This is a good trade for Memphis

[EdSkae]

The easy reaction upon seeing "Gasol for Kwame" is to think "wow, Grizz got hosed." Now, I know a lot of people on this board are extremely reactionary so I'm gonna try to lay out it nice and simple.

1. Gasol actually has negative value to the Grizz

This is the Zach Randolph situation all over again. When a bad team shells out tons of money for a guy who you can't build a successful team around as your #1, then that team is royally screwed. First, the team is usually close to or over the cap because of this contract so they can't sign any good FA's to play alongside this guy. Secondly, this guy is just good enough so the team won't bottom out and get a high draft pick. In the end, when you overpay for guys like Gasol or Randolph, teams actually tie an albatross around their own necks preventing the team from ever getting any better.

2. This will guarantee the Grizz a top 5 draft pick in a pretty good draft

Beasley. Rose. Mayo. Gordon. DeAndre Jordan. Trading the pick. Take your pick. Either way the Grizz are gonna get a damn good prospect in this upcoming draft. The longer they kept Gasol around the less likely this was to happen.

3. They are already set at multiple positions.

The Grizz already have either young prospects or good players signed to reasonable deals throughout their lineup. Conley at PG. Miller at SG. Gay at SF. Darko at PF. Who else could the Grizz have got for Gasol that would really help them out in the future? Ty Thomas? Not available. The right to overpay Ben Gordon? No thanks. Luol Deng? Gay is younger, arguably better, and cheaper. While it's nice to get young assets, the Grizz already have a ton of those and inevitably many 'young assets' become 'overpaid veterans.'

4. Loads of cap space

Not only do they play an exciting brand of ball, but they also can dish out a max contract to someone. Add a rookie stud and some good free-agent signings and this team could be in the playoffs NEXT year. That wasn't happening if they kept Gasol.

Think of some of the squads the Grizz could hypothetically field next year:

PG: Conley
SG: Miller
SF: Gay
PF: Elton Brand (max him out)
C: Darko
6th: Mike Beasley

PG: Conley
SG: Miller
SF: Gay
PF: Jamison (pick and pop with Conley, very nice)
C: Darko
6th: OJ Mayo

PG: Conley
SG: Gay
SF: Artest
PF: Darko
C: DeAndre Jordan
6th: Mike Miller

I just love the options they have for next year. Even without using the FA money, they will be an exciting team next year with a ton assets and a ton of potential. And we've all seen how quickly young assets can turn into a title contender.

Wallace could have gotten a better deal from Minnesota. The expiring deal of Ratliff a young player maybe Craig Smith or Mccants and picks. I actually would rather have The Twolves second round pick in this coming draft. Then the Lakers first. Because you get more value for your money in the high second round then you do in the late first.

[BrokenLeftyJumper]

Wallace could have gotten a better deal from Minnesota. The expiring deal of Ratliff a young player maybe Craig Smith or Mccants and picks.

Why would Minnesota want any part of Gasol's contract? That would leave them with half their salary slotted to go to Gasol and Jefferson, guys who have similar strengths (offense) and weaknesses (defenses) and play the same position. They would be a better team right off the bat, but a playoff team in the west? I don't think so. And you really think Gasol, whose was partially traded because he was an unhappy camper on a losing squad, would be happy going to the worst team in the league? No way Minnesota was even interested in acquiring him.

[BrokenLeftyJumper]

Do you honestly believe that they couldn't have gotten a better deal elsewhere with a little patience?

The other reported deals were the Cavs offering Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden. Ughh. The Blazers offering Raef Lafrentz and Travis Outlaw. Ehh. Shows that Gasol's value wasn't very high. I don't see any reason why it would miraculously get higher, considering his salary only gets bigger over the years.

The only decent deal for the Grizz seemed to be from Chicago, offering Noah, but they didn't have the expiring contracts the Grizz wanted.

[grantlongforpresident]

BLJ.

I've thought about this, and you are just wrong.

Look what memphis got back. Crittenton. Eh. Two Late 1sts. Eh. Mark Gasol. Eh.

This is a league where Quality matters over Quantity. You should have learned that this offseason when we traded nearly our entire team for Allen and Garnett. We went from worst team to best.

Minn is now the worst... well, except for memphis now.

So you give away your best player - a 7 foot fringe all-star - for 4 late 1st type players and cap space. BAD IDEA.

THey should have tried to get a package built around a young budding star, like a Josh Smith, Al Jefferson, Luol Deng etc. If you can't get that then keep him... and don't dump him to the fakers.

