El Correo Digital - A Remote Possibility (Scola To Hawks?)

[Marcus Bryant]

Edit - cool.

[Marcus Bryant]

Why do you think PHO won't match Johnson? Just curious. I guess I think they value him too much to just let him walk. They envision him and amare being able to hold down the fort for a very long time.

Too much guaranteed money committed to other players and Johnson's a nice player but the max is a bit much for him.

[benjirh]

Edit - cool.

What?

[benjirh]

Too much guaranteed money committed to other players and Johnson's a nice player but the max is a bit much for him.

I agree. It was a nice summer to be a SG. But I think they were pretty sure going into the summer that it was going to take close to max to keep him. And for some reason no one other than Atl has shown interest, making me wonder if others think that Pho will match no matter what.

[Marcus Bryant]

I think the Suns counted on his restricted free agent status being enough to keep his price down (ala Manu). They can, of course, match Atlanta's offer and then make a future deal to pare down payroll, but should they do that then they will be losing talent.

This definitely makes one appreciate what the Spurs were able to do with Manu and TP. They have both locked up long term without either on a max deal. Very nice.

[benjirh]

I think the Suns counted on his restricted free agent status being enough to keep his price down (ala Manu). They can, of course, match Atlanta's offer and then make a future deal to pare down payroll, but should they do that then they will be losing talent.

This definitely makes one appreciate what the Spurs were able to do with Manu and TP. They have both locked up long term without either on a max deal. Very nice.

Maybe so, but now comes the question, could he really play the point?

[BigDiggyD]

Good stuff.. I read through the CBA FAQ before I posted here and didn't see anything I felt was very specific to this scenario. Unless we work a three or four team trade I don't see any scenario I will be happy with if it doesnt include Smith. I will be OK with Childress but I prefer Smith.

[wildbill2u]

It looks to me like the Hawks are jammed up with good young (long) small forwards--Harrington, Josh Smith, Josh Childress, and draft pick Marvin Williams. Their center, Collier, is rather pedestrian at best and we're gonna have three pretty good ones, Oberto, Rasho, and Nasr (plus TD) at that position.

Could we package a straight trade deal to send either Nasr or Rasho to the Hawks for one of their excess forwards? Would the dollars work or could we make them work. Some of you GM candidates would know.

[benjirh]

I actually think they will keep all their swingmen. Williams can play the 4. At least that is what Atlanta will try. I still feel that Curry will go there through a trade for Harrington. And they will fill their PG and backup PF need with one of the leftovers at the end of free agency unless they are able to get JJ.

C-Curry/Collier
PF-Williams/?
SF-Childress/Diaw
SG-JSmith/DSmith
PG-(Johnson)?/Delk

[clubalien]

hmm what about the rule you never trade big for small unless you are trading for a superstar

well?

[bigbendbruisebrother]

This is a trade that's become very intriguing for me in the last couple of days. It would be Rasho and Scola for Al Harrington. They could throw in Boris Diaw and it would still work under the CBA.

If they are looking at this, there are a few things to wait on:

1. To see if Atlanta lands Joe Johnson. That would mean less money for #2:

2. To see if Atlanta can land Eddie Curry or Sam Dalembert. Either one would make Nesterovic less necessary.

3. To see if the Spurs can lock down Mohammed with an extension. I feel Rasho is cramped in the Spurs' scheme, though uncomplainingly, and could prosper in a different system (though that system probably isn't Atlanta's, but anyway...). I also feel Mohammed is a much more natural fit for the Spurs offense, where his unparalleled offensive rebounding is extremely helpful, and where he'll learn the defense to be comparable to Rasho.

Thoughts about Harrington on the Spurs:

1. One year left on his contract. He doesn't work out? Pfft. Contract disappears. Atlanta might not think they could keep him after this year. With Jason Collier or whoever they stick in as C, they practically have nothing.

2. Is a great character guy. Took Josh Smith under his wing last year the way Antonio Davis took him under his wing in Indiana. This might be a reason for Atlanta to balk.

3. More natural a bench player than a star. He produced for the Pacers off the bench and would do so again. Most scouting reports list him as a marginal starter at best but a very good bench guy.

4. He lacks three point range, almost a necessity in the Spurs' offense. They'd have to figure out what to do with a SF who doesn't like sitting in the corners. Fortunately, he has a good midrange jumper and would hit it on kick-outs, and with time, he could possibly be a threat from downtown.

5. He is a decent banger and plays well inside. In essence, this would transform the team the way a SAR acquisition would have (not saying that was possible), by giving the Spurs their first legitimate inside scorer in some time (other than Duncan). It would be an intriguing wrinkle to the offense.

In sum, this is a solid all-around player who struggled somewhat in Atlanta trying to be something he's not, which was a team-leader and number one player. However, he could have a big impact off the bench. We would lose a big, bulky defender, but Nesterovic is superfluous with the Oberto signing. Harrington has a strong character, so there is no issue there. If the relationship with Scola is irreparable, then his rights could be included to sweeten the pot. Harrington is a sure quality at this point who would be good for at least a season try out, with the consolation for semi-failure being cap relief.

Very intriguing, in my mind. Too bad he doesn't stick the three, but this is something that helps both teams and the Spurs would have to look very long and very hard at.

Nice take.

[FuzzyLumpkins]

well?

i have always hated blanket statements like this one. here is another one:

dont pay your bench players $7mil a season.

obviously the team is taking the wait and see approach on this one but rasho isnt going to see the light of day out there except against maybe miami. even that is doubtful now with the signing of oberto.

another way to look at your statement is that bigs have tremendous value.

childress if they could get him would be a steal at $3mil per season. he shoots a high percentage, rebounds well, doesnt turn the ball over and plays excellent defense. he needs to add weight and work on his range but at 22 years he already could contribute and can only get better.

factor in our need for a genuine 3 especially considering bowen just turned 34 and is sooner or later not going to be able to keep up with the lebron james of the world.

im really really hoping that phoenix remains financially solid and declines to match johnsons contract. 2007 with 3 max players doesnt bode well for them. with the aquisition of thomas im interested to see how they handle this.

if they decline i would expect a deal with the spurs almost immediately. now i have to wait for stupid dominoes.

[benjirh]

well?

Is that question for me? Because personally I don't agree with the rule and you aren't even saying it correctly. The UNWRITTEN rule is that you don't trade a big of comparable quality with a small. Is Nesterovic of comparable quality with Childress, I don't know. Is Scola of comparable quality with Childress, I don't know. That is up to pop and the other Spurs brass to decide. I have seen very little of them in person. And all I have seen has been from the 73rd row or my couch. So would I trade Nesterovic for Childress, possibly if it made our team better. Which also means we would need a backup plan for Nazr, because I don't believe Oberto is it. Does that answer your question?

[benjirh]

Looks like fuzzy and I were thinking the same thing and both thought the question was directed at us. So hope you got your answer from one of us alien.