The Sports Rumors

Three Stars, Three Incompetent GMs

(Mitch Kupchak: Man.. I suck.)

Could you have a collection of greater veteran talent that all wants to be moved in the same month, surrounded by a collection of worse general managers? I honestly don’t think it’s possible. You’re talking about the dream team of idiots when it comes to McHale, Ainge, and Kupchak. (Actually wait. It could be worse. Isiah Thomas could jump in and offer 10 years worth of draft picks, Stephon Marbury, and Hillary Clinton….. for Luke Walton.)

You have two of the most established superstars in the league with Kobe and Garnett, plus a very good perennial All-Star in Pierce and these, for lack of a better word, idiots, cannot put together a feasible trade. McHale went from not wanting to trade K.G. at all and possibly letting him walk next offseason for NOTHING, to wanting picks 1-15 of the draft, 3 or 4 All Stars, a couple of expiring contracts, and a sack of diamonds. Ainge couldn’t get his kid to play in Boston if he begged him to, because everyone knows how terribly run that franchise is. I don’t blame Shawn Marion or Jermaine O’neal or K.G. for not wanting to go there. I’d rather go to the Washington Mystics than play for the Celtics right now. And of course, there is Mitch Kupchak a.k.a. “I think Kwame Brown for Caron Butler is a step forward”. I’m not even going to start on him. This has been one of, if not, the craziest offseason that I can remember. In 36 hours, it should get crazier. But of course, since we’re dealing with the three stooges, don’t be surprised one bit if NO ONE gets traded.

So where are we at now? Again, as a deal was close to being made, a crazy twist was thrown in and a deal that went from being red hot hours before has now gone completely cold. The Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves have both said that the potential trade that would send Kevin Garnett to the Lakers is dead. This report coming less than 24 hours after news broke that the two sides were very close to completing the trade. The Timberwolves moronic and incompetent GM, Kevin McHale, is apparently not impressed with Lamar Odom or his contract which has 2 years and over 21 million remaining. The 19^th pick overall is also not high enough for McHale’s standards. However, don’t make the mistake of believing that this deal is completely dead, despite what both sides say. The announcement by the Charlotte Bobcats last night that they will be willing to trade both of their first round picks and facilitate a trade is exactly what the Lakers need. Also, keep an eye on Atlanta. Don’t be surprised if the Lakers send Odom, Bynum and their pick to Atlanta in exchange for Atlanta sending their draft picks (both) to Minnesota and then consequently, Garnett to the Lakers. A similar scenario could be worked out with the Bobcats as well. Phone lines will be off the hook and stress will be at an all time high for the next 36 hours.

In another wild and unusual twist, the Phoenix Suns are back into the Garnett sweepstakes. Sources say the Suns are considering sending Amare Stoudemire to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for them sending their draft picks to Minnesota and Minnesota then sending Garnett to the Suns. People inside the organization believe this trade to be very possible given reports of Stoudemire’s arrogant attitude and unstable relationship with Coach Mike D’antoni. Two-time MVP Steve Nash has also been said to have a big say in this deal which would send a first team All-NBA player out of town to bring in a 31 year old past-his-prime talent.

Basically what it comes down to is who can offer Atlanta (or Charlotte) the better deal in exchange for them sending their picks to Minnesota. It’s highly doubtful that either L.A. or Phoenix can complete a direct trade with Minnesota so more than likely, the third team will have to be involved and be able to offer a package that Minnesota likes. The Lakers and Suns will be competing furiously over the next 36 hours; not just because they want Garnett, but because neither side wants their bitter rival to end up with Garnett.

(I cannot believe that the Suns would be willing to move Amare Stoudemire. Is this going to be Steve Kerr’s first move as General Manager? Eeek. Good luck with that career buddy. This idea is preposterous to me and it makes absolutely no sense. I’m not even talking about the on the on the court numbers or any of that. Financially, as an organization, it makes NO sense. You have a two year window to win a title with Nash. Two years. Point blank. You ship out your 24 year old STUD who you can build around for years to come, and bring in an 31 year old with lots of miles and who may not play for than a couple of more years anyway? It’s hard to picture Garnett retiring because it seems like yesterday he came into the league. But step back from that for a second and think about this: At the end of the season two years from now, he will have completed his 14th NBA season. What’s the guarantee he’s going to start his 15th?

Where do you think the Suns’ organization will be two years from now? Nash will be old and on the decline or possibly retired. Same with Garnett. Basically the Suns are thinking that they can bring in K.G., ship out Amare, and in two years, start all over from ground zero but still be competitive. How? I don’t have a clue. They could go from a title contender to being lottery bound that easily. Makes no sense to me at all.)

Paul Pierce is also making his own waves now as his demands for a trade are starting to gain momentum. Danny Ainge and the Celtics are in big trouble at this point because they have pretty much been shunned by Kevin Garnett and Shawn Marion. There are no other big name stars that they can bring in, as Pierce suggests. The next best thing is Jermaine O’neal but Ainge said he didn’t want to bring him in so that’s that. If the draft comes and goes, and the Celtics don’t bring in a big name player, Paul Pierce will be as good as gone. Danny Ainge’s clock is ticking louder than ever now, and he knows it.

In regards to Kobe and the Lakers feud, my friend Colin said it best:

“If LA misses the boat on this and KG goes to the Suns or something, it will just alienate Kobe
even more..just prove his point that they can’t get it done.”

This is it people. 36 hours until the draft. The moves that have been so heavily scrutinized for weeks will either go down any time now… or not happen at all. It’s put up or shut up for the teams involved and it’s pretty much a do or die situation for the three stooges.

(Could we see one of the best duo’s in history? We’ll know in less than 36 hours.)