[billfromBoston]

,...first off, I want to support the original poster by saying that this IS a good deal for Memphis...

Too many people on this board only think in linear terms..."Memphis traded Gasol, so they have to get a Gasol-level talent back in return..."

The reality of the situation is simple, there were a select few teams that had the combination on expiring contracts and assets with which to deal for Gasol...Chicago's best assests are all wings and both Gordon and Deng are due for HUGE pay raises next season...regardless of the Gay/Deng debate, Memphis isn't tying up all their money in a wing combo-that's just stupid...

You have to understand that while Memphis could have gotten a better player in return for Gasol, the object of the game is to win and they weren't going to get anything back for Gasol that would make them a better team...

Chicago, Portland, and LA were the only teams that were even in this equation...Cleveland was just lying to themselves as they have nothing expiring and no quality assets either...Gasol would have "super-star vetoed" and deal to a non-playoff team, so the market was pretty exclusive...

Memphis was smart to go with the cap space, but they also got back some assets that could pay dividends long-term...the 2 first rounders don't have to be great picks, they are still first rounders and have value every year in the draft...Crittenton had an excellent summer and pre-season and could very well tandem in the backcourt with Conley in the future as a 6'5 combo guard...Marc Gasol is probably a backup center, but he's young, skilled, and intelligent, so he'll at least give them depth if not a more down the road...

Memphis gave it a go with Gasol this year and it didn't work out...they were smart to NOT compound the problem by committing salary cap dollars to another highly paid replacement that would make equally little impact on the bottom line-winning...

Memphis will now go into the draft looking to add to the Rudy Gay/Mike Conley core...Gay has proven he can ball this year, even if he's not a franchise 1st option type, he doesn't have to be, he'll have help...adding Mike Beasley or Kevin Love to that mix will give the team a talented big to couple with their PG and SF...that's a nice troika to move forward with...

Don't be surprised if the team DOES NOT spend the cap money on this year's crop of 30-something free agents, they can afford to be patient, develop their talent, and play the market when the time is right...

...good move by Memphis NOT panicking and taking on long-term deals just to look like they may a good trade talent-wise...

[The_Pope]

BLJ is entirely right in this instance.

There were no better deals on the table for the Grizz. Some of you are saying that if that was the case then they should have just stayed put and kept Gasol.

However, with Gasol they're going no where fast. In what way does giving yourself a better shot at the top pick, aquiring a young player with massive upside (Crittenton is good for all those posting about him who clarly have never watched him play) and clearing a great deal of cap space for a free agent not make sense?

The Grizz are showing that they are unwilling to accept mediocrity and that should be applauded.

[BrokenLeftyJumper]

This is a league where Quality matters over Quantity. You should have learned that this offseason when we traded nearly our entire team for Allen and Garnett.

The quality over quantity part is right. Your just a dope for not realizing that the quantity led to the quality. There would be no Garnett or Allen (quality) if not for acquiring Jefferson, #5 draft pick, Green, Gomes, etc (the quantity).

THey should have tried to get a package built around a young budding star, like a Josh Smith, Al Jefferson, Luol Deng etc.

That wasn't happening. No team was offering a prospect remotely close to an Al Jefferson for Gasol. It sounds like at best they were getting Joakim Noah, but the Bulls didn't have the expirings. Nobody wanted Gasol and his massive contract unless it meant the difference between contending or not.

If you can't get that then keep him... and don't dump him to the fakers.

Keep him so the team can be stuck in perpetual mediocrity? All keeping Gasol does for them is cost the team money, ping-pong balls, and future cap space.

Nobody seems to be looking at what Memphis can do this off-season. I don't know if their owner is going to spend money or not, but they have serious pieces in place to be able to flip a Celtics like turnaround THIS off-season, unlike any other team in this league.

Look at their assets:
1). A very good collection of young talent (Gay, Conley, Lowry, Warrick, Crittendon)
2). A high draft pick.
3). Tradable contracts that could be used in a larger deal (Darko, Miller, Cardinal)
4). Cap space.

Now all you fanboys were yanking Danny's chain about how he was so smart in acquiring all these assets last year and being able to use them to change the whole roster. Isn't Memphis in a very similar situation?

And for anyone who says well Memphis could have got more assets in a deal, the best I've heard is that they might have been able to get Noah but the contracts weren't there. They weren't getting a player like Deng or Josh Smith or anywhere near an Al Jefferson for Gasol.

