Wiz Acquire Hinrich, Seraphin, $3M for Veermenko's rights

[Dat2U]

LeBron is going to find the best situation to win no matter what the Wizards did. Even if the Wizards didn't take Hinrich's deal, he could just as easily head down to Miami with Wade and another max free agent or the Bulls could've found another taker for Hinrich or Deng (or maybe in a S&T with Cleveland). It's completely pointless to worry about how much your helping out another team as long as the deal works for you.

I never thought LeBron & Wade would play together. Way too much ego there. Both need their own teams.

In 99% of trade scenarios, I wouldn't put any emphasis on how much I'd be helping another team. I agree in principle that you should focus on your own roster as opposed to how you might impact another roster. However, this is a unique scenario in place. This is something we've never seen in basketball before where 4 of the top 10 players in the entire league are free agents. We've never seen teams spend 2 or 3 years planning/cap clearing for just this one moment.

To me this is where the hype is actually legitimate. I think we forget that this is league about stars. That's what wins championships. We potentially played a huge factor in deciding who's going to be in the best position to do so going forward. That's a big deal to me.

[DCZards]

Got to agree with those who say we shouldn't get too hung up over what happens in Chicago---even if the Hinrich trade helps them to land leBron. Chicago would have probably figured out a way to free up the money for two max contacts with or without EG's help.

GM's have to first and foremost do what they believe is right for their team....sometimes that helps an opponent, sometimes it doesn't.

BTW, yungal, Deng does not suck. He actually just had a very solid comeback season after being injured most of last season.

[MDStar]

So Dat I have a question for you.

Does your opinion change if Lebron doesn't sign with Chicago?

[miller31time]

BTW, Deng does not suck. He actually just had a very solid comeback season after being injured most of last season.

He doesn't suck but he not markedly good. His defense is very solid but on offense, he has a mid-range jumpshot and little else. His range does not extend out to the 3pt line and he's an inconsistent finisher who can't get to the rim. He's decent at off-ball movement which frees him up for a lot of the jumpers I mentioned but nothing overly impressive.

[Dat2U]

So Dat I have a question for you.

Does your opinion change if Lebron doesn't sign with Chicago?

Slightly.

I still don't like Hinrich, his 2010 salary & his 2011 salary, but yes, I'd feel just a little bit better about the trade.

Problem is, if LeBron's true to his word that he's only focused on winning championships, he's going to pick Chicago.

[Dat2U]

GM's have to first and foremost do what they believe is right for their team....sometimes that helps an opponent, sometimes it doesn't.

True, but when superstars are involved & potential of a dynasty is there....well, a GM HAS to consider ALL the consequences of his actions.

[nate33]

GM's have to first and foremost do what they believe is right for their team....sometimes that helps an opponent, sometimes it doesn't.

True, but when superstars are involved & potential of a dynasty is there....well, a GM HAS to consider ALL the consequences of his actions.

I think you make a valid point. I agree that if we were the only team with cap room, and Chicago needed that cap room to get Lebron, and Lebron could not possibly form a dynasty by going to any other team, then maybe we'd have to think twice about the trade.

I just don't think that thinking comes into play when there are so many possible contingencies.

[jivelikenice]

I really just don't get the point here. Sacramento was and still is willing to do a similar deal with the Bulls so regardless of what we did, the Bulls were going to have the cap room to sign 2 max players. The argument that we enabled them holds no merit, so from the Wizards percpective, they should have done what was best for them. The Bulls were going to get what they wanted regardless so why not take advantage of what they were trying to do and get assets for free??

[Dat2U]

Well OK Dat, what I meant was after Donald Sterling had been emphatically rejected by LeBron.

If Chicago is kicking in $3 million, the Bobcats' pick, James Johnson and two or three future first round picks while New York is praying that they can sign Joe Johnson or Rudy Gay to the max, it would have gotten done definitely.

