We all know Stephen Jackson is a short timer in Golden State. And now, with the Warriors off to a troubling 2-4 start, it looks as if Jackson will be gone sooner rather than later.When Jackson first said he was "looking to leave" the Warriors, he listed Cleveland, New York or one of the Texas teams as desired destinations. Since then, a few other teams have supposedly expressed interest.
Charlotte, Miami and even Philadelphia are said to have emerged. However, there remains little doubt that the Cavaliers remain Jackson's most likely end-up spot. The reason: compatibility.
Let's take a look:
• Cleveland Cavaliers: There is no doubt Jackson would be a big help to the Cavaliers. It would give Cleveland a secondary playmaker to LeBron James, and a shot-maker too. Jackson would also be a plus on the defensive end, allowing James the occasional break from guarding the opposition's best perimeter player.
While the remaining three-plus years and $30-plus million on Jackson's contract are a heavy price for the Cavaliers to pay, it's a relatively small investment if it nudges James toward staying in Cleveland long-term.
The Cavaliers are reluctant to trade Zydrunas Ilgauskas because they don't want to lose a big. The Warriors would love to have Ilgauskas' expiring contract, although they know that's likely wishful thinking.
Still, there is a deal here, and it involves some combination of J.J. Hickson, Daniel Gibson, Jawad Williams, Darnell Jackson and Danny Green and possibly Delonte West. The fact Cleveland isn't exactly firing on all cylinders offensively doesn't hurt.
• Miami Heat: The Heat has recently been mentioned, although that doesn't seem to make much sense. Miami has made it clear they're not interested in taking on long-term money.
Jermaine O'Neal is a coveted player because of his expiring monster contract ($23 million). But the fact remains Miami isn't likely to move O'Neal for just that reason.
Miami believes it has a shot at signing James as a free agent in the offseason, and it is not about to give up on that dream for Jackson.
• Charlotte Bobcats: Despite Mark Stevens, the agent for Jackson, recently saying he doesn't care where his client ends up, that's not really believable. Can you really envision Jackson in Charlotte, with Larry Brown the coach? Me neither.There's also the very real issue of the Warriors wanting Boris Diaw, and the Bobcats only wanting to part with Vladimir Radmanovic and/or Nazr Mohammed.
• Philadelphia 76ers: Philly would be willing to move Samuel Dalembert, whose contract expires at the end of next season. But Dalembert has a trade-kicker in excess of $2 million.
In addition, the Warriors would have to include another player, and the Sixers would surely insist on Speedy Claxton, who's got an expiring contract. The problem with that is such a deal would put the Warriors in luxury tax land, a place they're unwilling to go.
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Comments (Page 1 of 1)
I don't know if Captain Jack is the answer for Cleveland this year. Honestly if Moon can just learn to not bite on every pump fake and Parker stops taking ridiculous jumpers off the dribble, then that could make up a lot of what he brings to the table. He would be a nice defensive piece for the Cavs against the Rashard Lewis's and Lamar Odoms of the league, but I think he is too inaccurate of a shooter to be paired up with Lebron. Shaq needs to come off the bench with Parker, and they need to bolster a stagnant secong unit offense. West and Ilgalskis(?) should start for spacing purposes. At no time, and I mean at NO TIME, should Big Z and Shaq be on the court at the same time, they shouldn't even be in the same lay up line let alone in the same game. What the Cavs really need is an Udonis Haslem, an athletic four who will play defense on combo forwards, yet also hit a jumpshot.
I hope the Warriors do off Jackson ... he is useless for them now because he doesn't care! Not sure why many teams would want a whiner like Jackson but the Warriors need size ... plain and simple. Maybe a young center or power forward would help but they can't simply dump Jackson for some lightweight project player ... keep him and make him ride the pine instead of crumbling under his whining and lack of professionalism. Jackson is a cancer and a head case for sure ... but I think Warrior fans would rather see him waste away on the bench rather than get some older second or third tier player. Don't crumble and succumb to the "me-me" whining Jackson ... a little further into the year there will be teams who need someone who can take the place of the eventual injuries that happen each year ... then they can get someone they need rather than letting Jackson call the shots! Make him ride the pine! If he has no class then punish him for it and make him pay for being the jerk he so is!
