12/21/24
June 18, 2002
You know that Macy Gray song -- "I've Commited Murder?": Another rumor flying around Chicago last weekend had the Suns trying to work out an elaborate three-team trade that would eventually land them Heat power forward Brian Grant. The deal has since been printed in several forms but the principals involved included Grant to the Suns, Anfernee Hardaway and the Heat's No. 10 pick to the Blazers and starting guard Damon Stoudamire, reserve forward Zach Randolph and the Blazers' No. 21 pick to the Heat."
posted by djacobs to basketball at 04:50 PM - 11 comments
What's a basketball thread doing in Worldcupfilter? Sorry, I don't like basketball, so I have nothing useful to add to this thread. Sue me. :-)
posted by salmacis at 05:51 PM on June 18, 2002
Unh. The Suns would get a deal, actually, even though I don't think Grant's a prime time player. But they would be very sad if Joe Johnson starts taking games off again. The Blazers would get an over the hill guard and a good pick. The latter has to be the primary impetus. The Heat get a roster shakeup! Weird little trade.
posted by Bryant at 07:39 PM on June 18, 2002
not that weird, because anfernee is a better fit for the blazers than mighty mouse, and has a much less cumbersome contract, and the Blazers can draft some Euro height. Damon IS a fit with Zo and E-Jo, and the Heat could win the East next year if the big guy bounces back. The Suns rebuild, and get a big body to put on all those B^HWestern Conference forwards.
posted by djacobs at 09:02 PM on June 18, 2002
At least some deal has gone down today; Mike Dunleavy is staying in the draft as a result. The exact nature of the deal isn't public yet, but apparently Dunleavy won't be going to Golden State, so something has probably been moved around a bit in the top four picks.
posted by tieguy at 09:13 PM on June 18, 2002
The trade actually sounds good for everyone. Damon would definitely help the Heat, if he's willing to play Riley-basketball. He's a playmaker, and I don't when the last time Riley had a reliable playmaker. tieguy, what are you talking about? Do you have some inside information that you could share?
posted by jacknose at 12:34 AM on June 19, 2002
ESPN says Dunleavy will be drafted by the Warriors. As an aside, how is Joe Johnson doing? He looked like an amazing prospect for the first few weeks of the season and then disappeared. It wasn't a case of taking games off in Boston; he lost all confidence in his jump shot after a bad game or two. I like Stoudamire, but I can't see him putting Miami over the top. On the other side, Brian Grant isn't quite a corpse yet, but he's not a difference maker.
posted by yerfatma at 06:53 AM on June 19, 2002
jacknose: I have some sources fairly close to the coaching staff; they suggested last night something had gone down that would keep Dunleavy in the draft but not put him with Golden State. This morning that source clarified and said that the trade talk was only speculation on his part. [Note that he knew about Dunleavy staying in the draft before any of the media did, including the Triangle area media, so he is really connected and not just talking out his ass.]
posted by tieguy at 08:03 AM on June 19, 2002
sweet inside tip. thanks, tieguy.
posted by jacknose at 08:19 AM on June 19, 2002
Oh, and the other draft word I hear is that the Lakers told Jacobsen they'd draft him if he stayed in, and that pseudo-comittment is why he's still in the draft. I'm usually not in favor of leaving early but I have to admit that a promise to virtually guarantee two rings in your first two years and work under the smartest (if not necessarily the best) coach in the NBA is a pretty good reason to get out.
posted by tieguy at 08:27 AM on June 19, 2002
More Blazers Rumors here. I'd give up Bonzi for Dikembe -or- the Kandiman. Preferably the latter.
posted by djacobs at 11:39 AM on June 19, 2002
Or, why not a Bibby for Bonzi sign and trade, and then foist Damon on someone in the East for Picks and a big guy (to play hack-a-shaq) - who's that stinky tall guy on the Knicks? What about him?