Knicks-Wolves-Nets trade?

by **Riot** on Fri Sep 17, 2004 6:05 am

The Journal News reports

The Nets' interest in trading Jason Kidd has moved the Knicks closer to exchanging Kurt Thomas for Wally Szczerbiak, according to several NBA sources.

In a three-way scenario shaped by the Minnesota Timberwolves' desire to land Kidd, the Knicks would send Thomas to the Nets and end up with Minnesota's Szczerbiak and New Jersey's Aaron Williams. The Nets also would land the Timberwolves' Sam Cassell and Ervin Johnson as compensation for shipping out Kidd, who is coming off knee surgery and has $90 million left on the $103 million contract he signed last summer.

Isiah Thomas has little love for Kurt Thomas' game and has coveted Szczerbiak, a Long Island native who has long expressed his desire to play for his hometown team. But even though the pure-shooting Szczerbiak would give the Knicks insurance against Allan Houston's knee problems, Minnesota is the team driving this potential deal.

Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor has charged his GM, Kevin McHale, to acquire Kidd, according to an NBA executive involved in the talks, and the Nets' All-Star point guard has told management he would accept a trade to Minnesota. With Kenyon Martin and Kerry Kittles jettisoned in the purge ordered by new owner Bruce Ratner, and with the Nets staring at a series of bleak lame-duck seasons in the Meadowlands before moving to Brooklyn, Kidd wants out in the worst way.

"But is anyone willing to take him and the $90 million after knee surgery?" said one NBA executive with knowledge of the talks. "I wouldn't buy a racehorse that couldn't run, even if it was the greatest racehorse of all time."

Minnesota apparently believes a Kidd-Kevin Garnett-Latrell Sprewell combination would win a Western Conference race left wide open by the dismantling of the Lakers. The Timberwolves talked to the Trail Blazers about acquiring Shareef Abdur-Rahim, whom McHale could've traded to the Nets for Kidd (Abdur-Rahim and Nets coach Lawrence Frank have a good relationship stemming from their time together in Vancouver). Portland also talked directly to the Nets about a Kidd-for-Abdur-Rahim exchange, with the Nets inquiring about the Blazers' No. 1 pick, Brooklyn high school star Sebastian Telfair.

But the Blazers aren't sure Kidd would guarantee them a top playoff seed in the West, and right now don't want to pay $180 million (including luxury-tax charges) to find out. That leaves Minnesota to pick up the ball and search for willing trade partners who can make something work with the Nets.

To take on Szczerbiak and Williams, the Knicks would have to rid themselves of another salary in addition to Thomas'. Isiah Thomas is hoping against hope to convince someone to take Moochie Norris or Shandon Anderson off his hands.

"This deal is within the realm of possibility," confirmed an official familiar with Isiah Thomas' thinking. "But when you have this many players and contracts involved, so many things can change."

http://www.thejournalnews.com/newsroom/ ... ksweb.html

by **NNpF** on Fri Sep 17, 2004 8:00 am

This seems like an awesome trade to me. This makes me a very happy person. Although I don't want Kidd to leave this just makes me so happy that they get another great point-guard and a good PF too. And they just signed a whole bunch of SG (although they released Harris

), this may just mean the Nets are not a lottery team just yet. As sad as I am too see Kidd leave this is a trade I will be happy to see happen.

by **j.23** on Fri Sep 17, 2004 9:42 am

j. kidd and garnett, that would be a crazy combination

by **Amphatoast** on Fri Sep 17, 2004 10:16 am

kidd kg, spree, fast breaks all day...wolves will be a really fun team to watch

by **Hannibal** on Fri Sep 17, 2004 12:11 pm

The Wolves are giving up way too much talent just to get Kidd IMO. The Knicks on the other hand are giving up too little. I don't want this trade to happen for the Wolves.

by **NNpF** on Fri Sep 17, 2004 12:29 pm

You're right about that.

I mean Cassell and Johnson are already worth Kidd, but they are also losing Szcerbiak who is one of my favorite player on the Wolves. So I'm happy to see New Jersey get two high-calibur players and a great low post defender. This trade could really hurt the Wolves if Kidd can't play through his knee surgery.

by **Riot** on Fri Sep 17, 2004 1:47 pm

As a wolf fan, I hate it.

Flip needs a shooting point guard, Kidd is not that.

Think about it...
Marbury-Brandon-Billups-Hudson-Cassell all thrived under Flip's system.

Also, Cassell's agent said he has 5 heathly years left in him. Although, Kidd is younger I don't think you can say the same for him.

