NBA Trade Rumors Part II: Zach Randolph to Pistons?
June 17th, 2008 – Dr. Dime
In Part I of our NBA pre-draft trade rumors we discussed a couple of Raptors-Knicks and Raptors-Pistons trade talks. Although we have heard that the calls of Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo to Pistons GM Joe Dumars have begun to go unanswered as of late, there apparently are still mutual ongoing discussions with Colangelo and New York Knicks GM Donnie Walsh regarding a possible Jamal Crawford deal. It is now clear that the Raptors are unwilling to part with point guard Jose Calderon, as Colangelo views him as the future starting floor general for the franchise. We will keep you updated on those discussions as the talks evolve.
However for Part II of our NBA pre-draft rumors, we are going to focus on more recent trade discussions, once again involving the Pistons, Knicks, and this time the Los Angeles Clippers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Denver Nuggets. While we know changes are inevitable in New York with the hiring of head coach Mike D’Antoni and his up-tempo offense, the most likely casualties for the Knicks look to be slower half-court players such as Eddie Curry, Zach Randolph, and Jerome James. One thing is for sure for the Knicks is they need a pass-first point guard to steer the ship, and it’s not likely to be Stephon Marbury or Nate Robinson. Will the Knicks be able to get their coveted pick O.J. Mayo at the 6 spot in the draft? D’Antoni certainly hopes so.
Zach Randolph to the Pistons
We have all heard rumors about Joe Dumars looking to make some big moves in the off-season. While some have talked about him possibly seeking to blow-up his team and rebuild after a lengthy run as an Eastern Conference perennial powerhouse, the other end of the spectrum has talked about him trying to make a move for one final piece to the puzzle to get over the hump for that title. There have been many names thrown about, but most consistently the names Tracy McGrady and Carmelo Anthony have been brought up. Possibly because speculation has emerged about both big name players being on the trading block, as each player after this post-season has now solidified their reputation as a great player who just can’t get it done in the playoffs.
Put all of that aside for a minute however, and a new rumor has been thrown in the mix. What if Dumars doesn’t have to rebuild right away, what if he can get another low-post scoring threat to allow Rasheed Wallace to float on the perimeter shooting his outside jumper without giving the Pistons coaching staff consistent headaches? Could Zach Randolph of the Knicks be the answer the Pistons are looking for? I certainly think so. Zach Randolph is going to be moved before next season, that is an almost certainty at this point. Although the knock on Randolph has always been his off-court maturity issues and lack of leadership, the veteran Pistons group may be just what he needs to help him pull his act together and play for a contending team. Getting a taste of winning might change his attitude altogether.
But who would the Pistons be willing to give up to get Randolph? If the reports are true, Dumars would have to consider shipping at least one of his big money players, as Randolph has 3 years and $48 million left on his contract with the Knicks. I doubt the Pistons would consider parting with Rasheed in such a deal, for one major reason. The Randolph/Sheed reunion from their earlier days in Portland would obviously be part of the Pistons management thinking on successfully transitioning Randolph to a new team while maintaining the Pistons chemistry.
I give this one only a 1/10 shot at actually happening, for the main fact that I don’t see the Pistons unloading one of their major players to take on the bloated contract of Randolph. That to me would seem counterproductive if their goal is to make another legitimate run at the title.
Michael Redd to Knicks
The latest rumors around the Milwaukee Bucks franchise has them working the phones to deal their sharp shooter Michael Redd, and PG Mo Williams. Moving Redd makes sense to me as the Bucks clearly have a youth movement underway, and after this season it is obvious that the with Redd continuing to get the majority of the touches it is hurting the development of a lot of their growing young talent. Redd has 2 years and $33 million left on his contract with the Bucks.
On the other hand I don’t understand why they are looking to deal Mo Williams. He has had a solid couple of seasons for the Bucks, and they just last year matched an offer sheet of the Miami Heat for Williams in order to keep him longer term. If they didn’t see Williams as part of their long term plan, why wouldn’t they just let the Heat sign him rather than subject themselves to the difficulty of trying to move his contract now?
