I believe most of you are missing the point of this rumored trade if you are looking at the on-court values of the players involved.
This would be a move to position better financially for the 2010 off-season as Hunter, TA, House, POB, Giddens, Walker, would all be expiring deals going into that season.
I'm not following you. Pruitt and Scal are free agents the same season Hunter is, and Powe expires a year earlier. How can a deal that leaves us in the exact same position financially (if not a worse one) be one that centered around positioning the team better financially? That makes absolutely zero sense.
Pruitt + Scal have a greater combined salary than Hunter, in terms of expiring contracts. If we care that much about financial flexibility (rather than talent) we'll just cut Powe. So, the team would be less talented, and in the same or worse financial position. Again... that makes no sense. I think you're overthinking this one.
but the move is designed to open up PT for Darius Miles, eliminate the Powe/Davis dilemma, and create more flexibility for the 2010 off-season.
Lord, I hope not. "Open up PT" for a guy trying to recover from a career-ending injury? "Eliminate" a debate by dumping the more talented player? And "create more flexibility" by putting the team in a worse position than it was financially?
No, I've got to think that this is just a made up rumor, or the details are far from accurate. Danny isn't a moron.
Roy, I think you are under thinking this one actually...I contributed to this by accidentilly saying "next off-season" instead of "2010 off-season."
Scal/Pruitt do not make more combined during the 09/10 season than Hunter does, let alone factoring in a re-signed Powe, but that's not the point.
This is a multi-tiered incentive:
1. As many-including you-have lemented, this team is thin on experienced veterans. A 3-for-1 trade leaves Boston with an open roster spot as well as the ability to keep Miles and Cassell on the roster. Factoring in the PJ Brown information from earlier in the off-season, it stands to reason that PJ would be that 15th player later on if and when needed.
2. As far as Darius Miles is concerned, it looks more and more like he will be able to play and contribute to a team. Clearly, if this trade were to happen, that is a ringing endorsement in favor of Miles and his health, so any concerns we have should be superseded by the superior information that Ainge and company have to work with. Miles is a virtual lock to play this year, be it here or somewhere else.
3. Ainge's comments about Bill Walker's ability to contribute "short term" as well as long term must factor into this equation as well. With Walker, Giddens, TA, and Miles all capable wing options behind Pierce/Allen, it stands to reason that the team may move some of the glut at guard, wing, and front court in order to consolidate the talent at each position. Perk/POB/Davis, KG/Davis/Miles, Pierce/Miles/Walker, Allen/Allen/Giddens, Rondo/House/Cassell...with Hunter able to backup both 4 and 5, Miles good at the 3 and 4, and the other wings noninterchangeable situationally at either 3 or 2, this is a sound move.
4. Long term, the team gains by creating more playing time for a more limited set of prospects which increases the potential for them to increase their value. It also creates leaves the team with a large amount of expiring deals that coincide with Ray Allen's walk year, which is also an option year for Pierce.
Ainge clearly tipped his hand this past off-season by insisting on 2 year deals or less for all potential FA on the market. The team is focused on 2010 and has lined itself up to have a decent amount of money to spend. Having all these 2 year deals also sets up the team for potential sign-and-trade opportunities. The team can use any S&T player to make up the difference between what an incoming player may cost and the amount they need to make up after they hit the cap.
So if Dwayne Wade, for instance, wanted to bolt from Miami and was looking at 20 millon per season, Boston could be 12 million under and then utilize S&T to make up the 8 million difference. With Miles, Walker, POB, Giddens, TA all getting a chance to boost their value and show some potential, this may very well put the team in the best position to acquire him based off their ability to compensate Miami while at the same time providing Wade with a title-level destination.
4. Finally, it stands to reason that SOMETHING is up. Cassell represents the 16th spot on the roster, reports have been VERY favorable on Miles, and NOBODY makes up rumors about Steven Hunter.
In fact, all the recent rumors have been about very bit players that fill potential needs but have no significant impact. So it seems like the team would like to make a minor tweak to the roster to satisfy some very clear objectives that would serve both short and long term interest.
While Powe is certainly the best of the bunch, the team may not value re-signing him as much as it does positioning itself for a larger windfall down the line, including opening up that extra roster spot, which can't be underrated.
IF, IF this trade or any permutation comes to pass, I think that validates the scenario I outlined above...the team is looking toward the future while addressing the past. A move of Powe would translate into a vote of confidence for Miles, who is a 3/4 all the way....seems very plausible