RealGM

Here's a small deal that won't get anyone too excited, but I think it helps each team a bit.

WAS GETS: Brian Cardinal + 2008 #28 + 2009 MEM 2nd

MEM GETS: Etan Thomas + 2009? future 1st returned (top 16/14/12 protected, else 2nd rounder)

Brian Cardinal: $6,300,000 $6,750,000
Etan Thomas: $6,864,200 $7,354,500

WHY FOR WAS: First, Haywood is more of the future of the Wizards, and they get more out of him if he's happy. He and Etan hate each other, and have been in fights. Cardinal, while not talented, is healthy and more reliable than Etan with the heart surgery, and he might actually play some spot minutes behind Haywood. The 2008 pick may be a more marketable asset this year, and they can use that pick for trades that would help them win now. The MEM pick is probably a long way off, and looking at the Grizzlies right now in the tough Western Conference, there's a legitimate chance it is simply worth a 2012 second rounder. The 2009 MEM second should be a decent pick to stash next year as well.

WHY FOR MEM: They get more control of their future if they reclaim that pick. First, the restrictions disappear when they reclaim it. If they start to succeed, they don't have to decide whether to go for it and give up the pick, or lay up just underneath ("tank") and keep it. They also free themselves in trading from the "trade two consecutive future picks" rule if a good deal comes along.

Etan Thomas' health is a question mark, but he plays hard when healthy, and he would probably be more valuable in MEM than in WAS (and vice versa with Cardinal). Its not like MEM couldn't use the help at center.

Finally, trading the 2008 LAL pick for a 2009 means they defer the salary a year, which should pay for the small difference between Etan and Cardinal's salary.

Isiah Thomas was reassigned within the Knicks org. and does not work for the Grizz, as he is the only GM in recent history to have traded for a player with a questionable ticker.

We may feel for the Wiz and there internal issues the Grizz can't help you out this way. We could however be willing to workout a sign and trade for Gilbert Arenas so he does not have to view such hostility?

Not worth it for the Grizz. I think we'll keep the smaller salary (on a player than can at least set foot on the floor) and the late draft picks - instead of making this trade simply to reclaim a pick that in reality will probably never be sent to WAS.

jefe wrote:Not worth it for the Grizz. I think we'll keep the smaller salary (on a player than can at least set foot on the floor) and the late draft picks - instead of making this trade simply to reclaim a pick that in reality will probably never be sent to WAS.

You really think you'll be a lottery team until 2014?

I have this for the protections on the pick. Is it incorrect?

top 16 protected in 2009, top 14 protected in 2010-12, top 12 protected in 2013, else 2014 second round pick & cash) on 2007-08-16

http://www.prosportstransactions.com/ba ... s/2009.htm

Etan is supposedly going to be playing next year once his sternum heals, but even if it doesn't, insurance covers 75-80% of his salary -- your front office doesn't get that luxury with Brian Cardinal. Moreover, if he is unable to play because of health reasons and is forced to retire, one year after his last game, the NBA may award that team with an injury exemption to use as a team wishes. Now, there are some intricacies involved with trading a pick that would need to be double-checked, but you're comparing Etan's value on or off the court to Brian Cardinal here.

Oh - and I'm not a WAS or MEM poster, so I'm not looking to "be helped out." I thought this would be a fan-friendly way to solve (ok, "reduce") a couple problems on both teams.

Ok... here goes my understanding of the CBA regarding this issue.

The insurance issue is non-transferable between teams once the injury has occurred. The 'cap relief' from an injury is only available to the team for which the player played his last game. This keeps team from trading an injured player as 'instant' cap relief.