Luis Scola wasn't considered an option when the Rockets began discussing power forwards last summer. His name was on the list of players general manager Daryl Morey gave owner Leslie Alexander, but not because Morey believed he had any real chance of obtaining him. The Spurs owned his rights, and Morey didn't think they were inclined to trade with a division rival. Besides, there had to be teams with more to offer.
"He's the best guy," Morey told Alexander, "but it'll never happen."
Spurs general manager R.C. Buford assured Morey he was going to trade Scola's rights to the team that put the best offer on the table. If that offer was from a division rival, so be it. Morey made the deal happen by giving the Spurs cash, Vassilis Spanoulis and a second-round draft pick. He also agreed to take Jackie Butler's contract. Both teams got what they wanted.
I've waited for Scola to join the NBA for a couple seasons. While the Kings were signing Mikki Moore to a free agent contract, San Antonio was giving away Scola for cash and cap relief. The Kings could have taken Beno Udrih's contract instead of Butler, though I've always been intrigued by Butler too.
Scola was not the proven player than Gasol is, but the Grizz at least got some draft picks and a young player (Crittedon) in return for Gasol (and the Lakers dealt another rotation player in Kwame Brown), while San Antonio simply dealt Scola because they were unsure how he would fit with their nucleus. If they had concerns, it was another savvy move by the Spurs. However, the Rockets made out at least as well as the Lakers, as they acquired the player who possibly will save their season now that Yao is out and all it took was some cash and a player who wanted to return to Greece anyway.
When we look at trades, that has to be one of the all-time swipes, although I understand why the Spurs did it and never question the Spurs' management decisions. However, from a Rockets' perspective, has there been a more lop-sided trade, including the Gasol deal?
2 comments:
As a Spurs fan, I criticized that trade at the time. I thought that Luis Scola was the perfect fit for the Spurs, not only because of his game in and of itself, but also because, playing with unselfish stars and two of his teammates from the Argentinian national team, he was probably going to be more valuable to the Spurs than he would be to any other team in the league. Scola would fit into their scheme perfectly. He has the basketball IQ, versatility, and history of clutch performances to match Robert Horry, and relative to Horry he is a better rebounder, though not as good of a 3-point shooter. I think that Oberto is one of the game's great "glue" guys, and Scola is just as "gluey" but will also score 12 points a night and go for 18 every once in a while.
But, I could kiiiiiiiiind of understand why they wanted to move him, since they had just swept the NBA finals and wanted to bring back as close to the same team as possible. But if you're going to trade him away, why not get something you could use - like a future draft pic - in return, instead of just a guy you were going to buy out?
Thanks for the wonderful praise about Scola. Many said that he would fail in the NBA but I guess we all know by know that is all just rubbish talk.
Scola has been on fire and I hope he can take the Rockets to the promise land.
Could I have some comments from you....
http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com/2008/04/nba-news-rockin-rolla-scola.html
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