Why the women in Seattle are holding their breath...

Looks like there's a chance that rookie ladies man Robert Swift may be leaving Seattle to show off his mad skillz on another team's injury list....

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> There is a possible three-way involving Seattle, Indiana, and Boston that would land Payton in Pacerville and bring Ainge fave Robert Swift to Boston. But the Sonics would have to take Jiri Welsch from Boston and a big body from Indiana.</div>

Boston Globe (Peter May)

 

Swift is a pimp. no doubt

 

I doubt this happens, the Sonics don't NEED anything per se right now and management seems to be dedicated to waiting for Robby Swift to mature and eventually produce.

 

Why the hell would we do that? I heard we were interested in Welsch before the draft, and he has done nothing to suggest he would be able to force his way into an already crowded swingman rotation. We don't need to make a trade, so why trade the rook (unless management is certain we made a mistake)?

Peter May is a sillyhead.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Supersonic:</div><div class="quote_post">Why the hell would we do that? I heard we were interested in Welsch before the draft, and he has done nothing to suggest he would be able to force his way into an already crowded swingman rotation. We don't need to make a trade, so why trade the rook (unless management is certain we made a mistake)?

Peter May is a sillyhead.</div>

Amen to that!

Supersonic - Back already??? That's good!

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Supersonic:</div><div class="quote_post">Why the hell would we do that? I heard we were interested in Welsch before the draft, and he has done nothing to suggest he would be able to force his way into an already crowded swingman rotation. We don't need to make a trade, so why trade the rook (unless management is certain we made a mistake)?

Peter May is a sillyhead.</div>
It is my opinion that a team cannot have too much ammo. When the Sonics drafted Swift, they were most likely under the impression that they didn't have a chance this year. So they drafted a project, instead of a player that could've helped right away.

Now, it looks like they have a good chance at a championship run, and they might actually want a different young player, one who can contribute this year. Plus, Ray Allen still hasn't signed an extension with the team yet, and I don't see Swift playing the 2-guard spot next year.

If this deal doesn't happen, it's either because Indiana doesn't want to give up the first rounder, or because the Sonics don't want to take on the contract of the player that Indiana wants them to.

 

^ We have a perfectly good scoring guard who doesn't even get much burn in Flip Murray. Welsch is handy, but again he's not going to fit the rotation. Lewis and Radmanovic would be ahead of him at the three, Ray plays 35-40 minutes at the two and if we go with a smaller line-up, AD plays in the backcourt with Luke.

We may be gearing up for a title run, but we've got to where we are with the current rotation. We may have had success this season, but the team is still very young. I reiterate that the only way we would be trading Rob Swift is if we are absolutely certain he's a flop. There is no point trading a lottery pick who's obviously been drafted for the future, just to add an unnecessary tool to any title run we might have.

If we were adding a real difference maker, then maybe, but Welsch is merely a somewhat handy roleplayer.

 

Robert Swift isn't going anywhere. There is only one Sonic that I believe could be traded at the deadline and his name is Vitaly Potapenko. His contract expires after this year and I wouldn't be surprised to see a team look to acquire him only to dump him next year for cap relief.

I don't know who the Sonics could get in return for Pot, but I've heard that his agent has been adament about his displeasure about his role on this year's team. He seems like the only member of our active roster (sans Mateen Cleaves) that we could afford to part w/ for nothing. Maybe trade him to the Clippers for Mamadou N'diaye and a future second round draft choice or Dallas for Didier Ilunga-Mbenga and Tariq Abdul Wahad (who the Mavericks are patiently waiting to dump at the end of the season). At this point I think that it would be good for us to have a lively shot blocker on the roster. Pot right now is the most expendable player on our roster and I think we could use him to bring in a young active big man.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Supersonic:</div><div class="quote_post">We may be gearing up for a title run, but we've got to where we are with the current rotation. We may have had success this season, but the team is still very young. I reiterate that the only way we would be trading Rob Swift is if we are absolutely certain he's a flop. There is no point trading a lottery pick who's obviously been drafted for the future, just to add an unnecessary tool to any title run we might have.</div>Since when is Welsch an "unnecessary tool"? He's a bargain for what he makes, and he's signed for two more years. The way you talk about him, you'd think he's this mediocre 40 year old that's career is on the decline. Welsch just turned 25, and he only has two and a half years of NBA experience. He has as much potential as Swift, or even more, because at least he has proven that he can contribute. <div class="quote_poster">Quoting Supersonic:</div><div class="quote_post">If we were adding a real difference maker, then maybe, but Welsch is merely a somewhat handy roleplayer.</div>What an interesting thing to say. Seriously, here I was thinking that it's impossible to catergorize Welsch and his playing abilities, you know, because he has limited experience and is still young. Well, now I know that he's "merely a somewhat handy roleplayer", because I guess you just know those sorts of things. Honestly, how can you even think to say something like that? That's almost as bad as all the Celtics fans from around here say they "wouldn't do this deal" because Swift "isn't enough return value for Welsch."

