The largest trade in NBA history – 5 teams and 13 players – gave Antoine Walker a new home Tuesday night. The Heat, Grizzlies, Hornets, Jazz and Celtics were all involved in the transaction. Here’s how it breaks down:
Miami deals Eddie Jones, Rasual Butler, Qyntel Woods, draft rights to Albert Miralles along with two 2nd round draft picks and cash. In return, they receive Walker (from Boston), Jason Williams, James Posey and Andre Emmett (from Memphis), and draft rights to Roberto Duenas (from New Orleans).
Memphis deals Jason Williams, James Posey, Andre Emmett and Greg Ostertag (recently acquired from Sacramento along with Bobby Jackson for Bonzi Wells). In return, they receive Jones (from Miami) and Raul Lopez (from Utah).
New Orleans sends the draft rights to Roberto Duenas to Miami and receives Rasual Butler (from Miami) and Kirk Snyder (from Utah).
Greg Ostertag returns to Utah for Curtis Borchardt, Kirk Snyder and Raul Lopez.
Boston deals Walker to Miami and in return gets Borchardt (from Utah), Qyntel Woods, the draft rights to Miralles, two 2nd round picks and cash (from Miami).
This is the second time that veteran shooting guard Eddie Jones has been traded because he plays the same position as a younger superstar. In 1999, the Lakers moved him to Charlotte to make way for Kobe Bryant. Miami seems intent on playing Dwayne Wade at off-guard, so moving Jones was inevitable. Jones should fit in well with the Grizzlies and will be reunited with Jerry West, who drafted him when he was the GM of the Lakers. It would be surprising if this trade doesn’t prompt Memphis to re-sign free agent point guard Earl Watson to run the team now that Williams is gone.
Walker immediately upgrades the small forward position for the Heat and Posey will serve as a good backup. The Heat’s starting lineup now looks like this: Damon Jones/Jason Williams, Wade, Walker, Udonis Haslem and Shaquille O’Neal. Jones still may leave, clearing the way for a Williams/Wade backcourt, which could be both captivating and combustible. If Heat coach Stan Van Gundy can rein Williams in (a la Hubie Brown), Miami might have something going.
