Get ready for Cleveland, Maximus Szczerbiak
Posted on February 21st, 2008 – 3:25 PMBy Michael Rand
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Update: The headline has been fixed to be accurate. Grrrrr. A blockbuster at the NBA trading deadline is being reported — and no, not the Gerald Green trade. Wally Szczerbiak and Ben Wallace are heading to Cleveland as part of a three-way trade. That means Maximus Szczerbiak will be heading to Fasolamatt’s old hood. Wally (pictured with figure skater Emily Hughes at the Nassau County Hall of Fame Awards dinner — take that, Ricky Davis) might work well as a shooter in the Fighting Lebron offense. From ESPN, the particulars:
In a three-way trade with Chicago and Seattle that has been submitted for league approval, NBA front-office sources say that Cleveland will come away with four new teammates for James, headlined by Ben Wallace from the Bulls and sharpshooter Wally Szczerbiak from the Sonics. … Sources say that the deal calls for the Cavaliers to receive Wallace, Szczerbiak, Seattle point guard Delonte West, Chicago’s Joe Smith and a future second-round pick from the Bulls.
The Bulls, apparently abandoning their gamble on Wallace less than two seasons into the lucrative four-year deal they used to sign him away from Detroit, would get Cavaliers forward Drew Gooden and swingman Larry Hughes along with Cavs reserves Cedric Simmons and Shannon Brown.
The Sonics, shedding Szczerbiak in the name of additional payroll flexibility, come away with the expiring contracts of Cleveland’s Ira Newble and Chicago’s Adrian Griffin as well as Cavs veteran Donyell Marshall.
The Cavs get a shooter and some toughness, the Bulls get some decent pieces, and the Sonics get out from under Wally’s contract. Win-win-win. Man, the NBA is getting us interested again.
25 Responses to "Get ready for Cleveland, Maximus Szczerbiak"
Not that I’m a Sonics fan or anything — although Key Arena is just around the corner from my office — but they appear to be positioning themselves really well for the next few years. If my math is right, they have two first-round picks in each of the next three years … and Kevin Durant … and salary cap space.
Too bad they won’t be in Seattle when it all comes to fruition. What a joke the NBA can be — letting owners shuffle franchises out of town, but meanwhile talking expansion to Europe.
Wha-huh?
Note of caution: the trade contains over 25% ex-Wolves.
This is just depressing. Bill Simmons called the Szczerbiack trade almost exactly. He was almost right about something. I kind of hate myself for saying it.
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/blog/index?name=simmons&entryDate=20080220
Doesn’t it seem weird that the Sonics gave up Wally and Delonte West and didn’t even get back a draft pick or anyone that is going to be on their team next year?
I also don’t think this helps the Lebron’s at all. Big Ben and Big Z together? That’s a match made in Big hell.
Good point Stu, any trade involving 25% Wolves generally means the Wolves are screwed. I’m not sure yet but this trade will haunt the Wolves for years.
I think it’s surprising that Chicago would take on Larry Hughes’ contract just to get rid of Ben Wallace. I know that they need a guy like Gooden, but still.
Maybe it will come out that we signed Theo Ratliff’s Expiring Contract to a secret under-the-table contract that even Theo Ratliff himself doesn’t know about.
I’m away from my computer so I don’t have a link, but David Aldridge points out that the key for the Cavs is West, the type of point guard they’ve needed for a while. Cavs fans won’t miss Larry Hughes, and contracts now line up for the end of LBJs current deal. I like it.
Basket-ball?
MR-
Bill Simmons’ wife got the Szczerbiak trade EXACTLY right, once again besting her husband.
try breaking down the “where are they nows” for the original Wolves/Celtics deal that sent Wally there and Ricky Davis here. It’s unbelievable.
Clarence Swamptown is on fire today.
Well played, Clarence.
Where are they now?
Not here which is all that matters, and makes me smile!
I’m confused… no really… what’s our draft situation next year? Would the Clippers not get our pick until ‘09 because it’s lottery protected? And then there’s those trades with Miami and Boston and whoever else…
So assuming we’re a lottery team, how many first round picks we get next year? And where are they going to be? And can someone tell me why I’m supposed to like the Foo Fighters? And does anyone know why I can’t use the 46th Street entrance ramps to 35W? And why did the moon go away last night? I was scared. Who knows where you can get decent Chinese take-out after eleven in this town?
I believe the pick that we owe the Clippers is Top 10 protected, not lottery, or at least that’s how it was the last couple of years. Unless Miami miraculously makes the playoffs this year, we’ll only have our own first rounder.
Why you’re supposed to like the Foo Fighters? They’re one heck of a live band . I’m a fan of theirs but I think the consensus among most people is that they’d have one heck of a greatest hits album but their catalog is watered down as a whole.
Okay… now what about a good Chinese take-out after eleven?
When do we get the Boston pick in the Garnett trade? I have some weird idea that we’re somehow getting two first rounders next year.
Ramon: the 46th St. ramps are closed? I did not know that.
The Foo Fighters “In Your Honor” two-disc set was/were the first album(s) they’d put together that were really good top to bottom.
Otherwise, I’d agree with Ryan that their stuff seems watered down on an individual album scale.
Stu - the entrance ramps to 35W are closed. Apparently until the Twins stadium opens. The exit ramps are still open.
Dave and Ryan - I’m not much of a modern music fan so it’s not fair for me to comment on the Foo Fighters. I just picked their name because I’m a jaded old man. That’s no reflection on them or their fans - rather me. I’ve seen the Foo Fighters live… also watched a James Brown show from the side of the stage. So that’s my perspective…
Now - has anyone sussed out the Wolves’ draft position scenarios for next year? Or was everyone pretending they were actually going to pull it out against the Spurs?
ramon
The Celtics 1st round pick is in 2009. So the Wolves will have one first round pick and 2 second round picks this year. The second 2nd round pick is from Boston via Miami so it will probably be one of the 1st picks in the second round. Are you more or less confused now?
jama wins a two week-old Fresh Wok spring rolls. Please post your address here. They will be arriving via registered mail.
Yes, I’m still more or less confused now. But not about the draft. Did Clinton win the debate? What makes Amy Winehouse so cool? Did the Ryan Howard arbitration result ruin baseball? What will happen with Dwight Smith now? So many questions, and only jama knows… 
I think agents and the players association ruined baseball. Ryan Howard’s arbitration is just a symptom…not the illness.
ramon
Since you asked
1. She probably won but not by much
2. I think the beehive hair and excessive drug are the answer.
3. No, Soriano and Miguel Cabrera made the same amount in arbitration. He has won Rookie of the Year and MVP the last two seasons. doesn’t he deserve that much?
4. He will get caught in a stairwell in Detroit instead of Minneapolis
Your welcome.
jama - peace be unto you.
