The Other Shoe
by gill0137 on Feb 28, 2010 7:15 PM CST
15 comments
In the early morning hours following the 2008 draft I sat exhausted and confused after screaming at my TV for telling me that Mario Chalmers had been traded for cash and OJ Mayo traded for Kevin Love and cap space. After I calmed down I assessed the situation and came to the conclusion that this trade wasn't necessarily a disaster (I had a low opinion of Love at the time, he's proved me wrong). Why, with the addition of Love, McHale must have another move involving Jefferson. So I sat refreshing ESPN waiting for that other shoe to drop. And I waited, and waited, and waited...
Since that 2008 draft day trade I've been on "trade Big Al" bandwagon. My initial rational of team balance has been bolstered by Al's non-existent defense, black hole offense, and seeming inability to adapt to an offense that didn't highlight his low left post moves.
For the last week I've been frustrated that Big Al survived the trade deadline as a Wolf and by his plummeting numbers (along with his draft value). I tried to console myself - maybe he's hurting and just needs a few weeks off. Maybe Bill Simmons will get hired as GM for the Nets by the Russian Mark Cuban and think he's fleecing Kahn when he offers up Brook Lopez for his favorite power forward.
But now I feel the other shoe has dropped. Dropped like a rock - and the Wolves will be lucky to get an expiring contract for their big man.
So far I've been impressed by Kahn. I think he's made more good decsions than bad. But holding on to Big Al too long... that decision goes right below not taking Curry 6th on the naughty list.
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Nope.
Wha would you have Khan do with Al up until this point? Trade him for Thomas and Deng? I guess that was the best offer, but I still wouldn’t have pulled that trigger. Jefferson has not shown to be a problem-child NBA player. This was a huge mistake, but he’s still a good guy with a whole lot of talent. He may suck at defense but he’s still capable of putting up Zach Randolph numbers and teams should not soon forget the year Zach R is having this year. AJ can do the same which is why we should wait for that trade value to rise
agreed
no point in rushing a trade, especially while he’s playing poorly. i think a lot of people have really jumped on al at a time when its obvious he’s hurting physically. the randolph comparison is pretty accurate
by NuthinBurger on Feb 28, 2010 7:45 PM CST up reply actions
absolutely
He’s still a 20/10 big man when healthy. He just came back to early, and I thought this would end up being a problem rushing back from that injury. I think eventually we are going to trade him, but I don’t hate Kahn for not selling him for pennies on the dollar at this deadline.
The team will not get better just based on trading Jefferson. If we arent going to make our team better, than we need to hold onto him until his value picks up.
Trading Al for Deng and Thomas is not pennies on the dollar. Thomas has been solid for Charlotte and Deng is arguably a top 5-6 SF (LBJ, Durant, Carmelo, Wallace and then probably Gay or Deng).
Since the deadline I’ve been wondering if we’d ever do better than Deng & Thomas (assuming Al does get traded). I think the odds of bettering that offer just went down.
by TWolvesFanInLA on Feb 28, 2010 8:45 PM CST up reply actions
Top 5?
LBJ
Melo
Durant
Wallace
Gay
Granger
Pierce
Iguodala
Then you still have the Hedo, Butler, AK47, Richard Jefferson, Maggette category. You could argue Deng is above this group, but I wouldnt take him over any of the others.
Tyrus needs an extension soon and he’s not a character guy. It was in no way the worst offer in the world, but I would for one would not have been happy if we made that deal.
You’re absolutely right about Granger. I always think of Iguodala as a SG, but you’re right on him too. I’d take Deng over your second group (largely b/c of age, which is the case with Pierce too).
More to my point, I don’t think you could get any team with the rights to your first group to trade that player for Al, which leads me to believe we may look back with regret for not accepting Deng + Thomas offer.
We’ll see.
by TWolvesFanInLA on Feb 28, 2010 11:01 PM CST up reply actions
This is true, it would be hard to get one of the established elite wings for Jefferson. However some deals that I would consider that I think can balance us better and are possible still:
OKC – Harden, Green, OKC/PHX 1st for Al, Gomes
IND – Hibbert, Dunleavy/Ford, IND 2010 1st for Al, Sessions + CHA/UTH pick or Al, Flynn
WAS – Package involving McGee, not sure on specifics.
But now I feel the other shoe has dropped. Dropped like a rock – and the Wolves will be lucky to get an expiring contract for their big man.
If the best we can get is an expiring, I’d definitely rather keep him. We’re going to be well below the cap next year with no chance of going over so it’s not like we’ve got huge financial reason to dump him for pennies on the dollar.
Weird thought: Maybe Al’s DUI will actually benefit us in a minor way? Love is put back in the starting lineup. Al becomes the 6th man. He’s vastly overpaid in that role long term, but it would match him up with lesser defenders/scorers which could increase his numbers for trade purposes.
also...
another silver lining…
—Big Al gets to rest his knees…for something like 11 days (in games anyway)
Was going to post this
glad I read thru the posts first.
Also get to see Darko and Love together for a couple games.
Big Al is outta here this summer
right around the draft is our sweet spot to make moves. Just watch. It’s 90% that he’s out.
We will also draft Evan Turner :)
I love Twins Baseball and Minnesota Vikings Football.
by Percy Harvin My Fav! on Feb 28, 2010 11:27 PM CST up reply actions
"We shoulda traded him; look what has happened now!"
Not sure I see the logic.
Has his trade value fallen? Likely, but I bet Deng is on the table again this offseason (and after all that was the deal – Thomas would have been a 30 game rental) and I still think Chicago do that deal.
What Al did is inexcusable, but he is not irredeemable by any stretch.
"I was trying to focus on breathing," Milicic said. "I was just focusing on breathing so I didn’t die."
If Chicago gets Bosh or Boozer etc
They won’t be trading for Al. I still wouldn’t have traded Al for Deng, though.
why though? Deng is clearly a better player than Al
He doesn’t have any real weaknesses. A good defender, has good range, can post up, good rebounder for a wing, only 24 and he is a great guy for the locker room. Al plays no d, stagnates the offence, cant pass out of double teams and now we have learnt hes an idiot who drinks and drives
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