Let's make a deal

As the NBA rolls toward mid-season, trade winds pick-up. First, it was the alledged Artest for Maggettee deal which ultimately fizzled. Now, it's this trade which I saw on Hoops Hype:

The best one sent my way over the weekend: a three-team deal involving the Hawks, Portland and Washington. How does this one grab you. The Blazers send Jamaal Magloire to Washington, the Wizards send Brendan Haywood and Jarvis Hayes to the Hawks and the Hawks send Salim Stoudamire, Esteban Batista and Lorenzen Wright to the Blazers?

This is more than a head scratcher. I saw Portland play on Saturday night. Magloire is absolutely terrible. I know why hey want to deal. For the past couple weeks, I was wondering why the Bulls and Trailblazers did not swap soon to be free agents PJ Brown and Magloire. Now I know. Brown has a couple skills left and could help in a play-off series. Magloire is simply a waste of roster space.

And, Washington would give up Haywood and Hayes? I've seen Washington in person as well, and remarked about likin both these players, though, to be honest, they underperform often. However, there is no way receiving Magloire for Haywood and Hayes is a fair deal. If the Wizards want a stiff in the middle, maybe the Kings could offer Brad Miller. If the Kings want to get defensive, Haywood is a big body who should be able to protect the paint and Hayes is a bigger wing who could be paired with Artest in the front court when the Kings go small.

Again, I know why Portland wants to deal Magloire, but I'd rather have the salary cap flexibility at the end of the season than any of the players they acquire, unless they hope Salim Stoudamire sells some tickets in his hometown. Trading Magoire makes sense because the Blazers want to get Aldridge more time; acquiring Wright defeats that purpose (I imagine they would cut Batista).

So, Atlanta wins by virtue of acquiring the two most talented players in the deal, Washington loses and Portland adds Stoudamire to compete with Juan Dixon for the minutes that go to a 6'1 SG and Wright competes with the future of the franchise for back-up post minutes.

Now, if Portland received Jarvis Hayes in the deal, and found a way to rid itself of Darius Miles, then the deal is a winner from Portland's stand point. Watching the Blazer's Saturday, they seemed to need a bigger, stronger wing to play against Ron Artest and play a little four against a team that goes small. I like Ime Udoka, but he cannot be considered a starter on a play-off team; also, I really liked Martell Webster, but he lacks the strength to be a powerful forward right now.

Anyway, I doubt this trade gets made, as it makes little sense for anyone besides Atlanta, and it originated in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, so I have to assume its a little wishful thinking to acquire a seven-footer with potential and an aggressive, strong wing for an undersized shooting guard and a perennial back-up power forward playing out of position at center.