Is Zach Randolph suddenly a wanted man? After the Cavs reportedly showed interest in the big man last week, Ronald Tillery of the Commercial Appeal (via Knicks Fix) reports the Grizzlies have been talking about acquiring the pudgy power forward, as well. Who would Memphis give up? Tillery says that Darko Milicic is available, and considering Darko's contract ($7 million this year, $7.5 million next) expires just in time for the summer of 2010, you have to figure the Knicks would be interested.
Even though Darko won't even make half as much as Randolph ($14.66 million) this year, an even one-for-one trade is actually be possible given how much room Memphis has under the salary cap. Given how frugal the Grizzlies tend to operate, though, you have to imagine they'd insist on New York taking at least one other bad contract -- Marko Jaric ( $6.6 million), perhaps?
Randolph is certainly a solid low-post scoring presence, but he also has an outsized personality that might not be the best influence in a young locker room. (And with Antoine Walker already on the roster, the role of "overpaid and perpetually grumpy veteran" is already filled.)
I could see Randolph falling into line on a veteran squad with an established pecking order where his production could put a contending team over the top (Cleveland, anyone?), but putting him on yet another losing team seems like a recipe for disaster.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-26-2008 @ 10:41PM
grover said...
Nooooooo...
Unless Zach gets bought out by the Knicks, why bother?
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8-27-2008 @ 12:00AM
Immortal Technique PSN: johnnynumber5 said...
The Griz have made some of the worst decisions of any franchise in recent memory. The best move they tried to make was signing Smith from Atlanta. Atlanta would let the bust Marvin WIlliams walk but no way will the Georgia native Smith ever be let go. He is the closest thing to Nique in the ATL. If he can develop a mid range jump shot he will be a better version of shawn Marion.
Crittenton and Conley should be a solid tandem at PG ... if they could be combined. Arthur was a horrible pick and the only player they have is RUDY. This team is in shambles. The best thing they could do is acquire Randolph. Hell with D'Antoni in NY he might actually be able to motivate the uber bust Darko Millicic.
Now because they traded Love for Mayo they have a real log jam at PG. Sorry but Mayo is not going to be a big time scorer on the NBA level. This team is in absolute disarray. They should have kept Love and at least had a big guy that can score, pass and rebound.
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8-27-2008 @ 1:42PM
Mr.G said...
If Memphis really wants Zach,I could see the Cavs helping in a 3 way deal. Something like - Clev. gets David Lee,Darko,Jaric - NY gets Ben Wallace,Verajao and cash- Memphis gets Zach and say Billy Thomas.Something along those lines looks like a win,win,win to me.Cleveland covets David Lee -NY just wants to set themselves up for 2010,and don't want to sign Lee long term because of Gallinari, so Lee is already on the blocks and Cleveland gets a backup for Big Z in Darko.
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