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Trade Factory - POR/MIN/NOOK trade

How are we going to get rid of Miles. I was very disappointed to hear the NY Knicks recently saying they would probably not trade their expiring contracts, which in my mind takes away one of the most likely targets for a Miles trade. If Isaiah doesn't want him, who would?

The most likely targets would seem to be teams that are a little desperate for talent and willing to take a chance, who need a starting small forward, and who are expected to be a little over the cap for the next few years (so they don't lose cap space by taking on Miles salary).

With these criteria, Minnesota is the only team that comes to mind. Would Kevin McHale want to take a chance on Darius? I don't know, but if so, it might look something like this.

• New Orleans sends out Desmond Mason, JR Smith and Arvydas Macijauskas
• New Orleans receives Ricky Davis, Juan Dixon, Dan Dickau and a 2007 2nd round pick (Portland's).
• Minnesota sends out Ricky Davis and Eddie Griffin, Bracey Wright.
• Minnesota receives Darius Miles, JR Smith, Arvydas Macijauskas, Travis Outlaw.
• Portland sends out Darius Miles, Juan Dixon, Travis Outlaw, Dan Dickau, 2007 2nd round pick.
• Portland recieves Desmond Mason, Eddie Griffin, Bracey Wright.

Why New Orleans does it: This trade allows them to get rid of all their unhappiest players. For whatever reason, some guys aren't fitting in with the Oklahoma City/Byron Scott era, and those guys are Smith, Mason and Macijauskas. However, if the Hornets are going to trade those guys, they will need more guards to replace them. Ricky Davis would start for them at SG, between Chris Paul and Peja Stojakovic. Dan Dickau had a great year in New Orleans as the starter during the 2004-2005 season, and if healthy (let's hope), he would be the 2nd or 3rd point guard for the Hornets (depending on if Speedy Claxton is still around next season). Juan Dixon just gives them a capable veteran to backup the SG spot, who can also play PG in a pinch. The 2007 pick is just a sweetener (although it probably will be a decent pick between #31 and #40), to help the skinflint Hornets keep their roster full next year.

Why Minnesota does it: Basically, they are desperate. In exchange for the stat stuffing but somewhat inefficient offense of Ricky Davis, and the versatile but now embarassing Eddie Griffin, the T-Wolves get some real talent. Darius Miles is capable of contributing just as much as Davis (19-5-3 type numbers), and a change of scene might be able to bring that out of him. JR Smith is a promising young SG, and with the recent announcement that Rashad McCants will require microfracture surgery, the T-Wolves could use him. Arvydas Macijauskas is also a talented combo guard who could benefit from a change in scene, and backup the PG position in an emergency. Travis Outlaw is a physical freak who hasn't learned to play aggressively and who seemed to regress under coach Nate McMillan in Portland, and he is another guy who could blossom with a team change. Either way he provides needed depth at SF for the Wolves.

Why Portland does it: The Blazers really want to dump Darius Miles. He has been a discontented locker room poison for over a season now, and he has to be moved. He is supremely talented, but seems to have a fragile ego and has burned his bridges with the Blazers. Juan Dixon is also rumored to be unhappy in Portland, with all the losing and McMillan's harsh coaching style. Contrast that with Desmond Mason, who spies tell us actually wants to play in Portland. He has a house in West Linn and a history with Coach Nate. Eddie Griffin possibly could contribute on the court in Portland, but due to the lingering "jailblazer" image problems that the team has, he would have to be waived or bought out immediately, and the team would eat the remaining $5.6 mil on his contract. Bracey Wright is a throw in.

Why New Orleans doesn't do it: It's tough to know how each coach and GM guages the value of each individual player. The three D's they are getting (Davis, Dixon, and Dickau), all have only 1 year remaining on their reasonably sized contracts, but if the Hornets really don't like those guys, they won't want to give up Desmond Mason's expiring contract for them. However, I think the Hornets should like this deal.

Why Minnesota doesn't do it: This is the weakest link. Ricky Davis and Eddie Griffin are real contributors for the Wolves. Although the team is bad and could use a good shakeup, this trade doesn't provide them with any sure-fire assets. With guys like Darius, Smith, Outlaw and Macijauskas, it only gives them a moderate increase in talent that may or may not even be realized. It gives them more depth at the wing positions, but it is not the kind of trade that will make Timberwolves fans get excited.

Why Portland doesn't do it: Perhaps, someone within the Blazers organization thinks they can get more for Miles? I can't think of any other reason Portland would not do this trade. They exchange their biggest headache (Miles), who for all his talent isn't even contributing much on the court anyways, for a great character guy and veteran who actually wants to be here. They lose disgruntled Dixon and underachieving Outlaw, but Coach Nate probably wouldn't miss them. The 2007 pick will be a decent one, but with a nearly full roster next year anyways, the Blazers probably don't need it. Owner Paul Allen is probably a little reluctant to just eat a $5 mil + contract like Griffin's, but that amount is much less than the long term money the team is scheduled to waste on Miles now, so it's a net financial gain in the long run.

If you can think of any way to make the offer more attractive for Minnesota, don't be afriad to leave a comment. I thought about giving them Blake, but I think that we need him as our backup (or even starting) PG right now.