From: davidy@sumax.seattleu.edu (Stimpson J. Cat)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.pro
Subject: Seattle trade rumors (WAS: Re: How's this trade?)
Keywords: issel nuggets
Date: 26 Jan 93 11:01:07 GMT
Article-I.D.: sumax.1k4ttjINNdqe
Organization: Seattle University
NNTP-Posting-Host: sumax.seattleu.edu

In article <1k1olqINNdku@shelley.u.washington.edu> chris@milton.u.washington.edu (BelchMaster) writes:
>Doug Christi + Benoit Benjamin  for Sam Bowie + ???
>
>yeah? yah?
>

	I don't know. If I were Seattle's GM, no. I think you could get
everything Bowie gives you, except for passing, with Benjamin right now,
and Bowie doesn't run that well, either. The main factor is Bowie is 32,
and Ben is still only 28. Seattle's chemistry is going well, and Benjamin
isn't making trouble. If you bring Bowie on, given Karl's eccentric lineups,
there's no telling how Bowie would react. I am inclined to think Bowie wouldn't
take it well.

	The other rumor is Benjamin for McHale, and as others have said, this
is nigh short of unbelievable. The only way I would even vaguely consider
this deal is if A) McHale was still a 55%+ low post scorer, B) could still
defend like he used to, and C) his contract ran out next year. Then, even if
McHale was washed up due to age next year, he could help Seattle make a
championship run this year, then Seattle could dump the salary through
retirement/waiver. But, McHale's defense (most important) has eroded so he
is but a shadow of his former self, and he isn't the ultra-reliable low post
scorer he once was. He's shooting only 47%. Plus he's old. Bob Whitsett,
Seattle's GM , has made some surprise deals before, but this one is way too
senseless to imagine.

	Of course, all these rumors are generated because Seattle has two
players in Christie and Benjamin who are sitting idle, and people want to
convert unused assets into liquid cash/talent. Even if the Seattle organization
doesn't think it needs any more. By this I mean Seattle is doing well, and
has 10 players who all are worthy of starter's time in the NBA. So much so that
one of them, Benjamin, is getting virtually no time at all these days. Why
someone thinks Seattle wants to add another name to this list is beyond me.
The man they add to this list has to be a guy who is a real star, not just a
good or decent player, Seattle has lots of those. Either that, or the trade
has to be made for a future prospect for Seattle to use in replacing current
guys when they get old.

	If Seattle were shopping Benjamin, I would guess Seattle would *play*
him more, to market his wares. If you are trying to dump someone, the last
thing you want to do is make him look lousy by parking him on the bench,
lowering his perceived value (i.e. "Why should I give you anything for him,
he doesn't even play"). My suspicion is if someone came up and made Seattle an
offer they can't refuse, they'd move Ben. They might move Ben to get someone
they think could help Seattle in the future (hypothetically: Jim Jackson.)
But they aren't trying to get rid of Ben just to move him. As long as Ben
keeps quiet, they won't try to dump him. Karl is trying a new psychological
tack on Benjamin - don't play him at all. It's something that hasn't been
tried on Ben yet. If Ben can get down to 260, Karl will probably play him.
It's a matter of shape, but Karl has said Seattle would be a better team
if Benjamin were in shape and playing, and while Karl isn't counting on it,
neither is he counting Ben out.

	The litmus test will be when the forgotten Sonic, Rich King, comes
off the IR. If Karl plays King a lot, then Ben will be history. King would
be Karl's insurance big man if he plays a lot and plays well. Remember what
would happen to Seattle if, say, Kemp or Cage, or even McKey, were injured.
Losing Kemp or Cage would make Seattle a small team in a hurry, and then
Ben is worth a lot more to Seattle than some pocket change players or
aging veterans.

	If Ben were to be moved, I would like to see Seattle somehow pry
Loy Vaught off the Clipper roster in some sort of 3-way deal. I have heard
rumors Seattle would like to get Danny Manning, but for sure you are saying
Shawn Kemp will be Seattle's center for the 90's, and I feel Kemp will not
reach his full potential as long as he spends most of his time at center.
He can play it, but he's not really a true center. In particular, he lacks
the intimidation factor I think you want in a center, ideally. He can block
shots, but in a fashion more like Larry Nance. You don't change your game plan
because of such a guy, dangerous though he may be. I like Loy Vaught, and as
Karl is not a big fan of true centers, a tough rebounding forward with a good
jump shot would be a nice backup for Cage and Kemp. Maybe (this is MY trade,
not a rumor) Seattle could send Benjamin to Dallas, the Clippers Manning to
Dallas, and L.A. sends Vaught to Seattle. Dallas gives L.A. Jim Jackson. Of
course, if it is true Manning refused a trade to Minnesota for Laettner because
it would take too long for the T-wolves to become contenders, this trade
wouldn't fly.




					David L. Yee
				email to:davidy@sumax.seattleu.edu
Newsgroups: rec.sport.basketball.pro