Another thing that makes me think this deal is for real is the fact that a Jiri-for-Swift trade works salary-wise.

 

What element would Jiri Welsch bring to our team that we don't already have?

If Flip can't get minutes in our rotation, what makes you think that Welsch could? Welsch is and always will be a complimentary player. If you are suggesting that we bring him in as insurance for Ray Allen then I would advise you to take that suggestion back to Geico where you found it. That is definitely minimum coverage if I've ever heard it.

Boston needs help but don't expect that help to come from Seattle--unless it's this summer when over half our team will be eligible for free agency. Tell your boy Ainge to get ownership to throw some cash around and I'm sure that some of our players won't mind changing green uniforms. It seems to be working out farely well as we speak for our franchise best player.

 

That's funny.

Iron Shiek, the same guy who'd rip you a new one if you ever dismiss or question the ability or potential of his favorite player, is doing that exact thing, but to another player. Look, if anybody knows what kind of player Welsch is going to be, certainly it's not somebody that can't even spell his name correctly. How can you be so hypocritical?

Welsch's situation is much like the one of your boy, Flip. Both have proven themselves when given a chance, and both are young players who are only going to get better with experience. Now, what would you say to me if I were to conclude that Flip Murray is and always will be a complimentary player? We both know that that isn't a fair assessment.

Jiri, if traded, would instantly be your best one-on-one defender at the two or the three. He's a tremendous shooter from the outside, and he has the speed to drive past anybody that plays him for it. I've seen every game that he's played in the past year and a half, and it is my opinion that he would fit in very well in Seattle.

I have no problem with you dismissing the idea of this trade, but not at the expense of Welsch. I, personally, don't think that this deal will go through, but the reason it won't has nothing to do with Jiri not being good enough. Seattle probably doesn't want to deal their lottery pick, and that's understandable, but there's no doubt in my mind that this is getting some serious consideration on both sides.

By the way, this suggestion was not something that I thought of myself, and I've seen it in multiple places since the article I've linked to. I know that fans have a tendency to overrate their favorite players, but I don't think this suggestion is as ridiculous as you make it out to be.

 

My apologies.

I didn't want you to think that I thought your boy Welsch is sad. I just said that what he brings to the table isn't something that is a particular need for Seattle at this moment. There is already a log jam at our guard positions and I don't think that you could honestly admit that Welsch would step in for a departed Ray Allen and put up comparable numbers.

I have seen Welsch play enough to know that he is a good player, but not a star player. He seems to me to have the potential to be a better version of Brent Barry in his formiddable years. He has a nice combination of size, talent, and athletism but none of those areas does he overwhelm his competition in. I believe that Rashard Lewis is a complimentary player and he just made his first All-Star game, so don't take my assessment of being a complimentary player as meaning that the player is marginal.

In the case of Seattle, I would only make a deal involving Swift if the pay off was another big ~ i.e. your boy Al Jefferson. That kid is an absolute stud and I'd be willing to give up Swift, Reggie, and Pot for the opportunity to have him for the next three years. Collison and Jefferson are probably the two of the three best rookie power forwards in the league (Okafor being the other).

I wouldn't give much merit to any trade rumors that the Sonics have considering that our GM, Rick Sund, is also in the last year of his contract and he doesn't want to make any moves that could mess up our team chemistry. A wrong move at this time could end up sealing his fate for a future contract.

For the first time since I've been on this site, I regret posting something unfavorable about another player. I've been humbled by 44.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Iron Shiek:</div><div class="quote_post">I didn't want you to think that I thought your boy Welsch sad. I just said that what he brings to the table isn't something that is a particular need for Seattle at this moment. There is already a log jam at our guard positions and I don't think that you could honestly admit that Welsch would step in for a departed Ray Allen and put up comparable numbers.</div>Nah, Welsch isn't even my boy. I'm not a huge fan, but I do respect his game and his potential in the future. He isn't Ray Allen though, but how many Ray Allens are there in this league? With the possibility of both Flip and Ray leaving, it might be worth it for them to give Welsch a chance. He isn't going to cost them much cap-wise, so some might think it's worth it. What it finally comes down to is whether it's worth the risk of letting Swift go. That's the question that Sund will be asking himself.
<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">In the case of Seattle, I would only make a deal involving Swift if the pay off was another big ~ i.e. your boy Al Jefferson. That kid is an absolute stud and I'd be willing to give up Swift, Reggie, and Pot for the opportunity to have him for the next three years. Collison and Jefferson are probably the two of the three best rookie power forwards in the league (Okafor being the other).</div>Yeah, I think a lot of people are thinking that these days. If Sund thinks of Swift anywhere near what Ainge thinks of Jefferson, then Swift is untouchable. <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">For the first time since I've been on this site, I regret posting something unfavorable about another player. I've been humbled by 44.</div>Wow. I thought that was impossible

