MIN - PHX - OKC

[shrink]

The key to a good trade is to get maximum value for your assets by moving them to the team where they'd have the most value. I think there are few players in the NBA that a cheap guy like Sarver would like to acquire more than Derrick Williams.

He's a local favorite, so he generates ticket sales and off-court revenue. He's locked into the rookie scale for four years, and doesn't have the leverage to force his way out for another three. And he's the most athletic player in the last draft. If PHX elects to rebuild, Williams would be perfect.

Now let me say something that PHX fans will rip me for. Nash AND Gortat are not enough trade value.

Nash is a great player, but he's only valuable for the remainder of this season. Same goes for Gortat, since - because he won't accept the bargain ETO in 2013-14, he will have the leverage to force his way out next season. Unlike other players who force their way out, Gortat isn't even risking much money to do so - he'll clearly make more in free agency. So while Nash and Gortat are clearly better players...

.. is 1 year of Nash + 1+ year of Gortat > 7 years of Derrick Williams?

I doubt it, but let's play with that.

===============================

PHX GIVES: Nash + Gortat
PHX GETS: Derrick Williams + Pekovic + Eric Maynor (inj) + Nazr + MEM 1st

OKC GIVES: Harden + Perkins + Eric Maynor (inj) + Nazr
OKC GETS: Nash + Gortat

MIN GIVES: Williams + Pekovic + Mem 1st
MIN GETS: Harden + Perkins

PHX gets it's cheap rebuild package, getting something for Nash and Gortat before they leave next year. Their pick becomes hugely valuable, and they get Maynor next year too.

OKC gets a good shot at a ring this year. Even better, they are a better destination than PHX or MIN, so they may be able to extend Gortat and keep Nash a few more years as well. I'd like to see Nash get a ring - PHX fans might too.

MIN sacrifices Williams, but gets great value and better win-now pieces locked into a contract. If OKC would rather send Westbrook, I'd also include Ridnour plus ... Perkins is a defensive center and locked up for a while, which fits us and he just turned 27. Harden is a great fit, and I think Westbrook (Love's pal) would be great alongside Rubio too.

http://espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=89w2mgr

(thanks to RCG on the Trade Board)

[C.lupus]

Don't know if OKC does this but I say "Yes please".

[younggunsmn]

Pretty creative, but I think you're forgetting that derrick williams has proven nothing in this league yet. Team control is big and everything, but you have to prove you're a pretty good player to make that team control worth giving up guys as good as nash and gortat.

What does OKC do with Nash and westbrook? Harden and Perkins are perfect fits for them. There was a reason they overpaid so heavily for perkins. He makes them an elite defensive team.

[Krapinsky]

Don't know if OKC does this but I say "Yes please".

+ 1

I think PHX would sooner just cut out MN and take Harden + Perkins. It's much better than the Derrick Williams + Pu Pu platter.

[jscott]

I like the idea but I don't think OKC fans will sign-off on this and honestly I am not sure what could be thrown their way from either team to offset the balance.

[Narf]

I believe OKC says no.

But I've been thinking of something along similar lines.
Nash, Gortat for Darko, Williams, Ridnour

We then resign Gortat for more money and lock up a starting C for the next 6 years.

[slinky]

Why do we want Steve Nash?

I am not sure I buy Steve Nash or Ricky Rubio in the current Luke Ridnour/JJ Barea role. I like Nash, but seems like we diminish the value of Rubio and (trade value of) Derrick Williams with a trade like this.

Keep in mind I am not saying this deal is not fair value or at least near it...but just not sure what acquiring Nash does for us.

[Esohny]

Why do we want Steve Nash?

I am not sure I buy Steve Nash or Ricky Rubio in the current Luke Ridnour/JJ Barea role. I like Nash, but seems like we diminish the value of Rubio and (trade value of) Derrick Williams with a trade like this.

Keep in mind I am not saying this deal is not fair value or at least near it...but just not sure what acquiring Nash does for us.

Nash goes to OKC in this scenario.

edit: Unless you're responding to Narf...in that case, I agree with you.

[[RCG]]

Narf,

Perhaps we could move Nash to a different team for additional assets. I'd have to believe PHX would like Derrick Williams back as he'd be the best player in the league for re-building/fan support.

I like Shrink's idea but personally I'm not too high on Perkins.

[shrink]

Pretty creative, but I think you're forgetting that derrick williams has proven nothing in this league yet. Team control is big and everything, but you have to prove you're a pretty good player to make that team control worth giving up guys as good as nash and gortat.

