The Big Deal

Well, Timbo and I have busted up the JBL with the league's largest trade to date.

Chris Bosh and Derrick Rose for Dwyane Wade and Anthony Randoph.

Amazing what a couple of pints of Stella, some dry ribs, and 2 pounds of chicken wings at Earls can accomplish.

This deal cam about when Timbo offered Bosh/Rose for Wade/Smith...denied.
The counter was Bosh/Rose for Wade/Brewer. Denied
Then it was Wade/Diaw. Denied.
Then it was Wade/Jennings. Denied.
Then Timbo said Wade & Randolph and a very long pause occurred.

Not having a computer in front of me and multiple spreadsheets to examine kind of threw me off. I paused. For a long time. I paused. Finally, with a big gulp of Stella, I said OK.

This deal can be broken down many different ways...

Here's my thought process on this trade...

Wade is having another stellar season and is in a contract year - but so is Chris Bosh. He's off to a phenomenal start as well. I needed rebounds though and Bosh is over 10 a game right now. Plus, Bosh doesn't shoot 3's...well, at least not like Wade does. D-Wade is the best player in this deal (in my view) but his 3-point shooting (4 for 22) is not attractive for my Golden squad and the way it's set up. Wade will likely out-block Bosh (sad that a guy 6'3 can out block a guy who is almost 7 feet tall). Bosh should double (at least) the rebounds that Wade gets though. Both shoot very good FG%. Both have had injury problems over the years. Both are in contract seasons and should be motivated to show their worth. Bosh is on TV a lot - big bonus when your 6 year old loves watching basketball. Ryan will love this trade.

The 2nd part of this deal is about 2 guys under achieving - big time.

Derrick Rose is currently averaging 12 and 5. This for last season's rookie of the year. He should/will get better as the season wears on. Plus, let's not forget that I will be in Chicago one month from now watching 2 Bulls game. That had a factor in this deal, no doubt about it. I am a fan of this kid and think he can be a top PG in the league. I like his upside from where he is now.

Timbo is taking the flyer on Randolph. He is the key to this deal. Correction, his playing time if the key to this deal. Which AR will show up?? Is it the 7 minute one or the 35 minute one that produced 13pts, 14rebs? Will Don Nelson get canned? Can AR become a Fantasy force? AR's future is the key to this trade for Tim.

Why did I do the deal?

1) I needed rebounds and Bosh can get me those
2) Rose is underachieving and should be much better in the coming weeks
3) the uncertainty behind Randolph scares me. Will he play? Won't he play? Can he perform night in and night out? His big game the other night came against 2nd team players.
4) I will be able to say that I sat in the United Centre and cheered for Rose & Deng from center court seats. How cool is that?
5) Wade's a stud, no doubt about it....but D-Wade's 3-point shooting is horrible and my Golden squad is better off without that 3PT%.
6) Bosh is in a contract year (like Wade, Amare, etc) and needs to show Toronto and other teams that he is a big deal. Plus, watching Raptors game is relevant again.

I just told Ryan I traded away D-Wade and he almost started crying. I told him I got Bosh and Rose...but apparently Wade was a big deal to him. After a 20 minute discussion about Fantasy Basketball and who Derrick Rose is (YOU TUBE video), I have convinced my 6 year old this was an OK trade for me.

We'll talk about this deal as the year goes on....because of a few key factors.

1) Can Wade and Bosh stay healthy and who has the better year (relatively speaking)?
2) Can Derrick Rose take the next step to stardom?
3) Can Anthony Randolph really play?

That's 3 key points...whoever wins those....wins this trade.