Thursday, February 5th, 2009...11:40 pm
Trade Season Tilt-a-Whirl: Twirl No. 2
Many of our reader have accelerated heart rates this morning, thanks to Marc Stein. Yesterday he wrote:
The surprise stems from the rumbles I’ve heard about Detroit free-agent-to-be Rasheed Wallace, he who is chief among the Pistons unsettled by the realization that big changes are undoubtedly coming in that locker room, having legit interest in joining the Spurs to team up with his 2005 NBA Finals nemesis Tim Duncan.
Those readers who latched onto the above quote would do well to remember the sentence that followed. Stein continues, “Don’t see a real trade possibility here — given that the Pistons are unlikely to take back anything other than expiring contracts…”
In short, this trade is a near impossibility for the Pistons and Spurs. It would take some serious CBA gymnastics, and few world class imaginations, and some real GM “I got your back” love to even get near it. Basically, two things would have to happen: 1) Dumars is content to trade Wallace for little in return other than expiring contracts and 2) a third team would have to enter the discussion and be just as crazy.
Or, the Pistons buy out Wallace in an attempt to upstage Chris Wallace on the absurd giveaway front. Accept, in this case, they really will have upstaged him. How is that for sticking it to the Lakers? Perhaps, that sort of thing would impress prospective free agents. I don’t know. But it would make most folks throw up in their beds. That I’m certain of. Just ask Rob Mahoney.
If you think making this kind of trade is easy, try it for yourself and post your solutions below. Happy TMing.

15 Comments
February 6th, 2009 at 5:35 am
We’ve discussed this in PTR, and all I have to say regarding ‘Sheed is: Yes, yes, yes, yes, YES. Let’s make this trade. Someone make it work somehow. Please.
I’ve never used the TM before, believe it or not. I just don’t know enough about the moneymaking and moneylosing part of this business, and I only got to the 5th point in the
Salary Cap FAQ before nodding off. But I’m so excited about the possibility of watching Tim and ‘Sheed play together that I did my best… and FAILED.
Because five players for one surely is a failure. Although JV and Udoka probably don’t count. Or Bowen. But two players for one is still pretty bad.
Then again ‘Sheed can make some of Bowen’s 3s, and he can take over Kurt’s defensive duties. Kind of. And we could try to find some serviceable role players to fill the empty spots…
But no, it doesn’t work. Someone else give it a shot, please?
February 6th, 2009 at 6:43 am
And Bowen’s contract is not expiring. Joe Dumars is not taking on any cap.
If you ask me, it’s an exercise in futility. But I’d love someone to prove me wrong.
February 6th, 2009 at 7:20 am
well, a 3rd team might be need……can seattle/thunder’s GM help us again?
February 6th, 2009 at 7:24 am
Juan,
Click on “try it for yourself” and let us know. I’m almost at the point of double dog daring readers to find a deal. Soon as that clever soul emerges, I’ll lead a relentless spam campaign to all the respective front offices…
Really, Rasheed Wallace would have to leave money on the table in a buy out for Dumars to even consider letting him walk.
February 6th, 2009 at 7:25 am
One possibility …
http://games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=883~1996~242~846~866~598&teams=24~11~8~11~8~8&te=874:11-615&cash=
Spurs get: Rasheed Wallace
Pistons get: Rasho Nesterovic, Ime Udoka, Michael Finley
Pacers get: Kurt Thomas, Matt Bonner, Jacque Vaughn (trade exception)
February 6th, 2009 at 7:28 am
Why would the Pacers want any of those players? And, it’s no dice on Finley. He has a clause in his contract that allows him to approve/disapprove any trade.
February 6th, 2009 at 7:33 am
One point that Marc Stein made was that this was not a likely trade possibility, but it might be something to watch for in free agency. We might be disappointed that they can’t swing it this year, but having Sheed for training camp and the entire year next year would make us one of the favorites. From what I hear about Sheed, he has an incredibly high “basketball IQ”, so he’d be able to pick up the Spurs’ system right away.
February 6th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Juan != Juan H.
Having ‘Sheed playing next to Duncan would be a match made in heaven. He is a great defender (except when he left Horry open
) and has the range to spread the floor for Tim. Sure, he is not getting any younger but he would fit in for the 2012-2013 plan of winning now and leaving the door open for a rebuilding effort around the end of the Big 3 run.
By the way, that 3 team trade is awful for all the Spurs, they would be giving up 5 guys! 2 starters, 1 rotation big and 2 very decent “scrubs” (who would probably be rotation players elsewhere).
@Tim: The Pacers might not like those players that much but they would still take that trade since they only give up Rasho. Same for the Pistons since they get a starting center and 2 above average defenders and shooters.
Ok, maybe I’m just considering the talent of players involved and not considering how them would fit into the rosters nor the financial aspect of it.
February 6th, 2009 at 9:38 am
I think I just wet myself reading that. No, not urine.
February 6th, 2009 at 9:43 am
What about something involving…gulp…Manu? I mean, are we going to extend him this summer? If not, next year he is playing without a contract, might as well try and get something back…maybe? I’m sure that is sac-relig in Spurs circles but he has a decent contract that come off before 2010.
February 6th, 2009 at 9:51 am
@Matthew: Yes, it is sacrilege. Manu is a Spur. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.
I don’t see this trade happening. It doesn’t seem worth it.
February 6th, 2009 at 9:55 am
@Matthew
Not only would it be consider blasphemy!
It’s because we would never get equal value for him. The few players the Spurs could even consider trading for him are deemed untouchables by their respective teams. I think someone came up with a list last week on a post about this very subject.
http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/01/28/the-manu-conundrum/
and
http://www.48minutesofhell.com/2009/01/27/countdown-to-2010-day-520/
February 6th, 2009 at 10:18 am
How about sign and trade Horry + Bonner, Udoka, Oberto for Rasheed
February 6th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Here’s the thing: a Spurs team with two perimeter bigs is match up nightmare for the Lakers. Even in fairy land scenario where Sheed came to San Antonio from Detroit, I suspect the Spurs would want to keep Bonner.
February 6th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
If we promise to DNP-CD for Finley again will he go along with a trade?
Anyway that Pistons get Stodrmire, we get Sheed, and then Kerr takes on a combination of Spurs and Pistons only Kerr could love? I love signing and using Horry as an option, but is this even a possibility?
With Sheed and the Big Three, Spurs would rule the world. I dont want to wait til summer, because other teams, will have more money for him.
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