I was just thinking this morning about both of these trades. In both trades, we acquired young, high scoring big men. But in the Curry trade we gave up Sweetney an unprotected first, the right to trade up for an unprotected first and two seconds. In the Randolph trade, we gave up Frye and got rid of Francis.

In the first trade, we got a good player but gave up more than we had to. No one else wanted Curry and Chicago didn't want to keep him. In the second trade, we drove a good bargain giving up a former first that was having problems. Similarly, in negotiations for Artest, we've indicated that we're not giving up any of our best young players.

All this makes me think that Isaiah may have learned a lesson from the Curry deal and has decided to be a tougher negotiator. I hope that's true.

Agreed. Really, IT's drafting has been IMO above average considering where we have been drafting. Frye might be his only failure and even Frye has talent and may turn into a solid NBA player.

This last trade for Randolph was a steal in light of what we gave up. We basically acquired an all-star level PF for a guy we did not want and a second year player that looked like he would only be a decent role player. The reality is that there was no way this team was going to be significantly under the cap. We might have been near the cap or even slightly below it, but to sign a Lebron or Wade, you need to be $13-$15 million under the cap, which IMO was never going to happen. IT's approach is actually a better strategy because we now have a team full of quality young players to help us do a sign and trade for a superstar player.

Also, getting Nichols for a future second round pick will be the steal of this draft. The kid is a lights out shooter and has some ability to put the ball on the floor. Moreover, unlike most sharpshooters, he can actually play defense. This guy is going to be a solid rotation player for us in the future. To get him for a second round pick is a steal.

In fact, the only thing IT has done transaction wise in the past year that I took exception to was the signing of Jeffries.

Overall, IT is showing some significant improvement in his decision-making.

Does anyone think Nichols has the chance to be a potential all-star ?
I look at his body type and the way he plays, he looks to me like he could develop into a real player. He has the confidence to take on that role, he said in an interview that he was going to make everyone that skipped him sorry they didn't pick him.
I hope he makes the rotation.

The Zack trade results will be clear ufter the next season.
So far Eddy trade produced nothing to improve the team. For Zack... will see.
I am interested to see if Zack will help winning more games to make my judgment.

This happens all the time, smart men wait they don't say:

1. Wait I can get Marburys 70 million left on his deal, take on 45 million for a broken down Hardaway, and then give you guys four picks.......this is too good to be true

2. You mean no one wants Jamal Crawford, I have to give him a seven year deal immediately, thank his agent for already overpaying his client (taking on 21 million owed to JYD and just for fun) by giving Vin Baker the mid-level so he can over eat and keep drinking his prime away......I can't believe i have only spent close to 150 million for Marbury, Hardaway and Crawford

3. I was thinking Nazar is a big man with a lot of value because he is expring, i probably won't be able to resign him for anything under 8 million, why don't i take on Malik Rose and his terrible deal in exchange i will swap picks and move up two spots in the draft and then make moves to bring in under inspired players to fill his shoes.....i can't be bothered to buy picks that don't count against the salary cap........

4. Jerome James and Jared Jefferies, I better lock these guys up for the full midlevel even though they bring nothing to the table, why not give them five years, just in case Jefferies isn't tradeable to begin with, lets give him a trade kicker.......

5. I am really starting to enjoy giving teams cap space, lets take 50 million off of orlandos hands and not get rid of any of the guards on the team. Just think what would have happend if the gm in orlando actually had a brain to resign darko, give gerald wallace a deal instead of rashard lewis a deal ensuring grant hill would stay.....

6. I sure hope the bulls enjoy their two lottery selection and flexible cap, i just brought in a guy for nothing much like the hornets did for chandler, the warriors did for davis, but those guys weren't accused of anal rapping a women in their sleep......

It doesn't matter anyway just as long as i keep laughing and smiling no one will realize i just ****ed the entire salary cap up for the next decade........

But this was actually a great trade, it would have been nice to put Zach next to someone that actually has a passion for the game, can block shots and rebound. I am surprised that philly didn't make more of a push to get the guy he would have been great for their team with sammy, iggy and miller.

Posted by Pharzeone:

Posted by Solace:

I'm not sure that Isiah learned his lesson as much as that the price tag was just lower. From what it sounded like, there wasn't a lot of competition from eastern teams trying to get Randolph... and the Blazers weren't trading Zack to a west team.

I am confuse weren't the Nets interested? I heard rumors that Miami was also interested in Randolph as well.

If you believe every media report, perhaps. But my honest feeling is no. If I'm the Blazers and someone offers Richard Jefferson for Zack Randolph, I do the trade without thinking.

Michael - Nichols will be good, but I have feeling Wilson Chandler is the All-Star in waiting.


Once Chandler finds his voice, along with some extra study hall, it could get intetesting. When you see him in person, you will appreciate his skill set. He knows where he is on the floor.

Posted by Michael6835:

Does anyone think Nichols has the chance to be a potential all-star ?
I look at his body type and the way he plays, he looks to me like he could develop into a real player. He has the confidence to take on that role, he said in an interview that he was going to make everyone that skipped him sorry they didn't pick him.
I hope he makes the rotation.

If he gets a handle, then the sky's the limit

Man, we should have possibly Oden or Durant plus Zach, Lee, Balkman, and Roy or Rudy Gay right now!

[Edited by - bonn1997 on 07-20-2007 3:22 PM]