Look, don't trade

Sporting News, The, Feb 12, 2001 by Ira Winderman

Most teams do little more than window shop as the trade deadline approaches

Last season offered the ultimate proof of how the NBA trade deadline no longer stands as the primary personnel date on the league calendar.

As the deadline approached, rumors swirled, and a veritable dream team of transaction was in play.

The Lakers were going to trade Glen Rice for additional bulk. The Hornets were positioned to deal Eddie Jones rather than lose him in free agency. The Raptors were about to put Doug Christie out of his misery. The Warriors stood poised to unload Donyell Marshall's overbearing contract.

And then? And then nothing other than this, the only deal at the 2000 NBA trade deadline: guard Anthony Johnson from the Hawks to the Magic in exchange for a future second-round pick.

That's it.

The NBA has shown in recent seasons that the midseason trade deadline is only one component of the transaction trail and a relatively minor one at that. Seemingly more significant in recent seasons has been the period just before the late-June draft and the time frame just after the August 1 start of the free-agent signing period.

For example, on the eve of last season's draft, Chris Gatling was traded to the Heat, Voshon Lenard to the Nuggets, Jason Caffey to the Bucks and Robert Traylor to the Cavaliers.

In the wake of the start of free agency August 1, the trades involved the likes of Jones, Grant Hill, Tracy McGrady, Anthony Mason, Jamal Mashburn and Matt Harpring.

The lesson in all of this is coaches understand the importance of chemistry, and with more and more coaches involved in personnel matters, few are willing to take risks when playoff berths and playoff seedings hang in the balance.

That's why the Hornets waited until August to settle the Jones issue and the Lakers until September to make their power move with Rice.

This month, you'll hear a lot, see little.

"I can see those rumors happening until 6 p.m. February 22," Hornets vice president Bob Bass says of the trade deadline. "That's been a tradition in the NBA. Right before the trade deadline, there's trade speculation."

Trade speculation, not trades.

This season, there is one more factor in the equation, the escrow deductions and luxury tax that will come into play next season. Though teams routinely have been able to exceed the salary cap because of quirks in the collective-bargaining agreement, the new tax is more unforgiving. Exceed the threshold, which is expected to be set at about $57 million per team, and a dollar-for-dollar tax results for the overage.

Because of that, several high-end contracts might be in play by the deadline.

The issues and possible outcomes:

What to do about Dikembe Mutombo? The Hawks center has an expiring contract, with agent David Falk typically talking about maximum dollars (of course, he did that with Maurice Taylor last season, too). Yet as Jason Terry continues to emerge, Lorenzen Wright blossoms and Lon Kruger stands poised to remove some of the tarnish from college-to-NBA coaches, Mutombo might find the grass (and cash) greener by staying put.

Whither Antoine Walker? It's about time, isn't it? So much talent, such little clue. The Pacers stood intrigued a year ago, as did the Heat. In full rebuilding mode, Boston should heed all possibilities, even with a potential ownership change making such a move difficult.

D.C. and his capital offenses. With a bloated build and a bloated contract, Derrick Coleman has been pure misery for the Hornets. In exchange for expiring contracts, Charlotte would pull the trigger in a heartbeat.

Junkyard sale. For as active as Jerome Williams is around the basket, the Pistons never have found a comfort zone for their Junkyard Dog. Considering Detroit's across-the-board needs, the power forward figures to remain in play.

Dream departure. Hakeem Olajuwon wants to play in a system that doesn't involve ball-hogging guards and Western bulky bodies. The Rockets would love to honor the request. But at $16.5 million, how do the Rockets line up matching salaries? A release might be the only answer.

Austin power. He stood as one of the prizes of last summer's free agency, but now Austin Croshere is somewhat lost in the Pacers' constantly evolving power rotation. It might be time to look toward previously interested parties.

The unwelcome Matt. The longer Matt Geiger sits with injuries, the more the 76ers realize how little need they have for the veteran center.

Forwards march. You want forwards, the Suns have forwards. With Shawn Marion and Tom Gugliotta in place, Phoenix wouldn't think twice about unloading Clifford Robinson or Rodney Rogers. Depth in the backcourt and at center would be welcomed.

Mr. Smith goes to ... Portland has handled its talent overload with minimal griping. But with Bonzi Wells playing so well, might Steve Smith be the first to go in a look toward the future?

Three Wizards for a dollar. If only it were that simple when it comes to the Wizards dumping the contracts of Rod Strickland, Juwan Howard and Mitch Richmond. Basically, if you trade expiring contracts, the Wizards have the underachieving veteran for you. And, by the way, might they interest you in, perhaps, a package deal?