Rasheed to Dallas? Is it a done deal?

[akaarod03]

Trade talk upstages loss

Speculation that Rasheed Wallace could be headed to Dallas adds to the unsettled mood after losing to the Clippers

01/14/04

JIM BESEDA

LOS ANGELES -- Rasheed Wallace missed his third consecutive game Tuesday night, sitting out the Trail Blazers' 103-96 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center with an ankle injury.

The question is: Will he play another game for Portland?

As he watched from the bench dressed in team sweats, all indications were that trade talks were heating up between the Blazers and Dallas, with the complicated negotiations centering on Wallace and his $17 million salary.

Blazers general manager John Nash wouldn't comment on the negotiations, or even confirm them, saying that the glut of trade speculation "is only going to get worse" as the Feb. 19 trading deadline approaches.

The speculation before Tuesday's game not only was that the Mavericks were prepared to make a deal involving Antawn Jamison, Tony Delk and Edward Najera, but also that the deal is imminent and that the Blazers held Wallace out of Tuesday's game to help ensure that he passes his physical.

Run all that by Nash, though, and he is not amused.

"As we get closer to the trading deadline, I'm going to speak less of trades, because it really is unsettling to the players to continue to hear their names mentioned," Nash said. "We're trying to conduct business behind closed doors. When you have trade discussions, somehow or another they occasionally leak out, but we don't want to be the source of those leaks.

"It's safe to say we've talked to every team in the league, and we'll continue to do so, if there is reason to talk. But to identify the teams, that's not fair, because it's easy enough to then pinpoint what players match up with what players."

Mavericks owner Mark Cuban insists his team isn't looking to make any moves and told reporters before Monday's game in New York that the Blazers would have to make Dallas "a sweetheart deal that we couldn't say no to."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I like Jamison a lot...and to be honest...I would rather trade Walker...even though Walker had a monster game today But it really boils down to...can Wallace help us overall? I say yes.

[ddh33]

To answer the original question, no, I don't think it is a done deal. But it may be very close. Supposedly both Dwain Price and the Blazers beat writer are reporting the same trade with the same people. That's more than ironic to me.

But we'll see. If it was that close, I doubt Jamison would have played tonight.

[Max Power]

I've said it before and I'll say it again - I only want Rasheed if Dale Davis comes with him.

[MightyToine]

Originally posted by: ddh33
To answer the original question, no, I don't think it is a done deal. But it may be very close. Supposedly both Dwain Price and the Blazers beat writer are reporting the same trade with the same people. That's more than ironic to me.

But we'll see. If it was that close, I doubt Jamison would have played tonight.

This garbage is not true. There is no trade with the Mavs 'cause like you said, Jamison would've been held out of this game for an "injury". [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

[sike]

I'll believes it when I sees wit my own too eys........

though at this point I dont know why Dallas would be set on trading Jamison...he has quietly been playing great ball over the last several weeks.....excuse me, make that good offensive ball!

I'm pretty much ready to just sit back and watch at this point, if they make a move, then lets talk about it...but all this speculation is just giving me tired head!

[V]

You said it Sike!

The Trade Forum sure helps to keep the clutter out of the Mavs section... but non-stop trade talk is wearing me out!!

Hell, if the Mavs traded the roster for Rasheed Wallace, Roy Tarpley, Gene Hackman, your momma, your daddy, and your 10 penny granny I probably wouldn't even have the energy to talk about it...




Well maybe it would be fun to talk about yall's momma [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

[Nash13]

Max, i've given it some thought.

Portland will not trade Davis. Out of all of their many centers, Davis gets the most playing time. I tried to imagine who would take his starting role, and the next best answer was Stephania. I think if we do a trade we will get Stephania as a center. Which sucks because we could've just signed him for half of the MLE.

[Max Power]

Originally posted by: Nash13
Max, i've given it some thought.

Portland will not trade Davis. Out of all of their many centers, Davis gets the most playing time. I tried to imagine who would take his starting role, and the next best answer was Stephania. I think if we do a trade we will get Stephania as a center. Which sucks because we could've just signed him for half of the MLE.

Then I don't want Wallace - not even for Jamison (certainly not for Walker).

