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When deadlines come alive
by Daniel Walsh / February 21, 2003

While yawning through a trade column about Orlando shipping Mike Miller and Ryan Humphrey to Memphis for Drew Gooden and Gordan Giricek, a funny thing happened: the trade deadline came and went, and then mysteriously appeared again, as Seattle pulled off an 11th hour blockbuster deal, sending Gary Payton and Desmond Mason to Milwaukee for Ray Allen, Kevin Ollie, Ronald Murray and a conditional first-round draft pick. Then, the Sonics pulled another deal, sending Kenny Anderson to New Orleans for Elden Campbell.

Maybe the press release fax machine at NBA headquarters was malfunctioning, or maybe the NBA trading deadline is as strict as President Bush’s “deadline” for Iraq.

Anyway, four trades were made over the last two days, with Milwaukee and Orlando clearly improving themselves for the playoff push. Here’s a quick synopsis of all the deals that were made, in order of importance:

1. Seattle trades Gary Payton and Desmond Mason for Ray Allen, Kevin Ollie, Ronald Murray and a 2003 first-round draft pick: The Glove was the subject of trade rumors 348 times over his 13 year career, so his departure was not a surprise. The fact that he was sent to Milwaukee for Ray Allen is the big surprise. Payton is a better all-around player than Allen and will give the Bucks an interesting backcourt dynamic this year. This year being the key phrase, as Payton is a free-agent after the season and it is not clear whether he will stay with the team..

However, Desmond Mason is tremendous young talent that will be a solid core player for the Bucks to build around, should they not re-sign Payton in the offseason. Thus, the Bucks improve their chances of making the playoffs this year and are still in decent shape for the future. For Seattle, Ray Allen will replace Payton’s scoring, and reduce the Sonics’ headaches, but Brent Barry could now be playing point guard. Is Chris Corchiani still available? Ollie, Murray and the draft pick are throw-ins to the deal and will not have any serious impact for the Sonics. Also, Allen’s ability to lead a team is questionable, so the future doesn’t look much brighter in Seattle. Winner: Milwaukee.

2. Orlando trades Mike Miller and Ryan Humphrey to Memphis for Gordan Giricek and Drew Gooden: It’s rare that teams give up on their first-round picks so soon, and even rarer that Memphis GM Jerry West indirectly admits to a drafting mistake by trading Gooden halfway through his rookie campaign. Gooden’s numbers were respectable but he was part of logjam at the forward position in Memphis. Gooden should get the minutes he needs at power forward in Orlando, who can sorely use a big body, which is the same thing that’s been said about Orlando for the last five years. Memo to Orlando General Manager: draft or trade for a quality forward in the offseason.

Mike Miller is a scorer that will fit in well with Memphis, but the problem with him is that he is Glen Rice, without the 20 ppg average. When the strong supporting cast leaves, then there will be nothing but a shooting specialist left. Humphrey has struggled for playing time with the Magic and will be added to the power forward mess that Gooden is leaving. Giricek is a good shooter that will slightly help Orlando overcome the loss of Miller. Coupled with Gooden’s upside as a pure power forward and Giricek’s scoring ability, Orlando has upgraded their team as they fight for a playoff spot. Winner: Orlando

3. Seattle trades Kenny Anderson to New Orleans for Elden Campbell: Does anyone remember how good Kenny Anderson was at Georgia Tech? Anyone? Time, plus the excessive drinking caused by Anderson’s poor NBA play, will do that to a fan’s brain. Anderson has bounced around from team to team and never seems to be able to put it all together. K.A.’s arrival in New Orleans will help the team because of the injury to point guard Baron Davis, but don’t expect much in the future. Campbell will the give the Sonics a warm body to overcome the loss of Desmond Mason, but nothing more than that. Winner: New Orleans.

4. From the “Who cares?” file, Boston trades Shammond Williams, their 2003 second-round draft pick, cash, a bag of balls and their first born male child to Denver for Mark Blount and Mark Bryant: This just in: “Mark Bryant Passes Chris Gatling for the Most Times Being Included as a Throw-in in a Meaningless Last Minute Before the Trade Deadline Multi-player Deal”. Congratulations, Mark, your perseverance in the face of eroding skill is unmatched. Mark Blount? We’ve heard of Corie Blount, Mel Blount and Phillies Blunt, but not Mark Blount. Surely, he will fit nicely on Boston’s bench. Williams was a third string guard for the Celtics. You can get nauseous trying to pick a winner in this deal, but because we have to: Boston.