Dallas/Atlanta/Portland

[akaarod03]

I know there have been rumors involving Rasheed Wallace to Dallas for Jamison etc. First of all, I like Jamison. I like what he brings to the team. Yes I know he's a terrible defender...but who isnt on the Mavs? He meshes well with Nowitski...as opposed to Walker. So I would prefer to trade Walker. But is Wallace the answer? I dont know. Can he play the center position? Will he ruin the chemistry in the locker room? Will he remain a Mavs after the season is over? Theres just too many unanswered questions with Wallace. Here's a 3 team trade involving Dallas, Atlanta, and Portland:

Dallas trades Antoine Walker, Tony Delk, and Travis Best

Dallas receives Theo Ratliff, Jason Terry, and Obina Ekezie

Atlanta trades Theo Ratliff, Jason Terry, and Obina Ekezie

Atlanta receives Rasheed Wallace

Portland trades Rasheed Wallace

Portland receives Antoine Walker, Tony Delk, and Travis Best

Why Dallas does it? Well, although Ratliff is an undersized center/PF in the West...he may be a better fit here than Wallace. Clearly, he can defend, shot-block, rebound, etc. I love Terry's game...he reminds me a little of NVE. I think our backup PG problem would be solved. Plus I like what Daniels brings to the team as well. He's started the past few games...the kid can play. Ekezie was thrown in for salary cap purposes. Our roster:

PF Nowitski Najera
SF Howard Jamison
C Ratliff Bradley/Fortson
PG Nash Terry/Daniels
SG Finley Daniels/Howard

Pretty good balance throughout.

Why Atlanta does it? Salary cap relief. No one attends their games. They're losing so much money. Ratliff and Terry want to get the heck out of there. Wallace comes off the books this season...to the tune of 17.5 million. Atlanta will be way under the cap this offseason...good for them...my question is...what good will that do? Who wants to go to Atlanta? That's their problem I guess. But the key for them is salary cap relief this year...which they desperately want.

Why Portland does it? If they dont trade Wallace...theoretically he walks and Portland gets nothing but salary cap relief. But they're still way over the cap...so what good does that do? At least, they get something for nothing. Walker is obviously a talented player...he may mesh well with Randolph. Pretty good front-line for Portland...Walker, Randolph, and Davis. Is it enough to get them into the playoffs this year? Who knows...but they can start to prepare themselves for the future...Walker and Stoudamires contract are off the books in 2005...almost 30 million. Next year is the year when Portland is primed to sign preimier free agents. In the meantime, they save face with the addition of Walker. Again, it is not a firesale in Portland like it is in Atlanta. And if things work out...they have the option to resign Walker.

Your thoughts?

Abe