By: David Kay
Antawn Jamison to Cleveland. Darko to Minnesota. One fan base is thinking trophy, the other remains tortured.
Cavs Get: PF Antawn Jamsion, PG Sebastian Telfair
Wizards Get: C Zydrunas Ilgauskas, SF Al Thornton, Cavs 2010 1st Round Pick, draft rights to Emir Preldzic
Clippers Get: PF Drew Gooden
Why this makes sense for the Cavs:
Because they had to do something before the trade deadline to get LeBron some more help and Jamison came to Cleveland without having to give up promising forward J.J. Hickson. The Cavs have a six-and-a-half game lead in the Eastern Conference so it is not like they needed Jamison to make the Finals, but rather to compete with the Lakers in a potential NBA Finals showdown.
Why this makes sense for the Wizards:
Because they are blowing up their roster like it was a fist bump from two thirty-six year olds at a bar league softball game. For a team who dealt the fifth overall pick in last year’s draft for a pair of veterans because they felt they were a couple role players away from being serious contenders, it is all about cap space. Big Z will likely be waved. Al Thornton is a young scorer with a relatively cheap contract. The Cavs’ draft pick will help the re-building project. Washington will now be about $9 million under the cap this summer assuming Josh Howard’s team option is picked up. If it is not, the Wiz could have around $20 in cap space. If only they could somehow dissolve Gilbert Arenas’ contract (aka the worst contract in professional sports.)
Why this makes sense for the Clippers:
By trading Thornton, that clears another couple million in cap space so the Clippers can be a major player in the much-anticipated free agency class of 2010. Sip on this for a second; what if that two-million dollars the Clips cleared by getting rid of Thornton ultimately plays the difference in LeBron coming to L.A. this off-season? It is a bit far-fetched but not completely unrealistic. If that is the case, Cavs’ GM Danny Ferry just played a major part in the trade that could have helped LeBron leave Cleveland. Ish.
Winner: Cavs… and whoever signs Big Z once he is waved by the Wiz.
Timberwolves Get: C Darko Milicic
Knicks Get: PF Brian Cardinal, Cash
Why this makes sense for the Timberwolves:
Because GM David Kahn is “intrigued” by Darko and wants to see what he can do for the final 20-plus games in Minnesota. Let me save you some time Mr. Kahn, he will continue to be a bust, play zero defense, and constantly look confused when he is on the floor. There is a reason the former #2 overall pick is now joining his fifth team in seven years. Don’t be surprised though if Darko shows a pulse and parlays that into a three-year, $18 million contract from Kahn this summer. By the way, that sound you heard was every T-Wolves fan slamming their head through a wall after realizing that is a very distinct possibility.
Why this makes sense for the Knicks:
It saves them some money under the luxury tax. That’s it.
Winner: Knicks… and me because I get to constantly hear how entertaining the Darko era is in Minnesota from TSB’s Peter Christian and my numerous friends who are T-Wolves’ fans.