bonsaiflipflops wrote:The difference between the two deals is that ESPN referred to the Boston and Minnesota trade as a blockbuster, and the Los Angeles and Memphis trade was an "in dire need" move.
Here are the two deals as I understand them. Suffice to say, Minnesota has nothing to complain about. That trade was as close to fair as you're going to get, it wasn't a "gift."
To Minnesota from Boston: Al Jefferson (later signed a five-year extension), Ryan Gomes (expiring contract; resigned), Sebastian Telfair (expiring contract; resigned), Gerald Green (subsequently traded to Houston, and later waived), Theo Ratliff (expiring contract; later waived), and two first round picks. One being the original future first round pick sent to Boston from Minnesota as part of the Ricky Davis/Wally Szczerbiak trade. The other, Minnesota owns Boston's first round pick in 2009 (twenty-eighth pick). And cash considerations.
To Boston from Minnesota: Kevin Garnett (then signed a three-year extension, agreeing to eliminate an early termination clause in his original contract)
To Memphis from the Lakers: Kwame Brown (expiring contract), Javaris Crittenton (eventually traded to Washington), Aaron McKie (later waived), Marc Gasol, and a first round pick in 2008 (twenty-eighth pick, Donte Greene; subsequently traded to Houston) and 2010. And cash considerations.
Note: Houston traded Darrell Arthur to Memphis after initially receiving him via a trade from Portland who drafted him with the twenty-seventh pick.
To the Lakers from Memphis: Pau Gasol and a 2010 second round pick.
Why are we arguing about gifts? The gifts come to the teams that are working hard to get them. If Minny would have done the Garnett trade without Al Jefferson being part of it, would you have said "no no" please take him?
Be honest man. If Pau Gasol were to request a trade today, and you were offered the 2 following packages, which one would you be more likely to take?
