jmyke

Wizards send Jerry Stackhouse, Brendan Haywood, Jared Jeffries and the #5 pick to the Grizzlies for Pau Gasol and Mike Miller. The compensation going to the Grizz could be played with a little to include different players or future compensation, but this is a solid deal right now in my opinion. You would have to think Jerry West would like to grab a high pick in this draft of high schoolers and find his next Kobe Bryant....or something close at least. Some might also remember that he was extremely high on Jeffries a couple of years ago before the draft; tough to say if that has changed or not. As for Stackhouse, I still think he has plenty of value (unlike some on this board and others) and if he gets his health together can still be an excellent player for someone.

This trade would address our three biggest needs right now 1) a low post scoring presence 2) an upgrade at SF and 3) swapping some of our young unrealized and overlapping talent for players that can help us now.

I think Gasol and Miller are near perfect players for Eddie Jordan's system. Gasol gives you the low post scoring we so desperately need, but with the bonus of athleticism at the 5 spot (where he could dominate in the East) and someone that can run the break and finish with the rest of the Wizards young athletes. I think one of the reasons the Wiz don't seem to be hot on Podkolzine is because he seems to be more of a lumbering big man who would change the way the Wiz play offense. Not Gasol, he would enhance it.

As for Miller, his 3 point shooting, size, and ability to play point forward and rack up assists (thereby eleviating some of the pressure on Arenas to always handle the ball) are taylor made for the Wizards lineup. We need a guy like Miller who can catch and shoot the three on the drive and kickout; we don't have a legitimate high percentage three point sniper on the roster. It would open up the inside quite a bit for an improving Kwame...one would hope.

I also like the fact that these two players are young veterans who have played a TON so far in their career, and have now been to the playoffs to see what that atmosphere is all about. This can be nothing but a plus for our current roster.

Discuss.

jazzy1

The reasons I hear the Grizz want to trade Gasol is because he seems reluctant to mix it up down low physically. In other words he's soft. I love the kids skills. But this season's playoffs exposed he and Miller. Both guys are soft. Gasol wouldn't mix it up with either Duncan or Horry and Miller couldn't get free to make shots.

Now while Haywood drives Wizards fans nuts with his inconsistency he is a good man defender. He defends pf's and c's equally well. He really defends well agaginst the Duncan's, O'Neal's and the Brands.

Kwame is our low post scoring threat. He emerged last season (when given the ball by our gunning backcourt).

I'm hearing Stack is back healthy and looks really good running the MCI center work-outs. So that makes him a better player than Miller.

Gasol has more polish than Kwame does offensively but Kwame scores more on the very low block and he draws alot of fouls and Gasol and he are both pf's.

I'd just keep the devils we got, I need to see our roster healthy before I go dumping pieces overboard.

Unlike some people I'm for keeping Haywood. He's a good chemistry guy ,he's long , he defends ,blocks shots, he improved offensively last season.

jmyke

All fair points, to be sure. While Stack is by all accounts a "better" player than Miller, I'm not sure he's anywhere near as good of a fit for what the Wiz need at this point and time. As for Gasol, I seem to be in the minority in thinking that he could easily play center in the East, with its dearth of quality bigs.

f22egl

he could easily play center; he just wouldnt be effective!

rocketman04

one trade wont complete your team

I like the stackhouse to denver trade

Stackhouse
this years 5th pick (ben gordon)

to Denver for

Andre Miller
Future First Round
Future 2nd Rd


just because I think Denver shouldnt have any vets under contract for more than the next 3 years. (when carmelo would get a new contract) Stack's deal ends in 3 yrs

Also I like Arenas and Miller on the floor at the same time. Good leadership few turnovers. Now you just need a low post player.

Knicksbiggestfan

What are you talking about???

Gasol shot 57% in the series against the spurs and averaged 19 points a game.

He also had an injured foot.

You have never seen Gasol play.

shyFX325

arenas and few turnovers do not go together in the sentence. Well maybe : "Arenas never has only a few turnovers". If you are looking for a backcourt like that we would be much better off drafting livingston and developing him. I know the wiz are starting to get close again but they need to realize that this is not the draft to look for an impact now solution. The upside of livingston 2-3 yrs down the road far outweighs the potential of us being the 6-8th seed in the east next yr with miller.

rocketman04

Miller was suggested to be the true point and put Arenas around him at the other guard

and hughes at small forward