What does OKC do with Nash and westbrook? Harden and Perkins are perfect fits for them. There was a reason they overpaid so heavily for perkins. He makes them an elite defensive team.

Yes, but Williams has proven plenty in the state of Arizona, and there's a reason he went #2. Personally, I think they'd rather have that (and the other rebuild pieces), than 50 remaining games of Nash and Gortat. Neither will be back.

Gortat > Perkins, and Nash = < Westbrook .. at least if you're thinking about play-offs for the next year or two. I also like it because both Nash and Gortat have more value in OKC, because they will give them multiple years.

I think Westbrook can have plenty of value at the 2, either next to Nash or Rubio. I think Westbrook > Harden, but if OKC disagrees, I'd gladly take Westbrook instead, and add in Ridnour to boot.

These are all extreme moves for each team to go firmly in a given direction. PHX rebuilds and makes money, MIN improves it's worse spots, and OKC goes for a championship. I personally believe that if you have the talent on your team to get a ring, you make the moves to do it. That window can close so very fast, just like it did no POR.

[Narf]

Why do we want Steve Nash?

I am not sure I buy Steve Nash or Ricky Rubio in the current Luke Ridnour/JJ Barea role. I like Nash, but seems like we diminish the value of Rubio and (trade value of) Derrick Williams with a trade like this.

Keep in mind I am not saying this deal is not fair value or at least near it...but just not sure what acquiring Nash does for us.

Mostly it makes us better and a lot more fun to watch.
We have no draft pick this year to worry about, so might as well take a 1 year playoff run and sell off one of Nash/Ridnour/Barea for another piece. He's an asset in the least. I'm sure the Knicks would trade anyone but Chandler/Amare/Melo and/or take back any contracts we wanted to add to get Nash. Anyone like Fields or Shumpert?

[Reddy83]

If I'm OKC here the concept is VERY intriguing to get Nash on a flyer and see what Westbrook can do at the 2, but ultimately it gets shot down for fear that Westbrook freaks out and can't mesh with the most easy to mesh with teammate ever.

OKC is in such a good spot. I'm jealous.

[shrink]

Best Roster for OKC?:

1. Harden + Perkins for Nash + Gortat ...?

PG Nash, Reggie Jackson, Ivey
SG Westbrook, Sefolosha
SF Durant, Daequan Cook, Hayward, Marcus Dove
PF Ibaka, Collison, Ryan Reid
C Gortat, Aldrich

2. ... Westbrook + Perkins for Nash + Gortat + Ridnour ...?

PG Nash, Ridnour, Reggie Jackson, Ivey
SG Harden, Sefolosha
SF Durant, Daequan Cook, Hayward, Marcus Dove
PF Ibaka, Collison, Ryan Reid
C Gortat, Aldrich

3. ... or do nothing?

PG Westbrook, Reggie Jackson, Ivey, Maynor (inj)
SG Sefolosha, Harden
SF Durant, Daequan Cook, Hayward, Marcus Dove
PF Ibaka, Collison, Ryan Reid
C Perkins, Aldrich, Nazr

[youngthegiant]

worst trade ever

[jade_hippo]

I don't think there is any way Harden leaves OKC unless he says he wants out or he isn't going to re-sign. Watch OKC play, he's probably as untradable as Durant, if not, its very close .

[Mr Dew]

I like this trade (obviously) for the Wolves and regarding the concern about Williams above, keep in mind that he went to school at Arizona so they know what type of player they would be getting... a very, very good one who would immediately generate interest in their fan base.

[Mr Dew]

Best Roster for OKC?:

1. Harden + Perkins for Nash + Gortat ...?

PG Nash, Reggie Jackson, Ivey
SG Westbrook, Sefolosha
SF Durant, Daequan Cook, Hayward, Marcus Dove
PF Ibaka, Collison, Ryan Reid
C Gortat, Aldrich

2. ... Westbrook + Perkins for Nash + Gortat + Ridnour ...?

PG Nash, Ridnour, Reggie Jackson, Ivey
SG Harden, Sefolosha
SF Durant, Daequan Cook, Hayward, Marcus Dove
PF Ibaka, Collison, Ryan Reid
C Gortat, Aldrich

3. ... or do nothing?

PG Westbrook, Reggie Jackson, Ivey, Maynor (inj)
SG Sefolosha, Harden
SF Durant, Daequan Cook, Hayward, Marcus Dove
PF Ibaka, Collison, Ryan Reid
C Perkins, Aldrich, Nazr

To win a championship during Nash's window in the next few years? #1.
To contend long-term? #3.

Since long-term planning doesn't guarantee anything in the way of championships, you go for it with Nash if you can.