Huge 3 team 11 player NBA trade

[OILFAN #81]

Today was the trade deadline in the NBA. One huge deal:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/nba...?urn=nba,67973

Cleveland gets Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, Wally Szczerbiak, and Delonte West.

Chicago gets Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Shannon Brown and Cedric Simmons.

Seattle gets Donyell Marshall, Adrian Griffin and Ira Newble.

Gotta say this is a huge win for Cleveland imo.

In another deal:

Houston sent Bonzi Wells and Mike James to New Orleans for Bobby Jackson. Great deal for NO.

[HOOT]

Cleveland won this trade! Ben Wallace down low with Lebron charging towards the basket...niiiiice!

Chicago must be trying to dump some salary for the offseason.

Just glad they didn't trade Gibson.

[Clever_Iggy]

Cleveland won this trade... this year. But Big Ben has an albatross of a contract and has been in decline since he leave Detroit.

A lot of contract commitment by the Cavs, but they had to do SOMETHING so they arent wasting LeBron for another season (who knows how many he has left in a Cav's uniform).

[StrayBullet]

Drew Gooden is overrated, but he worked well in the Cavaliers' system, got along with Lebron and would die for Mike James.... But really?!?!? ...I don't think Cleveland got better with this trade. Joe Smith coming off the bench is really the only effective player for Cleveland. If Ben Wallace was all that was available for Danny Ferry, I would've just kept the team intact. I understand Lebron's "Kobe frustration" with wanting help, but this isn't going to alleviate double-teams from Lebron.

[604flames]

One of my best friends is a Sonics die-hard, but he is really having a tough time watching them with all the stuff that's happened this year..

That said, getting rid of chuckers like Szczerbiak and West can't be all bad.

As for Cleveland, the Least is still anyone's game, but nice move on their part.

[moon]

There seems to be a lot of if's in that deal for it to do much to improve Cleveland.

If Wallace can return to some sort of the form he had in Detroit, if Cleveland can handle playing 4 on 5 offensively when he is on the court.

If Wally can fit in with the team for the first time in his career. If Cleveland can handle playing 4 on 5 defensively when he is on the court.

I think Cleveland got a bit better because of the depth they added but I am not sure that Wallace is an upgrade at all on Gooden or that Smith, Wally and West are that good that they help with the big talent gap between the Cav's and Celts/Pistons.

Wallace has not looked good playing in Chicago and personally I think it has more to do with him being an older 6'8 center than not getting along with Skiles. He never should have left Detroit for the money grab and even playing with Lebron will not hide the fact that he can't do the things he could against the much bigger guys anymore.

[StrayBullet]

Originally Posted by 604flames

One of my best friends is a Sonics die-hard, but he is really having a tough time watching them with all the stuff that's happened this year..

That said, getting rid of chuckers like Szczerbiak and West can't be all bad.

This trade (I personally believe) was won by Seattle. Along with shipping Kurt Thomas to San An, they free up 12 mil. with Barry, Newble and Elson's contracts. They're already 8 million below the cap. Szczerbiak played lousy defense and Delonte West IS a ball hog. Sure they stink right now, but they could turn it around over the summer with smart moves and good FA signing. Durant is 20 and a stud - He just needs some help because Luke Ridnour and Chris Wilcox ain't gonna get it done.


According to John Hollinger, "Brent Barry has already been waived."

[604flames]

^^ That's pretty much what it was, a salary dump for the Supes. Still, who even knows what's going to happen over the summer with this team.