3 moves for the stretch run

[Lucky17]

I’m assuming that, over the course of the next month, we will definitively know where we stand in terms of our injured players’ chances to contribute to a title run.

If KG, Sheed, Marquis, etc. are good to go, then I would hope that Wyc and company would open their checkbooks a little wider, and approve the following trades.

While these players all could conceivably be buyout candidates with their existing clubs, we would have to not only compete with other contenders for their services, but also somehow reduce payroll/create roster openings to sign them. Using our expiring contracts to trade for these players would solve both problems.

1. Trade Scalabrine, Giddens, and cash to Golden State for Raja Bell.

Bell would be the crunchtime defensive stopper to match up against opposing scorers like Lebron, Joe Johnson, and Vince Carter, not to mention Kobe. Golden State reduces payroll even further by using the cash from Boston to negotiate a buyout for Scal, who would return to Boston for minimum-level money.

2. Trade Tony Allen and Shelden Williams or Bill Walker to Milwaukee for Kurt Thomas.

Thomas provides veteran experience, physicality, and nastiness. He can play the enforcer role, so that Perk won’t have to. You’ll never again see the likes of a Brad Miller hard foul on Rondo. Milwaukee saves a little cash and obtains Tony’s Bird Rights for next season. With Redd gone for at least a year, they’ll be looking at SGs, and Tony provides them with a cost-effective option. [If Walker is included, they get a similarly athletic and inexpensive player.]

3. Trade a 2nd round draft pick to Detroit for Chucky Atkins (minimum contract requires no outgoing salary).

Don’t laugh. Look at Atkins player log for this season:
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/gamelog?playerId=26
He averaged nearly 21 minutes a game during the month of December, and while not a terrific shooter, averaged 6 points and maintained an assist to TO ratio of better than 3:1. He’s already in game shape, unlike Tyronne Lue. He may not be the sexy pick to back up Rondo, but he’s a true point guard that doesn’t make many mistakes, and that’s all this team needs for 10-15 minutes a night.

These trades result in the following 11-man rotation for the playoffs, plus a 12th active roster spot available for either Scal or another buyout candidate (likely a combo guard for roster balance), depending on matchups:

PG: Rondo/Atkins
SG: Allen/Bell
SF: Pierce/Daniels
PF: Garnett/Sheed/Davis
C: Perkins/Thomas

These aren't the kind of big-time moves most are hoping for, but they are realistic, cost-effective, and address several of our roster's needs, rather than putting all our eggs in one basket.

[ssspence]

i like moves 1 and 3. I'd trade Giddens for a QP w Cheese if i could...

[Lucky17]

i like moves 1 and 3. I'd trade Giddens for a QP w Cheese if i could...

Thanks, ssspence.

For #2, do you think Thomas is too long in the tooth to be effective, or are you hesitant to trade away Shelden or Walker?

[slamtheking]

i like moves 1 and 3. I'd trade Giddens for a QP w Cheese if i could...

Thanks, ssspence.

For #2, do you think Thomas is too long in the tooth to be effective, or are you hesitant to trade away Shelden or Walker?

For me, I'd be reluctant to do it because of TA.  He's playing really well and there's no guarantee Marquis holds up for the rest of the season or the playoffs.  To be honest, TA has outplayed Marquis this year.

[Lucky17]

i like moves 1 and 3. I'd trade Giddens for a QP w Cheese if i could...

Thanks, ssspence.

For #2, do you think Thomas is too long in the tooth to be effective, or are you hesitant to trade away Shelden or Walker?

For me, I'd be reluctant to do it because of TA.  He's playing really well and there's no guarantee Marquis holds up for the rest of the season or the playoffs.  To be honest, TA has outplayed Marquis this year.

True, but we would have Bell. Granted, asking him to cover opposing SFs might be asking a bit much, but if he's gained a reputation as being a Kobe-stopper, I think he'd be up to the task.