FIVE-Team Blockbuster Completed...

[Andriod_KiNg]

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nba&id=2122944

Updated: Aug. 2, 2005, 7:13 PM ET
Heat's Jones, Celtics' Walker included in proposed five-team dealAssociated Press
National Basketball Association News Wire

MIAMI -- Antoine Walker, Jason Williams and James Posey could soon be coming to the Miami Heat in a proposed five-team trade that was nearing completion Tuesday, according to a lawyer and league official both familiar with terms of the complicated deal.

"Unless something strange happens, it's going to happen," said the lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Miami -- which signed Shaquille O'Neal to a $100 million, five-year deal earlier Tuesday -- would obtain Walker in a sign-and-trade from the Boston Celtics, then add Williams, Posey and rookie Andre Emmett from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for veteran swingman Eddie Jones.

The trade -- which has been submitted to the league for approval -- was first reported by The Miami Herald. League and team officials generally do not openly discuss proposed trades until they become finalized.

Walker, Williams and Jones are the headliners in the proposed deal, one that also includes the aftereffects of a three-team deal agreed to earlier Tuesday by Sacramento, Memphis and Utah.

As part of the Walker deal, Boston would obtain Qyntel Woods, the rights to Spanish center Albert Miralles and the Heat's $1.9 million trade exception.

Walker, a three-time All-Star who averaged 19.1 points and nine rebounds last season for the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics, would be a welcome addition to the Heat, said forward Udonis Haslem -- who formally signed his $30.7 million, five-year deal Tuesday.

"We're two different players and we can bring two different things to the table," Haslem said. "If we put that together, we should have a pretty good tandem."

The Celtics would get Borchardt from Memphis; Borchardt was part of Tuesday's earlier trade in which Sacramento acquired guard Bonzi Wells from Memphis for guard Bobby Jackson and center Greg Ostertag.

Memphis was then expected to send Ostertag to the Utah Jazz for guard Raul Lopez, forward Kirk Snyder and Borchardt. Snyder would be sent to New Orleans, along with the Heat's Rasual Butler, and Borchardt would head to Boston.

It's a deal that represents a major shakeup for Miami, which reached Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals this past season -- even though O'Neal and Dwyane Wade were both hurt at the time.

Jones, a career 16.4-point-per-game scorer, averaged 12.7 in the regular season and 13.7 in the playoffs as Miami's third option. Williams averaged 10.1 points and 5.6 assists for the Grizzlies last season.

"He's one of the best playmakers in the game," Haslem said of Williams.

Posey was limited to 50 games this past season because of injuries, and only 18 starts. He averaged 8.1 points and 4.4 rebounds.

 

[Warhawk]

The Grizz wanted EJ's contract?!? Wasn't he a bit pricy?

 

[C Diddy]

So the Celtics give up Banks and Walker for Watson and Wright or a trade exception?



(scratches head)



(light bulb goes off)

They still have Danny Ainge, apparently.

 

[SLAB]

Miami freaking got Antione Walker, Jason Williams, and James Posey for Eddie Jones and Wright or a trade excemption?!?!

Can you say Grand Larsony?!?!

 

[Kajun]

I knew Memphis wanted to get rid of Jason Williams, and that they were going to lose Earl Watson no matter what. But come on, they give up James Posey to get Eddie Jones's contract. Wtf?

What was Jerry West thinking?

 

[Bricklayer]

Miami freaking got Antione Walker, Jason Williams, and James Posey for Eddie Jones and Wright or a trade excemption?!?!

Can you say Grand Larsony?!?!

I know -- that is completely ridiculous. Miami just got real powerful real quick, and if I'm Detroit I've got a major league scowl on my face.


As for Memphis...I can't be the only one who has noticed that the Old Master (West) hasn't really been tearing it up there. And this...well this just makes very little sense except as an acquisition of an old favorite of West's from his Laker days.

 

[Padrino]

And this...well this just makes very little sense except as an acquisition of an old favorite of West's from his Laker days.

a VERY old favorite. give up posey and williams to get eddie jones? jason williams aint a puppy anymore, but he's still plenty young. posey's a player with a lotta years ahead of him as well. why trade solid young guys for an aging veteran with an inflated contract? lotsa "head scratchers" around the league these latter days...

