Shaq vs. Kidd Trade: Which was Worse?

[The Diesel]

I think a year from now, we will be saying the Shaq trade was worse because Dallas got much better than Phoenix in the off-season.

Getting Rick Carlisle was a GREAT move for that team.

I'm not too sure about Terry Porter, yet. I think Phoenix needed an established coach for that current team.

But thanks for the responses so far; they've been great!

I think Carlisle will use Kidd better than Avery did.

[CB4MiamiHeat]

The Kidd trade wasnt that bad at all...Dallas just needs a SG. Kidd played well and shot well from 3..Paul was just too good for anyone.

Phx trade was bad. They got Shaq cause they wanted to get better on defense..looks like they havent been watching Shaq on pick and rolls the past years and how much hes in foul trouble. Why not go after Foster or Przbilla or someone like that in a trade while giving up a bench player, not Marion.

[And 1 Amare]

I have to say, the Phoenix Suns trading for Shaq is probably worse.

This is an example of why I think trading to fix your weakness can be bad for your team in some situations. If your team has a really good strength that makes them who they are (for PHX, it was scoring, shooting, quickness and versatility), giving it up to add a little help on your weakness can make you a worse team.

[AkelaLoneWolf]

Without a doubt, the Shaq trade.
Consider this.
In the beginning of the season, Kurt Thomas is traded along with two first round draft picks to
Seattle for capspace. Then mid-season, they do a complete 180 and trade Marion for Shaq. Are you telling me that Miami wouldn't have traded Shaq for Kurt Thomas + Marcus Banks? They knew there were no more championships forthcoming. They knew that Shaq was now an albatross contract. They would have traded him for expirings. So instead of a starting lineup of Nash, Hill, Marion, Amare and Shaq, they got their present lineup. On top of which they lost two first round picks and Kurt Thomas, who ended up going to their first round opponents who ended up beating them. Now they have the albatross contract, no cap flex (no moves). Where do they go for the next two years?

The Kidd trade was bad too, but the two main reasons that the Mavs flamed out was Chris Paul and Kidd's poor shooting (among other things). I don't think that Harris could have really stopped Paul and in an expanded role in Jersey, he didn't do that well. So, from the Mavs perspective, the only thing they really lost was youth. Kidd can still produce, even if not at the all-star level that he did before. Not to mention that he's an expiring contract.