The Richard Jefferson-Yi/Simmons trade in hindsight

[Stone]

Here we are one year after the trade that sent Richard Jefferson to Milwaukee for Yi and Bobby Simmons. What are your thoughts on this trade? Was it a hugh mistake? Do you think we did the right thing and in the long run it will help? Would you do it again?

[amk482]

it was a pure salary dump and an awful trade. At the time, maybe they thought they had a chance to gte Lebron if Brroklyn would be ready but now??????

[mack69]

I dont think it was a bad trade based on the reasons for the trade, salary dump, morale etc. But up until his mid season injury Yi was playing well and was starting to get it. Typically this is what you want a prospect and a expiring. what is not too like?

My problem is that Yi and Anderson are the same player. I say keep YI for marketing and developing he will not be starter but if it helps the organization to make money he stays.

Simmons part of the trade will determine how he is used to get the PF this summer or the superstar the next summer.

[vincecarter4pres]

I didn't like it, I don't like it. But I never hated it.
I was always all for trading RJ, especially last offseason, but that is not the deal I expected and I have to think there were a couple better one's out there.

It was more then a salary dump though. They took the gamble on Yi and he brought in revenue. Yi was still a big time prospect. 7 footer with a game similar to Dirk's, potential wise, that was one year removed from being the 6xth overall pick, playing in a city he never wanted to be in, in a system that didn't benefit his style. From China, bringing with him an international following.

He could still pan out, and although a lot of posters on here(realgm in general) think he has no trade value, they are very mistaken. He could get a late lotto pick on his own as of now. Another season of suckitude and he is worth no more then a very late pick or a mid level role player, hence the reason that I think the rumors are true, that Rod and Kiki are thinking of moving him.

Bargnani looked to have little value to fans last season when we made the Yi trade, he could be the centerpiece of a blockbuster now. Hell, Rod offered RJ for Bargnani and filler before he made the Yi trade and supposedly, after heavy thinking by BC, he was turned down.

It's not like Milwaukee's FO had a crystal ball and knew Yi wasn't going to do good last season, they were just under pressure to trade him from Feegan and Yi's traveling circus and thought the addition of RJ would make them a legitimate playoff team.

We'll see, we shall see.

[Preludepunk27]

I'm still OK with the deal personally. It freed up cap room for 2010. I think Yi was more for marketing and Thorn HOPED he could turn into a solid player, but I also don't think there are many trades on the table that were better than the one we got. I'm fine with it.

[SteveNets15]

Yi is gonna have a break out year 09/10. 15pts 6brds

I'm still fine with this trade since i've wanted RJ out for a while for being good but just not good enough ya know whatamean

[amk482]

This was pure salary dump to head into 2010. Dont let anything or anyone tell you any different. Personally, I dont think Yi was playing well prior to his injury. He is a streaky shooter and you dont know what you will get night to night - he got hot from the outside for the 4 games prior to the injury, dont be fooled. Even if his upside is Bargnani (who some compare him too now that the Dirk comparison are no longer), does that really make the team better? At best he is a backup who can come in and knock down some shots.

[Preludepunk27]

^^^ If Yi becomes a 6 man off the bench for the next decade and we actually land someone of substance in 2010, than I honestly think this was a deal that worked out better for us 10 fold. That is the problem with trading a legit talent for a "project" though. We're so quick to judge because we sent out a lot of stats, but honestly, I'd be fine if Yi was a 6 man for us. Now if he was like the 10th man, you definitely got a point, but I'm ok with Yi for now, but I'm also one of the Yi supporters (even though I stated earlier I think the trade for more for marketing than a known commodity). When we made this deal, I said to myself I'll support him threw his rookie contract (if he stays on the team that long) before I start calling him a bust. A lot of people complain he was the #6 pick or whatever, but not everyone picked 6th became an NBA stud, but there were a decent amount of solid role players taken there. I think he did alright for a guy trying to pick up the NBA style of play, for being the first year in our system on a team that runs through 2 guys mainly (Devin and Vince) instead of a team oriented style like Orlando, and for having the weight of a country monitoring his every movement.