[kg_veteran]

I've decided I don't want Wallace because I'm not sure what it is that anybody can GUARANTEE me he'll do better than the guys we have.

He doesn't defend well on a regular basis, even if he is more capable of doing so than the forwards we have.

He doesn't rebound better than any of the forwards we have, even if he is capable of doing so.

He doesn't score better than Dirk or Jamison.

He doesn't pass better than Walker.

If I'm going to take on a big question mark like Wallace, I want it to be a clear upgrade. And it's not.

If you're going to deal Jamison OR Walker, it needs to be for guys who WILL defend and WILL block shots and WILL do the dirty work.

No trading for question marks.

[MikeB]

I can certainly see your point KG. Wallace would be a huge question mark...but then again wasn't Walker, Fortson,Van Exel, Juwan Howard, Christian Laettner, Dirk, Nash, and Fin?
There are always questions. I say you only do it if you have a face to face with him and your gut says "yeah".

[Nicky31]

If this trade goes down. There is no way Portland comes out ahead in this deal with Wallace considering his background of out of control behavior on the court.

[jayC]

I will wait to see. For most of yesterday people said that nellie was fired. Guess what they were wrong. Before the van exel trade people said that Camby was coming to big D wrong again. One more is the Czar to NY for most of the day people said he was the knicks coach. Suprise they were wrong.

As for jamison he has no D. The mavs hardly play him when it counts. The mavs need a big time defender. If the blazers added Davis or Mcinnis Id do the deal.

[kg_veteran]

Originally posted by: jayC
The mavs need a big time defender. If the blazers added Davis or Mcinnis Id do the deal.

I'd probably consider the deal if Davis were involved, but I wouldn't call him a big-time defender. Wallace certainly isn't.

[Dirkenstien]

Jamison is one hell of a classy guy. Walker has proven to us that he can play and thrive in the system aslong as he keeps his shots down. Rasheed has proven to everyone that he is a nutcase and has been playing with no heart for a while.

I dont want the trade to go down

[jayC]

Maybe not, but they would certainly give the mavs what they need inside.

[kg_veteran]

Davis gives us toughness and physical defense inside. Rasheed doesn't do anything that we need appreciably better than Jamison does.

[Speedy]

If Wallace is traded for, the mavs better make damn sure they get it right. By this I mean sending AJ instead of AW. I'm not Nelson so I'm not going to pretend to know how he wants this team to look or how he wants it to work. But I do know this, trading the wrong Toine/Tawn could spell disaster.

I absolutely love AW's passing, and I absolutely loathe his shooting. That being said, I'm wondering how many of his assists are made to AJ under the basket. I couldn't find game stats to make sure, but it seems to me his recent success is directly related to AJ's success. I mean, that has to be a big part of why this team has scored so many points in the paint doesn't it? It just makes me wonder what AW assists numbers would be if AJ had not been on this team and given the big 3's early shooting slumps. Also, I thought I would never see Nelson have a player in his starting line-up who 1) didn't shoot at a high percentage 2) didn't make his ft's. Given Nelson's crazy tactics, for example, there is no way we win that first playoff game in SA with AW in our lineup.

On to AJ, love his scoring and loathe his defense. However, I think he is a better fit here 1) he doesn't need alot of shots to get his points 2) doesn't bog down the offense 3) makes his ft's 4) his team first unselfish attitude. Now I'm not saying AW is selfish, but he does have a good size ego. There is no way AW could/would/or be asked to come off the bench on this team. This also has alot to do with trading for Wallace.

This is no where near the locker room it was last year. If you bring in Wallace, you better have quite a few peace makers in place. AJ is that guy. In last night's game, right before Dirk got T'd up, I heard AJ trying to calm him. I think you would need alot of that with Wallace.

Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about (which has happened a few times in my life[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]), but these are just some of my concerns. If you trade AJ your starters will be Rasheed/Dirk/Antoine/Mike/Steve. If you trade AW your starters would hopefully be Rasheed/Dirk/Josh/Mike/Steve with AJ off the bench. The second lineup more closely resembles our team last year.

