onhoops.com: Shameless Trade Speculation

[Bob Miller <Bob@pointofchoice.com>]

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 find 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.