My take

[Troy L Hash <troy.l.hash.ipwa@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Not to be left out in the discussion, though I have done nothing but read &
surf the internet for takes on the trade, I thought I would put my 2 cents
in.

1.  I don't agree with the trade, but I don't despise it like 90 % of the
other posts.   Why?  I know Kenny did a good job for us last year, but I
have never liked his game and we definantly would have lost him at the end
of the year anyway.  It may take several games into the season before we
"settle" on a replacement but I do think he will be replaced because as so
many comment and observe, in Obie's system a point guard is not the primary
focus.  "Notice I didn't say good point guard".   

While I highly respect Josh and his reviews, " I agree about 95 % of the
time with him", I do believe he has  some sort of blind spot for Vitaly.
Vitaly has never done anything for us.  I honestly believe, we are a better
team without him.  Getting rid of him and his contract is a big positive and
brings some closure to that awful trade & signing and the bitter realization
that we lost out on Miller or Marion.  Glad to finally put that memory
behind me.

Getting rid of Forte & receiving Williams in return is strictly a $$ move,
nothing more nothing less.   Williams by all accounts in no better than
Forte right now, if as good.   But his $2 million will be gone after this
season, as will he.   Even if, "big if", he somehow did have a productive
season, no way we offer much more than the minimum for him, so he is gone
either way.  Forte is the part of this trade that really upsets me, "I will
get to Baker in a minute".  It worries me to know end that either  A. we are
such a terrible judge of talent that we go 1 for 3 or "0 for 3", depending
on Kedrick, on our drafts,  or B. we just so easily throw talent to the wind
without waiting to see if it blossoms simply for the sake of $$$$.   In
Fortes' case, both possibilities may be true.   This part of the deal is
nothing more than a 1 year $$$ fix.  It basically solves the luxury tax for
the next season, then, we start all over again, barring a signifant change
in salary cap/luxury tax.

2.  I am not as down on Baker as most.  I believe he can help us once he
adjusts to our system and our players to him.  Exactly what that system will
be, I am not yet sure, but you can bet isolations will be promiant versus
ball movement.   Baker can score inside, no doubt.  He will help us with
that 3rd scorer.  He will help in rebounding and I don't think he will be
the defensive liability that some are concerned with due to the style Boston
plays.  "Ben Wallace need not worry about Vin for defensive player of the
year", but he will be an upgrade inside as to what we have now.   The
contract???  Well it is what it is, a cap eating black hole that will suck
us dry for 4 years, but as has been pointed out, we don't usually go for big
time free agents anyway, never have.  We have definantly taken a gamble
here, potential big payoff, potential big bust, only time will tell.  

I would have preferred us to go another way, signing Rodney and keeping core
intact I believe was best & "cheapest $$ way in long run", but that is not
what it is about.  For next year, I think we will be as good or maybe
better, with a little luck, than last year.  But my concern & fear is that
at this same time next year, we are going to be wondering who will be
sacrificed/jettisoned to get us below the luxury tax for the "next" season.
This will be an on going thing every year, count on it.  If it means not
resigning a key role player or giving away draft picks, whatever it takes,
you can bet it will be done.   This trade saved us about $1 million for next
year and gives them a chance to be under the luxury tax which means big $$$
coming back, but then it will start all over the next year.

I can live with the trade this year, hopefully after a few games even be
excited about it.  We didn't give up much in the short term to do it.  I
just hope we can all live with it for the next 4 years because we did give
up a lot for the long haul.  Maybe we will even get lucky and accidentally
get Rodney back for a low price by default, we could use a break.


Sorry for long post, but I don't make many, so I feel I had a little "cap
room" to burn.   Hoping for the best.

Troy H.