 

[sloter]

OK, so the only player that I like for Miami is Posey, and he is limited too. It's not like the other guys are specialty role players ... On the other hand, they really didn't lose much, considering Eddie Jones' playoff performances.

 

[Andriod_KiNg]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/12285950.htm

Heat signs Shaq and is ready to finalize trade

BY ISRAEL GUTIERREZ

igutierrez@herald.com


A little less money for Shaquille O'Neal means really big things for the Miami Heat.

The Heat signed O'Neal to a five-year deal worth $100 million on Tuesday, the first day free agents could officially sign with teams.

By O'Neal agreeing to a deal that pays him $20 million annually, the Heat has the financial flexibility to surround him with quality talent and avoid paying a luxury tax next season.

And the talent is already on its way.

The Heat on Tuesday was also finalizing the details on a five-team trade that would send Antoine Walker, Jason Williams, James Posey and Andre Emmett to Miami. The Heat would send Eddie Jones to Memphis, Rasual Butler to New Orleans and Qyntel Woods to Boston.

The Celtics would also receive Curtis Borchardt, the rights to the Heat's 2004 second-round pick Albert Miralles and two more future second-round picks. Utah would receive Greg Ostertag, and the Hornets, who are under the salary cap, would also get former lottery pick Kirk Snyder. Boston also would receive two second-round picks.

All parties were attempting to finalize the trade through the NBA on Tuesday night.

The deal includes Walker, 28, signing a six-year contract worth $52 million. The Heat would ideally like to use Walker off the bench, similar to the role Heat assistant coach Bob McAdoo played with the Lakers in the 1980s.

The Heat's preferred starting lineup would include Williams, Dwyane Wade, Udonis Haslem and O'Neal, with the small forward spot still to be decided. Posey played only 50 games last season because of injuries to both feet, and his health may be a concern to the Heat.

With the flexibility the Heat has the team would still like to use at least part of its $5 million mid-level exception, and a move to acquire a starting-quality small forward would likely be the team's top priority.

The acquisition of Michael Finley seems less likely, with the Mavericks now looking to trade the swingman to an Eastern Conference team. The Heat could wait and see what players are waived using the new ''amnesty'' clause by the Aug. 15 deadline. The free agent swingmen currently available are limited, incuding Vladimir Radmanovic, Latrell Sprewell and Kareem Rush.

Damon Jones also remains an option to re-sign, though the Heat could be having second thoughts about a point guard tandem of Williams and Jones.

Many of these options were made possible because of O'Neal's contract. The franchise center opted out of his previous contract, which would have paid him $30 million next season.

O'Neal could have demanded his new contract begin at or near that number, but by giving up a few million annually, O'Neal has allowed the Heat to surround him with players that can lighten his load and therefore extend his career. O'Neal's contract will keep him with the Heat until he's 38 years old.

''It couldn't have been a better negotiation on both sides,'' O'Neal's agent, Perry Rogers, said. ``This was a win for everybody.''

``If you can't go out and get the players, then [O'Neal's] going to get beat up more, and then maybe he wouldn't want to play as long.

``He's beyond ecstatic. That's what it's all about. It's about winning.''

O'Neal is also friends with Williams, who, like O'Neal, has a home in Orlando. With a lineup that includes Williams, Wade and O'Neal, the Heat has run-and-gun elements to contend with the likes of Phoenix as well as stable halfcourt elements to contend with the likes of the Spurs and Pistons.

The Heat, though, is losing Jones after five years with the team, four of which he led the team in scoring. Thrust into the lead role after Alonzo Mourning was lost to a kidney disease in 2000, some considered Jones a disappointment, largely because he came with a long-term, maximum contract.

But in the past two playoff seasons, South Florida fans began to warm up to Jones, whose consistent defense, versatility and timely offense were critical to the Heat's success.

Rasual Butler spent three years with the Heat after being drafted in the second round in 2002. Frustrated with his declining role last regular season -- he started the first 15 games of the season but eventually was used sparingly -- Butler had a revival or sorts in the playoffs, playing 12 of the Heat's 15 games and averaging 4.7 points.

Still, Butler should be happy with the prospect of more playing time with another team, and joining the Hornets gives Butler a good chance of playing regularly.

Adding to the intrigue of the trade, the Heat opens the preseason against Memphis in Puerto Rico and the regular season in Memphis.