With that said, I expect to see progression in his 2nd year on our team. I also would be ok with trading him if we could get anything of value.

[S.I.C. GM]

As much as I was a fan of RJ and would rather have traded VC, I think this deal was necessary. One of them had to go.

As for Yi, until we get rid of Frank, Yi's development will be what it is. Frank doesnt know how to use Yi. Yi should be coming off the bench. Like Prelude says, I see Yi as a 6th man type. First F/C off the bench for instant offense exactly what KVH should have when RJ took his spot in the starting lineup without the HUGE PAYCHECK. 12-18 pts 4-7 rbs.

[vincecarter4pres]

Personally, I dont think Yi was playing well prior to his injury. He is a streaky shooter and you dont know what you will get night to night - he got hot from the outside for the 4 games prior to the injury, dont be fooled.

Now see, I pretty much agree with you, in that it seems like you don't believe in Yi, nor like him. The thing is though, it was 6 games before he went down with the injury, and it wasn't just that he got hot from the outside.
The difference and reason he was playing so well is he was aggressive and was playing a much different game.
He was facing up high post and putting the ball on the floor, getting to the rack.
He was posting up and hitting midrange.
He was passing out of the double to the open shooter.
He was slashing without the ball and finishing off assists.
He was playing good helpside defense, blocking and altering some shots.
He was giving much better effort on the boards. He had confidence, he was being used as an offensive option and having plays ran for him and he was given the green light to freelance in the ISO.
I don't know that Yi will ever reach his enormous potential, but how many players ever do?
What I do know is he is being wrongly and under utilized.

[amk482]

When you are 7 feet tall and cant catch the ball cleanly and finish in traffic, it is your fault, not the coach's fault. When you cant jump off of two foot and finish strongly, it is your fault, not the coach's fault. If anything, Frank should be blamed for sticking with him for too long. Look, I'm hoping Yi turns it around and provides something positive to the team, but I just dont see it. Hopefully I am wrong.If so, I will be the first to admit so. I'm not hoping he sucks, I just think he does.

[Jersey Generals]

Hell, Rod offered RJ for Bargnani and filler before he made the Yi trade and supposedly, after heavy thinking by BC, he was turned down.

Really?

[vincecarter4pres]

Hell, Rod offered RJ for Bargnani and filler before he made the Yi trade and supposedly, after heavy thinking by BC, he was turned down.

Really?

Yeah.
I don't have a link, but I'm sure I could find one. It was in the Ledger and they mentioned it on ESPN after the Yi trade was made.

[Preludepunk27]

Hell, Rod offered RJ for Bargnani and filler before he made the Yi trade and supposedly, after heavy thinking by BC, he was turned down.

Really?

Yeah.
I don't have a link, but I'm sure I could find one. It was in the Ledger and they mentioned it on ESPN after the Yi trade was made.

No you're right. I remember there was talk. RealGM even posted a few things about it. I'm just too lazy to dig stuff up about it.

[vincecarter4pres]

How perfect would have Bargnani fit with Lopez? Damn it.

[Preludepunk27]

How perfect would have Bargnani fit with Lopez? Damn it.

Remember Bargnani had a terrible 2nd year. He couldn't hit the broad side of a barn for a while. I agree Yi should be coming off the bench, but Bargs struggled a ton his 2nd season as well and he didn't even have to learn a new system like Yi did. I expect to at least see progression this season with the kid. That is all I ask.

[halfHAVOC]

i
miss
RJ

i haven't watched him ball in ages...god i tried to steam some bucks games at the beggening of the season just to watch RJ, it was a bad experience.

[Preludepunk27]

I still love RJ. You can't fault the guy for wearing his heart on his sleeve. He stopped playing defense near the end, but he was a big part of our team for arguably the best time in our franchises history.