that is not evidenced within the numbers. Does he make his teammate better? No evidence.
Measureables=identicle.[to Marv] Has he made Mem. a play-off team or even a winner? Not yet.
Your right, maybe I need to watch him more to see what your seeing that I’m not.
niremetal
February 19th, 2010
12:11 am
Najeh/O’Brien/etc,
The reason the Grizzlies were able to trade for Brewer was because the Grizzlies are actually under the cap. The Hawks are ~$10M over cap. We simply cannot trade for a player without matching salaries, and since the whole purpose of the Jazz’s trade was to shed payroll, we were not a feasible trade partner. Because we are over the cap, we simply are not allowed to trade just a draft pick for a player.
Get off it people. The Hawks are well over the cap, have no expiring contracts except JJ and the minimum salary guys, our biggest theoretically expendable contract is a BYC player (Marvin), and no other trade chips that other teams would be interested in (hint: Bibby) or we could afford to part with (hint: Smoove, Horford).
niremetal
February 19th, 2010
12:14 am
We used our two trading chips (Speedy and Acie) to acquire Jamal over the summer. That was our “deadline” deal. And I’d say it’s worked out pretty damn well. Does anyone think we could have done better with those trade chips?
I have yet to see a single person propose a feasible trade that would improve the team. Not a single one. Sorry to be so blunt, but it’s a lot easier to criticize when you have no ideas of your own.
ego head/bad attitude
February 19th, 2010
1:22 am
niremetal
Several trades have been offered that went through the trade machine. It is nice that you have an opinion but that does not mean your judgement is better than another. This round of trade talks are done. The next is the discussion of players that are bought out and if we should pick up some help.
niremetal
February 19th, 2010
1:33 am
Show me one. Just because it went through the trade machine doesn’t mean it’s feasible. This isn’t NBA Live. You can’t force another team to accept a trade.
nunna yo biznezz
February 19th, 2010
1:44 am
yo KevinA,
naw,keep crawfish away from the PG position..;please!!
yes he does make some nice passes but he also forces more that turn into turnovers as well..he never feeds teague the ball or let teague set up,but he is the first to go teague after the ball is brought up and screams for the ball..
teague needs to man up and run the dang offense,and let crawfish stick to his SG duties..
just get open jamaal and then let jteague pass u the ball for a jumper or a drive to da hoop mane!!
and i don’t know what yall have been seeing with bibbs..talking about a slump,lol…
the man is injured..he has not recovered from his injury at all..he hops,limps,skips,and ish..he is still hurt and he and woody,and it looks like i too,are the only ones who know it…
and,Sund did not make a trade for 2 reasons..yes he wants the core of the team to stay together..
but,he also has made a statement and letting woody know that this is his team..this is who he is gonna ride all da way to da finals if he is good enuff to get us there..its all on woody to develope his bench and his rook!! and he is doing niether..SUCKA!!
Najeh Davenpoop
February 19th, 2010
1:50 am
“The reason the Grizzlies were able to trade for Brewer was because the Grizzlies are actually under the cap. The Hawks are ~$10M over cap. We simply cannot trade for a player without matching salaries, and since the whole purpose of the Jazz’s trade was to shed payroll, we were not a feasible trade partner. Because we are over the cap, we simply are not allowed to trade just a draft pick for a player.”
I realize the Hawks are over the cap, but they do have enough expiring assets of their own to be able to match salaries with a guy getting paid $2.7 million this year. In fact, ESPN’s trade machine allows me to trade Mo Evans for Brewer straight up, and that would clearly upgrade this team in every way except in 3 point shooting (which the Hawks do well enough without Mo’s contributions anyway). Granted, trading Evans and a 2nd round pick for Brewer wouldn’t save the Jazz much money for the remainder of this season, but they would still get the pick and they wouldn’t have the cap hold of the qualifying offer this offseason hampering their ability to sign other players. My guess is the Jazz are more concerned about the offseason cap hold anyway, since that impacts their ability to keep Carlos Boozer.
More importantly, I doubt Ronnie Brewer is the only talented player who was available for such a bargain basement price this trade deadline. Considering the number of teams that looked to make salary-dump trades, some creativity could have probably landed the Hawks some other player who could have incrementally improved the team at a pretty low price. No, I don’t think the Hawks could have (or even necessarily should have) gotten a new starter or a high salary impact player like the Cavs and Rockets. But if you can give up basically nothing and get back a guy who is marginally better than what you have at the end of your bench, to me a trade like that is still worth it. At the very least, it’s worth a shot, rather than sitting on your hands and saying there are no moves we can make. In the NBA’s current financially driven climate, there’s ALWAYS a move you can make, even if it’s not a major move.
vava74
February 19th, 2010
2:34 am
I thought of the perfect fit for us, just in time of the playoffs.
