This deal seems to make sense to me, let me know what you guys think: Indiana trades: Ron Artest Scott Pollard Golden State trades: Erick Dampier Either Jason Richardson or Mickael Pietrus Why Golden State would do it: Since they re-signed Foyle, they aren't going to keep Damp as well. Mullin has said repeatedly that he's not going to sign and trade Damp unless a deal blows him away, I believe he'd have to consider this one. Artest is one of the top 3 on the ball defenders in the league (I'd say Bowen and Pietrus are the other two), he's underpaid by NBA standards (he's got 4 years left and about 27 mil left on his deal with a player option for a 5th year). Pollard has two years left on his deal, and will provide about 6.8 mil in cap space in the '06 offseason. If Richardson is the guy in the deal, that's fine. He'll be looking for at least as much money on his next deal as Artest is making now. While he isn't a head case like Artest, and has the potential to be better than Aretest on offense, he's still a risk. If Pietrus is the guy, that's fine too. Though he has the potential to be better than Artest or Richardson, and could be the best perimeter defender in the league, he still has to turn that potential into a reality. The bottom line is that while Richardson and Pietrus may have the potential to be better than Artest (especially Pietrus), they aren't sure things. Artest may be a head case, but he can produce right now. The only question is whether Montgomery and Mullin will be willing and able to control Artest. Why Indiana would do it: They've got Bender and just traded for Stephen Jackson. Jackson can start at sf right away, while Indiana believes Bender has star potential. What they need is a center. Detroit out rebounded Indiana in 6 of their 7 playoff games and even got 19 offensive rebounds on the Pacers in one game. Foster is a nice back up center, but he's just not starting quality. Right now they're just too small to compete, even in the east. If Damp were with the Pacers, they'd have the second best center in the east (next to Shaq). If Indiana studies Damp's play over the last three years they'll see that his reputation as a guy who only plays in contract years is bogus. Damp has always performed when he gets 8-10 touches in the post each game, he just never got that consistently until this year. He also started in 74 games this year and all 84 last year, which should put to rest any questions about his durability. While it would definately hurt to lose Artest, if they got Pietrus in the trade, they would have replaced all of Artest's defensive abilities without taking on any of his baggage. Pietrus showed plenty of offensive potential as well whenever he started for the Warriors, and he scores without dominating the ball. In fact, he could eventually be a better scorer than Artest. In the meantime, Jackson should provide more than enough firepower. They also have Bender waiting in the wings as well. If they got Richardson, they'd be getting a guy who could step in right away on offense. He'll never be the defender Artest was, but he's already as good a scorer, and he keeps improving every year. Why Damp would do it: He's running out of options now that Atlanta is the only team that can afford to sign him straight up. Mullin has told Damp and Fegan that he'll only accept a great offer for a sign and trade, so its up to Fegan to go out and find one. Damp has said that he wants to play for a contender and would like to have a chance to be an all star. He'd have both options with Indiana. He'd also be much closer to his hometown Jackson, Mississippi, which was his third goal. Here are the problems that I see: Golden State: Are they willing to put up with Artest? Indiana: Are they willing to give up Artest for Richardson or Pietrus? Damp: Is he willing to be the third option on offense? So what do you guys think? Unbiased views are welcome as well
