Wizards Trade Defense for Offense, Hornets Pick Up a Proper Backup for Chris Paul

Last night, it appeared Memphis would send Javaris Crittenton to Washington for the right to undo 2007's Juan Carlos Navarro trade, in which the Wizards claimed a conditional first round pick from the Grizz. But the Hornets got involved in the swap, which resulted in some meaningful player movement: along with the aforementioned move, the Wiz took Mike James back in exchange for Antonio Daniels, who heads to NOLA. The Washington Post's Ivan Carter is among those reporting that the deal is official.

The salary cap implications for Daniels and James are nearly identical, so that part of the swap is completely basketball-related. Both guards could be considered past their prime, and both are certainly second-stringers at this point. But each brings something different to the table: Daniels is a solid defender, while James has made a career on his deep jumper. To my eyes, it looks like Washington is trading defense for offense at the interim point guard spot.

It would appear James will start until Gilbert Arenas comes back. Crittenton's the keystone to the deal for D.C.: if he turns out to be a good player, the Wizards will have won this round. The Memphis pick could never have been better than No. 15 overall due to protections; there's a distinct possibility it could have turned into only a 2013 second-rounder, which is (for all purposes) useless at this point.

New Orleans gets itself a credible back-up who will fit the system and offer Chris Paul relief later this season. All the Hornets lost was a grumpy gunner who never plays and had almost no trade value. Even if Daniels plays less than 10 minutes a game, it's a nice insurance policy to buy for nothing.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

12-10-2008 @ 5:14PM

Giles said...

Yawn. Memphis undoes giving up a first pick, Washington undoes giving up James, but not THE Queen James, whom they`ll hope to add in 2010, like most of the league. This may be the most significant overall news of the day, which is a testament to this Bush league, depressed, economy. The center position in the nba is so weak, Shaq may deserve to return to the all star game (with Duncan mislabeled as a forward)! Too soon for Pres. Obama to try to save us from two generations of borrow and go broke con artists, he won`t take office for more than a month, and won`t have money unless his attorney wins back all the cash the oil companies gouged when prices were three times as high, and if gas taxes restore those prices, but the money going to debt reduction, not the pockets of oil men like Bush/Cheney. (Folks would have four years to howl against paying debts instead of running them up). Meaningful player movement? That is about as accurate as Aol`s headlines. A gay male singer debuts admittedly surrogate kids? A senator calls for the resignation of an indicted governor, Oprah is fat!, Office Depot to cut stores, 63 year old actress falsely advertised as in a bikini, Puff "Earrings" Diddy mouthing off about a fetish. Not a man landing on the moon, is it? Whatever good that did. The kNicks need to add a young Cat Mobley, even if he starts playing again. The Lakers are winning, so in no rush to clear Odom (or Radmanovich, or Walton). Wally Szerbiak, a great shooter, could help someone, maybe, if he could start, but is behind the coach kissed LeBron (and the Cavs don`t need Odom). Maybe Robinson for Szerbiak so the kNicks can rotate 3 swing men on the wings (but then who would back Mr. Transvestite?, oh wait, that is almost every guy in the media, isn`t it)? Happy Holidays, folks.

12-10-2008 @ 5:29PM

Pradamaster said...

"But each brings something different to the table: Daniels is a solid defender, while James has made a career on his deep jumper."

This used to be true but it isn't anymore. AD's simply too old to stay in front of anyone. This year, the Wiz are giving up 12 more points per 100 possessions with AD on the court. http://www.82games.com/0809/08WAS2.HTM#onoff

Really, this is about the Hornets trading a sucky guy who is washed up for a guy who's washed up, but sucks less and fits their style more. Washington is trading a guy who doesn't fit in their long-term plans for someone who sucks with basically the same contract so that they can essentially trade nothing for a relatively promising youngster.

12-10-2008 @ 5:44PM

mgb said...

Stuggling?
Obviously AOL's proofreader's missed the typo.

Apparently they are still hung up about Miley Cyrus' breasts or Obama's birth certificate.

Or maybe they use sweatpants as a holster for a Glock.

12-10-2008 @ 7:36PM

Gary said...

Has the guy or gal who wrote this watched basketball this year?!? the hornets lead thier division and Chris Paul has 20 pts and 10+assists in almost every game this season. Not to mention he is closing in on the most games in a row with atleast 1 steal. Come on jerky do your research!! Did you know that Larry Bird played last night and scored 67pts. Write a story on that too.:)

12-11-2008 @ 2:46AM

spoon james inc said...

This trade was one of the worrest trade ever. Memphis got other worst back up point guards in the league.

12-11-2008 @ 10:46AM

TruthAboutIt said...

I wrote this yesterday, but didn't get a chance to post....so my answer will probably be similar to the Pradamaster's:

1) I could see James getting bought out.....but we will see what Grunfeld has up his sleeve.

2) I'd be willing to bet that Juan Dixon starts more games until Arenas' return than James....or even DeShawn Stevenson as the starting PG.

3) Defense for Offense? I feel that the former description, and how it pertains to Antonio Daniels, could not be more wrong.

Sure, maybe Mike James makes Daniels look good in comparison, but AD is waaaay past his prime in being able to defend (if he ever really did have a defensive "prime" -- some may contest.....and if he did, it certainly wasn't with the Wizards).

I'm sorry to see AD leave DC, I really respected the guy's game and veteran leadership. However, the past two seasons, he's been tragically unable to keep up with quicker guards when they had the ball, and when they were making off ball cuts as well.

AD will be remembered as a gamer in DC, but a good defensive player? Fugettaboutit.