The NBA trading deadline is tomorrow, and the Bucks - after beating the Pistons last night - are said to be one of the teams burning up the phone lines in an attempt to make a move. However, instead of trying to pick someone up to help this team make the playoffs, all the rumors seem to have the Bucks shopping three players - Richard Jefferson, Charlie Villanueva, and Ramon Sessions.
The thinking goes like this. The Bucks would like to move Jefferson now and get out from under his contract so they can re-sign Villanueva and/or Sessions - both restricted free agents - this off-season. Why? It's pretty simple. Bucks owner (Senator) Herb Kohl, doesn't want to break the luxury tax threshold. He has to get rid of a contract or two now because he knows that there are teams who will sign Sessions and/or Villanueva to offer sheets he couldn't possibly match.
The problem is Jefferson is the only player on the roster with a big contract that other teams in the NBA have interest in. It would be easier if someone would take Dan Gadzuric off his hands, but outside of former GM Larry Harris, there isn't an NBA executive out there who wants Gadzuric or that contract.
So, instead of going over the luxury tax threshold and put the strongest team on the court possible, the Seantor is seemingly willing to cut his nose off to spite his face.
My question is this. WHY?
The Bucks aren't a great team by any stretch, but they are a scrappy bunch that just happens to be in the thick of it as teams battle for the final playoff spot in the East. Even without the injured Michael Redd, Andrew Bogut, and Luke Ridnour, this team ahs managed to keep themselves in the playoff hunt. Why would you want to wave the proverbial white flag now?
By trading either Jefferson or one of the two upcoming RFA's (restricted free agents), the message Kohl would send to the fan base is that money is more important than winning. What he fails to realize is that whatever air is left in the baloon right now would be let out if a 'white flag' trade is made. Whatever buzz there is about this team would go away immediately.
For the last two seasons, there hasn't been anyone talking about the Bucks in February and March because the season pretty much ended in December and January. The Bucks - at the moment - have positioned themselves into being a (borderline) playoff team, and if they can pull it off (shorthanded as they are), the Bradley center would be the place to be once again. Just the prospect of making the playoffs with all the injuries has people talking.
Would anyone realistically expect the Bucks to win a series against either Cleveland or Boston? Probably not. But it is better to be in it than to be on the outside looking in. I remember going to the Bucks-Pistons playoff series three years ago, when everyone knew the team ahd no chance. Still, the BC was rockin'. Give Bucks fans a winner and they'll show up. Give them a playoff team, and they'll not only show up, they'll do their best to blow the roof off the arena.
I say the same thing now that I did a couple of years ago, when fans wanted the Bucks to tank and get a chance to draft either Kevin Durant or Greg Oden. I don't want to see that go down. I don't really want another lottery pick (the last two have yet to make their mark in the league). I don't want to rebuild again. I'd like to win. It is always better to win than give up. Always.
If the Senator has his heart set on moving Jefferson to clear cap space, then at least wait until the off-season. Trades can be made prior to the draft, you know.
And, I'll take it a step further. Keep Jefferson, and shell out the money it would take to sign Sessions and/or Villanueva. So you have to pay the luxury tax one year. Plenty of teams do it. Besides if you win, you'll make money. If you win, taxpayers might be more likely to give you a new building (which is what the team wants in case you didn't realize).
Winning is what it's all about. Making a trade to save money doesn't help you get there.
The trade deadline is coming up tomorrow. Here's to hoping the Bucks don't wave the white flag.
Check out my podcast and find out why I believe A-Rod today more than I did a week ago.
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