The NBA’s trade deadline is near, February 23rd. Thats eight days away. Now is the time that trade talks heat up every year.
The most prominent rumor being mentioned is that the Pistons may trade Darko Milicic and Carlos Arroyo to the Orlando Magic for Kelvin Cato and Orlando’s 1st Round Pick.
The one snag being reported is that Orlando only wants to give a lottery-protected pick while the Pistons want their pick for this year no matter what.
Oppinion:
This deal is terrible. The only appeal to Cato is his nearly $9M in expiring contract. Sure he’d get the Pistons under the salary cap, but the only concern with the cap is the Pistons’ ability to sign Ben Wallace in the offseason which is going to happen anyway. You might get a 1st round pick, but how good will it be and do you really need it? Don’t forget, the way the Pistons raise rookies Jason Maxiell, Alex Acker, and Amir Johnson are still promising and next year whoever the Pistons draft would be no closer to helping the team than Darko or any of the current rookies.
Carlos Arroyo’s minutes have declined recently and fans have been hounding him for unfocused play. The fact remains that he has an undeniable playmaking ability and potential is still there from him single-handedly defeating U.S. Olympic team in 2004. Do you REALLY want Lindsey Hunter, who’s barely back from being injured all season, and Alex Acker, who hasn’t played a minute all season, being the primary backups to Chauncey Billups. I certainly do not.
The jury is still out on Milicic.
He has shown flashes of brilliance and everyone who watches him practice says he has amazing talent. His only knock is that he gets bored not playing. Not playing behind three All-Star bigmen, largely in their prime and a 14-year veteran. At 20 years old, should you really be knocked for being unfocused here and there? You’re lying to yourself if you say yes.
If you’re not getting better you’re getting worse.
As the top team in basketball, why trade your largest asset? Your depth. God forbid something happen to one of our amazing guards, or our incredible frontcourt, you are going to need every bit of energy you can get from Darko and Carlos. With this trade, that bit of hope is completely gone and you’re vulnerable.