 

[Bballkingsrock]

Miami's starting line-up:

C Shaq
PF Udonis Haslem
SF ANtione Walker
SG James Posey
PG Jason Williams

Did someone say championship for Miami? How can Memphis and BOston do that to the league? They just made a team very great but at the sametime very old. There will be quite a competion in the East now, and I am taking them as the Eastern Conference Champions.

 

[Andriod_KiNg]

Edit : Added to Orignal Post.

 

[Bricklayer]

Miami's starting line-up:

C Shaq
PF Udonis Haslem
SF ANtione Walker
SG James Posey
PG Jason Williams

Did someone say championship for Miami? How can Memphis and BOston do that to the league? They just made a team very great but at the sametime very old. There will be quite a competion in the East now, and I am taking them as the Eastern Conference Champions.

Um...you forgot someone.

More likely lineup:

C - Shaq
PF - Haslem
SF - Posey
OG - Wade
PG - JWill

6th - Walker

 

[sloter]

It will be a small lineup, except for Shaq. In any case, players like Walker or Williams are perfect for Detroit to shut them down.

 

[Bricklayer]

It will be a small lineup, except for Shaq. In any case, players like Walker or Williams are perfect for Detroit to shut them down.

?

They got BIGGER. And better. They were starting a skinny OG at SF, now get one of the league's tough guys to replace him, and an explosive 6th man who can swing to either forward spot.

Detroit was already poised to lose to these guys last year before Wade went down. Now this really puts the Pistons up against the wall. Not enough firepower, Shaq's health etc. permitting.

The joke is, having given up nest to nothing to set this lineup, they still have their MLE to go out and add yet another piece if they want to. Maybe bring back last year's starting PG (Jones) as a backup shooting specialist. Be one decent backup big man from being completely set.

 

[Alacron]

Posey is an amazing pickup, and who knows what Walker and Williams could potentially do with Shaq attracting all the attention.

I don't like this one bit. I hate the Heat more than ever now.
~~

 

[Andriod_KiNg]

I dont think it can work, too many ego's .... J-Will will want his shots, Walker will want his shot, can they make it work with Wade and Shaq already on the team ?

 

[captain bill]

Boston does make sense, kind of. They wanted to give up Walker for just about anything, although it would have been smarter to hold him for a year then just erase his contract from the books. The Grizz also get Banks, so it does, in a way, make some sense. Problem is how much talent goes to the Heat, I wish GMs would at least consider that they may make themselves a bit better, but their opponents are now unbeatable, at least by them.

 

[ONEZERO]

Since grand larcony is going on, why don't we trade martin and hart for duncan?

 

[SacTownKid]

Hold on one second!

If a team with Payton, Kobe, Mail Man, and Shaq couldn't win it all then a the new Miami team, as scary as it is on paper, aren't a lock to win it either.

I mean, my god, are there enough balls to go around in Miami next season.

Jwill and Walker alone dominate the ball quite a bit. Both are good players but do these players fit into the same style as Wade and Shaq. Your basically taking two "star type" minded players and essentially turning them into role players.

I wouldn't have minded Walker on the Kings so much, until we got Bonzi. Not enough balls to go around in that situation either.

 

[coolhandluke]

Wow. Jason Williams must be thanking his lucky stars. This move just about revitalized his career.

 

[bdouble013]

Amen chl. I can't believe that West or Ainge (ok maybe I believe that Ainge would) do this deal.

Did someone in Miami sell their soul to the devil?

 

[4cwebb]

Let us not forget that Ainge is the guy that basically brokered the 'Sheed deal a couple of years ago by taking on Chucky Atkins contract for no good reason. If he can give Detroit a championship, why not the Heat.

And why would the Celtics want Curtis Borchardt, btw?

 

[HndsmCelt]

Yes Miami came out on top, but please bear in mind Pose is NOT the player he used to be and while J Will may be a great passer and fun player to watch, he still takes those cray 3's, and shows other signs of bad judgment. As for Walker he too is far from a "compleet package." They got Tallent, Big names and braging rights, but in the end this is a team with some crazy shooters an ageing SF and Jabba the Hut at Center... thene there are the injuries that plage Shaq, and Pose. If I am Detroit I might not be happy, but I'm not filling my drawers either.

 

[Bricklayer]

I ahve no idea what people are talking about.


1) James Posey is 28. If that's "aging", the Kings are in deep **** with their core. Had one injury plagued campaign. That is it. Miami traded AWAY their aging SF.