Rasheed- Raef with more scoring punch and defense w/ less fouls
Dirk- in his natural position
Josh- replacing Raja/Griff, same defense, more upside
Mike- in his natural position
Steve- in his natural position
AJ- NVE with better fg% and more rebounds

[ddh33]

Speedy, your thoughts regarding the rotation go along with some of my own ideas. Add to the fact that I believe Walker would give us a stronger bargaining position, and I would rather move out Walker. I guess we'll see...

[Dirkenstien]

If Walker was traded I could see Jamison starting and Howard coming off the bench although I would probably rather have howard starting.

[jayC]

Davis's toughness inside not Wallace. I agree Wallace is a big gamble but he has the talent to still be a top forward in the league. And I know hes not a big Defender but I remeber a year ago that Wallace held Duncan to single digits in points. And I know that I have seen Wallace on Dirk and Wallace gives him problems. Wallace does one thing pretty well he shoots the three fairly well.

[Speedy]

DDH, I agree the mavs would have more bargaining power with AW. Not only with his contract, but with his defense as well. Not saying he is a great defender, but he's noticeably better than AJ. I believe Randolph has had the luxury of playing in between Wallace and Davis. The last few games Wallace has been out, Zach has been really exposed. AJ doesn't help that.

Dirkenstien, your right. Even if AW was traded there's no telling what lineup Nelson is going to throw out there.

[V]

Ok I will go ahead & throw my fearless prediction out there (confirmed by ESPN Insider "The Mavericks were prepared to make a deal involving Antawn Jamison, Tony Delk and Edward Najera. But part of the problem with the deal is Wallace's complicated $17 million contract.")

I'm not endorsing this trade although I think it's best for the Mavs in the long run. Next Tuesday, January 20, Mavs start the following:

PG Nash
SG Howard
SF Walker
PF/C Nowitzki
PF/C Wallace

Bench
SW Finley - Will play starters minutes
PG Best - Provides Nash relief
C Bradley/Fortson - Should combine for 25 - 30 minutes during the regular season (based on matchups)

Why this is a good deal:
> Mavs win the trade keeping Walker's more valuable contract.
> I have a bad feeling that Najera is damaged goods
> Delk doesn't have a role in Dallas.
> Dallas moves a one-dimensional player for an all-purpose player who will see more court time.
> Walker is showing signs that he's finding a role in Dallas (although we all agree he needs to limit his shots)
> Lineup allows Nelson tremendous flexibility to create favorable matchups (Finley / Howard / Walker may all see time as 6th man)
> Mavs retain Walker's playmaking ability replacing Jamison's efficient interior scoring with Wallace's.
> Mavs add another three point threat.
> Dallas improves interior defense, toughness, and size.

[bcrav4]

Don't forget, it will be cheaper 2 re-sign Wallace for the 10mil/season he is requesting (w/some negotiations) than maxing walker at the end of the season. If anybody (Cuban) cares....


Also the Oreganian says Wallace doesn't want 2 play until he gets a contract extension, so if we traded 4 him would he play this season out or just sit out with a "sprained ankle" until we re-signed him (w/o proving himself)?

[Nash13]

This trade could happen as early as tomorrow.

Remember that Dallas plays Portland. If they trade, both teams would be even because both would be without a key player. So it's not that risky rather than playing against a full strength team.

[grbh]

Can someone tell me why why this trade is even considered. Any deal with Jamison IMO is absurd.

[V]

Hmm.

I guess I will take this one... can you please be a little more specific? With all the info available to you on this board I think it's fairly clear why the deal is being considered.

[grbh]

Let me rephrase, why does this make any sernse for Portland. If somebody, can give me one reason it makes sense I might bite. The fact is, it is horrible for the Blazers cap wise, and they would be better off letting Wallace walk than (making a trade for Jamison)

[MightyToine]

Originally posted by: bcrav4
Don't forget, it will be cheaper 2 re-sign Wallace for the 10mil/season he is requesting (w/some negotiations) than maxing walker at the end of the season. If anybody (Cuban) cares....

Walker won't be MAXED out but he will opt out and be given a new contract by Cuban. It all depends on whether Walker truly wants to stay here(looks to be having fun so far) or not.

