The HRR NBA Trade Analyses Archive

Mavs Get Van Exel and LaFrentz from Nuggets | Timberwolves Acquire Marc Jackson

February 21, 2002

“Warriors Finally Deal Jackson”

The Golden State Warriors dealt F / C Marc Jackson to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for C Dean Garrett and a 2007 second-round draft pick.

Note:

• Garrett is a free agent this summer.

2001-2002 Player Salaries:

Marc Jackson, Min: $3.25 M.

Dean Garrett, GS: $3.24 M.

Who got the better of the deal?

Minnesota.

Why?

The Warriors had been trying to deal Marc Jackson for months and receive a first round draft pick and free up salary cap room in return. Unfortunately, Warriors’ management waited too long and turned better offers and settled for a 2nd round pick 5 years from now and Dean Garrett. The only positive for the Warriors is Garrett is a free agent this summer; so, his salary will come off the Warriors’ payroll.

Dean Garrett went from a sure playoff time in Minnesota to a team that’s renting his salary for a few months before he leaves via free agency.

Acquiring Jackson, should provide the T-wolves another physical presence (along with F Gary Trent) which Minnesota has lacked for years. For whatever reason, Jackson’ 6’10, 280, is not in great basketball shape right now; but, as his conditioning improves, he’ll provide a solid low post presence; good passing skills; solid defense; and set solid picks as well.

“We are excited to get a big and strong player like Marc,” said Timberwolves Vice President of Basketball Operations, Kevin McHale. “He gives us another low-post option and a stronger physical presence in a tough Western Conference.”

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“Howard Dealt to Denver, Van Exel Heads to Dallas in Seven-Player Deal”

The Denver Nuggets traded G Nick Van Exel, G Avery Johnson, G / F Tariq Abdul-Wahad, and F / C Raef LaFrentz to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for F Juwan Howard, F Donnell Harvey, G Tim Hardaway, Dallas’ 2002 first round draft pick, and $1 M in cash.

Notes:

• LaFrentz is a free agent this summer.
• Howard is a free agent after the 2002-2003 season.

2001 - ‘02 Player Salaries:

Nick Van Exel, Dal: $10.1 M.

Avery Johnson, Dal: $4 M.

Tariq Abdul-Wahad, Dal: $ 4 M.

Raef LaFrentz, Dal: $3 M.

Juwan Howard, Den: $18.75 M.

Donnell Harvey, Den: $0.700 M.

Tim Hardaway, Den: $3 M.

Who got the better of the deal?

Personnel-wise—Dallas.

Money-wise—Denver.

Why?

By making this trade, the Nuggets are doing two things: acknowledging they’ll miss the playoffs for at least 2 more seasons and assuming they will be able to re-sign F Antonio McDyess is the summer of 2003 when McDyess becomes a free agent.

“We were in a financial box,” said Nuggets’ GM Kiki Vandeweghe, who spent the past two seasons in the Dallas front office. “We didn't have much flexibility at all in how we could improve this team.”

“Draft picks are assets," Vandeweghe added. “You either use them in the draft or you can use them in trades. We'll have the flexibility this summer to go out into the free-agent market without risking the luxury tax, whereas before we were already at the luxury tax and couldn't have done anything.”

“I felt to have the team improve, we needed to make a change,” said Vandeweghe, whose Nuggets are 16-35 and haven't been to the playoffs since 1995. “We needed a bold stroke. We needed something to change the chemistry and the positioning of the team in respect to both the players, salary cap situation and future salary cap situation.

“We did what we felt was the best. We obviously had a very tough situation in Nick Van Exel. We wish him well. We wish all our (former) players well. We're very sorry to be losing the players that we're losing. But we feel we got some good ones in exchange and made a deal that puts us in position to do very well in the future. It's a good thing that we've ended the speculation. We made a move that we hope to look back on as the start of something good.”

The Mavericks added more firepower to their offense. In addition to improving their offense, Dallas also improved their defense because Raef LaFrentz is a much better shot blocker than Juwan Howard. Unfortunately, Raef is not as good a low post scorer as Juwan is which could pose problems in the playoffs.

Nick Van Exel got his wish to be traded to a championship contender; but, now it’s Nick’s turn to prove he can be a good teammate and accept his role either backing up Steve Nash at point guard or playing alongside Nash in the backcourt. Van Exel needs surgery on his left (shooting) elbow; but, since he’s now with a winning team, he’ll postpone surgery until the offseason. Ironically, Nick would have had the surgery as soon as possible if he weren’t traded.

Avery Johnson will probably see limited minutes in Dallas; but, his veteran leadership and championship experience should prove invaluable to the Mavericks.

Tariq Abdul-Wahad will probably never be a great outside shooter; but, at 6’6, he’s a very good and versatile defender which could earn him some playing time for the defensively challenged Mavericks.

Tim Hardaway’s gets his wish to play starter’s minutes; however, I’m confident Tim would much rather play for a winning team instead of a losing squad like the Nuggets. Fortunately for both Tim and Denver, the Nuggets can buyout Tim’s contract for $1 M this summer and both parties can go their separate ways.

Donnell Harvey, 6’8, is a throw-in for salary cap purposes; however, he’s only 21 years; so, he’s young enough to become more than just a decent rebounder with no offense.