RealGM

Trade ID #5043127

Jeff Foster for Speedy's expiring contract and a 2nd rounder (Plus Randolph Morris if they want to fill a roster spot)

Why for Atlanta: Our biggest deficiencies are rebounding difference and the incosistency of our interior defense throughout the season. In particular, bigger players often back Smoove down and muscle him out of the way for easy lay points. Foster takes care of all of those issues at a reasonable price. He is a phenominal rebounder and a good low post defender with decent size. At 6'11 242, he isn't quite the 7 footer we've been wanting, but he's very close, and there are many quality 7 footers available. At worst, Foster walks after one year, and we get the cap space we would have gotten with Speedy's expiring contract the previous year.

Why for Indiana: For a team to successfully rebuild and come out of their losing record, they have to clear cap space and acquire talent through added picks or free agency. Jeff Foster is a fine role player, but they have 4 role playing big men, and could stand to clear some room. That's especially true if they want to participate in the 2010 free agency market, and this trade would be a big step in the right direction. The 2nd rounder can be used as currency for future cap moves or in a package to better their position in the draft.

Something I wanted to add, that I hope doesn't bias your opinion of the trade, is that I would re-sign Zaza at a reasonable contract similar to what he has now. I believe that all the Zaza hate is warranted on the defensive end of the floor. He truly is clueless down there. However, on the offensive side of the ball, he is a good offensive rebounder and a timely low post presence . There have been numerous times when a team hit us with some momentum building play like an ally oop dunk and Zaza immediatly answered by going down low and scoring or, more frequently, drawing a foul that slowed the game down and ceased the momentum.

My point is that we would have somewhat of an offensive inside presence and a defensive inside presence off the bench with Zaza and Foster, and we could insert whichever player into the game that addresses our particular need that night.

I like Foster. His rebounds are down this year which does worry me a little but I would obviously take him in a salary dump.

I proposed this same trade over on the 'Squawk.

I'd be curious as to what Pacers' fans think. They really like Foster, and I'm tempted to think that a team like San Antonio would be willing to part with their late first rounder for him.

I like Foster as well, but Indy has balked at dealing him so far. If you look at their salary situation, they have 9 guys under contract and a top 10 pick cap hold that adds up to 60M, the following year it would be 62M. You add some minimum salary guys and they stay under the luxury tax. Those numbers do not include Rasho Nestorvic (free agent), Marquis Daniels (not guaranteed), or Jarrett Jack (RFA). If they keep any of those guys, they will probably need to shed salary. BTW, Jamaal Tinsley is in those figures, they'd love to deal him first, but no one seems likely to bite.

There is a question of whether Speedy's contract is paid by insurance or not. I would have thought it was until he was interviewed and proclaimed himself able to play. If it is then the real savings is about 11.5M and Indy might bite. If not, it's about 7.5M in savings which I'm not sure would be enough for them to make the move. There are other teams that could be offer bigger discounts.

I think Indy would gladly take Speedy's expiring deal for Tinsley, but not for Foster. If we could get Foster that cheaply I'd love it.

Other than for financial reasons, I have no idea why the Pacers would do it. Foster is wanted by most teams in the league, and in the last few seasons they have turned down every deal for him. He's way more reliable than Zaza or any back up we have. I also like R. Nesterovic. He's consistent and solid. I just hope Zaza is gone. It gets on my nerves when a guy is in the league for 5 years and still gets called for 3sec violation and ilegal screens night after night, I mean, that's just dumb.

Would you guys go so far as to deal them our mid-late first rounder in exchange for their early-mid second rounder to sweeten the deal? That means keeping Law instead of drafting a new 3rd string point guard.