I Doubt Any Other Deals Get Done

[Bassman]

As much as I would like to get some trade value for Felton, I am beginning to accept that the team is pretty well out of making deals (pther than STUPID ones) this season.

The list of "available" players is growing shorter and more defined. As teams become more certain of their positioning for the playoffs, deals can get struck between the haves and have-nots at the deadline. The speculation of available players is merely setting up the potential for those deadline deals.

Soon, we will officially be in Lotteryland. I suspect we already are...but acknowledging it is akin to the official announcement of the recession (everyone already knew it and felt it well before the Suit issued the press release). The Diaw trade was a good one and we have the rest of the season to build on this. If Felton somehow would play well enough to enhance his value we might make a decent deal with him to a playoff team in need of his services. No one will deal for Morrison, Carroll, Nazi, McMay, without us giving up Crash, and only then for a load of crap. Can't say that I blame them.

Let's hope for a good Felton trade deal near the deadline, but work to develop the team we have for the future. Ajinca needs playing time so lets give him plenty off the bench. Continue building on the Okafor-Diaw-Wallace core, and start DJ so he can become our PG of the future. Bring Felton off the bench as a super sub at the 1 & 2. That is his real value to a playoff team. If he performs well doing that, we make a better deal. Bell should continue to start until we draft a future star SG this offseason. Nazi needs to play as we pay him too much to grab Harrington's old spot on the pine. Morrison needs to play so we can build up something out of this train wreck of a pick. Singletary can get a little burn also to keep him involved and developing. Use Howard/Hollins/Brown only in as deep bench players (In case of fire break glass). McMay is deadwood and should be left to rot.

[Felton for Pres]

I disagree. No way LB is done. We'll be a part of every rumor until the deadline and we'll make at least one more move. I don't know if it'll be major, but they'll be one.

[Bassman]

Understand your reasoning based on all the chatter, but what players are seriously going to be available for what we SHOULD give up versus COULD give up? Wallace is too good for us versus the value we'd receive in trade, so our lesser talents can get us who? I just don't see a reason now for teams to feel they MUST HAVE Felton, and certainly no one wants the other guys we'd be willing to deal.

My point in all this is to focus on the core and the future, and not play certain players to showcase them or placate them. If we resign Felton it should be as a 6th man (at 6th man money), but I doubt he's here next year.

[DireWolf]

...but what players are seriously going to be available for what we SHOULD give up versus COULD give up? Wallace is too good for us versus the value we'd receive in trade, so our lesser talents can get us who? I just don't see a reason now for teams to feel they MUST HAVE Felton, and certainly no one wants the other guys we'd be willing to deal.

I think you're right on the trade scenario and I hope we can resign Felton as a sixth man. Given the state of the economy, that might be less unlikely than it sounds. If not, at least it frees up some cap space.

[fatlever]

it will not surprise me one bit to see wallace and maybe nazr, ammo, may or carroll moved near the deadline for a large expiring deal, picks and maybe a young player. just a gut feeling.

[Felton for Pres]

Note that I didn't say that we'd like the trade but one is going to happen.

[Dexmor]

Unless you think there resigning Felton another trade is happening. Even if it's for a future first rounder from a playoff team. There not letting him go for nothing.