Thought I'd start a new thread to talk about anything going on during the offseason. And I'll start it off with a bang. The biggest trade in NBA history involving 5 teams and 13 players took place yesterday.

The teams involved are the Heat, Celtics, Grizzlies, Jazz and Hornets. Here's who goes where:

Heat get Antoine Walker, Jason Williams, James Posey, Andre Emmitt and the draft rights to a Spanish player Roberto Duenas.

Celtics get Curtis Borchardt and a package-Qyntel Woods, the draft rights to Spanish center Albert Miralles, two second-round draft picks and cash.

Grizzlies get Eddie Jones and Raul Lopez.

Jazz get Greg Ostertag.

Hornets get Rasual Butler and Kirk Snyder.

With Saq restructuring his massive contract and the Heat landing Walker, they've got to be considered the favorites in the East. And how do the Jazz end up with just Ostertag?

The Knicks announced yesterday that they signed free-agent Jerome James, the former Sonics center.

Why did the Heat trade for two ball hogs like Walker and Williams when they already have Shaq and Wade, both of whom love having the ball? I think this deal may wind up hurting the Heat in the long run....

I already posted this in the LA Laker thread, but the deal to bring Kwame Brown and Laron Profit to LA for Caron Butler and Chucky Atkins has been consumated.

~Adam

I agree about the Heat trade. It makes no sense. King Kaufman on Salon said something like Miami will need to buy more basketballs for everyone.

Why revamp a team that came within a few minutes of the Finals? Wade will only get better, too. It's bizarre. Maybe it's a plot by the NBA to goad Shaq into killing Walker.

How does a 5-team trade happen? Presumably it starts with 2 teams talking and then gets complicated from there with all the salary-cap considerations.

As far as Williams goes, he is apperently not the same hot dog type player he was in Sacramento. The Walker acquisition is kind of puzzling to me though. He's been kind of a cancer his entire career.

I think the 5-way deal started out as a 3-way or something, as some of the names (Ostertag, Borchardt, Lopez) I recall being mentioned in previously announced trades that hadn't been finalized.

Although the Heat do seem to get the most out of the trade, it does look like they may be overdoing it, bulking up on too many scorers (remniscent of when the Lakers had Shaq, Kobe, Payton and Malone in the starting lineup). There just aren't enough shots for Shaq, Wade, Walker, Williams and Haslem.

One proposed deal has been rescinded: the New Jersey Nets ended the trade with the Trail Blazers when Shareef Abdur-Rahim failoed his physical. Instead, the Nets got Marc Jackson from the Sixers, for cash and future considerations.

Has anyone heard what medical issues prevented Abdur-Rahim from passing the physical--and will it prevent him from playing anywhere next season?

~Adam

I thought he was having a lot of elbow problems. I don't know if it was severe enough to fail a physical or not.

Great move getting rid of Marc Jackson, but we got nothing in return?

Moving his salary should put the Sixers under the
salary cap.

The Sixers exercised their luxury tax clause by releasing veteran guard, Aaron McKie today.

The T-Wolves also dealt Sam Cassel to the Clippers. Not sure who they got in return.

The Timberwolves got Marko Jaric and Lionel Chalmers from the Clippers in exchange for Cassell.

~Adam

Sharif - Abdur Rahim signs with the Kings, reuniting him with former Vancouver teammate Mike Bibby.

Peja...Brad Miller....Bonzi Wells.....this team is in a bit of a makeover and still looks to be a great squad for 05-6.

With the luxury tax "amnesty" deadline tonight, a bevy of players were waived. They'll still be paid, and can re-sign with any team for any amount, but the teams would have their salary not count against the luxury tax (although it will still count towards the salary cap).

The list of players includes: Reggie Miller (although he's retired), Alonzo Mourning (although he had already resigned with the Heat last season, he was still on the Raptors books), Aaron McKie, Doug Christie, Brian Grant, Derek Anderson, Jerome Williams, Vin Baker, Derek Coleman, Fred Hoiberg.

