AK-47 Trade

[partnerfusion]

The Clippers are going to be drafting another big and will be overloaded at the 4-5 spots. From their message boards it appears they lack a defensive wing. Why not trade AK-47 for Camby or Kaman - I realize another player would have to be added from their side to balance out salaries. Thoughts?

[babyjax13]

Kirilenko is too redundant on their roster with Thornton, I don't think they would be interested.

[loserX]

Kirilenko is too redundant on their roster with Thornton, I don't think they would be interested.

Disagree. Thornton is a bit of a self-involved chucker...exactly what they don't need more of on that team. Kirilenko, while quite overpaid, is a much more versatile and well-rounded player. (Unlike most of the Clippers' starters...he can at least pass.) I'm just not sure they take on his salary.

[carrottop12]

Clips won't take on another big salary without getting rid of one of theirs. And the only salary of theirs thats even close is Zach Randolph. Words can't express how awful Zach Randolph is.

Actually this describes it pretty well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaVa6NHwUUg

[Ming Kong!]

I think riding out Kirilenko might be the best. I'd definitely trade AK for Camby, but the Clippers probably wouldn't want to take on so much extra salary. Kaman is alright, but he's got a long term contract, and he's not really worth it, and his injuries are just as bad or worse than AK.

[Esohny]

Timberwolves fan here. There's been some talk on our board and on the trade board about a possible wolves trade for AK-47. Do you guys see a fair trade there?

[outerspacefella]

Timberwolves fan here. There's been some talk on our board and on the trade board about a possible wolves trade for AK-47. Do you guys see a fair trade there?

Kirilenko best days in Utah are in the past, but he really is a unique player still. He needs a freah start, but his contract... d'you have a deal in mind?

[Esohny]

If I recall, it was something along the lines of the 18th pick, expirings, Ryan Gomes or Randy Foye for AK-47. I haven't found the exact thread yet. The gist was to free up cap space for the Jazz and give them back a young player and a pick.

[erudite23]

I think a package built around either Gomes or Foye with the 18th pick would be a good deal for both sides. AK really would be revitalized by a trade to a different team, I believe, and would immmediately produce like a top 20 player again.

Foye could give us another creator on the perimeter who is a little more inclined to score than D-Will, a solid 3rd guard off the bench to run backup PG and maybe play 10-15 mpg of a small ball lineup with Brew sliding to the 3 and D-Will running the point as well.

Meanwhile, Gomes could be the combo forward to replace Harpring on the team, a guy with a good post game who can also come off screens at times and hit open shots, while providing an element of toughness. I've liked his game since the run he made with Providence back in the day.

I would be interested in that swap, especially if Minny had any non-guaranteed contracts to help us get out from under (at least part of) AK's deal this year.

[carrottop12]

Something like this...

Jazz send:

Andrei Kirilenko
CJ Miles
#20 Pick

Minnesota sends:

Mike Miller
Ryan Gomes
Brian Cardinal
#28 pick.

Why for the Jazz? They get out from underneath AK-47's contract a year earlier by taking on two one year expiring deals in Miller and Cardinal. They get a good shooter in Miller who can be used to replace Kyle Korver or Mehmet Okur if either decide to opt out, and has a strong veteran presence. Ryan Gomes is the real piece the Jazz covet however with his polished all around game and consistency. With Boozer, Okur, Korver, Harpring, Miller and Cardinal all coming off the books the Jazz become huge contenders for a big name player in the 2010 offseason, all while putting a very competitive team on the floor next season.

Why for the Wolves? With a team having as many holes as the Wolves do, a do it all player like Andrei Kirilenko could be a god-send. He has shown in the past when given a prominent role he can take a team of young players and misfits to a very competitive level (See 03-04 Jazz). He also adds shot blocking to a team with big man Kevin Love in the middle who isn't known for his defense around the basket. CJ Miles is another young player with solid upside who could really benefit from being a more vital part of the teams offense. Also they get out of another dead year from Cardinal and move up 8 spots in the draft giving them 3 picks this year in the top 20.

