NBA Trade Deadline Prompts Rumors
Fans fail to understand the challenge of trading for an NBA star.
Feb 12, 2007
Trade rumors have been spreading like rampant wild fire as the NBA trade deadline approaches. If fans buy into those rumors, they would be confident that Kevin Garnett or Pau Gasol would be dealt to the Bulls, that Jason Kidd would soon don a Lakers uniform, or that Vince Carter would be moved to the Orlando Magic or Clippers.
The fact of the matter is most if not all of these rumors are usually false. That isn’t to say a major deal couldn’t happen. However, blockbuster deals typically take some prompting by the star player. For example, Allen Iverson was recently traded to the Denver Nuggets. In exchange, the Nuggets sent Andre Miller and Ivan McFarlin (who was immediately waived) to the Philadelphia 76ers. The difference between Iverson’s situation and Gasol and Garnett’s situation is that Iverson had demanded to be traded. Conversely, Garnett and Gasol have asked to be traded, but have said they would honor their contract and not be a distraction to the team if a trade could not be worked out. There is a huge difference.
In addition, fans don’t seem to understand how difficult it is to move such a high-paid superstar. For example, Kevin Garnett is earning $21 million this season and is set to make $22 million next season and $24 million in 2008-2009. The Chicago Bulls are thought to be the team with the best chance of landing Garnett in a trade, because they have what every team wants: young, coveted talent; expiring contracts; and draft picks.
Rumors have indicated that the Bulls might part with Ben Gordon or Luol Deng in a package for Kevin Garnett. The Timberwolves have also shown interest in rookie Tyrus Thomas. That sounds great, but the Bulls would have to part with about six players just to match salaries with Garnett. An example of a trade that could work for the Bulls to land Garnett would be to offer Ben Gordon ($3.86 million); Andres Nocioni ($3 million – expires after this season); PJ Brown ($8 million – expires after this season); Tyrus Thomas ($3.26 million); Michael Sweetney ($3 million); and Malik Allen ($1.8 million – expires after this season). That’s literally half of the Bulls’ team! It is unlikely that the Bulls would be willing to sacrifice that much of their young talent and cap room for a player in his thirties.
Pau Gasol could be had for much less, but he is still set to make $12-$15 million in each of the next few seasons. A popular rumor has Gasol going to the Bulls in exchange for Ben Gordon and PJ Brown’s expiring contract. However, the Grizzlies have said they wouldn’t give up Gasol for so cheap.
Another thing to note is that stars don’t come around very often in the NBA. Therefore, unless a team has no other choice (like Philadelphia when they traded Allen Iverson), they are typically reluctant to trade their star player.
Don’t be surprised if you see a blockbuster trade before the deadline. They happen all the time. However, if you’re wondering why your team hasn’t made that kind of move, remember how difficult it is to make those kinds of deals. The NBA is not like fantasy basketball or a video game. Trades are very difficult to make in the NBA. There is a lot of money at stake for team owners, so making the right trade is essential for building a winning franchise.
