This has already been one of the most active trade deadlines in recent memory, and the Hornets, despite sitting pretty as the current No. 1 seed, didn't want to miss out on any fun. They didn't shake up their roster by adding a Jason Kidd or a Shaquille O'Neal or a Pau Gasol, but they are on the verge of making a smaller move that will nonetheless improve the team, sending Bobby Jackson to the Rockets for Bonzi Wells and Mike James. Check out Jonathan Feigen's article in the Houston Chronicle for the fine print -- the Rockets are also getting rookie guard Adam Haluska, as well as the right to swap second-round picks -- but the real gist of it is that the Hornets will be adding some much needed depth while the Rockets are gaining a bit more salary flexibility. This deal is all but official -- it's just waiting the league office to open and grant it's stamp of approval.
This isn't just a straight salary dump for the Rockets -- Jackson does have some game left, and it helps that he's familiar with coach Rick Adelman from their time together back in Sacramento's heyday. But from where I sit, the Hornets are getting the better end of the deal. Both James and Wells are underrated reserves capable of making an instant impact on both ends of the court, especially with a needed change of scenery. Plus, they both have playoff experience, which will be important not only in the actual postseason but also in the stretch run as the Hornets try to hold off the five other teams within three games of their top seed.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
2-21-2008 @ 6:54AM
frank said...
The Hornets are for real(NBA) and of course in the West and in the East Toronto is becoming the team to beat plus if they made the trade of Pietrus for Dixon watch out.
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2-21-2008 @ 1:20PM
Eric Neely said...
Jackson does have some game left, and it helps that he's familiar with coach Rick Adelman from their time together back in Sacramento's heyday.
Hey! They were saying that about Bonzi before the season. Now he's being shipped out. I look forward to the Bobby Jackson trade in the summer, followed by the Rockets chasing Vlade Divac out of retirement. He played for Adelman!
Also, Mike James was horrible for the Wolves last year. I always liked him til he ended up on my team. He was horrible for chemistry and didn't seem to have any sort of clue on where to go and what to do on the court.
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2-23-2008 @ 1:41PM
munciemugs said...
Bye bye Houston Bonzi is gone with the wind but will blow back into Rockets' hair and heads. What a HUGH break for Wells....getting to play with the best point guard in the NBA......and going to the team with the best record in the West. I don't think it will take more than 2 or 3 games for the veteran Wells to fit in with the Hornets......I
see 30p 12r games in his near. This trade makes the Hornets noticably better and the Rocket fans will cry in their beer as they watch Bonzi play well
well well into the Summer. I predict Wells will play about 30min. and produce 14pts, 6.5rbs,
2.5a and 1.5st a game. He can play 2,3,or4 and be a smaller version of Scotty Pipen.....Wells will look back on this day as the BEST ONE IN HIS NBA CAREER.
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