tradespec.html

[David A Wickerham <aw623@freenet.buffalo.edu>]

                                97-98 Season
                                      
                        Shameless Trade Speculation
                                      
   February 15, 1998 
   
     Chuck's Note: It's no secret that the Miami Heat are lusting after
     Mitch Richmond, and that Pat Riley is doing everything in his power
     to orchestrate a deal to get him to Florida. As with Friday's deal
     of Stoudamire, it's clear that in the run up to the trade deadline,
     some teams are going to be willing to shoot the dice. It's up to
     Riles to fidn the right ones...
     
   
MITCH RICHMOND TO MIAMI VIA FOUR TEAM TRADE involving Boston and Phoenix:

   A few weeks back a three way trade was almost pulled off sending
   Richmond to Miami via Boston. Pitino balked at the last minute, unsure
   of Austin's ultimate value in the long run. This variation, involving
   potential title contender Phoenix should satisfy Boston's desire for
   youth (and a different point guard -- it was rumored earlier in the
   year that Pitino offered Billups for Nash straight up) and Phoenix's
   need for a prime-time center to contend in the West.
   
   
MIAMI trades:

     Jamal Mashburn SF (4.4 mil) and Isaac Austin C (385 thou) total =
     4.785 mil and receives:
     Mitch Richmond SG (3 mil) and Michael Smith PF (1.9 mil) total =
     4.9 mil
     WHY: Miami gains Richmond, the second best shooting guard in the
     league and team him up with former backcourt mate and friend
     Hardaway. This is surely the only chance Miami has for getting by
     MJ & Co. Austin's value is realized through this trade; Smith gives
     them a body to bang (when he gets healthy).
     
   
SACRAMENTO trades:

     Mitch Richmond SG (3 mil), Michael Smith PF (1.9 mil) and Michael
     Stewart C (242 thou) total = 5.142 and receives:
     Chauncey Billups PG (2.4 mil), Travis Knight C (2 mil) and Roy
     Rogers PF (760 thou) total = 5.16
     WHY: This trade give the Kings youth and great potential at the PG
     and C spots. Billups has undeniable skills, fortunately -- for the
     Kings -- they don't mesh with Pitino's system. Knight's talents and
     development would be maximized in a frontline where he could split
     time and duties between PF and C; his outside touch and
     shot-blocking would complement Corliss Williamson and Olden
     Polynice quite well. Add to that frontline Abdul-Wahad and Billups
     and you have a young, talented and up-and-coming team.
     
   
BOSTON trades:

     Chauncey Billups PG (2.4 mil), Travis Knight C (2 mil), Dontae
     Jones, SF (795 thou) and Roy Rogers PF (760 thou) total = 5.955 and
     receives:
     Jamal Mashburn SF (4.4 mil), Steve Nash PG (1.1 mil) and Michael
     Stewart C (242 thou) total = 5.742
     
   WHY: Pitino gets yet another former Kentucky Wildcat with Mashburn and
   more importantly he gets a solid SF and scoring threat to complement
   Walker at the PF. Nash promises to fit well in the Pitino system,
   particularly the way he shoots the three. Stewart's shotblocking will
   enable him to play "goalie" on the press and provide badly needed size
   in the middle -- and be resigned since Boston (unlike Sacramento) is
   under the cap.
   
PHOENIX trades:

     Steve Nash PG (1.1 mil) and receives:
     Isaac Austin C (385 thou) and Dontae Jones SF (795 thou) total =
     1.18
     WHY: Nash has been highly sought after, and Phoenix has been wise
     to resist offers so far. However, this offer holds the promise of a
     potential world title -- and no third string PG is worth that much.
     Colangelo's reputation for doing right by a player (and Phoenix's
     multiple free agents next summer) should enable them to resign
     Austin... and surely a potential championship is worth that risk.
     
        -Thomas Murphy
       
                                     LJ
                                      
                       " Doesn't Riles ever sleep? "
                                      
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