Mavs/Sonics

[purplefrog]

Can you believe it has been over a week since someone has proposed a trade involving JET? I actually believe that JET is staying for at least another year, but this trade is imo intriguing because it provides important pieces for both teams. Before you say there is no way the Sonics take on the horrible contracts of JET and Damp look at the long-term contracts awarded to the Sonics players. Here we go:

Dallas trades:
JET
Damp
Buckner
Ager
Pops

Sonics trade:
Szcerbiak
Collison
Watson
Gelabale

The Mavs pick up someone who can play offense in the low post (Collison), who is also a decent passer. Downside is that he is 2 inches shorter than Damp and is not a real threat to block shots.

Szcerbiak is a shooter (FG% similar to JET) and has proven to be able to score when he is healthy. His presence would soften the blow of losing the 17 ppg provided by JET. Wally is also 4 inches taller than JET and a better player without the ball. JHO can now go to the 2 spot.

Watson is good defensive PG and a decent distributor (5.7 apg in '07). He would make a good backup PG to Devin.

Gelabale is a young athletic 3. He would help in the making the Mavs more athletic. Sonics have no real use for him since acquiring Durant and Green.

Sonics obtain a real presence in the middle in Damp and an excellent PG in JET. Yes, their contracts are long, but so are Collson's and Watson's. Wally is set to make 12 million this year and 13 next. They also get a veteran defensive minded SG in Buck. Right now, they really don't have anyone that can harass the likes of Kobe, D-Wade, and Manu. Ager and Pops give them a couple of more young guys that they can waive at little cost.

The Mavs gain an advantage in long-term salary for sure... but Damp and JET fill big holes that might be worth it for the Sonics.

Sonics
JET/Ridnour/West
Buck/Wilkins/Ager
Durant/Green
Wilcox/Thomas
Damp/Petro/Sene/Swift

Mavs
Harris/Watson/JJB
JHO/Stack/Jones
Szcerbiak/George/Gelabale
Dirk/Collison/Bass/Fazekas
Diop/Collison/DJ

[alby]

I wouldn't do it

but man, wouldn't it be nice to get rid of Damp's contract

[DelNegro]

Jet and Damp don't make Seattle a contender, so what's the point? Why not just suck another couple of years while Durant and Green are maturing and pick up a couple more lottery picks in the process while waiting for Wally to expire? Then in the offseason of 2009 they're deciding what free agent they want to throw a max contract at to put next to Durant and their other lottery picks instead of spending $21 mil on a 34 year old Dampier and 32 year old Terry.

[purplefrog]

Originally Posted by DelNegro

Jet and Damp don't make Seattle a contender, so what's the point? Why not just suck another couple of years while Durant and Green are maturing and pick up a couple more lottery picks in the process while waiting for Wally to expire? Then in the offseason of 2009 they're deciding what free agent they want to throw a max contract at to put next to Durant and their other lottery picks instead of spending $21 mil on a 34 year old Dampier and 32 year old Terry.

Because the Sonics franchise is hurting big time. If they end up leaving Seattle then a long-term rebuilding process may be the way to go and you're right the trade makes little sense for the Sonics. However, if the goal is for them to stay put , then they are going to have to win immediately imo. Their present roster is mediocre at best so they need to make some trades. They have three above average PFs in Collison, Wilcox, and Thomas. It makes sense for one of them to go. Imo, Collison is the guy because he has the most trade value and the longest contract. Thomas has an expiring contract in 07-08 and Wilcox is off the books in two years. Watson also has a relatively long-term contract at about 5-6 million per year. Maybe you can get better/younger players than JET and Damp that also have more favorable contracts in the long-term, but who are these mythical players? The Sonics need a decent center and a better PG to be competitive, so where are you gonna find them? Will Damp and JET make them contenders? Maybe not. But I think the first step is to be competitive. Damp and JET will make them competitve and perhaps allow the team a bit more time to rebuild and stay in Seattle (last year Sonics ranked 27th in the NBA in attendance). The Sonics can still look forward to Thomas' and Wilcox's expiring contracts for future help. Also, vets like JET and Damp will help to anchor the young guys.

I question if the Mavs would make this move because the only way it makes sense is for Wally to be healthy and playing at the top of his game. Two big 'IFs".