Blockbuster trades - Orlando, Phoenix, Washington

I know this isn't exactly Clippers-related but big trades like this invariably affect other teams as well. Also, I recall that some Citizens were intrigued by the idea of bringing Arenas to the Clippers (I was not among them).

In a nutshell:

Magic trade Wince Carter, Marcin "Polish Hammer" Gortat, and Mickael "Air France" Pietrus to the Suns for Hedo, J-Rich, and Earl Clark.

In a separate deal, Magic trade Rashard Lewis for Agent Zero straight up.

Just wanted to get some dialogue going with my fellow Citizens about this trade.

As far as it relating to the Clippers, I think there are a few interesting, albeit minor, nuggets (no Denver puns intended).

• Trading J-Rich may leave Steve Nash disgruntled enough to ask for a trade. I'm sure he wants to go to a contender, but you never know. Also, even if the Clippers don't land him, big trades like that often need a third party to help balance out the numbers, and the Clippers have traditionally been eager to lend a helping hand.

• This deal leaves both Orlando and Phoenix stacked at certain positions and thin at others. Phoenix may just be cutting payroll and not care, but Orlando probably isn't done wheeling and dealing just yet. With Orlando short-handed at the SF position, the Clippers might be able to trade Rasual Butler or Ryan Gomes (hopefully Butler, in my humble opinion) for some surplus players.

Looking forward to reading everyone's thoughts.

over 1 year ago Raining Buckets 25 comments 0 recs |

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Comments

lol Hedo is back in Orlando

They should’ve just kept Rashard Lewis and tried to re-create that Finals team.

"All I wanna do is zoom-a-zoom-zoom-zoom and a-boom-boom."
-Wreckx-n-Effect

by Erik O on Dec 18, 2010 1:37 PM PST reply actions

Hedo's return to Orlando will test the concept of "system player" vs the concept of "contract year player"

You just got Mozgov'd!

by Raining Buckets on Dec 18, 2010 2:03 PM PST up reply actions

Oooh

Looking forward to that test. I’ve been curious if systems matter as much as I think they do, based on the eye-test.

"All I wanna do is zoom-a-zoom-zoom-zoom and a-boom-boom."
-Wreckx-n-Effect

by Erik O on Dec 18, 2010 2:52 PM PST up reply actions

wow

Orlando did some major moves. Very interesting, is will be, to see how this turns out for all 3 teams. Each team seems to have benefitted from the trades in a very positive way. I’ll go more in to those points a little later. Orlando may just be a that championship team. I’m rooting for them on that.

Energy * Focus * No Excuses
"For [Griffin]getting in the way of Andre Miller’s 40 yard dash?" -Steve Perrin

by Takebb909 on Dec 18, 2010 3:15 PM PST via mobile reply actions

A shakeup was needed for Orlando, but they need some big man depth now.

Although they were going to struggle regardless if Howard was injured or in foul trouble, they need somebody to back him up. Right now it’s Malik Allen, Daniel Orton and Ryan Anderson. Anderson is a nice shooter, but I don’t look at him and think center. Orton is a rookie who hasn’t played and Malik Allen is Malik Allen.

One thing I do wonder is who will be the odd man out in their starting line-up if no other trades are made. Nelson is a PG. Arenas can player either guard spot. Richardson is a G/F. Turk is a SF who will likely play some PF. Bass is a PF that has been playing really well after finally being given an opportunity with them.

Proud member of Club FTR

by Lawler 4ever on Dec 18, 2010 3:45 PM PST reply actions

They would probably run small

with Nelson and Arenas in the backcourt and JRich/Turk in the front court and make Bass as the “backup big”

by KidJustin on Dec 20, 2010 12:16 AM PST up reply actions

i'm not sure I like these moves for an of the teams

I think if it was just the PHX-ORL trade I would like it for ORL. Replace VC w/ Richardson, and bring back Turk and can recreate a lot of the key pieces to their Finals run.

But getting rid of Rashard, makes them pretty small. Yes they have the guy who plays the biggest in the league, but no center behind him, and the rest of your bigs are Bass? Malik Allen? Earl Clark? Ryan Anderson? I’d be worried.

I think of all the teams I like it the best for Washington. It was obvious they were done w/ arenas. It also gives them more balance. Seeing them play for stretches with Hinrich, Wall, and Arenas on the floor was kinda painful. Rashard might be overpaid, but he can still contribute.

by osamu on Dec 18, 2010 3:48 PM PST reply actions

For Orlando this is definitely an all in trade

I would say Orlando got the best of this trade although the Wiz have to be ecstatic about dumping Gilbert’s massive contract. I don’t like the trade from the Suns perspective, Richardson was having a great year and I am not sure that Vince and Nash will work well together (although if anyone could make it work it would be Nash). Strange trade all around, although we won’t really know if it worked or not until playoffs.

