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Boston will benefit from shrewd trade
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Ray Allen to Boston is a steal for the Celtics. With Allen and Paul Pierce now assuming responsibility for the bulk of the scoring, the pressure is off youngsters like Al Jefferson, Gerald Green and Rajon Rondo to become instant All-Stars.
In exchange for Allen, the Sonics get a trio of players. Wally Szczerbiak is a one-dimensional player whose body is beginning to break down. Getting not-so-wonderful Wally and his burdensome contract out of town is a coup for the Celts.
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Delonte West is a smart, tougher-than-he-looks guard who's more suited to playing the shooting-guard slot than the point. West is nothing more than a solid middle-tier performer.
Seattle also gained the rights to Jeff Green, who'd better be good.
The Knicks-Blazers swap is not quite as one-sided as it seems.
While Zach Randolph can score and rebound, he plays no defense, is reluctant to pass and has too many no-show games. Randolph became expendable with the drafting of Greg Oden, and his absence likewise creates time and space for LaMarcus Aldridge.
For the Blazers, the trading away of Randolph amounts to addition by subtraction.
On the other side of the equation, Randolph's considerable baggage contains a suitcase full of questions. How can Eddy Curry and Fat Zach — a pair of lead-footed loads who both need beaucoup ball-time — co-exist? Is it at all possible for Randolph to stay out of trouble in the Big Apple? Can Randolph learn how to work and play well with others? And can Zeke motivate Randolph? Obviously, if Randolph can adjust and thrive in the big spotlight, then Thomas should be arrested for grand theft.
Dan Dickau will be a terrific backup behind Stephon Marbury, and while he might not be an acceptable defender, DD just might be the only classic pass-first point on his new team.
Fred Jones is a veteran scorer who can occasionally be explosive off the bench.
The Blazers get Stevie Francis, a mistake-prone point guard who'd rather shoot than pass, and who will be extremely unhappy playing behind Jarrett Jack. But getting rid of Stevie Dis-enfranchised removes an habitual malcontent and greatly simplifies the Knicks' backcourt rotation.
Channing Frye is an excellent mid-range shooter, but a softie in virtually every other aspect of the game. Strictly a bench player.
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| Will Zach Randolph's addition make the Knicks more dysfunctional? (Noah Graham / Getty Images) |
The rights to Brandan Wright were dealt from Charlotte to Golden State in exchange for Jason Richardson. Wright is certainly talented, but he's a rookie and therefore far from being a proven performer. The veteran Richardson, however, has already demonstrated beyond doubt that he's a terrific scorer who can create his own shots and is extremely reliable in the clutch.
In other words, the Bobcats have traded tomorrow for today, while the Warriors have done the reverse.
Several days ago, the Rockets picked up Justin Reed and Mike James. The former is an excellent energy player off the bench, while the latter can push and create, but is virtually defenseless. Moreover, James is a streak shooter whose inconsistency can be a problem.
The Wolves get Juwan Howard, who's every bit as good as Kevin Garnett... That is, every bit as good as KG will be in about six or seven years. Howard is an adroit baseline shooter and adequate rebounder, but a poor defender who has a minimal presence in clutch situations. Indeed, Howard will have much more of a beneficial influence in the locker room than he will on the court.
The other noteworthy deal sent Carlos Delfino from the Pistons to the Raptors in exchange for a second-round draft pick. For sure, Delfino hustles and is a streaky 3-point shooter. Unfortunately, his defense is below par, and he's widely known as being a mistake-player.
advertisementIf the first spinning of the carousel was not as dramatic as anticipated, the off-season circus has just begun.
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