If Joe Johnson is getting the max (and there have been assorted reports just today that he will have multiple max offers and possibly even a six year deal in a sign and trade), Deng can definitely be moved for incentive.

We can't stop that.

So let me get this straight. Sterling, after being 'emphatically rejected' by LeBron, is going to willingly & happily take on $40 mil contract to assist the team he's losing LeBron too?

Are we talking about the same well-known cheapskate, Donald Sterling?

Chicago was just as desperately trying to move Deng as they were Hinrich. They had no success whatsoever until EG bit. I think its a bit of a leap to assume another team would be sitting their willing to use their cap room to swallow either deal.

You think New York, New Jersey or Miami would take Hinrich or Deng of Chicago's hands for raw cap space?

Sacramento wasn't doing it. OKC wasn't doing it. Minny is rebuilding and wouldn't do it. So what teams were capable & williing do it?

[Dat2U]

I really just don't get the point here. Sacramento was and still is willing to do a similar deal with the Bulls so regardless of what we did, the Bulls were going to have the cap room to sign 2 max players. The argument that we enabled them holds no merit, so from the Wizards percpective, they should have done what was best for them. The Bulls were going to get what they wanted regardless so why not take advantage of what they were trying to do and get assets for free??

No they weren't, that turned out to be a bluff by Chicago. Sacramento wasn't interested.

[Hoopalotta]

I really think Deng to the Clippers would have gotten done in July specifically because of Sterling's cheapness; it was getting pushed on draft night and according to Chad Ford, the Clippers front office liked it, but Sterling said no.

But it would have been amongst the most frugal options in July for team in the market or Gay and Johnson. That's all based on real chatter.

And that's never even minding the potential of a sign and trade package for Bosh with some salary back to Toronto. They'd have accepted Hinrich if enough incentive was attached.

[fishercob]

So Dat I have a question for you.

Does your opinion change if Lebron doesn't sign with Chicago?

Slightly.

I still don't like Hinrich, his 2010 salary & his 2011 salary, but yes, I'd feel just a little bit better about the trade.

Problem is, if LeBron's true to his word that he's only focused on winning championships, he's going to pick Chicago.

Hardly. He could force a S&T to the Mavs and have a much better shot with their core. Hell, if winning was his only motivation he would force a S&T to the Lakers for Bynum and Odom or something.

Marc Stein had a great piece today that makes me think Lebron to Chicago is nothing near a sure thing: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/s ... ers-100628

[Hoopalotta]

Dat, IIRC, the Deng to the Clippers scoop is on one of those B.S. Report podcast's with Chad Ford. I wouldn't be pushing that idea if it was just something I came up with.

[Dat2U]

So Dat I have a question for you.

Does your opinion change if Lebron doesn't sign with Chicago?

Slightly.

I still don't like Hinrich, his 2010 salary & his 2011 salary, but yes, I'd feel just a little bit better about the trade.

Problem is, if LeBron's true to his word that he's only focused on winning championships, he's going to pick Chicago.

Hardly. He could force a S&T to the Mavs and have a much better shot with their core. Hell, if winning was his only motivation he would force a S&T to the Lakers for Bynum and Odom or something.

Marc Stein had a great piece today that makes me think Lebron to Chicago is nothing near a sure thing: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/s ... ers-100628

Well focused on winning, within reason, lol.

LeBron can't force anything to Dallas b/c Cleveland has to be a willing partner in that move. And Dan Gilbert already stated that they aren't going to help LeBron go to another team.

Secondly, playing with Wade or LeBron probably isn't within reason. Too much ego for everyone involved. Certain players need their own team for ego's sake. LeBron, Kobe & Wade are these type of players.

Third, Dallas' core is much older & their window is much smaller. You can argue that Kidd, Butler, Marion & Terry have all lost a step or two. Nowitzki is well into his 30s. That doesn't seem like an ideal situation for LeBron who sounds more interested in winning championships, as opposed to just winning a championship.

[hands11]

Question: If Chicago is able to land LeBron & a 2nd star. Does that your change opinion at all about the deal the Wizards made?