Wolves lose depth. If Sprewell goes down who steps in? Kidd-Hoiberg-Hassell? Is that NBA Finals material? What if Kidd and Spre are down? Hudson-Hoiberg-Hassell-KG-Kandi? Is that finals material?

If we don't do the trade and Cassell and Spre go down we can always chuck this lineup out there...Hudson-Hassell-Wally-KG-Kandi, that'll give us some wins.

I don't like this trade at all.

by **Micchy_boy** on Fri Sep 17, 2004 4:16 pm

i dnot know if KG-Kidd duo will clikc as KG-Cassell duo have done. i dont think Kidd (with his injury) cannot dominate offensively as cassell did in the pass. in some instance, when KG was struggling or at the bench it was Cassell who take the scoring load for the wolvers. Can Kidd do that?? he may be the best point guard but his scoring was somewhat questionable if you compared to marbury, nash or cassell.

and as they said wolves gave up to many players for Kidd. you cant win champoinship with your starters alone. you need bench players and that was they gave up (wally and Ervin)

by **Amphatoast** on Fri Sep 17, 2004 4:41 pm

remember Kidd is the type of player that makes the team better, meaning, guys who suck at the moment won't suck with Kidd around so those who step up won't be suprising. That's what Kidd brings to the table, leadership and the ability to make you better.

Bluesky · by **Andrew** on Fri Sep 17, 2004 9:31 pm

If I'm not mistaken, Cassell will be available earlier than Kidd will be. I think the Timberwolves are better off keeping their nucleus from last year and making another run. A Kidd/KG pairing might work out, but how far into the season will it become a reality?

Last season's nucleus was capable of making the Western Conference Finals and would have been more competitive had Cassell been around. With the Lakers disbanded and a healthy Cassell, that outfit stands an excellent chance of making it back to the WCF and possibly going even further. I think it's the wrong time for the Wolves to make such a huge change.

by **hmm** on Fri Sep 17, 2004 9:58 pm

....................................

by **Jowe** on Fri Sep 17, 2004 10:38 pm

if that trade goes through, keep in mind . Kidd will be out til december.. and you know how these knee injuries are. He might not be 100% ever again.
Its especially bad since he is a running point guard.

by **cklitsie** on Sat Sep 18, 2004 12:24 am

god please lets this trade happen

by **Steve04** on Sat Sep 18, 2004 5:01 am

So you go from a KG-Cassell duo(One choker, one clutch player), to a KG-Kidd duo(Two chokers)

Now before you jump on me. Jason Kidd choked in the 2003 finals against the Spurs. The whole Nets team did. Garnette has yet to step it up in the big game when he was NEEDED. Garnette you're being guarded by an old gimpy Karl Malone and you got pushed around. Put on some muscle before Anthony Peeler mashes you again.

by **Riot** on Sat Sep 18, 2004 6:25 am

Didn't KG dominate game 7 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals against the kings? I call that a big game.

31 points, 22 rebounds and about 7 assists.

by **Steve04** on Sat Sep 18, 2004 6:32 am

Riot wrote:Didn't KG dominate game 7 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals against the kings? I call that a big game.

31 points, 22 rebounds and about 7 assists.

Hey Riot. Yes he did. That's one big game. Probably the first time he propelled them to something. But see, the sign of a great one is repeated success. Not once in a blue moon climbs to the peak of the mountain only to fall back down. In my opinion Garnette is a Grant Hill with a mean streak. He needs that clutch shooter to take over the game in the 4th QTR. Garnette is a monster who fills up the stat sheet, but in my opinion he can't be counted on to take over the game night in and night out when it counts and when you most need him.

I was cheering for LA in the Western Finals, but I was also yelling inside at KG to take OVER THE BALLGAME. Karl Malone couldn't stay with him! Anyone who thinks so is out of their mind! But KG didn't demand the ball over and over until he tore Karl a new one. It's things like this that just frustrate me about Garnette. The talent and desire is there, but sometimes I don't see that killer instinct, that propensity to dominate his opponents. It seems at times he would rather just be one of the guys doing his thing than being THE guy carrying everyone else. I know I'm not the only one who feels this way.

by **Riot** on Sat Sep 18, 2004 7:00 am

I agree, he doesn't have too many dominate performances in big games but besides this year what kind of big games did he get into? Remember, he was a rookie in the 2nd round (not a rookie, but he never been in the 2nd round before) and he never played that many minutes + games before in his life.

