not that the proof is always in the pudding, but I wouldn’t be surprised if interest in Collison was that lukewarm. Think of all the young PGs in the league.

He’s very athletic, and a solid defender, and wasn’t just a 1 series playoff wonder.

But he’s not great either, and I think seems to have some attitude issues esp on him leaving Orlando and then leaving New York after it seemed both teams had a coup for a young player with upside to deal him for nothing….

Granted Isiah was one of ’em.

I know why he left the Lakers…..that was about chasing the $$ which anyone would do perhaps not named Shaq these days (I am still a bit surprised Shaq didn’t go to Atlanta for $5M/per).

because they just signed Morrow and Outlaw this offseason, and they can start T-Will at SG if they want. Those three at the 2/3 is decent enough, and Lee isn’t really that great anyways. Their only PF is Favors, and he’s super raw.

NJ’s going back all in?

Lee is overrated….

But I’ve been on that one before.

the Pacers got Darren Collison and Player B for (huge contract) Troy Murphy. This gives them the PG they need (NO better hope CP3 stays healthy and doesn’t walk in 2 years) and dump the salary that was choking their finances.

GREAT move by Larry Bird.

Which could theoretically then have cap space again next Summer, while temporarily improving their team this year…

And Deng is still around

But he is a career 32% 3 point shooter and is going into his 7th season. He will benefit from Paul, true, but I can’t imagine any of his percentages going up much more.

But if Paul goes down with injury again, who is filling his role? I would have at least insisted on a competent back-up PG in any deal involving moving Collison. In terms of 3pt shooting Ariza has never been good. Hopefully he can act as a true slasher and defensive stalwart and cut back on the perimeter game. That would be best.

he can’t shoot, and is not a scorer.

Houston with KMart, Brooks and a returning Scola…with Battier and Lee playing the roles or perimeter defenders, could be a very good well rounded team.

I don’t even think he’s that bad of a guy, just that the coach didn’t like playing him. I could be wrong though.

Wright effectively has an expiring deal, but it’s not like JJ makes that much.

Plus while it’s nice to have another shooter I’m not sure about just giving up on JJ that early.

but that’s not ‘getting into’ this trade, since nobody like Deng (and his deal) was moved.

is horrible, these guys are both the same age, Deng is the much better player buy a land slide.

Deng’s long two at a significantly higher percentage versus Ariza’s 5-6 3s a game at 33% shooting.

he is not very good at it, I’ll take Deng’s consistent 17 & 7 over Ariza garbage 3pt shot and 14 points.

Morey realized this and went out and made a smart deal to lose Ariza and get a player they liked. Plus Budinger proved to be quite solid as a rookie and plenty capable of taking over for Ariza longterm.

So it’s not clear that the Bulls had the pieces to get Ariza. They likely wouldn’t have done a cap space for Ariza dump.

Q: Was this more a deal to move Ariza’s contract or to get Courtney?

DM: This was an opportunity to get Courtney. I mentioned the Kyle Lowry deal and I hesitate a little bit because Kyle is a very good player and I don’t necessarily want to put expectations on Courtney to be similar to Kyle – they’re very different players. But in terms of our aggressiveness and trying to acquire players who we think fit our winning culture and style of play, fit our overall focus on what we value on the floor, when those players become available we aggressively go for it.

Link

It’s obviously questionable that there’s a single starting-quality SG in that group, but it’s not like Courtney Lee’s that good either.

it wasn’t obvious Lee was starting.