Combining Rumors- Knicks-Wolves-Grizz

[Manhattan Project]

New York Trade Breakdown
Incoming Players
O.J. Mayo

Outgoing Players
Kelenna Azubuike
Anthony Randolph
Bill Walker

Memphis Trade Breakdown
Incoming Players
Kelenna Azubuike
Wayne Ellington
Memphis first round pick is returned.

Outgoing Players
O.J. Mayo

Minnesota Trade Breakdown
Incoming Players
Anthony Randolph
Bill Walker

Outgoing Players
Wayne Ellington
Memphis First round pick.

Why for Knicks: Move Randolph and Walker, two players glued to the bench for a dynamic sixth man and is an attractive trade piece.

Why for Grizz: Get their own first round pick back so it don't bite them in the ass and a young shooting guard that can play a little. Keleena is a plus if he can play, but doubtful.

Why for Wolves: Land Randolph who the fans seem to love and also pick up a solid young cheap player in Walker.

[Esohny]

Pretty good. If Mayo is really on the outs in Memphis, this works for everyone.

[shrink]

That's a pretty good proposal, depending on what MEM thinks the value of OJ Mayo is.

I'd question whether MIN would rather have Randolph or Mayo, if their assets could get either.

[C.lupus]

I'd do that for Minny.

[cucad8]

That's a pretty good proposal, depending on what MEM thinks the value of OJ Mayo is.

I'd question whether MIN would rather have Randolph or Mayo, if their assets could get either.

I was wondering the same. Would Minnesota prefer to just cut out NY and take Mayo for themselves?

[Manhattan Project]

It's certainly plausible that the Wolves would just go for Mayo and cut the Knicks out, it makes sense for both sides. I think it comes down to how they view him, at one side of it do they feel that with Flynn and Rubio next year that they have enough ball handlers? On the other hand do they feel that he can mesh with Beasley? Would Rubio fix all the problems since he will be facilitating?

Again it makes sense. I was just basing this on the fact that you see a lot of Randolph to Wolves scenarios.

[shrink]

It's certainly plausible that the Wolves would just go for Mayo and cut the Knicks out, it makes sense for both sides. I think it comes down to how they view him, at one side of it do they feel that with Flynn and Rubio next year that they have enough ball handlers? On the other hand do they feel that he can mesh with Beasley? Would Rubio fix all the problems since he will be facilitating?

Again it makes sense. I was just basing this on the fact that you see a lot of Randolph to Wolves scenarios.

I think those are all legitimate questions. I also think Mayo and Randolph are two of the most difficult players in the NBA right now to put a price-tag on, with fair-minded people varying widely on both. I can't answer those questions myself either, so its a very interesting proposal.

[Mattya]

I would rather have take a shot at Randolph, since it requires less pieces. Good trade.

[C.lupus]

I think Rambis/Ronzone/Kahn would prefer an athletic 4/5 over a smaller SG - at least for right now. With Rubio and Flynn the PG position is set. A healthy Webser and Johnson should be able to hold down the SG position and Beasley has the SF position locked up. The FO likes the tall athletic wing players so I don't think Mayo fits their vision. On the contrary, with Love, Darko, and Pekovic, athleticism is really lacking in the frontcourt.

[B Calrissian]

I'd rather have Randolph than Mayo for the Wolves. One is exactly what we need and the other is exactly what we don't need.

[Manhattan Project]

Any Memphis fans?

[hptmatthew]

I'd barf, but not too hard, if this is all we got for OJ. Ellington is a great shooter, and might be good for spot minutes, since we don't have a 3pt killer. I really do dig Buike's grit, but I'm quite concerned that he may never shed all these injuries.

I'm inclined to think that Heisley holds out for some exorbitant return for OJ that he'll likely not get.

[essa_1998]

I think the Randolph Deal to MIN makes the most sense because NY get their hands on a first round pick to try and trade for Melo, and MIN need a young big who is a good shot blocker, rebounder, and fits well with the direction they are going. He also makes up for the loss of Tolliver...even an upgrade if you ask me. I like what the wolves have and i think they should try and actually keep this core togather and not change the whole team every season...a couple of season, high picks and they should be able to compete in 3-5 years from now.

[Peezo]

Min Fan Here:

I think it is a really solid deal and a great post. Most of the time someone is lacking in value. I can see the point of view from the MEM fan but I think the things working against you are that you have so many other people who either have gotten contracts or who will, Mayo moved to the bench, and he isn't playing at an elite level. Middling players like him almost never yield a high return. The thing that I think would be intriguing to a FO would be getting their own pick back. I think it is a good show to fans (especially casual fans) just to have your own pick in a year where you will probably be lottery bound (sorry). I know that when we got our first back from BOS I was very happy, and wish like hell we would have gotten our pick back from LAC for the Jaric deal.

Again, I think the value is real solid and would love to give Randolph a tryout in MIN.

[shrink]

I also wanted to add that trading back for a protected pick is generally a good way to add value to a trade.

First, the protections are removed by the receiving team.

Second, it prevents the other team and fans from having to wait to get their pick.

Third, owning their own pick gives them some insurance. A middling team gets to add talent instead of stagnating.

Fourth, even if a team is bad and delays paying off the protected pick, generally protections decline, so the pick rises in value. A trade now keeps a team from having to give up an even better pick down the road.

Finally, it provides self-determination, by removing the Stepian rule, they have the flexibility to trade a different pick if they wish.

[Foye]

I like this one for the Wolves.

[funkatron101]

Good job!