| The Answer Can Be Found Authored by Daniel Dubay - February 5, 2006 - 11:11 pm
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A package of Mike Miller, Lorenzen Wright, Hakim Warrick, and a 1st round pick should be enough but it wont be. Mike Miller isn’t a franchise player, and Philadelphia would probably want one in return. Had Indiana not traded Ron Artest to Sacramento, this deal could happen (In the fiction that we live in).
For fun, let’s substitute Ron Artest with Al Harrington.
Atlanta gets: Mike Miller, 1st round pick from Memphis
Memphis gets: Allen Iverson
Philadelphia gets: Al Harrington, Lorenzen Wright, Hakim Warrick
Here are some reasons why it would work:
1. Philadelphia is one of the only teams who probably wouldn’t ask for Gasol in return. Remember, they invested starter’s money into Samuel Dalembert and they already have Chris Webber. None of the three are suited to play small forward.
2. Lorenzen Wright has an expiring contract. Although that wouldn’t put Philadelphia under the cap, the Sixers clearly don’t want to spend anymore.
3. The beauty of the pick is that it can amount to anything. Around last years draft time, there were rumors that Memphis would sell their pick because they didn’t see anyone that could help them.
4. Atlanta doesn’t need to be in the picture. Atlanta might also prefer Lorenzen Wright’s expiring contract and the pick. It would be stupid of Atlanta but it could happen.
5. Memphis can toss in little used Dahntay Jones to cover Philadelphia’s need for a guard.
6. Memphis may be giving up 3-5 players but they can redeem themselves by knowing that they got the best player in the trade.
7. Atlanta probably wouldn’t mind jumping in on this deal because it would mean Allen Iverson leaving the Eastern Conference.
Now for the reasons, why it won’t work:
1. Philadelphia isn’t stupid.
2. Memphis would have to ask themselves; how to do they replace all those players with 1 guy? This trade would be easier to do in the off-season. But, if it’s done in the off-season, Al Harrington can not be part of the deal because he will be a free agent.
3. Does Jerry West have it in him to pull the trigger on a trade like this?
4. Is Atlanta willing to take on the contract of Mike Miller? Do they think he will fit in their system?
You may be asking yourself, who will replace the players. Here is a list of whom and why:
1. Elden Campbell, Jerry West drafted this guy when he was with the Lakers. Elden is a player with finals experience and the perfect fit for the direction Memphis has been going in.
2. Latrell Spreewell. Must be included on all free agent
list because he is the best available. Was almost traded for Jayson Williams. Will Jerry West be willing to take a chance on him?
3. Anthony Peeler. Probably would have signed with Memphis by now, if they wanted to sign him. Still, he does fit the mold of a good locker room guy who Jerry West knows and does have playoff experience.
Other players of note include Andre Emmett, Tom Gugliotta, Tony Massenburg, George Lynch, and Christian Laettner. |
