In a recently finalized trade, the Heat sent Antoine Walker, Michael Doleac, Wayne Simien and a conditional 2008 first round pick to Minnesota for Ricky Davis and Mark Blount.
Miami is selling this as a salary cap move that upgrades the team’s perimeter scoring, but Blount’s remaining contract (3 years, $22.1 M) is worse than Walker’s (2 years, $17.8 M), so there is definitely more going on here. The article mentions Walker’s problems with conditioning:
But Walker’s second season with the Heat was marred by his struggles to meet Riley’s rigid conditioning standards. Riley’s dissatisfaction with the 6-9 Walker’s weight and body-fat percentage led to a four-game suspension last season, and more problems in training camp.
Walker, 31, was held out of the opening practice of camp and benched for three exhibition games, including Tuesday’s finale.
Also playing into the trade is the performance of Dorell Wright, who outplayed Walker at small forward last season. With Dwyane Wade missing the first part of the season, Davis will step in at shooting guard and Wright will get most of the minutes at small forward. Once Wade returns, Davis will likely provide scoring off the bench.
Blount will give the Heat some security in the middle when Shaq inevitably misses a bunch of games due to injury.
