Since the ill-fated drop in the NBA Draft Lottery two weeks ago, falling two spots to land the fifth overall pick in the June 25 draft, the Washington Wizards have become one of the most talked about teams in pre-draft trade rumor circles. Two significant trade rumors have emerged courtesy of various NBA Web sites. Both are worth exploring.
Rumor No. 1
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Washington gets Amare Stoudemire from Phoenix in exchange for the No. 5 pick, [a Wizards star] and [a Wizards expiring contract].*
Financial pressures on the Suns, as well as other teams in the NBA, make this less surprising than you might think.
In this case, if the Wizards superstar is aging Antawn Jamison, the deal is lopsided in favor of Washington and would be hard to pass up. However, the Suns could push for Caron Butler instead. Despite Butler’s increasing role with the Wizards, especially over the past season, the NBA is a versatile big man’s league. The opportunity to nab a great one can’t be regarded lightly.
Rumor No. 2
Washington gets [a combination of players] from Dallas in exchange for the No. 5 pick, [a combination of players and expiring contracts].*
Despite the organization’s belief that the Wizards can win next season if healthy, this longer-term play begins with Mavericks’ rumored interest (as reported by Draftexpress.com) in Arizona forward Jordan Hill, a likely prospect for the fifth pick. Washington could get cap relief and make itself a player in the big 2010 summer market with ex-Wizard Jerry Stackhouse (contract expiration next summer), but the addition of an all-star like Josh Howard (team option in 2010) would add affordable depth that Washington could keep or let go. However, if the Mavs want to win next season, and we hear they do, it makes no sense to give up someone such as Howard.
Still, with three weeks until draft day, both trades are positive grist for the Wizards rumor mill.
*Any deal the Wizards make must include either Etan Thomas or Mike James, whose deals both expire next summer. The departure of one or both players is essential if Washington is to stay under the salary cap and avoid the luxury tax.
