Wade Trade
Posted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 8:59 pm
I know the chance of getting a team to trade Wade are slim, but here is a decent effort, considering the following:
1. As great as Wade has been for the Heat, he is entering his late 20’s. That does not affect his game at all currently, but can the Heat build another championship team around him in the next 3 to 4 years?
2. Are the Heat sure they can keep him when his contract is up in a couple of years. Will the team be successful enough at that point that he doesn’t opt to pursue another ring with another team?
3. Would it be better to trade him now, while he still has his full trade value, and focus on building around young talent such as Beasley and Chalmers for the long run?
Although the Hawks would need to retain Joe Johnson in order to effectively take the next step in the playoffs, we do have other talent to offer:
Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, 2010 unprotected pick for:
Dwayne Wade (+ filler scrub player if needed)
My honest assessment of the traded players the Heat would be considering:
Josh Smith:
Strengths: Phenomenal Shot blocker who also pick pockets steals at opportune times. Can single handedly change the momentum of the game. Makes defensive plays that spark fast breaks and lead to easy points. Is aware when other players make defensive plays as well and is often the first one down the floor to get an easy basket. Is steadily developing a post up game, great slasher who finishes and draws fouls, good passer with good court vision, very good ball handler for a power forward.
Weaknesses: Has trouble guarding the larger bigs (like Zack Randolph) in one-on-one post up situations, so he is at his best when he has teammates with some bulk like O’neal, Beasley, and Marvin Williams. Although improving, still has some bad shot selection and takes too many 3’s. Also tries to make a pass on occasion that is too difficult. These are typical problems with young players.
Variables: Is sometimes criticized for not being the best rebounder, but seems to step it up in more important games. Is not the go to guy offensively, but is improving and is a good second option.
Marvin Williams:
Strengths: All around solid guy who doesn’t do anything that wrong. He steps up and scores in bursts when his team needs it, he is a good rebounder, and a good defender. He has good size at the SF at 245 pounds, and is versatile enough to play the PF position as well. He has a significant upside as many believe he will be a star someday. His addition of 15 pounds and a 3 point shot in the offseason are credit to his ongoing ability to improve.
Weakness: He clearly is not yet a star, and may lack the killer instinct to ever really lead a team.
Conclusion For the Heat: The Heat have had a good run with Wade, and have already gotten a ring out of him. The proposed trade would present you with the opportunity to prepare for the long run (and the possible future loss of Wade), build around Beasley as your center piece, and team Josh Smith with the type of players he thrives around. You receive two players that compliment any lead player well, and have the potential to one day serve as the team leader themselves. Smith makes spectacular plays that ignite the team, Marv is all around consistent and solid, and the rookie pick allows for further additions to a young and talented team.
What do the Hawks get?: Yes we lose 2 of our 3 young, talented players, but consider this:
1. Marv's potential translates into trade value for maybe one more year, then no one believes he will ever achieve that fabled "up side" we always here about.
2. Although Josh Smith and Marv are very good players, they won't ever have that rare talent to carry a team the way Wade does.
3. Pairing players like JJ and Wade increases our chance of resiging them both. They appreciate playing with high caliber players (each other), and want to keep the chemistry going.
4. Although losing Josh Smith leaves a hole in the interior defense, I wouldn't worry about it. Look at how role players flocked to the Celtics when the 3 superstars came together. We could expect something similar to a lesser degree in Atlanta. I'd like to see us go after Chris Anderson as replacement, and in this sceanrio, we would very likely be the best team to offer him the full MLE and a starting job.
1. As great as Wade has been for the Heat, he is entering his late 20’s. That does not affect his game at all currently, but can the Heat build another championship team around him in the next 3 to 4 years?
2. Are the Heat sure they can keep him when his contract is up in a couple of years. Will the team be successful enough at that point that he doesn’t opt to pursue another ring with another team?
3. Would it be better to trade him now, while he still has his full trade value, and focus on building around young talent such as Beasley and Chalmers for the long run?
Although the Hawks would need to retain Joe Johnson in order to effectively take the next step in the playoffs, we do have other talent to offer:
Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, 2010 unprotected pick for:
Dwayne Wade (+ filler scrub player if needed)
My honest assessment of the traded players the Heat would be considering:
Josh Smith:
Strengths: Phenomenal Shot blocker who also pick pockets steals at opportune times. Can single handedly change the momentum of the game. Makes defensive plays that spark fast breaks and lead to easy points. Is aware when other players make defensive plays as well and is often the first one down the floor to get an easy basket. Is steadily developing a post up game, great slasher who finishes and draws fouls, good passer with good court vision, very good ball handler for a power forward.
Weaknesses: Has trouble guarding the larger bigs (like Zack Randolph) in one-on-one post up situations, so he is at his best when he has teammates with some bulk like O’neal, Beasley, and Marvin Williams. Although improving, still has some bad shot selection and takes too many 3’s. Also tries to make a pass on occasion that is too difficult. These are typical problems with young players.
Variables: Is sometimes criticized for not being the best rebounder, but seems to step it up in more important games. Is not the go to guy offensively, but is improving and is a good second option.
Marvin Williams:
Strengths: All around solid guy who doesn’t do anything that wrong. He steps up and scores in bursts when his team needs it, he is a good rebounder, and a good defender. He has good size at the SF at 245 pounds, and is versatile enough to play the PF position as well. He has a significant upside as many believe he will be a star someday. His addition of 15 pounds and a 3 point shot in the offseason are credit to his ongoing ability to improve.
Weakness: He clearly is not yet a star, and may lack the killer instinct to ever really lead a team.
Conclusion For the Heat: The Heat have had a good run with Wade, and have already gotten a ring out of him. The proposed trade would present you with the opportunity to prepare for the long run (and the possible future loss of Wade), build around Beasley as your center piece, and team Josh Smith with the type of players he thrives around. You receive two players that compliment any lead player well, and have the potential to one day serve as the team leader themselves. Smith makes spectacular plays that ignite the team, Marv is all around consistent and solid, and the rookie pick allows for further additions to a young and talented team.
What do the Hawks get?: Yes we lose 2 of our 3 young, talented players, but consider this:
1. Marv's potential translates into trade value for maybe one more year, then no one believes he will ever achieve that fabled "up side" we always here about.
2. Although Josh Smith and Marv are very good players, they won't ever have that rare talent to carry a team the way Wade does.
3. Pairing players like JJ and Wade increases our chance of resiging them both. They appreciate playing with high caliber players (each other), and want to keep the chemistry going.
4. Although losing Josh Smith leaves a hole in the interior defense, I wouldn't worry about it. Look at how role players flocked to the Celtics when the 3 superstars came together. We could expect something similar to a lesser degree in Atlanta. I'd like to see us go after Chris Anderson as replacement, and in this sceanrio, we would very likely be the best team to offer him the full MLE and a starting job.
