Wednesday, February 13, 2008

BIg Thumbs Down to Mavs Trade

The deal looks like:

Jason Kidd and Malik Allen

for

Devin Harris and DeSagana Diop and Jerry Stackhouse and Devean George and Maurice Ager and the Mavs' 2008 1st round pick and the Mavs' 2010 1st round pick and $3 million.

Stackhouse may be cut be New Jersey for money reasons and may come back to Dallas. Allen is probably a meaningless throw in so the Mavs can meet roster requirements.

I think this is a horrible trade for the Mavs. Consider that stat averages:

Jason Kidd - 37 minutes, 11.3 points, 10.4 assists, 3.6 turnovers, 36.6% shooting.

Devin Harris - 30 minutes, 14.4 points 5.3 assists, 2.4 turnovers, 48.3% shooting.


Kidd is the superstar he once was. Even so Kidd is still a first rate ball distributor, especially in the full court. Kidd is also an excellent rebounder for a point guard, although this will probably drop in Dallas as Howard, Nowitzki, and Dampier will clear the defensive boards nicely. He's also got experience.

However, Kidd has lost a step defensively, it appears from such examples as Gary Payton that defense is the first thing to go for old point guards. Harris is one of the top defensive point guards in the league, many consider him the best. With the possible meeting up with Steve Nash, Tony Parker, and Chris Paul in the playoffs this could be crucial.

Compared to Kidd, Harris is so much of a better shooter it isn't even funny. He's also the only Maverick to show to the ability to drive to the basket with anything approaching regularity (which is the Mavs biggest problem - settling for jump shots).

The advantage of Kidd over Harris this season isn't as great as supposed. Throw in Diop and it's a trade I probably wouldn't make even if it was just for this season. Diop has struggled somewhat this season, but he's crucial to the Mavs dual center set-up of Dampier and Diop. With the Lakers adding Gasol, and the Suns adding Shaq, and Duncan and Yao still in the West, the Mavs badly need both of the centers.

This is supposed to be a future for now trade, where the Mavs give up some future assets for being better now. I'm not at all convinced that this trade makes the Mavs better this season. Factor in the future, Kidd's age against Kidd's and Diop's and the draft picks given up it's just a horrible trade. It is certain to make them worse in the future and doesn't make them better now.

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