The HRR NBA Trade Analyses Archive

Gatling, Sura, 4 others dealt | Lenard Dealt to Denver

June 27, 2000

“Warriors, Cavs, and Bucks Swap 6 in Three Team Deal”

The Milwaukee Bucks traded F Robert Traylor and F J. R. Reid to the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Bucks also dealt G Vinny Del Negro to the Golden State Warriors. The Cavaliers traded G Bob Sura to the Warriors. Golden State dealt forwards Jason Caffey and Billy Owens to the Bucks.

Notes:

Reid can opt out of his contract and become a free agent after the 2000 - 2001 season.

2000 - 2001 Player Salaries:

J. R. Reid, Cle.: $2.2 M.

Robert Traylor, Cle.: $2.2 M.

Bob Sura, G.S.: $4.3 M.

Vinny Del Negro, G.S.: $2 M.

Jason Caffey, Mil.: $4 M.

Billy Owens, Mil.: $2 M.

Who got the best of the deal?

Milwaukee.

Why?

Each of the three teams involved in this deal unloaded players who fell out of favor with their former club.

Reid and Bucks’ Coach George Karl stopped speaking to each other after the All - Star Break. Traylor never showed the commitment to get into better shape and condition. Caffey was demoted to the bench after new Warriors’ Coach Dave Cowens proclaimed Antawn Jamison was going to be his starting power forward. Sura’s style of play was too flashy for the conservative approach taken by the Cavs coaching staff.

Caffey, 6’8, should become the Bucks best low post scorer. However, in all honesty, that doesn’t say much because the Bucks didn’t have any good low post scoring threats last season. One of Caffey’s main faults is his inconsistency. He rarely played well two games in a row.

“Jason fills a need for us,” said Bucks’ GM Ernie Grunfeld. “He's a proven athlete who can bang underneath the basket and rebound for us. We don't expect him to average 20 points a game. ... We expect him to make us tougher.”

Billy Owens was a throw in for the Bucks. He probably will receive a lot of DNP—CD (Did not Play—Coach’s Decision) next season.

Sura and Del Negro will improve the Warriors’ pathetic perimeter shooting without a doubt. Before last season, Sura was strictly a streak shooter; but, he improved his shooting percentages considerably last season.

Since Sura and Del Negro are combination guards, it remains to be seen how last season’s rookie guard Vonteego Cummings’ minutes will be affected by their arrival.

With Shawn Kemp’s overweight status plus the uncertain future of center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland added to their front court depth; however, if Traylor never gets into shape, this trade won’t help the Cavs at all. Reid provides some toughness; but, his playing style basically mimics Cavs forward Andrew DeClercq’s play.

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“Denver Acquires Lenard and Strickland from the Heat”

The Denver Nuggets obtained G Voshon Lenard and F Mark Strickland from the Miami Heat in exchange for F Chris Gatling and a second round pick (37th overall) in the 2000 Draft.

Notes:

Gatling and Strickland will become free agents after the 2000 - 2001 season.

2000 - 2001 Player Salaries:

Voshon Lenard, Den.: $3.8 M.

Mark Strickland, Den.: $2.4 M.

Chris Gatling, Mia.: $5.4 M.

Who got the better of the deal?

Miami.

Why?

Though Voshon Lenard was Miami’s best three point shooter, his injuries (hernia, broken leg, etc.) the last two seasons limited his effectiveness and Miami couldn’t count him being healthy for a full season.

Strickland, 6’9, is a high energy guy who became a fan favorite in Miami. However, he saw very few minutes in the playoffs and probably would never have received significant playing time with the Heat.

“We think Lenard, who is almost a 40-percent career 3-point shooter, gives us some firepower at the 2-position,” said Nuggets general manager and coach Dan Issel, “and Strickland is a very athletic player who runs the floor extremely well. I think he will be more effective in our style than in Miami.”

“I talked to both players. Voshon was a little surprised. We obviously told him how we were excited to have him here. I remember distinctly he was the one who beat us when Miami won at the Pepsi Center (Jan. 14) with a 3-pointer at the the end of the game. (And) Mark was really happy about the deal.”

The Nuggets hope Lenard’s offense can complement guard Tariq Abdul - Wahad’s defensive prowess. Though Wahad is a free agent, Issel has high hopes to re - sign him this summer. In all likelihood, Wahad would start at shooting guard with Lenard coming off the bench to add his firepower with swingman George McCloud.

This will be Gatling’s second stint with the Heat. After being dealt from Miami the first time, he blasted Miami Coach and GM Pat Riley for Riley’s long, torturous practices. However, neither side, apparently, holds grudges from their past relationship.

If Gatling stays in Miami, he will become Miami’s best and most consistent scorer off the bench. Miami had a major problem with offensive droughts when they went to their bench throughout last season and the playoffs.

Riley said the deal with Denver was especially attractive because it added a boost to a bench that often proved unable to stop rallies.

“We knew we could do something that did both -- add a prolific scorer and also save some (salary-cap) room,” Riley said. “We killed two birds with one stone today.”

Since Gatling’s contract expires after this coming season, Miami can set itself up to be a player in next summer’s free agent process because the only big time salary they’ll have on next summer’s payroll is franchise center Alonzo Mourning’s $18.75 M.

“Our major priority in this whole thing is to be totally free a year from now,” Riley added.

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