[EdSkae]

Wallace could have gotten a better deal from Minnesota. The expiring deal of Ratliff a young player maybe Craig Smith or Mccants and picks.

Why would Minnesota want any part of Gasol's contract? That would leave them with half their salary slotted to go to Gasol and Jefferson, guys who have similar strengths (offense) and weaknesses (defenses) and play the same position. They would be a better team right off the bat, but a playoff team in the west? I don't think so. And you really think Gasol, whose was partially traded because he was an unhappy camper on a losing squad, would be happy going to the worst team in the league? No way Minnesota was even interested in acquiring him.

I admit you are correct Minnesota does not need Gasol and Al Jefferson.
But Ratliff does have the largest expiring contract. I also see Wallace is making another deal with NJ. I think a three way deal Memphis- Minnesota-NJ would have been great for all teams involved. here are two deals they could have made.

Option1

NJ gets Pau Gasol & Marco Jaric

Memphis gets Jason Collins, Theo Ratliff, & S. Telfair plus both teams Minnesota & NJ 2008 & 2009 2nd round picks( high second round picks are better financially then low 1st round picks)

Minnesota gets Vince Carter, Stromile Swift, & D. Armstrong.

Option 2

NJ gets Pau Gasol, Marco Jaric , & Gerald Green.

Memphis gets Jason Collins, Theo Ratliff, S. Telfair, M. Doleac, & B. Nachbar plus the 2008 & 2009 Minnesota 2nd round picks.

Minnesota gets R. Jefferson, Stromile Swift, & Brian Cardinal.

Both deals are better for Memphis then the Laker deal is. Especially deal option 2. Where they also get to unload the Contract of Cardinal.

The Nets eliminate the duplication problem of VC & RJ and get Gasol to score down low. Kidd+VC+Pau>Kidd+VC+RJ. It is just a much better fit.

The Twolves get a young star Richard Jefferson for nothing more then cap space.

I also think Seattle could have put a cap space package of Szerbiak& Kurt Thomas plus two 2008 second round picks for Gasol & Cardinal that would have been better then the Laker deal. I think there were definately some NBA GM's who missed the boat on this one.

[GuyClinch]

Wow.

It's a terrible deal. They didn't get anywhere close to fair value for Gasol. You need to at least get a GOOD 1st round draft pick - low first round picks are almost negative value. A stud NBA player like Gasol should at least net you one top ten pick or a top prospect.

Anyone who thinks Memphis did okay needs to get their head checked. Any top prospect like Deng, Brandon Roy, Aldridge, Josh Smith etc would be a huge improvement in what Memphis got. Your trading a stud you need to get stud back.

It's just like the NFL. Each guy should have some mythical "point value" assigned to him. When you make the trade you need to get equal points back or at least close to it.

People complaining about McHale's trade need to STFU now. He made out like a bandit in comparison. Heck so did the Ray Allen trade. Think about it Ray Allen netted MORE then Gasol. MORE THEN GASOL!

Pete

[BrokenLeftyJumper]

Anyone who thinks Memphis did okay needs to get their head checked. Any top prospect like Deng, Brandon Roy, Aldridge, Josh Smith etc would be a huge improvement in what Memphis got. Your trading a stud you need to get stud back.

Actually, anyone who thinks Memphis could have gotten a top prospect like Deng, Roy, Aldridge, or Josh Smith for Gasol needs to get their head checked.

Look at the actual other deals out there: Cavs offered Gooden and Hughes. The Blazers offered Lafrentz and Outlaw. The Bulls were offering Noah, but didn't have the contracts. Gasol's contract is only getting bigger and his value stagnated from a few years ago, why would any team offer anything more in the future?

Of any team in the league, Memphis has set themselves up nicely to be able to really do some things this summer. They have pretty much every type of asset a GM would want in terms of roster flexibility. And being able to change the roster is the key from going from bad to good in the NBA. See the Celtics last year.

Minnesota gets Vince Carter, Stromile Swift, & D. Armstrong.

Again I'm pretty sure Minny would have pretty much no interest in Vince Carter and his contract.

The second deal with RJ makes a little more sense. But I don't see why the Nets would go after Gasol and form the Carter/Kidd/Gasol trio. That would just be a horizontal move essentially, they are still a mediocre squad.

[grantlongforpresident]

Keep him so the team can be stuck in perpetual mediocrity? All keeping Gasol does for them is cost the team money, ping-pong balls, and future cap space.

