Waiting for the other shoe in Washington

[Lucky17]

Chris Sheridan points out that the Wizards will be motivated to make another move before the deadline in order to get under the luxury tax threshold:

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/13263/wizards-looking-to-move-2-6-million-avoid-luxury-tax

. . . they'd do a lopsided trade that favored the other team if it got them under the tax.

While that remains to be seen, I offer this: the Celtics could offer the expiring contracts of Ray Allen, Brian Scalabrine, and JR Giddens in exchange for Mike James, Mike Miller, and Antawn Jamison.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yz9xs49

The move would trim $4.5 million off of Washington's payroll. Additional savings could be had if Allen and Scalabrine agreed to buyouts in order to return to Boston (although Boston would need to open up a roster slot to have room for both).

I'm not saying the Celtics should even do this (I'm still squarely on the fence when it comes to trading Ray Allen), or that Washington would agree (if they won't trade Jamison to Cleveland without getting Hickson, why would they trade him for an even smaller return?), but it's a slow work day, and I need to look busy at my keyboard.

[Brickowski]

The Wizards don't have another shoe. No one really wants Jamison. He's third on the Cav's list behind Amare and Murphy, I suppose, but that's about it.

[PosImpos]

Not worth taking on Jamison if we're not getting Caron Butler, as well.  Mike Miller is a nice player but he's not good enough to justify trading away Ray.

If we could get Jamison or Miller for just expiring contracts, however, then I would consider it.

[Fafnir]

Another thing to consider would be the savings that buying out Ray Allen would net them. That could trim even more off their payroll.

I'm not sold on the idea of bringing in Jamison. Do we really think KG can no longer play at a high level for the next few years? Or do we really want KG to play the 5 with Jamison at the 4 for a large portion of games?

[Lucky17]

I'm not sold on the idea of bringing in Jamison. Do we really think KG can no longer play at a high level for the next few years? Or do we really want KG to play the 5 with Jamison at the 4 for a large portion of games?

Yeah, that's the message this kind of deal would send to the rest of the league.

[Tai]

Another thing to consider would be the savings that buying out Ray Allen would net them. That could trim even more off their payroll.

I'm not sold on the idea of bringing in Jamison. Do we really think KG can no longer play at a high level for the next few years? Or do we really want KG to play the 5 with Jamison at the 4 for a large portion of games?

I thought Jamison would play the 4 off the bench while Rasheed plays the 5.

[snively]

Not worth taking on Jamison if we're not getting Caron Butler, as well.  Mike Miller is a nice player but he's not good enough to justify trading away Ray.

If we could get Jamison or Miller for just expiring contracts, however, then I would consider it.

I keep seeing this.  Am I alone in thinking Miller is much better than Caron Butler?  And not just that but a better fit for this team?

He's better from the field, way better from deep, a comparable rebounder (and much better than Butler over the last 3 years), a more prolific and accurate passer and much more consistent overall.

Butler had that one outstanding All-Star season (which wouldn't have been an All-Star season, if Pierce hadn't gone down) and he's been mediocre-to-good otherwise.  He's never shown the ability to be a consistent complementary player and his best advantages over Miller, i.e. defensive abilities, duplicate what Paul Pierce already brings to the table.

And look at Miller's #s this year: 10 pts on 58% from the field including 54% from 3, with 6 boards, 3.5 assists and a steal in 31 mpg. And it's not like he can't scale his production up.  He average 16 pts and almost 7 boards on 50% shooting (43% from 3) with Memphis 2 years ago

I would be ecstatic if we got him.

[Who]

Not worth taking on Jamison if we're not getting Caron Butler, as well.  Mike Miller is a nice player but he's not good enough to justify trading away Ray.

If we could get Jamison or Miller for just expiring contracts, however, then I would consider it.

I keep seeing this.  Am I alone in thinking Miller is much better than Caron Butler?  And not just that but a better fit for this team?

He's better from the field, way better from deep, a comparable rebounder (and much better than Butler over the last 3 years), a more prolific and accurate passer and much more consistent overall.

Butler had that one outstanding All-Star season (which wouldn't have been an All-Star season, if Pierce hadn't gone down) and he's been mediocre-to-good otherwise.  He's never shown the ability to be a consistent complementary player and his best advantages over Miller, i.e. defensive abilities, duplicate what Paul Pierce already brings to the table.

And look at Miller's #s this year: 10 pts on 58% from the field including 54% from 3, with 6 boards, 3.5 assists and a steal in 31 mpg. And it's not like he can't scale his production up.  He average 16 pts and almost 7 boards on 50% shooting (43% from 3) with Memphis 2 years ago

I would be ecstatic if we got him.

I too would prefer Mike Miller over Caron Butler. Better player, better fit.