Milwaukee RECEIVES Zach Randolph, LOSES Bobby Simmons, Royal Ivey, Michael Ruffin New York RECEIVES Luke Walton, Kwame Brown, Michael Ruffin, LOSES Zach Randolph Lakers RECEIVES Bobby Simmons, Royal Ivey, LOSES Luke Walton, Kwame Brown Milwaukee gets what they want, and they have to expect to lose at least Simmons as Mo Williams and Yi Jianlian are untouchable, and Michael Redd is worth too much. New York does this deal because they receive 2 expiring contracts in Kwame Brown and Michael Ruffin. Lakers do this deal because they get a legit SF, and drop $4M for next season. Thoughts? PG Derek Fisher (contemplated trading Odom and getting Redd, but Fisher is playing too well, and can't play Redd at SF) SG Kobe Bryant SF Bobby Simmons PF Lamar Odom C Andrew Bynum
Eh, I'm not sold. I think chemistry is paramount on this team, and it seems dumb to give up a glue guy like Walton. Also, acquiring Ivey, if only for one season, doesn't make sense because we have too many point guards and he'd ride pine, thereby severely debilitating the depth on our bench.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (yodawgsup @ Jan 10 2008, 07:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Eh, I'm not sold. I think chemistry is paramount on this team, and it seems dumb to give up a glue guy like Walton. Also, acquiring Ivey, if only for one season, doesn't make sense because we have too many point guards and he'd ride pine, thereby severely debilitating the depth on our bench.</div> Me neither. I'm hesitant to change anything on this team right now that isn't named Kwame, Radmonovic, Sasha, or Mihm. Glue guys seem to be essential for this team. I think part of the reason for our success this year is also because Odom is no longer pressured to be the second option; thereby making him another glue guy.
You don't trade big for small, even if the big is Kwame Brown. If we trade him, we only have one other center on our roster, and that's Mihm. And honestly, he's not what I'd call "reliable" health wise. As much as I despise Brown, we need him. He's our best interior defender and he's the only back-up center on this team. Plus, Simmons has a big contract with what, at least 2 years years left I think?
Kwame is thriving with the second unit. He even made 5 of 7 free throws the other night. He's playing a lot better without the pressure to start and perform with the starters. He's an expensive backup center, but right now he's all we got. If he takes a significant paycut next year I actually wouldn't mind keeping him.
Bobby Simmons is averaging 7 points per game, shooting 41% from the field and 30% from three point land. He is only averaging 3 rebounds per game and 1 assist. I don't see what's so special about this guy, he has a huge contract as well. Luke Walton is averaging 8 points per game, shooting 46 percent and 40 percent on three pointers, he is averaging 3 rebounds per game to go along with 3 assists. Not to mention Walton also has a lot of experience running the triangle, and is a great lockeroom guy. As far as I'm concerned, Walton > Simmons. Now as for Kwame, like Shapecity pointed out, he is playing great with the second unit. He is a terrific backup for Andrew Bynum, and if you trade him away, who will fill his role? Chris Mihm? Hell no. By the way, who the hell is Royal Ivey?
This seems like a trade just for the sake of making one. No teams benefit, except maybe Milwaukee. Bobby Simmons is far from a legit SF. After receiving the MIP, he's been on a decline. I question whether he had a contract year improvement. Maybe just a bad year. Either way, the Lakers will disrupt chemistry acquiring him. I'm a big Ivey fan and support all of my Harlem/NY players, but with Fisher and Farmar manning the 1, I question how useful he will be. Defense and effort are always appreciated in this league, so that will work well for him. The Knicks do lose some cap space with Kwame expiring, yet they take on Walton's long-term deal; around $30 million. So, we're still at square one. Basically, we're giving Randolph - 17/10/2 - for Kwame Brown's expiring deal, and Walton's $30 million deal. There's got to be a first rounder in the deal somewhere. And no, not even Isiah would accept this deal.