I thought the Knicks were going to use this opportunity to dump Allan Houston?

Add Michael Finley of the Mavericks to the amnesty list.

Alonzo Mourning's going to stick around another year with the Heat.

Aaron McKie, who had fallen into disfavor in Philadelphia (didn't he spend the first half of last sesaon warming the bench?,) has come to the Lakers, where he will be paired with his pal Kobe Bryant.

~Adam

He actually won the starting guard spot alongside Allen Iverson at the beg of last season. He battled injuries and upon his return, languished on the bench until he was healthy. He did contribute late in the season and during the 6ers playoff run.

He's still a servicable guard who can provide solid defense and the occasional THREE off the bench when healthy. He's a good pick up for Laker fans.

Apparently Dikembe Motumbo isn't quite ready to hang up the hi-tops just yet, he's just signed a new two year contract with the Rockets through 2006-07, by then he'll be 41.

He's still effective in short stints off the bench even in his old age. Not a bad signing at all considering the available big men left on the market. And besides, he's a good mentor for Yao Ming.

Nick Van Exel--called 'Nick Van Excellent' during his Laker glory days--has signed with the Spurs.

~Adam

In a case of the rich getting richer, Michael Finley has come to terms with the Spurs. The Heat offered more money, but Finley said he wanted "to play for a team that can win the title."

~Adam

This team looks very interesting now. I might actually tune in to watch them play a gm or 2.

But, will these 2 big name signings reduce the Spurs overall effectiveness. Will they just become another version of the high scoring Dallas Mavericks? Lots of ballhogs and no chemistry.

There are rumors flying around LA that Latrelle Sprewell wants to come to the Lakers. NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

~Adam

I assume the number 8 won't be available....maybe Spree will choke it out of him.

I can't imagine Phil Jackson wanting Sprewell on his team...then again, I couldn't imagine Andy Reid wanting Terrell Owens on his team, either. wink

I also cannot imagine Phil Jackson wanting to take on the problem called Sprewell & can't see how the two of them could possibly mesh. However, the rumor persists. In other Laker news (and about time, I say...) Kareem Abdul Jabbar has been hired as an assistant coach for the team.

~Adam

The champion Spurs have added Nick Van Exel and Michael Finley to their roster. Finley had earlier been thought to be going to Miami, but I'm glad he's landed in San Antone. The Van Exel move has me a bit puzzled though.

It appears that the Heat is about to get yet another ball hog to go with Shaq, Wade, Walker, and Williams. Gary Payton is rumored to be signing with them. How are they going to divvy up shots??

~Adam

The 76ers have signed...um, Lee Nailon...yay?

Coming soon to an ESPN highlight: "Lee Press-on Nailon."

~Adam

As the Raptors open their training camp at Brock University in St. Catharines it is announced that they have traded fiery point guard Rafer Alston to Houston for journeyman Mike James. Despite GM Rob Babcock's claims that it had nothing to do with "attitude," it had everything to do with attitude. Alston clashed with coach Sam Mitchell throughout the season, and Mitchell frequently benched Alston (and Vince Carter... and look where he ended up). The move will save money, but yet again Babcock fails to get equal value in a trade, and again Babcock's initial move (he signed Alston to a long-term deal) has backfired on him. This also presents an opportunity to Spanish point guard Jose Calderon to step up, as he was signed in the off season.

On other news, the Bulls send Eddie Curry to the Knicks because he refused to take a DNA test for a heart condition.

I would hate to be a Raptor fan. Losing both Vince Carter and R. Alston and only fetching peanuts in return should cost Babcock his job.

These deals are reminiscent of the bad trades that another Babcock in Atlanta made which kept the Hawks grounded for years. I wonder if they're related?

I think that was his brother.


To correct the Eddy Curry trade details: Curry and Antonio Davis to the Knicks for Tim Thomas, Michael Sweetney and Jermaine Jackson.

You'd think Chicago could have demanded the Knicks at least throw in Michael and Janet as well.

