"Around the league in 60 seconds..." (February 25, 1998)

With  the  trading  deadline  come and gone, it's time to take stock at the flurry of activity.

Let's go around the league is 60 seconds:

Otis  Thorpe  and  Chris Robinson traded from Vancouver to Sacramento for Michael Smith and Bobby Hurley.  WHY?  Vancouver unloads a malcontent and a big salary and gets a young power forward who craves playing time and loves to  bang.   Sacramento  gets  a  veteran power forward to take a leadership role.   Robinson  is  a  throw  in.   WHO I LIKE?  Vancouver did a good job unloading  a  player that everyone knew was unhappy.  Besides, Bobby Hurley will give Antonio Daniels some direction and help at point guard.

Ike  Austin, Charles Smith and 1st round pick traded from Miami to the L.A. Clippers  for Brent Barry.  WHY?  Austin and Barry are free agents and were going  to walk after the season.  Miami gets a two guard who can shoot from the outside.  The Clippers get their first legitimate center since Big Ben. Smith  is  a  throw  in (and no he isn't the same Charles Smith from either Pitt or Georgetown).  WHO I LIKE?  I like the Clips unloading Barry because he was a cancer on the team.  He's a good player, but he's damn selfish and the  Clips don't need another player like that.  If they resign Austin (and they  will  throw a truck full of money at him), then L.A. wins, otherwise, Miami wins.

Rony  Seikley  and  Brian Evans traded from Orlando to New Jersey for David Benoit,  Yinka  Dare,  Kevin  Edwards  and  1st  (lottery protected).  WHY? Because Orlando is on crack.  Good deal for New Jersey.  Sure Seikley isn't a  defensive presence.  Sure he doesn't block too many shots.  What he does do  is  move  Williams  and  Van Horne down a spot and gives New Jersey six fouls  and a player who can run and rebound (when he wants).  Besides, they gave  up  three  players who never played for one who will in a month and a chump.   If  Seikley  doesn't turn out as expected, he's cut and New Jersey saves  cap space.  WHO I LIKE?  Orlando unloads an unhappy player and frees up some cap space.  Yinka Dare is cut as of yesterday.  They do get a pick, but  it's  low  1st.  But New Jersey, even if Seikley doesn't play, got the better of the deal, they got rid of Dare.

Jason  Caffey traded by Chicago to Golden State for David Vaughn and second round  picks.   WHY?   I  have  no  idea.  Caffey is a Randy Sexton client. Pippen  is a Sexton client.  Sexton hates the two Jerrys.  'Nuff said.  WHO I LIKE?  Chicago gives more playing time to Toni and Dennis.  Gets a decent player  in Vaughn who has shown flashes of skills.  He was drafted the same year  as  Caffey.  Both are free agents after this year.  Caffey would have surely  walked.   I  don't  understand  the deal, but Chicago does like two second round picks.

Terry  Cummings traded by Philadelphia to New York for Ronnie Grandison and Herb  Williams.   WHY?   Too  many  power forwards spoil the pot.  Ratliff, Coleman  and Smith, good bye.  Cummings was traded to New York to alleviate some  pressure  on  New York's front court due to the injuries to Ewing and Williams.   As of two days ago, Ronnie Grandison and Herb Williams were cut but  Philadelphia.   I  bet Herb Williams will end up as a Knick within the week.   The  last  time Williams was traded (to Toronto) he was cut and was back  in  New  York within a week.  WHO I LIKE?  What's not to like for New York.  They get Terry Cummings.  The 76ers cut the two players.  I guess it was  a money saving move.  The 76ers is partly owned by Bill Gates, I think they have money.

Cedric  Ceballos unloaded by Phoenix to Dallas for Dennis Scott.  WHY?  Who cares.   Neither can play defense.  Both are true scorers who have lost the respect  of their previous coaches.  Both have put up impressive numbers in the  past,  but  are  mediocre now.  Both are free agents after the season. Basically,  it  was  a  move  to unload a malcontent from each team.  WHO I LIKE?   I guess Phoenix got the better of the deal if only because Scott is a  good  shooter.  A good shooter is hard to find.  He should get some open shots  from  KJ or Kidd driving.  Of course they have an overweight shooter who  can't  play  defense  in George McCloud.  Go figure.  Dallas gets Ced. What's  to  say?   He  hustles.   Gets offensive rebounds.  Loves to score. Sulks  when  he doesn't get playing time.  Yet another malcontent on a line of  them on Dallas.  Good move Nellie.  Both men were walking at the end of the year anyway.

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