Offseason Trade Idea... Crazy?

[deviljets7]

HOU Trades: Tracy McGrady
HOU Gets: Vince Carter, Trenton Hassell and Eduardo Najera

NJ Trades: Josh Boone, Vince Carter, Trenton Hassell, Yi Jianlian and Eduardo Najera
NJ Gets: Shaquille O'Neal and Jason Richardson

PHX Trades: Shaquille O'Neal and Jason Richardson
PHX Gets: Josh Boone, Yi Jianlian and Tracy McGrady

Why for NJ: This deal helps them out both now and in the future. Shaq has talked about wanting to return home to finish out his career and he would bring a buzz to NJ if nothing else. Richardson isn't the player Carter is, but is a very solid replacement at SG and a little younger/cheaper. This deal also cuts roughly $10 million in 2010/11 salary (assuming Shaq is let go/retires). Even with a lower cap that should be enough to land a max-FA and possibly a MLE sized one in addition.

Post-Trade Depth Chart:
PG: Harris/Dooling
SG: Richardson/CDR
SF: Draft Pick/Hayes/Simmons
PF: Anderson/Lopez/SWill
C: Shaq/Lopez/SWill

I'll admit I'm not the biggest JRich fan, but would be a nice replacement for Vince. There are enough flaws where I wouldn't trade Vince for him straight up, but combined with the moving of Najera, the savings are large enough to make it a worthwhile proposition IMO.

I honestly have no idea how a Shaq/Lopez tandem would work/co-exist. Shaq has proved he's not finished and he would definitely bring a buzz to the team. There are certainly risks involved here, but considering the cost (Yi/Boone/Hassell), I think it is a no-lose proposition.

Why for HOU: After being burned by TMac the past couple of years, they flip him for an all-star caliber guard who has been significantly more reliable in recent seasons. Carter is also very unselfish and is a very good distributor for the SG position. They take on some long-term money here (though there are buyouts on Carter/Najera), but makes them a lot deeper, while adding less than $1 mil in 09/10. Considering it's a 3-for-1, this makes it easier for them to fill out a roster (resign Artest or use the MLE on a PG?) without going over the luxury tax.

Why for PHX: Finances unfortunately continue to be an issue for the Suns. This deal saves them $6.5 million in 2009/10 and depending on what they do with Yi and Boone, an additional $7.5 - 14.4 million in 10/11. Yi has been a disappointment, but could potentially thrive in a Phoenix style offense. TMac comes with a huge risk, but if he's close to healthy, the Suns can still be a playoff team in a competitive West. Boone provides added depth up front.

[Revolutionistt]

Please we have like 15 Net fans on this planet. Your trade would make 10 slit their wrists. Could you handle killing 2/3 of a teams fan base? Could you handle it? Could you?

On a more serious note, im not FULLY opposed to this. im not one of these people that think VC is the best player on the planet and shouldnt trade him. on one hand were not giving up much, but on the other hand richardson is eh and lopez at this point is better than shaq so were not getting much in return either.

[RoyalT23]

we go from vc to jrich and we have shaq as a backup?

[vincecarter4pres]

Lopez is not better then Shaq just yet, let's slow our roll.
Could probably get away with Shaq and Lopez starting with J Rich at the 3 and CDR at the 2.
I don't know how that would work on defense though.