How does Donnie Roll? See Artest Situation
Hoopsworld had a note about something we were going to mention regarding
Donnie Walsh’s experience in trade situations.
“What’s important to remember is that Knicks General Manager Donnie Walsh is an extremely patient man. When he was running the Indiana Pacers, he waited a very long time to finally move forward Ron Artest. After negotiations with many, many teams – Walsh would ultimately land his top choice in Sacramento Kings forward Peja Stojakovic (now with the New Orleans Hornets).”
Remember Walsh deactivated Artest and many teams were expecting for the other shoe to drop immediately. Artest was suspended after the Pistons fiasco and had a fallout with Walsh. Instead of making haste, Walsh stayed patient and ended up landing the guy he wanted and who fit the system in sharpshooter Stojajovic.
Turns out thanks to a balky back Peja could only play 40 games for the Pacers in the 2005-06 season, which saw them go 41-41. He was then shipped with cash to the Hornets in a move that brought back the draft rights to Englishman Andrew Betts who has yet to come over seas. (Ironic, that Artest played a role in another “phantom” who was drafted and has yet to play in the NBA, no?) The Peja- to- New Orleans deal opened up a trade exemption that allowed Walsh to reacquire Al Harrington from Atlanta, whom he earlier dealt for Stephen Jackson.
Moral of the story is that Walsh’s pedigree is to be patient, as we know, and at the time Peja was peak value for a guy the entire NBA knew Walsh was trying to trade. Sure Peja had signs of being fragile, but he was still considered an elite small forward at the time.
Other trades of note:
2002- Traded Jalen Rose and Travis Best to the Bulls for Brad Miller and Ron Artest (with Kevin Ollie and Ron Mercer)-
Rose was a borderline upper echelon player, but was never the offensive focal point for good reason. He really didn’t have a position.
2000- Traded Dale Davis to the Portland Trail Blazers for Jermaine O’Neal.
How do you rebuild on the fly? Trade a veteran to a desperate playoff team in return for a budding superstar who needs PT.
1994 -Traded Pooh Richardson to the L.A. Clippers for Mark Jackson
In the immortal words of Craig Kilborn, “Pooh Pooh Catchoo, P.U.”
1989- Trades Herb Williams to Dallas Mavericks for eventual Sixth Man of the Year Detlef Schrempf.
Another sell high/buy low; Walsh later moved Schrempf for Derrick McKey, which was a mistake.
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http://www.spike.com/blog/swine-flu-compare/77525 1976 swine flu scare.
