Oversized Trade Idea : Boston//Utah/Washington/Dallas

[Drucci]

Since it's a trade that would require 4 teams to be done, it has 95% chances of not happening, but who knows?

I know my post is very long but I recommend that you read it entirely to understand why it could work, interest-wise for each team involved.

It works on paper and, once again, I think it makes sense for the 4 teams involved, because there are many different interests for the clubs linked in this trade : financial relief, key pieces to contend... Here is the idea :

Boston trades Tony Allen and Brian Scalabrine to Washington, JR Giddens and Bill Walker to Utah.

Boston receives Nick Young (from the Wizards), Quinton Ross, Shawne Williams and Kris Humphries (from Dallas).

Why Boston does this trade : the Celtics get rid of 4 expiring contracts which are basically useless in their rotation (except for TA... Scal is part of the rotation too but he just sucks).

They acquire 2 expirings that they won't play (Humphries and Williams).

But with these expirings, Boston gets a good role player and excellent defender in Quinton Ross. Dallas would have no problem trading him since he doesn't belong in their rotation this season (14 minutes per game, 16 games played). He can't shoot but he can drive and his defense is very good ; good basketball IQ too.

Boston also gets Nick Young : a young - no pun intended  - guard (24 years old), who is very productive offensively (can drive and shoot from everywhere, good from three). His contract is the only one acquired that goes beyond this season and  it is really cheap compared to his production (2 million $ a year). Boston secures a young prospect and a backup guard for the next two years.

**

Utah trades Carlos Boozer to Washington.

Utah receives Caron Butler from Washington, JR Giddens and Bill Walker from Boston.

Why Utah makes this trade : the Jazz has clearly stated that it wants to limit its payroll this season while staying competitive for the championship. The owners know that Boozer won't stay after this season so they better trade him : by doing so they get Caron Butler, the scoring and tough guard they have desperately been missing for years. Imagine a lineup of Deron Williams/Butler/Matthews/Millsap/Okur. That's pretty good, and Butler is secured for one more season.

In the process, Utah receives Giddens (expiring) and Bill Walker (not expiring but not really costly). They can use them in their rotation if Sloan feels that they can fit in or they can use them as trade chips later.

Moreover, Utah has a first round pick from NY to use this summer and they won't compete in the free agency market since they don't have the ability to do so ; they get good value and fill a glaring need in their roster by trading Boozer, and reduce their payroll by a little margin. Their compromise of limiting spending and staying competitive is fulfilled.

**

Washington trades Caron Butler to Utah, Antawn Jamison to Dallas, Nick Young to Boston.

Washington receives Carlos Boozer from Utah, Drew Gooden from Dallas, Scalabrine and Tony Allen from Boston.

Why Washington does this trade : The Wizards want to rebuild and have cap space this summer or the following years. They will probably decide to tank this season. So they get rid of Butler and Jamison, who have huge contracts and huge talent value to contenders. The Wizards get Boozer, knowing they probably won't resign him next summer but he can still contribute this season if they want to win some games instead of tanking.

Add Gooden, TA and Scal's expirings to Boozer's, and the Wizards free 23 million $ for this summer. That's huge ; for that process, they are willing to let go Nick Young, a good player with potential, to Boston since they can sign a lot of good players in the summer of 2010.

**

Dallas trades Drew Gooden to Washington, Shawne Williams, Kris Humphries and Quinton Ross to Boston.

Dallas receives Antawn Jamison.

Why Dallas does this trade : The Mavs get rid of 4 expiring contracts ; only one of them has a place in the rotation (Gooden). But they are willing to let him go since they acquire Jamison in exchange, a guy who gets double double every night and is a model of consistency. He is a dangerous scorer, a good rebounder, good passer and a good defender ; the perfect opposite of Gooden.

Dallas is willing to take a 33 years old Jamison and the 3 years of its contract since it's worth the gamble for them (they are contending for a short window anyway).

Now the Mavs have a lineup of Kidd/Howard/Marion/Jamison/Nowitzki. They have Barea, Terry, Dampier, Tim Thomas, and Beaubois on the bench. They can play big or small, they have good depth and they still have remaining options with the expiring contract of Josh Howard (10 million $).

The Mavs add a huge piece to contend in the West against the Lakers with their new froncourt and for the championship.

**

I took a lot of time to write this trade idea so I would be glad to see what you think about it, if you would do it, it you think it would make sense for each team. All that, knowing it probably won't happen, but it doesn't prevent us from trying to get creative!

[Atzar]

The only part I have a problem with is Dallas.  Jamison's an excellent player, but he's not a very good fit with Dallas... I don't like Dirk as a center, and Jamison is too good to bring off the bench.  Dampier is great for that team as a starter because he's a banger... I don't think you'd want Dirk to have to bang with the Howard's and Perk's of the league if you're Dallas.

[ssspence]

Some good thoughts here, but the biggest issue is a not-so-great fit for Dallas.

I think the Cs would be more likely to go with TA now than Young, who by all accounts is pretty immature and wouldn’t have any clue how to operate in the Cs defensive schemes. I like Ross though, nice insurance.

[slamtheking]

Definitely some interesting moves and rationale behind them. 

I don't think Boston gets signficantly better in the deal.  For those 4 expirings deals, Danny needs to land a solid rotation player at least.  Any playing time for Ross or Young is purely speculative.

Utah makes out in the deal---I like it from their end.

Washington gets royally hosed from a talent perspective but if they're looking to dump salary, this would do it.  Arenas' situation definitely gives them something to think about.

Dallas---I'm on the fence on this part.  I agree with the other posters that he seems like an odd fit if he doesn't come off the bench but Dallas definitely gets a major talent upgrade over Gooden.  If they could convince Jamison to be the 6th man (and be willing to pay a 6th man that much) they'd do it.


My main hang-up is the minor upgrade to the C's roster-->need to bring in a real contributor when giving up most of your trading assets.

[wdleehi]

Dallas did the whole Dirk/Jamison thing once before.  It lasted a season. 


I don't think that is the move they make.

[Drucci]

Thanks for the comments, guys!

You're right, I did realise it a little bit when writing the trade, but now I clearly see that this trade doesn't make us that much better. I agree that it would be better for us to acquire only one player but who could play a big role in our rotation. However, with this trade, you get rid of useless players (except for TA) and get two players with glaring flaws, than can contribute immediately, and one that you can use for the future in Young. Sounds like a good compromise for the "winning now" and "preparing a good transition" for the future.

I'm not bothered by Dallas in this trade, I think they really get better with Jamison since they don't give up much (if at all) in exchange. Plus, they are not afraid to overpay players... see the contract Cuban gave to Gooden this season or the one they gave to Dampier years ago.

[Bankshot]

The only part I have a problem with is Dallas.  Jamison's an excellent player, but he's not a very good fit with Dallas... I don't like Dirk as a center, and Jamison is too good to bring off the bench.  Dampier is great for that team as a starter because he's a banger... I don't think you'd want Dirk to have to bang with the Howard's and Perk's of the league if you're Dallas.

Plus, didn't Jamison already play for Dallas?  He was there the same time as Antoine Walker.  Not to say that they would never reacquire him.