hawks2007

Atlanta - New York Trade: Eddy Curry to Atlanta Zaza Pachulia, Speedy Claxton, and Salim Stoudamire to NY Why? For Atlanta, they get a big man who has his problems, but is young and hopefully can mature. Signing an experienced big man may make for a good 1 year deal, but the upside of a young, talented big man could create a dynasty if he develops. For NY, this trade may be addition by subtraction, giving Zach Randolph who is clearly better more room to operate in the post. Atlanta's Line-up: PG - Mike Bibby, Acie Law SG - Joe Johnson, Josh Childress SF - Marvin Williams, Jeremy Richardson PF - Josh Smith, Solomon Jones C - Al Horford, Eddy Curry This team is young, talented, and 2 deep at each position. Finally, if the Hawks don't use Claxton's contract this year, it essentially is a waste in cap-space talk as they will be over the limit with signing Childress and Smith.

Atlanta to New York: Sheldon Williams Speedy Claxton Tyronne Lue Lorenzen Wright New York to Atlanta: Eddy Curry Malik Rose Why Atlanta does this? This trade gives Atlanta a center. C - Eddy Curry, Zaza Puchilia PF - Josh Smith, Al Horford, Malik Rose SF - Marvin Williams, Solomon Jones SG - Joe Johnson, Josh Childress, Mario West PG - Anthony Johnson, Acie Law, Salim Stoudamire What a deep lineup!! Also, next off season Malik Rose and Zaza Puchilia come off our salary cap. Why New York does this? This is to start re-building. Obviously, from a talent standpoint they get killed, but clears up significant cap-space by losing Speedy (to retirement), Lo Wright and Ty Lue this year, and some talent that is cheap at Sheldon Williams. This gives them cap space to be able to go after D Wade or L James when they are free agents in 3 years which Eddy Curry locks up space through then. (See Marc Stein's article on ESPN) Also, Zach Randolph is better than Eddy Curry and they need to get rid of one of the two. Plus, Malik Rose is just expensive and takes up playing time while a younger player could be developing. Thoughts?

How about Josh Smith + Filler (Lorenzen Wright, Ty Lue, Salim Stoudemire - all last year of deal) for Gilbert Arenas. Wizards have 1 win, Arenas is not happy and free agent. Allows Wizards to start Anthony Daniels at PG (who can be exciting) and add youth with Smith. Wizards Starting Lineup PG - Anthony Daniels SG - Caron Butler SF - Antwan Jamison PF - Josh Smith C - Brandon Haywood For Hawks, if they can extend Arenas (despite knee injury), gives them the go to playmaker they are lacking. Plus, lets be honest, Smith does not fit. Horford is our PF of the future (he is not a center). Plus, with Marvin Williams playing well, he is our SF. So, imagine PG - Gilbert Arenas, Acie Law SG - Joe Johnson, Josh Childress SF - Marvin Williams, Mario West PF - Al Horford, Shelden Williams C - Zaza Pachiula Thoughts? (Hawks must extend him before trade, and Hawks may have to add other talent ?Shelden ?Childress - but as long as it leaves us with that starting lineup, I don't care!!)

I think the Hawks are too deep at all positions and need to get rid of some of their talent for a star. I propose: Speedy Claxton, Shelden Williams, and Josh Childress for Richard Jefferson This gives the Hawks a SF who can play in the open court, has an outside stroke and can also excel in the half court game, as well as defend. This trade also takes out the worry of having to sign Childress as well as gets us out of Claxton's terrible contract and open the PG jam of 4 to 3. Further, gives space for Mario West (lock-down defender) and Solomon Jones to get into the game, as it sounds like they have been playing amazing in training camp. Imagine: PG: Ty Lue, Acie Law, Anthony Johnson SG: Joe Johnson, Mario West SF: Richard Jefferson, Marvin Williams PF: Josh Smith, Al Horford, Solomon Jones C: Zaza Pachulia, Lorenzen Wright This trade does not hurt cap wise (essentially the same, except that Richard Jefferson locked in). This second unit complements the first extremely well. Lastly, at the end of the year, the Hawks then let Ty Lue, Lorenzen Wright, Anthony Johnson, and Salim Stoudamire walk and sign Gilbert Arenas (close friends with former college teammate Richard Jefferson)to a max deal (which will be about 14 mil). Finally, allow Josh Smith to get offer as restricted free agent and match it - signing him now does lock him up and potentially for cheaper, but then takes up our entire cap space preventing signing of Gilbert, as we can go over the cap to match him as a restricted free agent. Yes, this will be expensive, but by this time the ownership group situation should be figured out and the Spirit will be looking to finally contend. Imagine a starting five of Gilbert, Joe, Richard, Josh, and Zaza with off the bench of Acie, Marvin, and Al. OUCH!

Hawks Trade: Josh Childress, Anthony Johnson, Lorenzen Wright Denver Trades: Marcus Camby Why? This trade helps out both teams. Denver risks trading a big man, but nobody is going to take Kenyon Martin (with his large contract and recent injury) and their front court is crowded with Nene, Carmelo, K-Mart with Ed Najura and Reggie Evans coming off the bench. Plus, this team does not want to pay Luxury Tax and will have to pay it with Camby, whereas they get major relief with Anthony Johnson and Wright being free agents. Plus, depth at guard positions is limited with only AI, esp with the trouble JR Smith gave the team last year. Childress is great 6 man plus he will be a restricted free agent at the end of this year and allow them to save money or re-sign him. For Atlanta, no brainer as Childress comes off the bench and Camby will give the Hawks the most impressive, defensive minded, athletic frount court with veteran leadership. Plus, his contract his reasonable. Imagine this lineup: PG - Tyronne Lue, Acie Law SG - Joe Johnson SF - Josh Smith, Marvin Williams PF - Al Horford, Sheldon Williams C - Marcus Camby, Zaza Pachulia This team could go comfortably 9 deep, and with not having to sign Childress (essentially Camby = signing Childress to reasonable contract), will now know how much money is available to sign Smith. This team is exactly what BK wants - long and thick up front that are athletic. I think the hardest part of the trade is convincing Denver, but if KM and Nene are healthy, they would go for this. Thoughts?