2) JWill is not the JWill of old, and averaged all of 9 shots a game last year. He's hardly fighting with anybody over shots, and still of course is a much better creator than Jones.

3) Antoine Walker is the only potential problem, and he'll be coming in off the bench as reinforcements ala Bobby and allowed, indeed encouoraged, to take over offensively. Furthermore, they basically got him for FREE as a major boost to their formerly punchless bench.

 

[Purple Reign]

I ahve no idea what people are talking about.


1) James Posey is 28. If that's "aging", the Kings are in deep **** with their core. Had one injury plagued campaign. That is it. Miami traded AWAY their aging SF.

2) JWill is not the JWill of old, and averaged all of 9 shots a game last year. He's hardly fighting with anybody over shots, and still of course is a much better creator than Jones.

3) Antoine Walker is the only potential problem, and he'll be coming in off the bench as reinforcements ala Bobby and allowed, indeed encouoraged, to take over offensively. Furthermore, they basically got him for FREE as a major boost to their formerly punchless bench.

I absolutely agree!! I think this is a great trade for the Heat. As long as Shaq is on the floor and Riley is on the sideline (because I do believe that is going to happen) there will be no chemestry problems.

Contrary to popular belief, Shaq is a leader. He left 25 to 28 million dollars on the table today. Dude puts his money where his mouth is. My only question is can "White Chocolate" become a championship calliber point guard. Can he play championship calliber defense? If he can, I would like to congradulate the Heat for being the 2006 NBA Champions.

 

[Venom]

Well, first of all, isn't Jones an expiring contract? If so, the Memphis motivation comes into focus. Posey is good, but not great, and that JWill contract is an absolute albatross. Memphis got swept two years in a row right? I don't know that they have much to build on with that team. Lots of great roleplayers, but no real great players.

Boston gets Watson for the underachieving Banks, and Walker who they didn't want. . .good deal.

Miami should represent the East this year. Like Brick said, JWill is a lot different, and Miami basically acquired him so that Wade doesn't have to bring the ball up, initiate the offense, AND create for everybody else. Now he'll just have to do the latter. Williams will have no real offensive responsibilites. Posey will make a fantastic SF on that squad. A lock down defender who score a little bit and rebound, that's all Wade and Shaq need. Plus, Walker is going to fill the role he was born for. Come in and hoist up shots? Yessir. Depending on how he is rebounding and defending he may finish games at either the 3 or 4. Miami is the clear winner of this deal, but I don't think that Boston and Memphis lost that badly. They did what they had to do.

 

[SacTownKid]

Looks like the deal is official according to Utah's web page.

BTW Jones makes 14 mil. this year and 15 mil. next year, so no, he isn't expiring.

And no Watson, wasn't involved. The other teams go crap.

 

[bdouble013]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2122976

Here it is. Thats a monster trade.

Edit by VF21 to add article text:

Walker to Miami from Boston highlights mega-deal



MIAMI -- In the largest trade in NBA history, Antoine Walker was dealt from Boston to Miami on Tuesday night in a transaction involving five teams and 13 players.

The Heat also acquired point guard Jason Williams and small forward James Posey from Memphis, while the Grizzlies received guard Eddie Jones from the Heat. The New Orleans Hornets and Utah Jazz were also involved in the deal.

The trade was larger than a 12-player, four-team deal in 2000 involving Patrick Ewing that had been the biggest in league history. Miami also received Andre Emmett from Memphis and the draft rights to Roberto Duenas from the Hornets; Utah received Greg Ostertag from Memphis; Boston picked up Curtis Borchardt from Utah and a package -- Qyntel Woods, the draft rights to Albert Miralles, two second-round draft picks and cash -- from Miami; New Orleans acquired Rasual Butler from Miami and Kirk Snyder from Utah; and the Grizzlies received guard Raul Lopez from the Jazz.

 

[Fillmoe]

Miami's starting line-up:

C Shaq
PF Udonis Haslem
SF ANtione Walker
SG James Posey
PG Jason Williams

Did someone say championship for Miami? How can Memphis and BOston do that to the league? They just made a team very great but at the sametime very old. There will be quite a competion in the East now, and I am taking them as the Eastern Conference Champions.

what happened to wade?

 

[piksi]

what happened to wade?

he will fight Artest and get suspended for a year