A four way trade of the following nature should go down:
Hawks Trade:
Shareef Abdur Rahim
Chris Crawford
Alan Henderson
Theo Ratliff
Nazr Mohammed
Dan Dickau
2 2nd Rnd Picks (2004 and 2005)
1st Round Pick (Philly's via Glenn deal)
Hawks Receive:
Rasheed Wallace
Wesley Person
Jake Tsadkalitis
Tom Gugliota
Why Hawks do this: Well, will this trade, their starting lineup will be just as good as if they didn't make the deal. However, the only players under contract at the end of this season would be JT, Diaw, and Henson (approx 9 mill). So, they would have 35 million cap room for next offseason (maybe KG, Kobe, Iverson, etc!!!). Cap space makes team more enticing for owner to start over. Giving away picks means less committed money and more flexibility in free agency. Plus, this lineup with good signings for this year may still be competitive without injuries. Losing the draft picks hurts for rebuilding, but with all that money for free agency, it would not matter. Plus, we still would have our 1st round pick. With this trade, we would be the envy of the league next offseason with a lottery first round pick, JT at 7.5 million, 2 rookies at 1.5 million, and 35 million in cap room.
Portland Trades:
Rasheed Wallace
Jeff McInnis
Portland Receives:
Shareef Abdur Rahim
Alan Henderson
Atlanta 2nd Round Pick 2005
Why Portland does the trade? They get rid of two troubling players and receive two great citizens. Rahim and Wallace are equal swaps, except Rahim is under contract. Plus, Charlotte may take Henderson off their hands at the end of the season in the expanson draft b/c he would be in his last year and be a good vetern.
Memphis Trades:
Wesley Person
Memphis Receives:
Nazr Mohammed
Jeff McInnis
2nd Round Pick of Atlanta 2004
Why Memphis does trade? They get a big man for an expiring contract and also a pick. Plus, McInnis may allow West to deal Jason Williams for more talent.
Phoenix Trades:
Tom Gugliota
Jake Tsadkalitis
Phoenix Receives:
Theo Ratliff
Chris Crawford
Dan Dickau
2003 1st Rnd Pick of ATL from Philly (Glen trade)
Why Phoenix does trade?
Their starting lineup will have five potential allstars with Stephon Marbury, Anfernee Hardaway, Shaun Marion, stud PF, and Theo (who will be the 3rd best C in west behind Shaq and Yao). They do give up a large expiring contract, but if they want to contend in the west, they need to do this.
This trade does work out against salary cap constraints per www.realgm.com trade checker.
Thoughts?
