Redd a hot topic
Bucks guard at center of trade deadline talk
By CHARLES F. GARDNER
cgardner@journalsentinel.com
Posted: Feb. 21, 2005
Charlotte, N.C. - Michael Redd will return to the Milwaukee Bucks' lineup tonight when the team gets back to business after the all-star break.
Redd missed the last three games with a sprained index finger on his left hand, but he went through a two-hour practice Monday, proving his readiness for the Bucks' road test against the Charlotte Bobcats.
But will the fifth-year pro still be wearing a Bucks uniform on Friday, the day after the National Basketball Association trading deadline?
That's the multimillion-dollar question facing Bucks general manager Larry Harris, who faces the unenviable choice of whether to trade his star shooting guard or to let the deadline slide and hope the Bucks can entice Redd into signing a long-term deal this summer.
Redd is in the final year of a contract that pays him $3 million this season, and he is sure to attract major offers as an unrestricted free agent after July 1. The new collective bargaining agreement could bring changes, but according to the way the rules are structured now, the Bucks can offer Redd an extra year on his new contract and higher pay raises than any other teams.
"There is a lot of interest in our players," Harris said Monday after returning to Milwaukee from Denver and the NBA's all-star weekend. "As far as Michael Redd is concerned, our intentions are the same, to re-sign him this summer."
But the rumor mill is churning at full speed this week, with a number of teams reported to have serious interest in obtaining Redd. Among the teams that might want to swing a deal for the former Ohio State star: Golden State, Portland, Minnesota, Cleveland and Memphis.
"There were a lot of conversations in Denver, but not a lot of serious dialogue," Harris said, referring to talks among league general managers.
With the league trade deadline approaching at 2 p.m. (Milwaukee time) Thursday, discussions are expected to heat up.
One possible piece to a trade involving Redd is forward Keith Van Horn, who has one year left on his contract at $15.7 million. If another team would offer a player with an expiring contract in the deal, the Bucks could clear significant room under the salary cap, enabling them to go after a talented free agent or two in the off-season.
One such trade scenario could involve Portland forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim (expiring $14.6 million deal), another Trail Blazers player and a draft pick going to the Bucks in exchange for Redd and Van Horn.
Golden State's Dale Davis ($10 million expiring contract), Mike Dunleavy Jr. ($3.5 million this year and $4.5 million next season) and draft picks also could be a package for Redd and Van Horn.
Both Portland and Golden State have first-round picks available for 2005.
Cleveland has not disguised its desire to team Redd with all-star LeBron James, but it seems unlikely the Bucks would want to trade Redd to a Central Division rival. The Cavaliers' best shot might be to wait until the summer and hope they can sign Redd as a free agent.
"Teams that need a shooting two-guard, why wouldn't they be looking for him?" Bucks coach Terry Porter said. "I'm sure there are some teams that would like to come in under the radar and make a solid offer."
Porter acknowledged that all the rumors might be a distraction this week as the Bucks try to begin a long-shot bid at an Eastern Conference playoff berth.
"When you have all the uncertainty, unfortunately, it's part of the game," Porter said. "As a player you just do the things you can control.
"Obviously, we don't want to lose Mike (Redd). He's very important to the organization going forward. It's a tough situation because Mike is a total free agent. If nothing happens and he walks, it would be a very difficult situation for our franchise."
Redd had played in 212 consecutive games with the Bucks before being forced to sit out the last three with the sprained finger on his shooting hand. The Bucks beat Atlanta by 30 points in the first game he missed, and lost road games to Detroit and New York to fall to a 20-30 record.
"We know it will be a difficult task to go 21-11 (to reach the .500 level)," Porter said. "Somehow, we need about 20 wins. Even if we can get to 40, I think we've got a good chance."
I see Redd being the only star player that gets traded on the deadline......maybe B-Diddy but thats a 50/50....but I think its a 90/10 chance we see Redd move......I think the Blazers would be a good place to land(despite recent history).....their changing their tag line n well it'll help get the Bucks a above average(once very good) post player.
The Warriors trade too aint bad.......but J-Rich will have to move to SF......its not going to be too pretty.
