ESPN is reporting that the Timberwolves shipped O.J. Mayo, Antoine Walker, Marko Jaric, and Greg Buckner to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Kevin Love, Mike Miller, Jason Collins, and Brian Cardinal to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Who won the trade? Memphis.
First of all, O.J. Mayo is the prize of the trade. However Memphis had to take on some pretty ugly contracts to make this deal. Since Miami is interested in Mayo, this trade with Minnesota might just be a prelude to an even bigger deal with Miami for Michael Beasley (someone Memphis is very interested in).
Minnesota did OK. They dumped Walker's contract (a joke at $9 million a year for three more years) and Jaric's contract ($6 million + for three more years), and all they had to do was take back Brian Cardinal's deal. Minnesota also got Mike Miller, but it seems likely that Miller will be traded to a championship contender for some draft picks/young talent and expiring contracts.
It's a near certainty that Memphis will trade one or more of their guards in the next couple of weeks. They've got Mayo, Conley, Lowry, Crittenton, and now Jaric. The question is which guard(s), and to which teams?
My guess is by the time the sun rises O.J. Mayo will be playing in Miami and Michael Beasley will be teaming up with Rudy Gay and Mike Conley in Memphis.
Why else would Memphis take on all this salary?
Original Story:
http://www.nobloodnofoul.com/2008/06/...
Original Story:
http://www.nobloodnofoul.com/2008/06/...
