Link</p> MIAMI (AP) -- Antoine Walker's turbulent time with the Miami Heat is over.</p> The Heat traded the three-time All-Star forward to the Minnesota Timberwolves today in a five-player deal that came one day after Miami completed a winless preseason.</p> Walker, backup center Michael Doleac, oft-injured forward Wayne Simien and a conditional first-round draft pick were sent to Minnesota for former Miami swingman Ricky Davis and center Mark Blount.</p> The deal gives Minnesota added depth and gives Miami a third scoring option it wanted in Davis. The Heat will try to fit him in alongside Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade -- the 2006 finals MVP who'll miss a few more weeks while recovering from knee and shoulder surgeries.</p> Walker helped the Heat win the 2006 NBA title but hasn't always had the easiest time dealing with Heat coach Pat Riley's strict conditioning standards.</p> Walker was briefly suspended last year because his body-fat measurement wasn't within team limits, and he arrived for training camp earlier this month not in the shape Riley wanted.</p> </p>
Haha, I love the Wolves.Going to be exciting to watch them. Everyone's either a) a former Celtic or should have been a Celtic through the draft. ;-)
Walker has one more year on his deal then McHale can cut him. Hard to believe he agreed to a contract where the team can opt to cut two years and $20M from his deal when he is a 34/35-year old player.</p> Pretty crazy that McHale has cut so much already and they're still looking at approx. $52M in salaries next season if they let Telfair, Doleac, Gomes and Smith go. Otherwise they'll be over the cap with a core of Jefferson, Brewer, Foye, first round picks and marginal role players. It's going to be some time before Minnesota matters again.</p> As for the Heat, the arrogant "Riley, Shaq, and Wade can make guys with no character fall in line" strategy might backfire with lazy Blount and crazy Davis. Hard to say at this point. Davis must've been their second choice behind Pietrus.</p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (employee #5)</div><div class='quotemain'>I'll gladly welcome Gomes and Walker to the Celtics next year. ;-)</div></p> Two tours with Walker is more than enough for any team. Gomes...come on down!</p> </p> </p>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (employee #5)</div><div class='quotemain'>I'll gladly welcome Gomes and Walker to the Celtics next year. ;-)</div> </p> Joining the Celtics as advance scouts?
Oh my I cant believe any team still has interest in Walker.....This was a smart trade in my opinion for the Heat as they get Davis who will provide the team with much needed scoring, energy and athleticism while Wade is sidelined.</p>