Amazing to see Isiah finally getting the better of a trade, although obviously Curry's health is a big unknown.

The Sun-Times this morning is reporting the Curry deal is not official yet. Apparently there is some speculation he may fail the phycial, thus sending him back to the Bulls.

ESPN has reported that Amarie Stoudamire will be out for the next 4 months.

The Suns suddenly go to also-rans in the West. Stoudemire out for half the season and Quentin Richardson gone means a 6-8 seed for Phoenix, if that.

Is the East a bit better than, or at least even with, the West at the top?

Allan Houston to announce retirement.

The New Orleans Hornets trade Jamaal Magloire to the Milwaukee Bucks for Desmond Mason and an unconditional first round draft pick. Can't figure this one out since the Hornets are very thin in the front court and Milwaukee is relatively deep.

And, why couldn't the Raptors swing a deal for Toronto-native Magloire if the asking price was so low (and the Raps are desperate for help at the center position)?!

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On other news, Mike Krzyzewski was named head coach of Team USA basketball (ie. the Olympic team).

The Lakers have sent forward Jumaine Jones to the Bobcats for a second-round draft pick. With Jones gone, the Lakers may sign Devin Green.

Re the news of Coack K (spelling Krzyzewski is just too hard wink ) being named as coach of the US national coach, Kobe Bryant has said that he is now interested in being part of the US squad.

~Adam

Imagine Philly Fan giving that one a shot! wink

Neither can I. With the Baron Davis give-away and now this, the Hornets seem intent on self-destructing what was a once promising team. Makes perfect sense for the Bucks on the other hand -- Bogut is going need plenty of help in his first few years.

DMase still hasn't reached his potential, is an excellent player on the court brings a lot of excitement to the game with his incredible dunks, a great guy off the court also, New Orleans can use someone like that, and with the 1st round pick, obviously they are looking toward rebuilding, they definetely werent doing something right with the team the had last season. They have nothing to lose from revamping the team.

Hey, you make it sound like the trade was one-sided? Desmond Mason isn't exactly a scrub ya know, and they also got a #1 pk, unconditional I might add.

Other than Mo Pete, the Raps don't have anyone of value to give up to get a Magloire. Bosch & Villanueva are untouchable.

Not a transaction, but....the oft-injured Grant Hill is again injured. This time, he'll probaly miss approximately six weeks due to a sports hernia. Hill really seems to carry around his own dark cloud.

~Adam

[quote]alleninsf:
[QUOTE]Originally posted by canmark:
[qb] Hey, you make it sound like the trade was one-sided? [/quote]I agree with Canmark -- it was one-sided. A quality big man is the rarest commodity in the NBA today. Dunkers (D-Mase) are a dime a dozen. They may fill some seats, but not the Win column. He hasn't exactly made a lot of progress since being traded from Seattle.

The Hornets supposedly demanded the Raptors' two first round draft picks (7 and 16) for Magloire.

To me, Desmond Mason is a high flyer (a la Ricky Davis) who probably peaked last season with 17 ppg. His career avg. is 12.9 ppg, similar to Ricky Davis' 13.0 ppg. Also, the Hornets have a young, exciting high flyer in J.R. Smith. Their front court, however, is consists of the likes of aging veteran P.J. Brown and non-scorer Chris Anderson. And it's very hard to compete in the Western Conference without strength in the front court.

Okay, I see your point. I guess I haven't seen Magloire play enough to gage his real value. As for Mason, he came out of Seattle with so much hype, guess he never really lived up to it. The Bucks did well in trading him while his stock's high.

I just noticed the Sixers are playing the Pistons Wed night on ESPN. I hope the starting 5 is healthy. The bench...well we don't have one. I just hope AI, C-Webb, and Dalembert are healthy enough to play. They all have been nursing injuries. I have no faith in Webber. It'll be a blessing from god if he plays 60 gms.

It's gonna be interesting to see how Darko performs now that he's not in lockdown under LB. I heard he recorded 6 blocks in their last gm.