Could Ainge trade Walker?

[Mark Piotrowski <markp@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I agree with another poster that "blowing up a team" -- at least a 
team with some a star like Pierce -- makes little sense and almost 
never works.

I'm really, really split on trading Walker (realizing this of course 
is all speculative).  On the one hand I think he and Pierce have a 
special bond and Walker is the heart of the team.  For that reason 
alone I hesitate even discussing moving him.  On the other hand, I 
feel like Walker might be the only way of improving the team (in the 
short term since you hope we'd be able to build through the draft w/ 
Ainge on board).  I think the C's need to go all out to win during 
the Pierce years -- he's that type of player that has the talent to 
win a championship with the right players around him.

But lets assume for a minute that (a) Ainge does become GM or 
President and that (b) he decides to trade Walker.  What could we 
realistically get for him?  I'm not talking Walker for Iverson or 
Walker for McGrady.  Here are some thoughts (all work via RealGM):


Walker & Delk for Dale Davis & Derek Anderson -- O'Brien knows DA 
from Kentucky and DA is not afraid to shoot the 3 (35% on 330 shots). 
Davis gives us some muscle alongside Battie.  For Portland it gives 
them a ridiculous starting 5 of Pippen/Wells (moves over from 
3)/Walker/Randolph/Wallace (moves to 5).  Davis isn't getting any 
younger.  Longshot but I think I'd do it.

Walker for Dale Davis & Bonzi Wells -- Wells is still BYC, but I 
think that ends some point this summer.  I think Portland is less 
likely to let Wells go, but still intriguing.  Both of these are less 
likely to happen now that Whitsett's gone I think.

Walker for Sam Cassell/Toni Kukoc -- the beauty of this is (a) 
Cassell's contract expires with Vin Baker, Battie, Delk and Kedrick 
making us major players in 3 years (b) Kukoc expires with Eric 
Williams giving us some room next year and (c) both are players that 
would fit into our system and Cassell fits that need for a point. 
Milwaukee arguably gets the better player.  It allows them to move 
Tim Thomas for another point maybe?  Or draft TJ Ford/Kirk Hinrich

Walker for Antonio Davis -- Davis alongside Battie is a nice thought 
and his contract expires with that Baker/Battie/Delk/Brown group. 
Toronto again gets the better talent, of course why would they do 
this if they end up with Carmelo Anthony.  Although Walker allows 
them to bring him along slowly.

Walker/Sundov for Kwame Brown/Larry Hughes/Christian Laettner -- A 
gamble and less likely to happen now that Jordan is gone (b/c I 
imagine Brown becomes the focal point of the Wizards) but doens't it 
seem like Brown is where Jermaine O'Neal was when Pitino tried to get 
him for the 3 picks?  Wizards can then build around Walker and 
Stackhouse (if they resign him).

Wallace/Battie for Rasheed Wallace -- I don't know that either team 
would do this or that it necessarily benefits either team, but Wallce 
becomes a free agent after this season so if it doesn't work he could 
also fetch some talent at the trade deadline.  Leaves us really thin 
up front but maybe we could go:

Bremer
Pierce
E. Williams
Wallace
Blount

Walker for PJ Brown (sign & trade)/David Wesley*/Kirk Haston*/Bryce 
Drew --2 starters for 1 -- fills 2 needs for us PF and PG. I think 
Wesley would be the type of PG to fit in OBrien's ssytem.  His 
contract expires with the Baker/Battie/Delk/Brown group too.  PJ 
gives us a legit starting PF and a lineup of:

Wesley
Pierce
E. Williams
Brown
Battie


Walker/Baker for Sprewell/McDyess -- Essentially Walker for Sprewell 
minus 2 years of non-PF play.  Maybe NY is so desperate for talent 
they take the extra 2 years on Bakers contract for McDyess'.  Gives 
us some cap room next year with McDyess' and Williams' contracts 
coming off.


Call me a geek, but I love speculating on trades and FA singings and drafts.

Mark