 

If we were to trade for Welsch I would imagine it would be after July 1st when we'd have a good idea who was going to resign or not. That goes for any possible guard that we would be looking to acquire for the 2005-2006. If Ray doesn't resign we will have a ton of options via free agency and trades. Welsch could easily be one of them but considering that next year is a contract year for him, I don't think he'd be a top option.

 

this is absolutely stupid. No chance this deal is even a semi-legit rumor. Shiek is absolutely 100% right..we have no need for welsch..the 3 guards that play consistently in r lineup are all better then him...and Flip probably is too.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Coolguy777:</div><div class="quote_post">this is absolutely stupid. No chance this deal is even a semi-legit rumor. Shiek is absolutely 100% right..we have no need for welsch..the 3 guards that play consistently in r lineup are all better then him...and Flip probably is too.</div>I thought we just went over this...

I think any person of logical thinking would concede that they would love to have Welsch on their roster. It's fine if you don't like the deal, but that doesn't mean you have to belittle Jiri because of that.

Basically, if the rumor was Mateen Cleaves for Jiri Welsch, you wouldn't be saying that. So why not just say that Swift is too much to give up? There's no reason to have to attack a player that I'm sure you know next-to-nothing about, just because you're so offended by the idea.

 

I like the Idea of aquiring Welsch. He's a smart player, a nice defender, has a decent handle, and he doesn't demand the ball. The question is, has he peaked or could he turn into a solid role player? Who knows. I would gladly take my chances on him.

I think if the brass is considering trading Cassanova it is because they never tried him out before the draft and were expecting a better prospect.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 44Thrilla:</div><div class="quote_post"> Seattle probably doesn't want to deal their lottery pick, and that's understandable</div>

That's just it though.

I like Welsch as a player. He is versatile, has size, a nice stroke and is a decent defender. But he's always going to be a roleplayer, a third option offensively etc. We have a lot of these types of guys in Seattle, and because they work together so well, we have had success.

But, it's our lottery pick. Why would we trade a HS kid who we used a lottery pick on, by all accounts has impressed a lot of people inside the organisation, just to add depth? The rotation is fine, and while I'd have no problems with Jiri in a Sonics uniform, I just see absolutely no reason to do a trade like that. We didn't want to give you our top pick for Welsch before the draft, yet we do now? Harsh on Casanova, he must be really disappointing everyone in his six months of training.

Nothing personal on Welsch at all, which seems to have been the misunderstanding here, but there isn't a lot of point to a deal like that in my eyes.

PS - My temporary accomodation has broadband, hence my sudden activity

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 44Thrilla:</div><div class="quote_post">I thought we just went over this...

I think any person of logical thinking would concede that they would love to have Welsch on their roster. It's fine if you don't like the deal, but that doesn't mean you have to belittle Jiri because of that.

Basically, if the rumor was Mateen Cleaves for Jiri Welsch, you wouldn't be saying that. So why not just say that Swift is too much to give up? There's no reason to have to attack a player that I'm sure you know next-to-nothing about, just because you're so offended by the idea.</div>



OK if you can tell me ONE THING in what I said that was belitting to Welch as a player or even as a person then I can understand that. BUT i said nothing negative about welsch I said we have no need for him...and by the way I watch a fair amount of Celtics basketball. All I said was we have atleast 3 guards that are better. Simply put. Hes not going to play over Allen or Daniels and Ridnour is our point guard. We have no need for him. Please dont try to suggest I say something that I didnt say. I dont like being quoted and then have someone putting words in my mouth

 

Isn't Welsch like 6-6? I know he's a good spot up shooter so if he can defend athletic 2's and 3' that would provide something we're missing right now.

But I haven't seen enough to of hiim to see if he can D up.

re: Jefferson, we had a chance to draft him outright instead of Swift so a Swift for Jefferson swap would be an admission that our scouts didn't project very well.

I remember the buzz before the draft that Jefferson wasn't athletic enough to play the 4.