Regardless of those facts, word on the street is the Bucks are shopping these two guards. Although I’m skeptical of the validity of the Williams discussion, I think the Redd talks are legitimate with discussions taking place with the Knicks and Clippers. So where will Redd end up? My money is on the New York Knicks. They have a lot of big assets they can use as trade bait that would fit the Bucks long term goals, and Redd would clearly be the perfect fit for D’Antoni and his run and gun offense in New York. Redd his whole career, and specifically last summer when playing for D’Antoni (assistant coach) and Team USA in the FIBA America’s Olympic qualifying tournament proved he is one of the best shooters in the world right now from beyond the arc. D’Antoni and Redd are a match made in heaven for the New York Knicks.
Gilbert Arenas to Clippers
I hear that Elton Brand isn’t happy these days. My question is; how was he ever happy playing for the ‘paper-clips’? Aside from their one successful season a couple of years ago, every year since Brand’s arrival the Clippers management has failed to keep young talent or sign quality players to place around Elton. They are year in and year out hanging out at the bottom of the Western Conference. Will the Clippers look to make any big moves this off-season?
The latest news on the Clippers is centered around the Washington Wizards superstar Gilbert Arenas. The Wizards are in discussions with Arenas about a possible contract extension, as Arenas can opt-out of his current contract as soon as this summer. Arenas may be just the player the Clippers need to convince Brand they are serious about winning. Although with Arenas still being owed $13 million next season it will be difficult for the Clippers to offer Arenas the money it will take to lure him away from the Wizards and still remain anywhere near the salary cap. Which would mean that the more likely subject of discussions right now would be focused on if Brand opts-out of his contract this summer and jets for another ball-club, the Clippers could go after Arenas to replace their jaded franchise player.
I’m sure Clips fans everywhere are hoping for the former and not the latter. Brand is a class act and it would be a shame if he left LA for greener pastures. Greener being wins, not cash. Personally I wouldn’t blame Brand for wanting out, but if he does decide to leave LA hopefully he will give Clippers management notice so they can at least try and work a sign and trade.
I’m out like Randolph in NYC!
Have you heard a trade rumor lately that might have legs? Share it with our readers in the comments section below!
i can’t see dumars trading for randolph, unless he’s sure they can control him. he would be a solid inside player for them, and would have lots of room with billups, wallace and hamilton on the perimeter. he’s just too much of a black hole on offense for my liking, mad skills tho.
redd needs a change of scenery, he should have taken less money to go to cleveland when he had the chance…the looks he would have got with lebron on the wing would have been ridiculous.
i agree trading williams now makes no sense, they haven’t made one right move since they traded ray allen for kibbles n bits.
Raps Fan is right, the Bucks are on the wrong track on almost all decisions. The only good one I can think of though is something I thought Raps fan would remember with Raptors. Trading injury prone TJ ford to Raps for quality big man/outside shooter Charlie Villeneuva was a great move.
Charlie V had a solid year and seems to get better every year. good move there for the bucks. now raptors will have tough time unloading ford for any quality player.
Randolph is a solid NBA player but has way too many off-court issues. A team like Detroit would be a good change for him especially with the veterns showing him the ropes. NYC is never a good location for young rich athletes. it would be a tough trade to make though. who would you send the other way? hamilton/billups/prince?
If I were the Bucks and wanted to trade Redd I would be shipping him out west. maybe the Clippers or Blazers. Redd would light the Bucks up 4 times a year if he played for the Knicks.
I’m pretty sure that Gilbs is going to be back with the Wiz. he’s opted out and wants a longterm deal for a lot of money. I’d like to see Brand somewhere else, but like you guys said, he needs to let the Clip know so they dont get effed over
I’m glad you guys mentioned that Melo talk has cooled a bit. There is no way the nuggets are dumb enough to trade him. He is teh future of the league along with Lebron and Wade.
Also, Masterjuddi is right that randolph has too many behaviour issues. Then again it reminds me of Rasheed when he came. everyone thought he had too much attitude in portland then he really became the key to the pistons winning the title.
