From Espn Insider:AFTERNOON UPDATE: Trader Bob Whitsitt is at it again, this time trying to create the fattest front court in all the NBA. Call it the Great Wall of Blubber. A trade rumored in one form or another for the last two years may finally become the real deal. In its latest incarnation, according to Frank Hughes of the Tacoma Tribune, Seattle would send Gary Payton and Vin Baker to Portland for Damon Stoudamire, Bonzi Wells and Dale Davis. Portland likely would have to thrown in center Will Perdue for salary cap reasons. The Blazers have been trying to pull off a Stoudamire-for-Payton swap since the NBA trade deadline of 2000. The Sonics have rebuffed every offer. However with free agents bolting, and Payton and Baker stirring up trouble, the Sonics are more desperate then ever to turn things around. A league source close to both teams told Insider this morning that nothing is imminent. According to the source, the latest buzz was created when the Blazers were willing to discuss taking Baker. Sonics GM Wally Walker, who loathes Whitsitt, his Blazers courterpart, apparently is willing to put differences aside if he can dump two headaches at once. If they can pull it off, the Sonics are getting more for Payton and Baker than they could have ever dreamed. The keys for the Sonics would be Davis and Wells. According to a league source, Sonics coach Nate McMillan remains skeptical of Stoudamire and is still urging the Sonics to keep Payton. The Blazers have coveted Payton for the last two years. At crunch time, they were often forced to sit Stoudamire. The Blazers feel Payton might be the leader that they're looking for. The Sonics are laughing hysterically in the background. The most interesting aspect is the inclusion of Baker, considering the Blazers' already bloated front line. Should Baker, Shawn Kemp and Arvydas Sabonis ever hit the court at the same time, they'll have to reinforce the support joists at the Rose Garden. That's 900 pounds of basketball love. Maybe Mike Holmgren should have swung this deal instead to bolster the Seahawks' offensive line. Another complicating factor is that Aaron Goodwin, sworn enemy of the Sonics, represents Payton, Baker and Stoudamire. He told the News Tribune that he would not "participate" in a deal that sacrifices Stoudamire for his other two clients. "If they could work it out so that Damon could stay in Portland and Gary and Vin could go there as well, I would give that my blessing," Goodwin said. "But I would not actively participate in any trade that would send Gary to Portland for the benefit of Gary and not for the benefit of Damon. Why would I want to sacrifice Damon for Gary?" He might not have any choice. Should the deal be made Goodwin said he will push the Sonics to trade Stoudamire again. ------------------ 3fingeredgus- never underestimate the heart of a champion!
This will probably be the best deal the Sonics receive. They should pull the trigger and FAST! ------------------
that's what I'm thinking. They'd be idiots to not make this deal. I'm not a big Stoudamire fan at all (although I did witness him put on the greatest sports performance I've witnessed live - ever), but Seattle needs to get rid of Payton and Baker and to get Wells/Davis in return is just incredible. ------------------ 3fingeredgus- never underestimate the heart of a champion!
Great trade from the Sonics' standpoint. Davis' contract is much friendlier than Baker's, and he's a better player. Payton is better than Stoud will ever be, and doesn't have as long-term a contract, but he's burned the bridge and Seattle needs to settle for what they can get. Wells' contribution won't be known until he can return healthy from a pretty serious injury. ------------------ I'm so amazingly cool you could keep a side of meat in me for a month. I am so hip that I have difficulty seeing over my pelvis.
I want to know what is Portland's obcession with those DAMN PF's! They got Rasheed, and Zach Randolph to back him up, now add Vin Baker? This is not including Kemp and Davis, assuming they get traded. They just have waaaaayyy too many PF's. ------------------
That's a great trade for both teams...unfortunately. I think the Blazers could contend again with The Glove at the point and the Sonics would remain as playoff contenders with a pretty damn good starting 5. It would be interesting to see Payton and Wallace in the same locker room however. ------------------ When you make an assumption, you make an ass out of Uma Thurman.
Man that does make both teams better, even though I don't think the Sonics would make the playoffs, but they would improve. Portland meanwhile gets a solid go-to guy who knows how to win in the playoffs, and who will be happy to be on a contender in Gary Payton. Scary. ------------------ What if I say to you that the universe is a three-legged horse, eh? What then? - Russell Hoban
What a great trade for Portland! They could send a PF or two to the big-body-starved Eastern Conference and even get better. ------------------
All I know is if I'm a Blazer player, I'm hittin' the post game Buffet before Kemp and Baker take all the goodies! ------------------ 3fingeredgus- never underestimate the heart of a champion!
don't know why I capitolized buffet.. ------------------ 3fingeredgus- never underestimate the heart of a champion! [This message has been edited by 3fingeredgus (edited July 31, 2001).]
What a sensational quote! ------------------ "The things I enjoy most, I suck at: 1) Sex: everything's fine until she makes noises." - Achebe
Oh, Smeg, keep your personal romantic fantasies to yourself. ------------------ "I personally wouldn't give up my college years for anything. It was the funnest time I have ever had. But with the money they are getting, you can't blame a kid for coming out." —Jazz forward Scott Padgett, demonstrating the value of a college education
Uhm.. you do know what smeg is, right? At least my understanding, as gleamed from fine British television like Red Dwarf is that smeg is short for smegma. If you don't know what that is, and are not easily disgusted, click here. In that light, I think it's best for everybody if we try to refrain from using the words 'smeg' and 'romantic fantasies' in the same sentance. Thank you. [This message has been edited by Ottomaton (edited July 31, 2001).]
damn. Wish I could take credit for that one. It was part of the ESPN article.. but you're right, it's just excellent. I don't see why Portland hasn't added Oliver Miller yet to complete the 4 Horsemen of Girth. ------------------ 3fingeredgus- never underestimate the heart of a champion!
"If they could work it out so that Damon could stay in Portland and Gary and Vin could go there as well, I would give that my blessing," Goodwin said. "But I would not actively participate in any trade that would send Gary to Portland for the benefit of Gary and not for the benefit of Damon. Why would I want to sacrifice Damon for Gary?" Is this guy some kinda moron? You can't have Stoudy and Payton on the same team. It's a waste of talent, and Stoudy will barely get any pt at all with Payton there. I would think Stoudy would be much happier in Seattle. ------------------ its not the hours you put in your work that counts, it's the work you put in the hours - alaskansnowman
I'm in the Bay Area, near San Francisco. In these parts, anything is fair game. ------------------ "I personally wouldn't give up my college years for anything. It was the funnest time I have ever had. But with the money they are getting, you can't blame a kid for coming out." —Jazz forward Scott Padgett, demonstrating the value of a college education [This message has been edited by Swopa (edited July 31, 2001).]
Did ya'll see Stoudamire pout like a baby whenever Rod Strictland got into the games last year for Portland? Can you imagine his reaction if he's benched, playing behind Payton? BTW- Achebe- much respect. You write great posts. ------------------ 3fingeredgus- never underestimate the heart of a champion!
Hope not!!!! ------------------ "The things I enjoy most, I suck at: 1) Sex: everything's fine until she makes noises." - Achebe
Thanks for the Definition, now i know what my name means LOL ------------------ "The things I enjoy most, I suck at: 1) Sex: everything's fine until she makes noises." - Achebe [This message has been edited by SmeggySmeg (edited July 31, 2001).]