[MightyToine]

In a radio interview Wednesday on The Ticket, Donnie Nelson (the Mavs point man on the trade front) was asked to characterize the team's current efforts to make some sort of trade.
His response: "To me, [a trade would be] a bailout. We're going through tough times. The only way to get through it is to stay in there and fight it out: we love our pieces...The guys in the locker room, the hard times that we've gone through, its really galvanized us....
"That being said, if somebody lays something in our lap, that's a no brainer, we're not afraid to make a change around here - but it's gotta have a good reason behind it."
Alluding to the continuous rumors that Dallas is heatedly pursuing Rasheed (the latest: Jamison, Delk and Najera for Sheed), this folllowup question was asked: "Well, the Portland paper every day insists that there's conversations. Would you like to say that rumor is ridiculous?"
Donnie Nelson: "Well I'll tell you this: the last time I talked with John Nash [the Portland GM] was when we were in Portland [Dec 23]. I think that should pretty much say it all."



http://boards.espn.go.com/cgi/nba/re..._dal&id=282207

[grbh]

Walker won't be MAXED out but he will opt out and be given a new contract by Cuban. It all depends on whether Walker truly wants to stay here(looks to be having fun so far) or not.

There is no way he opts out. . Whether he is with the Mavs or not Walker will take his money before signing any extension. Not trying to criticise, but that is what makes fiscal sense.

[seelenjaeger]

Well, opting out might easily cost him up to 6 million next year, so why should he do it?

[EricaLubarsky]

"Well I'll tell you this: the last time I talked with John Nash [the Portland GM] was when we were in Portland [Dec 23]. I think that should pretty much say it all."

hmmm...seems like we're hearing a lot more bullshit from the Oregon media. They sure hate Rasheed and sure want to see him somewhere else. I remember the last time this trade rumor started picking up steam. It's also funny that reporters think that Sheed is sitting out because he is being checked out by Dallas when he has an inflamed a nd puffy ankle sitting on the sideline of the Blazer games.

Jeff McInnis has testified that Sheed is actually just resting his ankle. So we'll have to see then.

So Portland pulls the trigger on this- they immediately will put Delk on the IL with either Ruben Boumtje Boumtje or Eddie Najera and will be paying those two for nothing and only would have picked up Jamison who doesnt seem to fit in their system and personality-wise will have a hard time in Portland.

[MightyToine]

Originally posted by: seelenjaeger
Well, opting out might easily cost him up to 6 million next year, so why should he do it?

Out of the goodness of his heart??? [img]i/expressions/rolleye.gif[/img]



[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

[Poindexter Einstein]

Originally posted by: MightyToine
In a radio interview Wednesday on The Ticket, Donnie Nelson (the Mavs point man on the trade front) was asked to characterize the team's current efforts to make some sort of trade.
His response: "To me, [a trade would be] a bailout. We're going through tough times. The only way to get through it is to stay in there and fight it out: we love our pieces...The guys in the locker room, the hard times that we've gone through, its really galvanized us....
"That being said, if somebody lays something in our lap, that's a no brainer, we're not afraid to make a change around here - but it's gotta have a good reason behind it."
Alluding to the continuous rumors that Dallas is heatedly pursuing Rasheed (the latest: Jamison, Delk and Najera for Sheed), this folllowup question was asked: "Well, the Portland paper every day insists that there's conversations. Would you like to say that rumor is ridiculous?"
Donnie Nelson: "Well I'll tell you this: the last time I talked with John Nash [the Portland GM] was when we were in Portland [Dec 23]. I think that should pretty much say it all."

Nice plagiarism by the chat person you got that from - it was lifted word-for-word straight out of dallasbasketball.com - to give full credit, its from a note/article by David Lord in the "Quick Releases" stuff

[MightyToine]

Originally posted by: Poindexter Einstein

Nice plagiarism by the chat person you got that from - it was lifted word-for-word straight out of dallasbasketball.com - to give full credit, its from a note/article by David Lord in the "Quick Releases" stuff

Now, now... Plagiarism is such a strong word. I prefer to call it "borrowing someone's notes in class". [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]