You're argument is basically this.
- Gasol makes them win a bunch of games (keeps them mediocre).
- Therefore, they should definately trade him so that they can suck really bad and get a good pick...

*this strategy usually doesn't work that well. Rebuilding by demolition is only prudent when you have completely peaked like the 76'ers with iverson and webber.

Trading a very-skilled 7 footer with PLENTY of prime left is an awful idea when trying to build a winning team.

Nobody seems to be looking at what Memphis can do this off-season. I don't know if their owner is going to spend money or not, but they have serious pieces in place to be able to flip a Celtics like turnaround THIS off-season, unlike any other team in this league.

Look at their assets:
1). A very good collection of young talent (Gay, Conley, Lowry, Warrick, Crittendon)
2). A high draft pick.
3). Tradable contracts that could be used in a larger deal (Darko, Miller, Cardinal)
4). Cap space.

Now all you fanboys were yanking Danny's chain about how he was so smart in acquiring all these assets last year and being able to use them to change the whole roster. Isn't Memphis in a very similar situation?

Memphis is not in a similar situation. What is the huge difference?

Going into the offseason Boston had
1) 5x All-Star Paul Pierce
2) Mega-Blue Chip Prospect: Al Jefferson

Going into this offseason Memphis has
1) Nothing even remotely resembling an all-star
2) No Blue Chip prospects

You are totally overrating Memphis's youth. Gay, Conley, Lowry, Warrick, Crittendon. Every team has unproven young guys with potential. Some of these guys may turn into good pros, but none are "blue chip prospects" by any means. We had Rondo, Perk, Green, Gomes, West, etc; what's the difference?

-----------------------------------------
To simplify it all, Let's play fact or fiction. There are three arguments here.

1) Memphis should trade Gasol!

Fiction. You don't trade a 7 foot all-star caliber player in his prime. It is a bad strategy. This is not the way to build a winning team. He was by no means holding them back as you claim.

2) Memphis got a good package for Gasol!

Fiction. They traded a borderline all-star for 4 late first rounders. Typical quantity for quality trade. They got robbed talent-wise. Late first rounders are a dime a dozen in this league. (also don't forget memphis traded away a 2nd... i wonder how different that pick will be from a lakers 1st?)

Its like this. Memphis traded a $5 bill for 4x $1 bills. Unlike a wallet however where you can have unlimited # of bills, you can only have 5 guys on the court at any time. This is why i'd rather have Pau Gasol then 10 picks in the upper 20's.

3) Memphis is in a great situation! (like the celtics last year!)
Granted, Memphis is not in the worst situation right now - but this is a big step back. Their team is now similar to the Celtics last year MINUS Paul Pierce and Big Al. To say they may have a big turnaround next year is ludicrous. If they are lucky they will be mediocre again.

[EdSkae]

Anyone who thinks Memphis did okay needs to get their head checked. Any top prospect like Deng, Brandon Roy, Aldridge, Josh Smith etc would be a huge improvement in what Memphis got. Your trading a stud you need to get stud back.

Actually, anyone who thinks Memphis could have gotten a top prospect like Deng, Roy, Aldridge, or Josh Smith for Gasol needs to get their head checked.

Look at the actual other deals out there: Cavs offered Gooden and Hughes. The Blazers offered Lafrentz and Outlaw. The Bulls were offering Noah, but didn't have the contracts. Gasol's contract is only getting bigger and his value stagnated from a few years ago, why would any team offer anything more in the future?

Of any team in the league, Memphis has set themselves up nicely to be able to really do some things this summer. They have pretty much every type of asset a GM would want in terms of roster flexibility. And being able to change the roster is the key from going from bad to good in the NBA. See the Celtics last year.

Minnesota gets Vince Carter, Stromile Swift, & D. Armstrong.

Again I'm pretty sure Minny would have pretty much no interest in Vince Carter and his contract.

The second deal with RJ makes a little more sense. But I don't see why the Nets would go after Gasol and form the Carter/Kidd/Gasol trio. That would just be a horizontal move essentially, they are still a mediocre squad.

It is not a horizontal move. VC& RJ do the same things and get in each others way. The Nets need a low post scorer. Pau fills that need.

[BrokenLeftyJumper]

Going into the offseason Boston had
1) 5x All-Star Paul Pierce
2) Mega-Blue Chip Prospect: Al Jefferson

Going into this offseason Memphis has
1) Nothing even remotely resembling an all-star
2) No Blue Chip prospects

Memphis has no blue chip prospects? Are you daft in the head? You don't consider Rudy Gay, a guy averaging 20 and 6 in his second year as a pro with still tons of more potential, a blue-chip prospect? You don't consider Mike Conley, the #4 pick in last years draft, a blue-chip prospect?