[dr0welf]

Are the wolves interested in trade Mike Miller? If we lose Korver this offseason he would be a good fit for the team.

Otherwise, I don't know if Foye would be happy being DWills back up even though I think he would thrive there; as multiple times they would probably play together.

Gomes and Smith might be an option as well if salaries can be worked out.

Any specific trades the wolves would be looking at?

[Esohny]

Since Kahn just got in, there's not a lot of information out there about what direction he's looking at. He's just made statements about trying to get "big time" players and so forth, which could mean he wants to develop them from picks, or more likely trade for a strong #2 guy to compliment Al Jefferson. I'm not sure if AK-47 is that guy, but if he's healthy he's very good.

It seems like trading Miller is one of the best ways to get good assets back, since he's making 9 million, is expiring, but is still a very productive player. He just means more basketball wise to a contending team than a rebuilding team.

[carrottop12]

^^^
Exactly. Mike Miller isn't going to take the Timberwolves to the playoffs, however he is the kind of guy that can take a #6-8 team in the playoffs to a #2-4 team considering usually those seedings have been separated by 2-5 games over the past two seasons.

[Kerrsed]

What would the State of Utah think about a AK47 to PHX for JRICH? Andre is pretty much DONE in Utah. Even if he were to play for you next year, i dont see him doing much, thus dropping his value even more.

A player like Richardson is what Utah has been missing. Pure firepower that can cut to the hoop and finish/ and is a major 3 point threat. Having both those abilities allows great floor spacing. He is also a ok defender (not the best/far from the worst). I could see him excelling in Utah as much as i could see AK47 doing in PHX.

Pretty even trade for both teams if you ask me.

[Soul Patch]

I'd be down. We could use his range because I don't think Korver is coming back.

[dr0welf]

I bet Korver stays in one year and then plays the 2010 market to see where the big names land. As for trading for Richardson it would depend on if Okur and Boozer for some reason don't opt out and are still on the team. If we lose AK with those two who would defend past Dwill and Brewer?

But if this was part of a 3 way trade that brought us a defensive threat in the middle I would easily be down with it.

[Soul Patch]

AK is going to P3 this offseason. I think that could help a lot with his weight issues and such. Hopefully he starts the season strong again and we might be able to pull of a nice trade.

[radtech]

Utah Incoming Players : Brandan Wright, Kelenna Azubuike, and Jamal Crawford

Golden State Incoming Players: Andrei Kirilenko

Why for Utah, it seems for years since Deron Williams arrived that the Jazz has needed a shooting guard capable of playing next to Williams. One thing Crawford can do is score and score in bunches but of course he has to put up alot of shots. Williams, already a team leader will help him play some defense and play with a little more control. Azubuike, was in the top ten in 3 point shooting and plays good defense. Boozer has an option to leave and Milsap can leave as well. Both are similar players. So by adding Wright, a long and athletic four that blocks shots and runs the floor like a guard. By trading three for one, this improves the depth without adding more contracts.

Why for GSW, they have too many role players that need time to develop. AK could see a revival of sorts. A run and gun team that will get up and down the court at will. They need his defense first mentality and sometimes offensive game. The trade opens more minutes for Morrow and Marco. With Monta Ellis mandating no point guards, a power forward or an younger back up behind S-Jax is more pressing.

[babyjax13]

This has been discussed TO DEATH. The Warriors don't want to give up many future assets, the Jazz want one of Maggette/Crawford, and Golden State wants both gone. It works as a 3 way best, otherwise Golden State looks to do something like Maggs/Crawford/prospect for AK. Azubuike won't be included in a deal and neither will Turiaf, but you can get one of Wright and Watson.

[erudite23]

If I have to read another sh*tty Jamal Crawford trade I'm going to light myself on fire. You could not, I repeat, COULD NOT find a worse player-team fit in the NBA than sending that peace of **** chucking, selfish, ignorant, idiotic, vacant minded thug to a team run by a coach and FO that value teamwork, selflessness, character, good judgment, intelligence and clean-cut marketability. When are you guys going to just stop. Its stupid and pointless. Jamal Crawford will not ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever play in a Jazz uniform.