Z-Bo for Michael Redd?
Photo. Dylan RobertsWhy wouldn’t Isiah Thomas trade his best, most consistent player? According to The Oregonian’s John Canzano, one of the NBA’s best beat writers and someone who’s all too familiar with Zach Randolph, Z-Bo is available:
NBA source told me via telephone on Wednesday night that Zach Randolph is on the trading block, and that he’s likely to end up in Milwaukee. Keep an eye on that, if you need a sideshow. I don’t know about you, but when I think of Z-Bo going to Milwaukee, I keep seeing the Hoops Family going down the street, headed to the Shotz Brewery, arms linked, doing the “schlemiel-schlamazel” while singing, “There is nothing we won’t try, never heard the word impossible…”
In case you didn’t know, the Hoops Family is Zach’s clique, and word on the street is they raised all kinds of hell up in Portland. On a basketball tip, though, I hope there isn’t much truth to this rumor. For selfish reasons, simply because I’m a certified Zach fan and I like getting to watch him in person 41 times a year at MSG. And second, how does it help New York to unload it’s best low-post threat? I said the same thing around the time the Blazers dumped Zach on Draft Night: There isn’t much to be gained by losing a solid 20-10 producer. I don’t wanna hear about how Zach is unathletic and doesn’t play D. A lot of guys in the League don’t play D, and Zach has proven he doesn’t have to have Rudy Gay’s physical ability in order to get buckets and pull down rebounds.
What would New York be looking to get in return for Randolph? Looking at the salaries, the only player on the Bucks who makes similar money is Michael Redd, who in fact may not be the Golden Boy in Milwaukee anymore. Redd makes $14.5 million this year and is under contract through the 2009-2010 season, with a player-option for the following year. Zach makes $13.3 million this year, and is locked in through 2010-2011.
Determining who is the better player between the two depends on what you want: a perimeter killer or an interior workhorse. Both are pretty one-dimensional in that they’re strictly offensive players, but Redd (28 years old) has the edge in PR/character matters, at least in terms of perception; while I actually don’t think Zach (26 years old) is a bad guy from my dealings with him, Redd is virtually a choir boy. When I went to a Bucks/Knicks game earlier this year, Redd was in the locker room talking about a Kirk Franklin concert he’d went to. I doubt Z-Bo made it to Kirk’s last NYC show.
Of course, the Knicks could be looking at picking up more than one player from the Bucks in exchange for Zach. Milwaukee has a glut of forwards, with Bobby Simmons ($9.2M), Desmond Mason ($5M) and Charlie Villanueva ($2.7M), a native New Yorker. Milwaukee could be looking for a true power forward (Zach) to put in place with Andrew Bogut at center and Yi Jianlian at small forward.
January 10th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
GEE ...I got injected with an illegal substance I didn't know about before I wrote this post...dang trainer!!! says:
Real corny trade that won’t help either team. They both still gone suck. Even with a horridbury and Redd that won’t change much with losing Zach. In the Bucks case you get 20-10 but you lose character and someone who can throw 30 up easily on any squad. They need to kill that one.
I still the like the possibility of Sam I am going to Boston.
January 10th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
MJAX says:
What you have to understand about the “P”(Portland), is it’s a low key liberal, yet conservative town. The Blazers are our only big sports attraction around, then the Ducks, and Beavers in Eugene and Corvallis. So when you have these 6′8 dudes at the lil clubs gettin’ loud and being flossy while trying to dictate situations with there status and wealth, it’s not received well by most. Often times it’s either uncalled for or creating jealousy, because that’s all they know. Bottom line is, White folks here don’t really care to see the flossin’, and the Brothas’ here are not too impressed with the arrogance displayed. The difference with the team of today from Zach’s squad. This team is much more mellow and personable and approachable. It’s as if they really appreciate the opportunity they’ve been given and want to please the comsumer/fan and care about winning.
January 10th, 2008 at 2:34 pm
Myrie says:
This is a nonesense report, but I will comment on it.
Isiah Thomas hasn’t made up his mind in terms of which low post player he wants: Zach Randoplh or Eddy Curry. Clearly, they don’t fit together. One needs to go. They both give you the same thing. Difference is, Zach gets you rebounds, Eddy gives you height and a legit center (even if the production ain’t there).