And while they don't have the Paul Pierce caliber player, they do have one thing Boston didn't have, tons of cap space.

You can play the fact or fiction game or the analogy to your wallet game all you want, but I think it would make a lot more sense if you actually looked at the potential Memphis has to really rebuild this off-season.

Its like this. Memphis traded a $5 bill for 4x $1 bills. Unlike a wallet however where you can have unlimited # of bills, you can only have 5 guys on the court at any time.

It is kinda like that, except it's more like your at a strip club where $1 bills are more valuable than $5 bills. Wrap your head around that one.

[grantlongforpresident]

Memphis has no blue chip prospects? Are you daft in the head? You don't consider Rudy Gay, a guy averaging 20 and 6 in his second year as a pro with still tons of more potential, a blue-chip prospect? You don't consider Mike Conley, the #4 pick in last years draft, a blue-chip prospect?

Its like this. Memphis traded a $5 bill for 4x $1 bills. Unlike a wallet however where you can have unlimited # of bills, you can only have 5 guys on the court at any time.

It is kinda like that, except it's more like your at a strip club where $1 bills are more valuable than $5 bills. Wrap your head around that one.

but this isn't a strip club and there are no titties in my face right now.
...
By the way, I was waiting for you to call Rudy Gay a blue chip prospect! I've met Rudy Gay more then once, i'm a huge UConn homer, and i've watched nearly every game in college with Rudy Gay - and i'm still not convinced he is blue chip. i wouldn't trade Rondo for him. Is Rondo blue-chip?

Sure, he is currently stat-padding on a lousy team, but the man has no heart. i really question if he can carry a winning team as something more then a solid complementary player. But this is not what i want to argue because at it is at least defensible that he could be a blue chip prospect. i hope rudy gay proves me wrong btw. Regarding conley, i don't consider him blue-chip period, no matter where he was picked. IMO he is a solid prospect, nothing more.

More to the point. One thing that can't be denied is that neither are even remotely close to as valuable as Big Al.

Plus, the fact remains that Memphis had Gay and Conley before this trade so it doesn't justify this trade in any way.

It is just silly to think that getting rid of borderline all-star Gasol is addition by subtraction. Memphis was a really young team already, now you just added a crapload of youth. is that a winning formula? laughable.

[Jammer]

Everyone is forgetting that this summer Memphis will be in position to offer a multi-year contract starting at ($14 million minus cost of re-signing Navarro) to a restricted free agent, thereby possibly stealing a talent from another team. If you want to see the numbers, refer to my post at the top of page 4 of this thread.

Whether restricted free agent is Calderon, Deng, Gordon, Monta Ellis, Kelenna Azubuike, Igudala or unrestricted free agents like Antwan Jamison or Arenas if he opts out; teams will be wary of Memphis throwing a contract (or two) somebody's way.

And any free agents that Memphis signs this summer, IF ANY, are a direct result of freeing up cap space thru this trade.

This presumes that they renounce their rights to Kwame Brown, who will quite likely sign elsewhere in his free agent negotiation this summer, and waive Aaron McKie at the end of the season.

[billfromBoston]

[quote="EdSkae"][/quote]

...Minnesota is COMPLETELY uninterested in taking on any additional salary with multiple years...Minny doesn't want or need a max-level wing player...this trade would never happen...

...no matter what anyone says, the bottom line is that Memphis is in a position to get liquid, develop trade-able assets, and attack the free agent market...they will have to overpay a bit to land a big fish, but that's ok with them as long as they pick the right guy...their youthful talent base is nice and their future looks bright considering Crittenton and the upcoming first...

...Memphis may well sit out of Free Agency this year and spend next season developing their young players as well...their is no rush for them to commit big dollars...

...Memphis made the right call...they created financial flexibility and accrued trade-able commodities...it may not be "sexy" to fans, but its smart business based off of where their team is at currently...

[billfromBoston]

Wow.

It's a terrible deal. They didn't get anywhere close to fair value for Gasol. You need to at least get a GOOD 1st round draft pick - low first round picks are almost negative value. A stud NBA player like Gasol should at least net you one top ten pick or a top prospect.

Anyone who thinks Memphis did okay needs to get their head checked. Any top prospect like Deng, Brandon Roy, Aldridge, Josh Smith etc would be a huge improvement in what Memphis got. Your trading a stud you need to get stud back.

