| Can Miller Save The Hawks? Authored by Patrick J. Austin - February 4, 2008 - 1:47 pm
| Current Featured Columns | | The First Three Weeks of 2008-09 Now that we’ve had a little time to watch free agency unfold, along with the usual accompaniment of trades, let’s look at some of the key moves and how they impact the teams involved.
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It’s abundantly clear the Hawks are one good point guard away from being a serious threat in the Eastern Conference. They possess quality talent at every other position and a quality floor general is needed to maximize that talent. Miller can be that floor general. He’s averaging a very respectable 16 points and 6 assists per game.
The primary reason Atlanta should make a move for Miller is that Sixers desire to maximize their cap space for a big free agent run this summer. Therefore, they’ll be looking for expiring contracts in exchange for ‘Dre.
As we all witnessed with the recent Pau Gasol trade, teams looking to cut salary are willing to part ways with premium talent in that endeavor. The Sixers dealt 3-point specialist Kyle Korver for a spare part in Gordan Giriceck and a conditional future first round pick. By all indications, Miller could be had for a similar package.
The Hawks possess the pieces to acquire Miller, most notably the expiring contracts of Josh Childress, Tyronn Lue, Lorenzon Wright, Anthony Johnson and Salim Stoudemire. A combination of these players should be enough to pry Miller from the Sixers hands.
This trade works on the RealGM Trade Checker…
The Hawks receive:
Andre Miller
Herbert Hill
Louis Amundson
The Sixers receive:
Tyronn Lue
Lorenzen Wright
Salim Stoudemire
Solomon Jones
Some may say the Hawks can’t afford to take on contracts, but Miller is only signed through next season so trading for him would not require a major financial commitment.
Given the solid point guard rotations for a majority of playoff-bound teams in the East, including Chauncey Billups, Jose Calderon/T.J. Ford combo and Jameer Nelson it would be wise for the Hawks to upgrade the position in order to make some type of noise in the post-season.
As it stands now, the Hawks will struggle to secure the eighth seed and would probably make a quick exit due to the probable match-up against the Boston Celtics. If they trade for Miller, the Hawks would not be viewed as a cakewalk team to the second round.
Get it done B.K. |
