Big trade today: Connecticut sends Pee Wee Johnson to San Antonio in exchange for the Stars' first-round pick, which is the #4 pick overall.
For analysis, I turn to the expert, Barry Uhrman. Barry's take is as follows:
This trade makes sense...as long as there are other trades involved.
Shannon Johnson at the point, Marie Ferdinand at the 2, and LaToya Thomas at the 4. That is a high-octane offense. But the problem is that Thomas isn't going to pass the ball out of the post, so they need an athletic, physical presence in the paint to rebound and get garbage points. That player is NOT Margo Dydek, who thrives in a slow, halfcourt, grind-it-out offense. Margo does not fit in with those three players; the parts do not mesh.
Margo fits best with the Liberty and Richie Adubato's system. But with Ann Wauters there, New York doesn't need her. In my opinion, San Antonio should trade Margo to Los Angeles for the 12th pick in the draft. Michael Cooper has repeatedly stated that he would like to work with her. Los Angeles is in DIRE need of a backup post. Plus, Margo can learn from Cooper and from Lisa Leslie about how to be more aggressive in the post. San Antonio will still be able to take a post player with the 12th pick. However, the Silver Stars still need to sign Olympia Scott-Richardson as a free agent because other than Gwen Jackson, San Antonio has no depth in the post.
The other issue is Jennifer Azzi. Azzi will not be a backup. Does this mean that Johnson will start at the two, with Marie at the three (which makes a very small lineup)? Or will Azzi be traded? Azzi for Washington's second round pick (15th overall) makes a lot of sense. Azzi is a restricted free agent, and San Antonio can match any offer. Tune in and see what happens.
As for Connecticut, the Sun now have the #4 and #8 picks. And the Sun STILL have NO chance at Diana. Phoenix will not trade the #1 pick unless Sue Bird, Lauren Jackson, or Tamika Catchings...or unless the Mercury get TWO picks among the top four selections. The Sun cannot make either happen.
One other note...San Antonio was not sold on Nicole Powell as Adrienne Goodson's replacement. If Indiana goes for Chandi Jones at #3, Powell would NOT go to the Sun at #4 unless either Katie Douglas or Nykesha Sales is traded (and you can forget about Sales being traded). Powell could slip to #5...meaning Nicole would take over for Crystal Robinson as New York's small forward.
For analysis, I turn to the expert, Barry Uhrman. Barry's take is as follows:
This trade makes sense...as long as there are other trades involved.
Shannon Johnson at the point, Marie Ferdinand at the 2, and LaToya Thomas at the 4. That is a high-octane offense. But the problem is that Thomas isn't going to pass the ball out of the post, so they need an athletic, physical presence in the paint to rebound and get garbage points. That player is NOT Margo Dydek, who thrives in a slow, halfcourt, grind-it-out offense. Margo does not fit in with those three players; the parts do not mesh.
Margo fits best with the Liberty and Richie Adubato's system. But with Ann Wauters there, New York doesn't need her. In my opinion, San Antonio should trade Margo to Los Angeles for the 12th pick in the draft. Michael Cooper has repeatedly stated that he would like to work with her. Los Angeles is in DIRE need of a backup post. Plus, Margo can learn from Cooper and from Lisa Leslie about how to be more aggressive in the post. San Antonio will still be able to take a post player with the 12th pick. However, the Silver Stars still need to sign Olympia Scott-Richardson as a free agent because other than Gwen Jackson, San Antonio has no depth in the post.
The other issue is Jennifer Azzi. Azzi will not be a backup. Does this mean that Johnson will start at the two, with Marie at the three (which makes a very small lineup)? Or will Azzi be traded? Azzi for Washington's second round pick (15th overall) makes a lot of sense. Azzi is a restricted free agent, and San Antonio can match any offer. Tune in and see what happens.
As for Connecticut, the Sun now have the #4 and #8 picks. And the Sun STILL have NO chance at Diana. Phoenix will not trade the #1 pick unless Sue Bird, Lauren Jackson, or Tamika Catchings...or unless the Mercury get TWO picks among the top four selections. The Sun cannot make either happen.
One other note...San Antonio was not sold on Nicole Powell as Adrienne Goodson's replacement. If Indiana goes for Chandi Jones at #3, Powell would NOT go to the Sun at #4 unless either Katie Douglas or Nykesha Sales is traded (and you can forget about Sales being traded). Powell could slip to #5...meaning Nicole would take over for Crystal Robinson as New York's small forward.
posted by Ted at 2:46 PM
