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Authored by Christopher Reina - 20th November, 2007 - 6:12 pm
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More Than A Salary Dump
For most of the NBA, the Knicks' trades last Friday were about 2010. But this trade can also help the club this season.
Wizards Rearrange Deck Chairs
In the category of redecorating the cabin while their cruise ship sinks, the Washington Wizards have fired head coach Eddie Jordan.
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Trevor Ariza, who has been buried on the bench behind Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu has been traded to the Lakers for Brian Cook and Maruice Evans.
Ariza was labeled a ‘situational’ player by new head coach Stan Van Gundy. He averaged just 10.5 minutes per game and played more than 20 minutes just twice.
It was no surprise to see his floor time decrease due to the addition of Lewis, but Ariza was a very productive player last season, averaging 8.9 points and 4.3 rebounds per game in just 22.4 minutes. He shot 54% from the floor and was one of the NBA's best rebounders at the small forward position.
His very good athleticism on the wing (defensively and offensively) will serve a need that Luke Walton, Vladimir Radmanovic and Sasha Vujacic cannot fill.
Another added benefit is that Bryant will no longer need to defend opposing team's best wing for the entire game.
He also is signed for less money ($3.1 million) and one fewer season than Cook ($3.5 million).
This is easily the best trade of Mitch Kupchak's tenure, though I'm not sure that is saying much.
Grade for Lakers: A
In Brian Cook, the Magic acquire an awful 6-9 rebounder, who is unathletic, mostly shoots from the perimeter and has an unforgivable PER of 1.60 this season. He also has a -15 plus/minus this season.
Plus, don’t the Magic already have enough 3-point chuckers?
His shooting percentage (19% FG/20% 3-pt) will surely rebound in the Orlando offense, which is better suited to his strength’s. He is typically at least a 40% 3-point shooter, but between Lewis, Turkoglu, Keith Bogans and Pat Garrity, the Magic already shoot over 25 3-pointers per game.
Evans, who just turned 29, is a versatile player, and can round out a rotation in a few different ways but is a decided downgrade on the wing from Ariza. He is shooting 32% from the floor and 14% from 3-point territory this season.
The logic from Otis Smith’s perspective is difficult to understand.
“Brian (Cook) helps bolster our frontcourt,” said Smith in a statement. “He is a power forward who shoots the ball extremely well, while also bringing added toughness to our roster. Maurice (Evans) is a tremendous athlete, a solid defender and capable of playing multiple positions. Both Brian and Maurice fit in very well with what we are trying to accomplish.”
As shrewd of a maneuver as it was to trade Steve Francis for Ariza and Penny Hardaway's expiring contract, this is equally bad for Orlando.
Grade for Magic: D+ |