I would give up more than Jack. He is a perfect Nelson player and the offense is going to have to go through someone if Jack goes. I am really sad about this for everyone--the Warriors because they lose their best playmaker and defender, and Jack because he undid all the good he had done in turning his image around. I'd be sorry for Stevens too, but he seems such a jerk, why bother.
I know that we are talking about moving Jackson. So what about these two scenarios. First Jackson and Speedy,George etc to the Sixers for Brand ? It seems that both are out of favor with there current teams. This would help solve some size issue for the W's. The Sixers get a athletic defender and leader for there young team. Or a three way trade between the Warriors,Sixers and Cleveland. The warriors get Brand the Cavaliers get Jackson and Sixers get picks and cap relief?
Here's the finnical terms for the trade scenario.I put in CJ Watson since they need a point guard.
Warriors & Philly- Jackson 7,600,000, CJ Watson 1 million & Speedy 5,200,000= 13.8 salaries. Brand 14,000,000.The deal should work.
Heres the salaries for a three way trade.
W's get Brand 14 million. 14 million
Cav's get Jackson 7.6 million,Geogre 1.6 million
B.Wright 2.6 million, Brezec 1.1million add a pick
12.9 million
Sixers get Cj Watson 1 million,Speedy 5.2 million, Williams/Jackson 1.4 million West 4.2 million.Parker 2.6 million
14.4 million
Matt et al,
Greetings from harbor bay land.I AGREE RE CLEVELAND. People seem to forget what a chameleon Jackson is, remember last season's charm, entusiasm for everything warrior connected?
I guarantee you should he be lucky enough to land there, he turn back into a prince and play his guts out. Personally, I would take Hickson and Gibson in a heartbeat for him. Hickson has the kind of fluid bulk and demeanor the W's have been looking for in apower forward for sometime. Does anyone doubt Gibson wouldn't be the 2nd best shooter on the Warriors immediately if they got him? W's would be damn lucky to pull this deal. Jack
Why would the Cavs be willing to trade Hickson and Gibson for a cancer? I know it sounds good to Warrior fans, but the Cavs are looking to better themselves and expect to be contending for championship this year. Makes no sense to me the talk of the 3 way.
What they (Cavs) may be interested in is Z and one other young kid for Jackson. Warriors get the exp. contract and one of the better traditional centers and possibly Williams. But at this point, Booby has been playing his best D and his shots are going in. JJ has seen more playing time. So tell me again why the Cavs would risk letting go chemistry and good players just so Warrior fans would be happy and Cavs be unhappy?
Are you sure Jackson's the cancer here? Read up on Don Nelson's history. He burns all kinds of bridges wherever he goes. Jackson, on the other hand, is loved by his teammates and he's won a championship.
@blauball, I wouldn't mind Gibson on the team, but he would be the third best shooter behind Anthony Morrow And Azubuike... And I'd have to see a shootout between him and Curry to solidify that third spot for sure!
If Skipper Jack can grow 1/3 to 1/2 a foot, drop a decade, and drop 5 million a year in salary, I`m sure the Cavs would be glad to consider a sign and trade of Wally Sczcerbiak for him. They need a forward at least as big as Varajao who can shoot at least as well as Hickson to start against Gasol, if Bynum can hold off Odom, which he couldn`t in the playoffs last year. The Cavs also would be glad if Ilgauskas could drop a decade and O`Neal a decade and a half. But unless the Cavs. can guard Gasol at forward, Skipper Jack alternating with Moon and Parker wouldn`t help much. The Knicks are less unreasonable. They may waive their GM and/or coach before the end of the season, they aren`t off to a good start. They need a young wing guard more than an old wing forward like Skipper Jack, though. They can shift Chandler to his natural position of forward if they can add a wing guard to start with Larry Hughes, or alternate with him. But the Warriors have too many small guards to value Krypto-Nate, and Jared Jeffries is about the other other option for an older, overpriced, visciously malcontented athlete, even a good one, like Jax. Miami is fine at the moment with Richardson starting at one wing. They might consider Jax off waivers, but why would they trade anyone valuable for him?