Would you be okay with Hinrich & Seraphin even if were going to have to face a team that featured LeBron, Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah & another star for next five years or more?

If not us, it would have probably been someone else and people would be complaining about how did EG pass on a FREE quality PG who groomed a #1 PG just like Wall and a free 17th pick so we could have gotten a player like Seraphin. Now nothing is really free but we had the cap space to take the deal and it gives insurance and an asset since he is exp next year.

Basically, to many people just like to complain here.

Regardless of where the FA collect, there is going to be some very good teams next year between us and a championship. Is it really worse to go toe to toe with them. At least you know what you need to have to win it all. Better than being Cle and thinking you have something only to find out you don't. I would rather take the head to head and resulting better draft picks.

We got Wall who hopefully is our D Rose or better
We got the guy who mentored him and defends the perimeter.
And we got Seraphin who hopefully have a motor like Noah and defends the paint. Something we needed.

Plus
We got a great new owner committed to the long term
We get to see if Dray can continue where he left off. A top producer at PF ie our KG
and we get to see if Gil can be a top SG next to a top PG. Give can still produce and close.

Sure we have ?? marks putting it all together and we still need our star SF/SG type but we are building.

Separately we added a project 7-0 center and a aggressive rebounding/blocking PF to go along with our super athletic yet inexperienced 7-0/7-1 McGee who is at a min our birdman. If he learns to defend better ( he made progress ) we will need someone with a motor and length. The kid was always a 3+ year project. I am in no way giving up on him yet. I expect better from him this year and even more next. I think he is a real talent.

We should be happy with the way things are shaping up. We got WALL. People only dreamed we would get that lucky. We got the #1 PICK from the 5th slot. Come on people.

[hands11]

I wouldn't count Dallas out so quick.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/s ... ers-100628

I agree. It's not just about players, it's about ownership.

While Dallas is a little older, they are ready to win now. Boston wasn't exactly young when they lined it up. And Bron and Dirk is pretty close to Kobe and Paul. They could go for a few titles now and then reload like LA needed to with Kobe.

This way Bron saves face with his home town Cleveland fans since they will get something in return. Doing the sign and trade could work.

Add in that he likes Dallas and knows the owner and Kidd.

Kidd, Bron and Dirke with the right role players could do it. That is right up there with LA and Boston who have been winning. Plus Mark is an owner he could partner with. Bron can be comfortable knowing Mark will continue to spend to build a team around him.

Going to the Bulls mean following MJ. Bron wants his own spotlight.
Miami. Has to share the stage with Wade and Miami isn't that great a BB town.
NY - That is the right stage but NY is building from scratch
NJ - I guess that ok since he probably drinks bottled water anyway. But what else do NJ offer. It's not Dallas.

Dallas has great fans. They have Dirke an MVP who is hungry to win it now. and Kidd. There would be no ego problems here. And Mark is a high profile owner who can market Bron and who will spend spend spend.

DON'T COUNT OUT DALLAS.

[mhd]

Bulls Board insider says me might also get James Johnson in the deal.

[fishercob]

Bulls Board insider says me might also get James Johnson in the deal.

linkage, s'il vous plait?

[yungal07]

Bulls Board insider says me might also get James Johnson in the deal.

linkage, s'il vous plait?

Just go to the Bulls board. They have a thread on Johnson. A couple of posters with "inside knowledge" say Johnson is coming to the Wizards in the deal. I figure the Bulls are trying to get something for him before they use him as a throw in.

[no D in Hibachi]

Bulls Board insider says me might also get James Johnson in the deal.

I know he was the 16th pick in the 2009 draft, but should we actually get excited about this? I don't want to be debbie downer, but I he had a pretty pathetic rookie season. His per was 10.4, he doesn't have a position and can't guard either forward spot. He seems like the forward version of Javaris Crittenton. Really athletic, but not really skilled and both had poor rookie seasons after being drafted in the mid first.