 Texas-Sized TradeJun 23 2009 2:51PM
By Seth Berkman #91
Flashback to June 13, 2003. The New Jersey Nets are two games away from winning their first NBA title and Game 5 is on their homecourt in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Just two nights earlier, Richard Jefferson, the kid responsible for the Nets trading starting forward and former No. 2 overall pick Keith Van Horn in order to get him more playing time, unleashed a vicious jam on Kevin Willis that ignited a New Jersey 77-76 victory. Unfortunately, RJ and the Nets couldn’t keep the momentum in their favor and the Spurs went on to win Games 5 and 6 to hoist the LOB trophy.
We can’t remember for sure, but it’s safe to assume that Jefferson was dismayed at the sight of watching the Spurs win their third NBA title when his team was so close. He must’ve wondered what it is like in their shoes, sipping champagne while he prepared for that long flight home to Jersey.
Well, RJ can finally know what it’s like to slip on the silver and black, as today he was shipped to San Antonio in exchange for Fabricio Oberto, Kurt Thomas and Bruce Bowen. On paper it looks like an immediate win for the Spurs—picture Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili, RJ, Tim Duncan and Drew Gooden on the floor in the fourth quarter—but it also helps the Bucks in the future.
Granted, Michael Redd must not be thrilled at losing a 20 ppg threat like Jefferson, but the move should free up the money to re-sign Charlie Villanueva this year, as well as a stud free agent in 2010. Plus, it should allow Joe Alexander to play extended minutes and potentially blossom into the kind of dynamic forward people envisioned when Milwaukee tabbed him eighth overall last summer.
People were saying the Spurs dynasty was done after this year’s first round exit, but with a healthy Manu and now RJ in the mix, the 4-time NBA champs should be a Finals contender once again out west. Losing Bowen’s defense as well as Fab’s hustle and Thomas’ veteran savvy will sting a bit, but we’d take the 29-year-old legs of RJ’s any day of the week over Bowen’s gams. And you can expect more playing time for George Hill and Ime Udoka as well, which should make up for Fab’s and Thomas’ production.
As for Milwaukee, they may be headed to the Lottery again in ’10, but with Redd having a few more good years in him, if Alexander can develop in his sophomore season, along with their next two draft picks and a lot of cap space, Milwaukee could be alright two seasons from now. In addition, who knows what moves they could make between now and October. With the NBA Draft less than 48 hours away, the hot stove is just heating up. |
