Sunday Scoop: Posey's Replacement?
Posey's Replacement?
Just a month after winning their 17th NBA Championship, the Boston Celtics suddenly looked vulnerable after losing swingman James Posey to the New Orleans Hornets. After refusing to tack on a fourth year to Posey's contract, the Cs are in the hunt to find another athletic perimeter player to come off the bench. According to the Dallas Morning News, Devean George could be their guy.
George, an unrestricted free agent, has reportedly garnered interest from the Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Hornets, Phoenix Suns, and San Antonio Spurs. The Mavericks could also re-sign George for more than a minimum contract since he was on the team last season, but word is Mavericks president Donnie Nelson isn't banking on bringing him back.
Like Posey, George doesn't demand major minutes and has championship experience -- he was a reserve on three consecutive Los Angeles Lakers title teams. He also shares the same agent as Posey, Mark Bartelstein.
The question is, though, how would George fit into the Celtics strong chemistry? A key to their success was selflessness and George created a reputation for himself when he initially blocked the Jason Kidd trade to preserve his Bird Rights. Playing for a championship squad is a different story than going to a lottery team, and the Celtics have to find a replacement for the coveted sixth man spot before the free agent market thins out.
Josh for Josh?
Josh Smith proved to be the most valuable player of the Atlanta Hawks postseason run, so why aren't they chomping at the bit to bring the restricted free agent back? The Hawks, who need all the help they can get in their undersized front court, have yet to make Smith an offer. Perhaps they are waiting for interest from around the league to wane -- the Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers already opted for proven veterans over Smith -- or perhaps they are contemplating a bigger move.
Some NBA pundits are proposing that the Hawks should re-sign Smith and then trade him to the Dallas Mavericks for Josh Howard. The notion makes sense for the Mavs, who are in desperate need of a defensive-minded power player. Smith can run with the best of the west and at only 22 years old is a solid long-term investment.
Howard would bring one of the more underrated offensive games to Atlanta. The question is, though, what would the Hawks do with their current three, Marvin Williams? They had developed an emerging combination of Williams outside the paint, Smith attacking the rim, and Al Horford defending the basket. How would the addition of Howard shake things up? This deal is all speculation at this point, but as the summer goes on without an offer for Smith, a sign-and-trade could become a more viable option.
Magic/Nets Deal Near Completion
As reported earlier by HOOPSWORLD, the Orlando Magic and New Jersey Nets are close to completing a sign-and-trade to send Keyon Dooling to New Jersey in exchange for cash and the $3.3 million trade exception the Nets acquired in the Jason Kidd deal. It's no longer a matter of if, but when the league will approve the trade.
The addition of combo-guard Dooling will give the Nets much needed veteran support in the backcourt. Dooling, 28, could back up both Devin Harris and Vince Carter and offer the experienced leadership the Nets lost when they sent Kidd to the Dallas Mavericks. This move raises question marks around Marcus Williams, who after two seasons in New Jersey has yet to make an impact and will most likely be thrown into the trade rumor mill.
The Magic, on the other hand, can use the extra salary cap space to go after young point guard Javaris Crittenton, whom the team has been reportedly interested in for over a week. The Magic has only 11 players on the books for next season and can use this space to amp up their thin back court. The Miami HEAT's Jason Williams has also been reported as a possible fit for a Magic in a sign-and-trade acquisition.
About the Author: JESSICA CAMERATO
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Jessica Camerato is a member of the Professional Basketball Writers Association and has covered the NBA for HOOPSWORLD for two years, powering HOOPSWORLD.COM and HOOPSWORLD Magazine.
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