Mo might go in three-team trade
By Charles F. Gardner
Tuesday, Aug 12 2008, 07:53 PM
Bucks guard Mo Williams could be headed to Cleveland as part of a three-team trade, with the Bucks targeting point guard Luke Ridnour of the Oklahoma City franchise, formerly the Seattle SuperSonics.

NBA sources confirmed there have been discussions involving the three teams. Cleveland is searching for backcourt help to complement LeBron James, and Williams could fit the bill. But the point guard carries a hefty price tag with five years and $43 million remaining on the $51 million contract Williams signed with the Bucks prior to last season, when he was an unrestricted free agent.

The Cavaliers have been unable to come to a contract agreement with point guard Delonte West, who is a restricted free agent this summer, and he could be part of the deal in a sign-and-trade, according to reports. Or Oklahoma City could receive former Bucks forward Joe Smith, who has an expiring contract and will be paid $4.8 million next season.

The Bucks are interested in Ridnour, according to league sources. The 6-foot-2 guard from Oregon has played five seasons for the SuperSonics since being selected 14th overall in the 2003 draft.

Oklahoma City suddenly has a surplus of point guards with Ridnour, Earl Watson and Russell Westbrook, the fourth overall pick in the June draft.

The 27-year-old Ridnour has two years and $13 million left on his contract, and his acquisition would allow the Bucks to unload Williams' contract, negotiated by former Bucks general manager Larry Harris.

Ridnour will make $6.5 million in each of the next two seasons. Williams will be paid $8.4 million next season and is under contract through the 2012-'13 season, when he has a player option. In order to make the salaries match, other considerations may be part of the deal.

Ridnour made only five starts in 61 games with Seattle last season and averaged 6.4 points, the lowest total since his rookie season. During the previous three seasons, Ridnour started a total of 217 games and averaged in double figures each year, including a career-best 11.5 points and 7.0 assists during the 2005-'06 season.

Williams averaged 17.2 points and 6.3 assists and shot 48% from the field for the Bucks last season.

I read this yesterday. Its a good idea. Hope it goes down.

Posted by TMS:

Cleveland is searching for backcourt help to complement LeBron James

Zach Randolph for Ben Wallace.

Backcourt help? Since when does Zach play the backcourt?

Three-Way Deal Done

Aug 13, 2008 3:22 PM EST

An NBA executive said the Cavaliers, in a trade expected to be completed later today, finally have acquired a top-level point guard in executing a six-player, three-team deal.

The Milwaukee Bucks traded point guard Mo Williams to the Cavs in exchange for the expiring contracts of guard Damon Jones and forward Joe Smith.

As part of the deal, the Bucks will receive Jones and Oklahoma City point guard Luke Ridnour. Oklahoma City acquires Smith and Bucks forward Desmond Mason. Oklahoma City also will send swingman Adrian Griffin to the Bucks.

Yeah this is an awesome trade.....good for the league. It makes tons of sense for all parties involved.

It would have been nice if Joe Smith went to the Bucks but he's gonna probably get waived in oklahoma.

Nice clean move. I'm jealous.

Now with Clevland, I hope they use Mo Williams as they did with the Bucks. Lebron needs to play off the ball. He does too much handling. Lebron would do well if he cleaned up his game and received the ball more. He would get more rebounds and just have more energy to contribute more on defense. Basically do what he is doing for team USA. He has enough shooters.......now he needs another guy to rebound and score inside. Ben is good but he isn't as effective on defense and the boards like he used to be.

They seriously could use Zach all jokes aside. Ben for Zach makes tons of sense. Big Z needs a break and so does Lebron inside. Zach would complete them . He takes a load off big time.

Adding mo and zach should make them the best in the east. They can now compete with the best front courts in the east.

Zach/big z
Bosh/o'neal
KG/whoever
Brand/ dalembert
Howard/whoever

Clevland should sign allan houston