Hey, it’s that time of year… T’Wolves-Pacers trade idea

 Ah man, I feel like I say it every year, but the hype around this year’s trade deadline is just unreal! I can’t remember the last time so many great players, including all-stars and former all-stars, have seen their names come up in trade rumours. Even forgetting about guys I don’t think will move like Cousins and Griffin, you’ve got Howard, ALL of Atlanta’s big 4, Oladipo, Faried, Ryan Anderson, George Hill, Jennings, Monroe, Johnson, Rubio…the list goes on!

With that said – I just couldn’t resist throwing a trade idea into the mix (as everyone else is doing it…!) – it’s an Indiana/Minnesota trade, probably with some salary dumps thrown it. Please note – this will need to be balanced with picks etc, but the salaries work out.

Going to Indiana: Ricky Rubio, Kevin Martin

Going to Minnesota: George Hill (Indiana also gives up Rodney Stuckey and Chase Budinger – see below)

Why for Minnesota: A ton of reasons, put simply. Firstly, they need some veteran leadership to help their young guys develop, and George has spent time with two great organisations that have won a lot of games. He’s also a knockdown shooter who can help spread the floor in the halfcourt – great around Minnesota’s young big guys. Finally, in terms of salaries, they save about $11m, leaving them with about $10m in cap space for the Summer. Not only would this trade improve them as a team, it was also improve their financial flexibility.

Why for Indiana: I’ve been crazy impressed with what Indiana have achieved this year – but if they’re not careful, they’ll end up as a mediocre team for the next few years, unless they move agressively. So many names are flying around this trade deadline they could upgrade their team significantly (imagine Oladipo, Faried, or Howard on this team, for instance). But I don’t know if they quite have the assets to snag one of those guys. Instead, Ricky Rubio represents a bit of risk/reward – he’s on a fairly friendly contract, maintains the defense of George Hill (necassary alongside Ellis), but all of a sudden, he’s surrounded by veteran shooters – George, Miles, Ellis, Martin…guys that will make his lack of shooting far less important. He can help Indiana move towards the uptempo style that they set out to achieve at the start of the Summer by moving George to the 4 spot. Martin adds another talented wing player on a reasonable contract.

For this to work financially, Indiana would also have to dump a couple of guys – I’d probably send Rodney Stuckey to Philly (who will want a draft pick in return – if I’m Indy, maybe top 20 protected for a few years?), and Chase Budinger to Utah (if he ever gets healthy, this might be a good home for him as they could use an extra veteran shooter – if not, oh well, it’s an expiring contract. Therefore, not too much required in compensation – maybe Minnesota’s second round pick? Or both Minnesota’s and Indiana’s?)

I think this turns out to be a win-win – both teams improve, both teams get players that better suit the style they want to play, and both teams get guys that fit into their general trajectory for the next few years.

Thoughts?