http://espn.go.com/nba/news/2003/0112/1491369.html The Magic are doing all they can to convince Washington to trade former No. 1 overall draft pick Kwame Brown, the Orlando Sentinel reported in its Sunday editions. The Sentinel's report, which cites unnamed team sources, said the Magic see Brown as a future star who is in an impossible situation because he is playing alongside Michael Jordan, who is so demanding and still has a strong voice in personnel decisions. So far, Orlando has not made an offer to make the Wizards even budge. The Magic's strongest idea involved two first-round picks and cash. Orlando could always sweeten the deal by offering some combination of picks and Mike Miller, but there are a few issues there. Foremost, the Magic are very mindful of what another year on the trading block could do to Miller. According to the Sentinel, the Magic feel the need to do right by Miller since he has done everything they asked of him and is playing well this season. For the Wizards to trade Brown, the No. 1 pick in the 2001 draft, it would mean that they would admit to failing with him. But Orlando is hoping that Jordan is so fed up with the 6-foot-11, 240-pound kid that he would endorse the deal. Still, the Sentinel reported, there are several factions within the Wizards organization that would make such a trade difficult. The Magic are also an Atlantic Division rival, and Washington would not want to help a foe too much. Stay in school kids.
People need to be more patient with high school kids. Washington would be kicking themselves if Kwame turns out like JO.
There is a difference between JO and Kwame. JO didnt see the light of day for 4 seasons while he was on the Blazers. Once he got playing time with Indiana, he started showing what he is capable of. On the other hand, the Wizards have tried, on numerous occasions, to give Kwame some time on the court. However, he just doesnt produce enough while he is playing.
Eddie Griffin? Anyways, I think MJ's coming out of retirement is one of the most selfish acts (or the dumbest thing) in basketball. He knew he wanted to help the kids develop by playing with them. But he obviously doesn't have the patience to play with the kids who haven't had a clue. Look at all the young players the Wizards had when MJ came out. Where are they now? It was clear at the start that the primary reason for him to come out was to satisfy his competative itch. How selfish it is to mortgage the future of your team just to satisfy your own desire?
It would be a great trade for the Magic (assuming they can hold onto Miller), and a horrible trade for the Wiz. Way, way, way too early to give up on Brown, especially for picks that would most likely be mid 1st rounders. Orlando, on the other hand, would have a nice little nucleus of TMac, Miller, and Brown.
EXACTLY. We're all repressed basketball geeks here. But acquiring Kwame Brown would be expensive. He does have that upside. Probably he wasn't emotionally ready for the NBA. But what would the price tag be for him? Teams don't like to admit failure. Funny, isn't it, that Brand-for-Kwame didn't happen? Everyone worships MJ so much but I'll tell you, he has done everything possible to burn down the house he built in Chicago....now, to his own detriment. Imagine the Wizards with Elton Brand instead of Kwame.