Let’s just go back in a time machine and offer Marvin for Dominique.
It’s as feasible as 99% of the deals mentioned over here!
Don’t people realize that it takes 2 basic things to pull a trade:
1. obbey to the NBA rules on salaries;
2. have a willing team on the other aide to accept what we offer.
We had no attractive expiring contracts to start with nor expendable talent.
Unless you consider any of JSmoove, Al, JJ, Crawford and Teague expendable, there weren’t any tradeable players.
Zaza and Bibby just signed deals, Marvin is BYC, Mo has a player option @2,5 million and the rest are not interesting enough and their contracts are for the minimum salary.
Teams are sheding payroll and the best we could get would a second round pick for any of our end of bench players and that would only happen IF the involved team was reeeeally desperate to take out just 1mill approx from their cap.
Finally, as nire mentioned, we don’t have cap space to accept any contracts.
Is it that difficult to keep this in mind, specially after MC explaining all this already???
One final note: Mike James will be available. I know that he is old, shot happy and over the hill but maybe he could be of some use as a safety net in case we lose anyone from our back court to injury. It seems that CLE are also interested.
Rick Sund
February 19th, 2010
3:29 am
By the way, the Grizzlies traded only a second-round pick for Ronnie Brewer, a 6′7″ former lottery pick G-F who defends well and is efficient offensively. Brewer makes $2.7 million this year and is due a qualifying offer next year, which a team can refuse to exercise if they wish. If the Hawks had traded for him, he would have essentially replaced Mo Evans in the rotation, and would have provided a much needed extra swingman defender off the bench. The fact that the Hawks didn’t make such a deal either tells me that Rick Sund is not creative or that $2.7 million is too much for the ASG to add to the payroll, and neither idea makes me feel very good.
Hmph yes but I was creative enough to get Jamal Crawford. Did you think of that one? Oh ye of such short memory.
Rick Sund
February 19th, 2010
3:30 am
Don’t you people get it? Niremetal is my top employee and he knows what he is tawking about. Shut up your stupid trade and budget ideas and just blog like he says you should.
Suckers.
niremetal
February 19th, 2010
7:49 am
Najeh,
The Jazz were looking to shed payroll in order to get under the luxury tax threshold. They are a playoff-bound team, and would not have dumped off their second best guard for next-to-nothing to Memphis if they wanted to get value in return. That’s also why they dumped off Eric Maynor to ANOTHER team with cap space in exchange for a draft pick they likely will never see. There are more than enough teams that would have offered them a combo forward, backup PG, or another player at a position of need.
They wouldn’t have accepted a package of expiring useless players, because that would not have given them value AND would not have saved them tax money. And they certainly wouldn’t have accepted Mo Evans – that would not have saved them tax money and would bring them only a guy who plays the same position as Brewer but (as you said) is not as good, and who has another year left on his contract to boot.
Rick Sund,
Mock and make fun all you want. If you’re so much of a coward that you can’t use your regular handle to address me, you’re not worth the time.
Kew
February 19th, 2010
8:07 am
Hey everybody, think about it. Most likely he will not sign with Cleveland – and this is why I say that. After the buy out, Cleveland can’t sign him until 30 days, but any other team can sign him right away. If he is bought out within the next few days, he would not be elgible for the playoffs if he signs with Cleveland because of the 30 day wait. I’m pretty sure he wants to be in the playoffs this year. So I think he signs with one of the playoff contenders, like for instance Atlanta or Dallas…plus he knows that he would play more with other teams…hey what do you think?
niremetal
February 19th, 2010
8:13 am
And Najeh,
Maybe there was a move out there that could have improved the team, but it’s entirely possible that there wasn’t. The Magic, Nuggets, Spurs, Lakers, Heat, Suns, Thunder, and Raptors are all seemingly playoff-bound teams that did not make any moves at the deadline (in the case of the Spurs, they did make one move – dumping Theo Ratliff on the Bobcats, who had a trade exception from the Raja Bell trade, but I don’t think you can argue that was a move to improve the team). If there’s always a move to be made, why did elite-level GMs like Buford and Warkentien stand pat?
Answer: Sometimes, there isn’t a move to be made that would improve the team. Sometimes, the only deals out there are ones that would take a team a step back or that would be just as likely to screw the team as improve it (every team has made risky deals that blew up in their face). Sometimes standing still is, in fact, the best thing to do.