Maybe same can happen with z-bo
You don’t understand why the bucks would want to move Williams? It’s pretty obvious, they have a brand new GM and a brand new head coach. They had to match Miami’s offer last season because there wasn’t anyone available to take over.
Williams is a shooting point guard and he doesn’t fit on a team like the bucks. He sucks at feeding the ball inside or to the offensive talent of Jianlian and Redd and Mo’s shooting is redundant with Redd and a shooting PF like Yi.
The most likely scenario IMO is that the bucks will give up Mo Williams and Charlie Villanueva. Both want to leave, Charlie wants to start and he’s good enough to on another team. The bucks will use these two players and their draft pick to acquire defensive and passing skills at small forward and point guard.
I’m 11 and I think that mike redd will be a cav for many reasons. one reason is that the knicks or clippers want Mo williams in that package. The cavs don’t really care who they give up[ not Lbj] I also think they want a draft pick and the knicks or Clippers are not willing to give that up. Lebron and REDD will be a great combo!
Knicks should just concentrate on selecting a quality guard at 6, a Westbrook for example. Holding pat may be the best prescription for the Knicks. Curry and Randolph can contribute whatever they can, and compete for minutes, while Marbury can either attempt to extend his NBA past this current year, or play himself into oblivion. Let’s just wait it out, and let some of these expiring contracts simply expire. Celtics were patient, and lucky. Perhaps we can emulate. At least the we have a coaching upgrade to look forward to.
Bill,
You’re right that the knicks may be best to just hold their pick and take the best available guard or an athletic big that can run in d’antoni’s system.
however about expriing contracts. In today’s NBA with the cap space situation, they are too valuable an asset to just let them expire. especially in new york where money doesn’t seem to be an object and the cap is a non issue for dolan who just keeps shelling out money
I like M redd to the knick withone of their pwoer forwards for Randoplh and #6
I heard that michael redd was being traded to cleveland?
Elton Brand should leave the clippers. and move onto chicago or somewhere. and NO the clippers will NOT get Gilbert Arenas
I work in the rumor world in Washington DC.
Trust me Guys Gilbert Arenas will not be going anywere for a while.
i think the bulls should draft rose then trade hinrich and thomas (tyrus) to the heat 4 marion then trade noch or deng 4 a big man
if i’m pat and the heat and rose is not on the board i sign and trade shawn (marion) 2 the bulls 4 kirk and tyrus, then i trade down from the 2 to the 4 or 5 spot and draft brook lopez as my center 4 the futher i don’t draft beasley 1 because he’s small at 6′7 6′8 and will not be able 2 post up nba big’s and 2 because i all ready have my pf in haslem, who has proven 2 be able 2 give me 15 and 10
I think San Antonio needs to keep Duncan and rebuild the team around him. I think the Cavs should look at acquiring Manu from SA, keep Big Ben and work the younger guys in the rotation.
I think the knicks should just try to unload all these high paying contracts like randolph and curry for whatever they can get. They both have worn their welcome out in New York with the tough Knicks fans and the Knicks need to rebuild. The fans are so brainwashed into thinking that if ‘everyone doesn’t know his name, hes a scrub’, exhibited clearly at the draft with Gallinari, who by the way is a great player. After unloading thest two, Arenas is available and I would like to see the Knicks try and see what they can work out for Redd or even Elton Brand or Ben Gordon, both native New Yorkers who could get fans pumped up about Knicks basketball again.
I think Zach Randoph wouldbe a great fit for the Pistons he is a true low post player and will allow Rasheed to float on the perimeter also Antonio McDyess is not a starter he is better off the bench or somewhere else. And to add to that Zach also played for Michigan State and we Michiganders do remeber what he did in that NCAA helping lead us to the Final Four so that means he have Tom Izzo helping get his act together as well.
I think Randolph would make a good addition to the pistons.
Arenas won’t go to the clippers
get michael redd and ranpolgh because you got good perimeter out and inside so get both