"It's better to be an optimist who is sometimes wrong than a pessimist who is always right"unknown

by bestclipfan on Dec 19, 2010 1:32 AM PST reply actions

I'm not sure ....

why they traded Gortat. I think Bass is the real deal, but who’s going to come off the bench for them now? I think these trades will kill their chances this yr.

by Cay.Clipper1 on Dec 19, 2010 3:59 AM PST up reply actions

Now PHX is looking to possibly trade Childress

Let the rumors begin ..

by yaggiefresh on Dec 19, 2010 8:10 AM PST reply actions

yea I thought that might be the case, when people were suggesting pietrus might be available

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&page=steinsunsdeal-101218

in this article it says “and it’s doubly clear given what we’re seeing with (and hearing about) Childress, who can’t get off Alvin Gentry’s bench and, according to NBA front-office sources, is already being shopped by the Suns. Shopped without success.”

would we be interested in him? I’m not sure. Seems like he’d be another option, when gomes and aminu are off. I probably wouldn’t give up much for him, maybe foye? I could see the suns just wanting to get out from under the 5 year deal he just signed, so maybe they’d take on less to no talent for the long term salary relief.

by osamu on Dec 19, 2010 1:11 PM PST up reply actions

Gomes for Childress

it would be a terrific move. Suns save a few bucks and Clips shore up the obvious weak link.

Help us Altered Beast you're our only hope.

by ClipperChuck on Dec 19, 2010 3:26 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

Um, the Clippers have a number of issues

including long term starting PG and C, both of which are just about as “obvious” as your perceived SF problem.

"[Fans are] not technically a lot of times savvy. They don't understand and they don't weigh issues the way that [I] weigh them."
Mike Dunleavy, Sr.

by Jax on Dec 19, 2010 5:13 PM PST up reply actions

Cneter and PG clearly arent as big of an issue

Baron is still serviceable and Bledsoe could be the replacement. Same with DJ and Kaman. We got noone at SF and maybe a replacement in AFA.

Help us Altered Beast you're our only hope.

by ClipperChuck on Dec 19, 2010 5:33 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

Very premature

You have no idea whether BD is back to stay and Kaman is still out. Bledsoe ain’t ready. PG is a critical spot, much more than SF, for this team, right now and for the future. Let’s see what happens.

"[Fans are] not technically a lot of times savvy. They don't understand and they don't weigh issues the way that [I] weigh them."
Mike Dunleavy, Sr.

by Jax on Dec 19, 2010 11:23 PM PST up reply actions

Injuries are part of the game

Baron has been back and looking fairly healthy. Theres no reason to add a 4th PG. DJ has been adequate as the starting C so even with Kaman out it hasnt been that damaging. The SF has been a huge weakness throughout this year.

If you can get rid of a unproductive player for a productive one you should do it. Gomes for Childress is a no brainer.

Help us Altered Beast you're our only hope.

by ClipperChuck on Dec 20, 2010 8:46 AM PST via mobile up reply actions

A no-brainer?

Not really. Gomes is a good (if reluctant) shooter, an excellent defender, and has good BBIQ. Despite his uneven offensive production I’m not sure how much more Childress brings. His career numbers tell us Gomes is a better shooter from beyond the arc.
Besides, I don’t think Phoenix needs another tweener. What if you send out Smith, who’s getting splinters behind Griffin? He could really help Phoenix inside. Clips still have Cook, Kaman, DJ and Gomes can play some 4 as well. I’d throw in Butler and a second rounder as well.

by John Raffo on Dec 20, 2010 9:08 AM PST up reply actions

Gomes is far from a excellent defender

He gets lit up. Look at the stats, Childress is much better defensively and is a much better rebounder, especially on off rebounds, as a SF.

Phoenix gets a shorter deal and less of a logjam at SF since Gomes is actually a better PF than SF. They like playing small so a smallish PF suits them.

Help us Altered Beast you're our only hope.

by ClipperChuck on Dec 20, 2010 12:13 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

You were wrong about Warrick replacing Amare and you're wrong here

Childress is too expensive, is not producing and cannot shoot the three well enough. Again, I would take the guy, but not at that price. We have other bigger issues at present to address.

"[Fans are] not technically a lot of times savvy. They don't understand and they don't weigh issues the way that [I] weigh them."
Mike Dunleavy, Sr.

by Jax on Dec 20, 2010 1:46 PM PST up reply actions

Name the bigger issues

Cant actually put together a real answer as usual

Help us Altered Beast you're our only hope.

by ClipperChuck on Dec 20, 2010 2:44 PM PST via mobile up reply actions

Childress' 5yr contract ($6-7M/yr) is a pretty big commitment...

Why hasn’t he gotten PT in Phoenix?

by banandy on Dec 20, 2010 1:32 PM PST up reply actions

Because he's not producing

"[Fans are] not technically a lot of times savvy. They don't understand and they don't weigh issues the way that [I] weigh them."
Mike Dunleavy, Sr.

by Jax on Dec 20, 2010 1:45 PM PST up reply actions

I think he's not producing because he's not getting the PT...

His FG% is 56.8%, but he’s only playing 17mpg.. I think if he got more minutes, he would be more productive.

"look, you can find any coach you want, bring him in here and run the situation. But I don't think they are going to do as good a job as I do." -Mike Dunleavy Sr.

by CLiPPz WeRD 12 on Dec 20, 2010 2:01 PM PST up reply actions