The Sam Cassell Trade
July 3, 2003

Sam Cassell was traded with center Ervin Johnson to the Timberwolves for Joe Smith and Anthony Peeler. Although the Wolves already had Troy Hudson at PG who is coming off a career year who can blame them for adding Cassell when the price was so cheap. After the trade was announced I immediately reduced my projections for Hudson since he now has competition for playing time. The Wolves say though that both players can play at the same time. I can see this happening with a lineup of KG, Nesterovic, Wally S (who would move to SF), Hudson, and Cassell. The risk for Hudson is that the Wolves may feel they are better of with Szczerbiak at SG but that would force them to play someone like Gary Trent or Marc Jackson in the front court. That being said then, Trent and Jackson must be considered to have some upside potential.

I guess the Bucks were trying to get rid of a liability with Cassell since they did not get much in return. They drafted TJ Ford as a PG but the distribution of playing time for the Bucks will be up in the air until Payton is signed. Regarding Ford, I have major reservations about his ability to play in the NBA because of his 5-11 height and his inability to hit the jumper. If he shoots only 41% in college I would expect him to be under 40% in the NBA. Short and not being able to shoot is a brutal combination. I have read that Peeler will be released. Smith is listed as a PF but he plays like a SF and the Bucks already have Desmond Mason, Tim Thomas, and Toni Kukoc. While the Bucks could use a PF, Smith has proven himself to be too mediocre to be anything but a role player. For the Bucks, the player with upside as a result of the trade is sharp shooting Michael Redd who could establish himself at the shooting guard position.

To see exactly how all of the players mentioned rate according to your league's scoring categories order the Hoops Klyce Player Rating Report.