Feb
Larry Hughes to Chicago!
LeBron James said he was so upset that the Dallas Mavericks got Jason Kidd that he decided to clobber Dirk Nowitzki on that punishing, driving dunk in the final minute of the All-Star Game on Sunday. Likewise, James had to be upset when the Atlanta Hawks sneaked in and got Mike Bibby from Sacramento.
How does he feel today? Maybe a little better. Maybe.
That’s funny, Larry. I wasn’t really trying to give you five. I was waving goodbye. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
According to several league sources, the Cleveland Cavaliers made an effort to get James some help at the trade deadline buzzer, getting Ben Wallace from Chicago and Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West from Seattle. But it meant that the Cavaliers had to give up Drew Gooden and former Wizard Larry Hughes, who had been a disappointment in Cleveland ever since he signed a five-year, $70 million contract in the summer of 2005.
It’s debatable whether the package Cleveland received is better than Gooden and Hughes, but at least it’s something different. At least it’s something, after the Cavs have done little for James since he signed that contract extension in 2006. James has another shooter - Szczerbiak - and a tough, defensive-minded point guard. Maybe a change of scenery will energize Wallace. Maybe.
The three-team deal shook up what was about to be a relatively quiet trade deadline and it includes Cleveland, Chicago and Seattle. Here are the specifics:
Cleveland gets Ben Wallace, Wally Szczerbiak, Joe Smith and Delonte West.
Chicago gets Larry Hughes, Drew Gooden, Shannon Brown and Cedric Simmons
Seattle gets Chris Duhon, Donyell Marshal, Ira Newble and Adrian Griffin.
There are some other smaller pieces added, but those are the big ones.
Hughes is headed to Chicago, where he spends part of his offseasons working out with Michael Jordan’s former trainer, Tim Grover. He’s been miserable and injured for most of his time in Cleveland. The Cavaliers have been begging for a taker on Hughes, but his large contract and consistent injuries made him an unattractive trade chip - unless paired with Drew Gooden. Gooden should help resolve the Bulls need to have a scoring option in the low block. Hughes gives them a big guard.
Man, I miss playing with Chauncey, Rip, Sheed, Tayshaun and them boys. Huh? Did you say LeBron James? I’m out. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
The Bulls had been trying to move Wallace for some time. Wallace helped the Bulls win their first playoff series since Michael Jordan left in 1998, when Chicago swept the Miami Heat last season. But Wallace has been a bust since leaving Detroit to sign a four-year, $60 million deal in the summer of 2006. Think that Pistons-Cavs rivalry will have some more life now?
West has been Smile-less in Seattle since he was drafted from Boston in a draft deal with Szczerbiak for Ray Allen. He should be elated about leaving the 14-38, no-chance Sonics and joining the defending Eastern Conference champs.
By Michael Lee | February 21, 2008; 3:36 PM ET
From : blog.washingtonpost.com
Tags: ben wallace, delonte west, drew gooden, joe smith, larry hughes contract