Sometimes he trys to be too unselfish where it's frustrating as a Wolves fan. Just take it KG, take it too the hoop. But he dominates the whole game, not just the final 2 minutes. I wish he could do both though.

by **Riot** on Sat Sep 18, 2004 7:17 am

According to Nets chief executive Rod Thorn, It does not seem likely they will deal their all-star point guard. "I would be very, very surprised if Jason Kidd is traded," Thorn said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

Many teams have been mentioned as potential suitors for Mr. Kidd including Portland and Minnesota. However, the Nets will only deal Kidd if they feel they are made significantly better by the trade.

"I would never say I won't trade any player," Thorn said. "But you are talking about one of the best players in the league. To think we are just going to give him away is foolish. It's mind boggling."

Jason Kidd averaged 15.5 points and 9.2 assists last season in 67 games while also leading the league with nine triple-doubles. Mr. Kidd has five years left on his current contract, and is slated to earn $14.8 million this season

Linky

by **Sauru** on Sat Sep 18, 2004 7:26 am

kg may not dominate a game like other big names players do but has kg ever actually hurt the team? i have seen alot of games where the star player keeps trying to dominate the game and by doing so hurts his team. iverson has had some poor shooting games where he actually hurt them. kobe has, shaq has, the list goes on. i dont get to see amny wolves games so its why i ask, does he ever hurt his team? i think to hurt your team you have to command the ball and blow it regularly through the game, i dont see KG as the kind of player who demands the ball non stop.

by **Riot** on Sat Sep 18, 2004 7:37 am

He hasn't ever hurt the team by demanding the ball too much. Sometimes he just doesn't have his head in the game and makes some stupid fouls and turnovers.

But in the press conference he always puts the loss on himself and looks at game film right after the game when he gets home (atleast, that's what he says he does). So, he hurts the team at times like every player does but he looks at the film to try to get better and not do it again.

by **NNpF** on Sat Sep 18, 2004 7:57 am

Jowe wrote:if that trade goes through, keep in mind . Kidd will be out til december.. and you know how these knee injuries are. He might not be 100% ever again.
Its especially bad since he is a running point guard.

He won't be out until December because they can't make the trade until all the players are healthy and pass physicals. So if the trade does happen it will probably happen in December.

Now before you jump on me. Jason Kidd choked in the 2003 finals against the Spurs. The whole Nets team did.

That is true but...

In this years Eastern Conference Quarter Finals when the Nets played the Pistons and Jason Kidd had two really bad shooting games at the beginning of the series, so, he was criticised. Then after that Kidd lead the team and shot over 40% the rest of the series and leading the Nets, despite losing the series the Nets were the Pistons hardest oponents in the playoffs, yes, harder then Indiana. Kidd may not be able to shoot but he can lead the team if he is healthy. He will make big shots and big plays. Thats just the kind of player Kidd is, he may shoot bad all game but then when those critical moments arise he comes out of nowhere scoring, passing, defending. And although the Wolves are giving up a lot Kidd will not ruin this team if he is healthy.

by **Steve04** on Sat Sep 18, 2004 9:50 am

If the best you can do to defend garnette is atleast he hasn't hurt his team then you're wrong. WHY did the T'Wolves LOSE to the Lakers? Not because they had injuries!!! Those players being healthy just would have masked Garnette's fatal flaw. Even with a gimpy no show Cassell the Wolves were good enough to beat LA right then and there. Garnette HURT his team by not demanding the ball and taking over down the stretch. He HURT his team by not being able to take advantage of the mismatch that was Karl Malone guarding him. That played right into the Lakers hands. Let Garnette have his stat sheet game, but as long as he doesn't hurt us late and passes it to Wally Choker or Latrell Don't Choke Me in the end it's all good.

by **Riot** on Sat Sep 18, 2004 10:07 am

KG was also playing 46+ mins a game playing PG/SG/SF/PF and Center.

And if you think no Sam and Hudson didn't hurt Wolves you're wrong.

by **Sauru** on Sat Sep 18, 2004 12:13 pm

demanding the ball can hurt a team alot. i dont see why alot of people insist that the best way to win is for the best player to demand the ball. its a team game not a star vs star game. yeah alot of the times when a star demands the ball its a good thing but there are also alot of times that when a star demands the ball he loses the game for his team.

by **NNpF** on Sat Sep 18, 2004 1:28 pm

Why do you think Shaq and Kobe hate eachother? They both demand the ball all the time but they rarely pass to eachother. And if one is happy then the other isn't happy. And with all the scorers the Timberwolves had there is no reason for Garnett to always demand the ball. And how could you say that the Timberwolves were not affected by playing without Cassell and Hudson? Thats one of the stupidest things I ever heard, you try to win a playoff game with Darrick Martin running the point as much as he did.

And it is spelled 'Garnett' not 'Garnette'.

Knicks-Wolves-Nets trade?

Knicks-Wolves-Nets trade?

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