It's just like the NFL. Each guy should have some mythical "point value" assigned to him. When you make the trade you need to get equal points back or at least close to it.

People complaining about McHale's trade need to STFU now. He made out like a bandit in comparison. Heck so did the Ray Allen trade. Think about it Ray Allen netted MORE then Gasol. MORE THEN GASOL!

Pete

...you have almost zero understanding of the marketplace if you think the above statement is true...KG and RA trades were a completely different landscape...

The only leverage Memphis had in this situation was the years remaining on Pau's deal, but Pau had the super-star leverage in his favor, meaning he has the star power to bring tremendous pressure to bear on forcing a trade...the organization moved before Pau started becoming a public problem...

Also, the team analyzed its prospects of winning with its current group and elected to shuffle the deck...they have two cornerstone players in Conley and Gay with another top 10 pick upcoming...with 18 million or so in cap space they can completely re-configure their core and become competitive in a short window while improving their financial situation...

...there is no "rule of thumb" when it comes to trading...the market for Pau simply wasn't one that improved Memphis's short or long-term viability...they certainly could have gotten "more" back for Pau, but that would have meant taking on big money at multiple years, and NOT A SINGLE TRADE ON THE MARKET was going to put them in a position to compete in the west...

...the smart play was to accrue assets and see how their core components develop...once they know what they have they can THEN use big money to land their "Pau replacement" player...

...this is the way the business works...maximizing trade value in terms of player talent alone is not smart business in a salary-cap driven sport...Memphis could not have received anything in exchange for Pau that would have given them the same opportunity to rebuild into a contender...now they have the flexibility to do what they want and not try and work around

[Rocky5000]

The argument that Pau had Memphis stuck in mediocrity is a joke. Remember who had the worst record last year? Pau can't carry a team anywhere. On TNT last night they said that Memphis won 28% of its games with Gasol and won 27% without him. Not having Gasol on their team isn't going to make them any worse. (Which is a good argument for getting rid of him in the first place, if you can get something of value back.) BUT there are teams in dire need of a low post presence who would have given up someone with an actual chance of playing on the Grizzlies. The grizzlies get NOBODY who will play major minutes in a game for them. Crittendon is the 3rd/4th string point guard, and potentially the 3rd string shooting guard. How is being in Memphis going to enhance his value any? Unless Memphis trades away Lowry, Mike Miller, or JCN, Crittendon isn't even a role player. Everyone in the news media believes that the Lakers got a huge steal with this deal.

[chakdaddy]

How about: just about any combination of Bulls prospects, draft picks, and PJ Brown?

Maybe if your talking in hindsight. But the Bulls don't have PJ Brown anymore. And they would only be offering BG or Deng, two guys who are gonna need to get paid and who are redundant on the Grizz roster. The Bulls also aren't gonna have a high draft pick to trade if they get Gasol. That's gonna be a mid-first rounder again and you got the same value in this deal from Crittendon.
[/quote]

The Bulls don't have PJ Brown anymore just like the Lakers didn't have Aaron McKie anymore. I think that loophole is gonna get changed, but the Bulls could have resigned Brown for 10 million, tossed in Tyrus Thomas and a mid #1, and you've got a deal 10 times better than what Memphis got. And that's without holding out for Noah/Sefolofsha or even considering Deng or Gordon.

In an interview I see that they're looking for cap space in 2009 rather than 2008. Which almost exponentially expands the number of "expiring contracts" they could get - there's very little difference getting someone like Wally who comes off in 2 years vs Kwame who comes off this year.

It also means that there was no reason at all that they couldn't have just waited until the offseason to make the deal, rather than pulling the trigger now. They got Jarvis freaking Crittenton for a young 7 footer who has put up 18/8 19/2 with 2 blocks for the past 3 years. And a couple of #29, #28 draft picks. And Crittenton is a lot more redundant than Deng or Gordon.

[chakdaddy]

The quality over quantity part is right. Your just a dope for not realizing that the quantity led to the quality. There would be no Garnett or Allen (quality) if not for acquiring Jefferson, #5 draft pick, Green, Gomes, etc (the quantity).

I see quality in Jefferson and a #5 draft pick.

I see quantity in Green/Gomes etc.

If we really could have traded quantity for Garnett or Allen, we'd be living large with a lineup of Rondo/Allen/Pierce/Garnett/Jefferson with Yi off the bench.