It was not necessary to trade for Zach. Isiah doesn’t know what type of PF to put beside Curry. Channing Frye didn’t mix well with him either. In fact, Isiah should have moved Frye to the bench and started David Lee at PF. Curry needs a complimentary PF; not a scoring one.
Isiah would rather move Curry, but its not easy to find a 6′11 center who can do things. Curry is not great, but he can do some things occasionally and he has size. Zach on the other hand is a bit more replaceable. It is easier to locate a 20-10 PF these days than it is to locate a center. The rarest commodity in the NBA now is center. So if you have a decent one (Curry?), you got to hold onto him.
Also, Zach Randolph has a higher trade value. But to Milwaukee? Zach needs to be placed beside a defensive center. A center who is going to rebound, block shots and cleaning up his leftovers (Philly/Chicago).
As for Michael Redd, Bucks management is leaning in another direction. They drafted Yi Jilian for pub, but gave big money to Mo Williams and they’ll have to give big money to Bogut. Also, they will be looking for a new coach soon; hence…..a new beginning. Redd prolly doesn’t have a role in the new plan.
But NY is not the destination for him. Utah or SanAn is where suits him. Or even back to Ohio.
Isiah Thomas should have known better. He tried this (same player types) before in the backcourt when he traded for Steve Francis (at Larry Brown’s request ’cause Francis rebounds well for a guard). But it didn’t (would never have) worked with Francis and Marbury.
Thomas should have known Curry/Randolph won’t work. They’re too similar on offense and defense. One has to go. Randolph should be kept, but he’s more replaceable than Curry.
Article has no legs because the Bucks do not have what the Knicks need. Interior defense, perimeter defense and size off the bench.
Don’t expect this move (Michael Redd for Zach Randolph) to every happen.
January 10th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
JRmessiah says:
YEA I CAN’T SEE THIS TRADE DROPING FOR ONE IT’LL HELP BOTH TEAMS CRAWFORD CAN START AT 2 STEPH AT 1 AND REDD AT 3 LEE AT 4 AND 5 COULD B Z-BO HE PRODUCES MORE HE JUS NEED BETTER COACHING NO ONE IS LISTENING TO ZEKE ANYMORE THAT’S THE PROBLEM BUT I WOULD LOVE THIS TRADE STEPH HAS RAISED HIS GAME UP IN HIS LAST 2 OUTINGS HE IS AVG AROUND 18PPG AND 6AST BUT YEA PLLLEASE MAKE THIS TRADE HAPPEN EVN THO IT WON’T HAHAHA I STILL OVE THE KNICKS THO DROP Q-RICH HE IS A DEAD ASS BUMMM
January 10th, 2008 at 3:09 pm
Utes fan says:
Milwaukee would have to be out of their mind to make a Redd for Randolph swap. I see wanting a post threat but giving up Mike Redd for Zach Randolph would be insane.
January 10th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
hahns says:
if Isaiah wasnt our coach and didnt already lock up the franchise financially with a zillion other bad trades/buy outs…id say pull the trigger on this. but instead of seeking a player oriented fix… zeke just needs to fire himself.
January 10th, 2008 at 4:09 pm
Darkmanofhouse says:
z-bo… no way get rid of Q. Now that makes sence for M Redd. Q may be a little better on D but like someone said who plays D anymore. A three way trade to bring T-Mac to the Knicks? Wake me up if this Happens!
January 10th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
BlazeMcHerbs says:
Its a bad trade? Personally, I’d rather see Curry go to the Sixers so we can team up Zach with Dalembeast, they would compliment each other perfectly.
But if we have to lose Randolph, I wouldn’t mind throwing in Q and picking up Redd with possibly Villanueva, that way Lee can get some more tick at the 4 spot.
All in all, fire Isaah. Forget, I want this man to get humiliated, I want Ashton Kutcher to show up at MSG and Punk this guy real good. What happened to this two week guarantee? Now he thinks these players will get him a ring?
Look, I think he should go out and get Damon Stoudemire from Memphis, so we can bench Marbury, before he even attempts to get McGrady.
January 23rd, 2009 at 10:14 pm
Paul Andre says:
Perfect work!Keep posting
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