Interesting idea. But according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, players like Ratliff, who have just been traded, cannot be traded again for three months or until Dec. 15. So even if Minnesota wants to trade Ratliff, the Timberwolves will have to wait until Dec. 15. That said, Ratliff's expiring $11.7 million contract makes him a perfect candidate to be traded just before the league deadline in February. Obviously, Ratliff is not part of the long-range rebuilding process that just started in Minnesota, and many teams will find his contract situation extremely appetizing because of the salary cap relief it could provide starting in 2008-09.
Like you, I've always been intrigued by Ratliff's game. Over his career, he averages eight points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.68 blocked shots. Those are decent numbers. But Theo will be 35 next April and he is coming off back surgery. I'm reasonably certain he is past his prime, meaning any team that acquires him will probably do so because of its interest in his expiring contract, not because of what he can give them on the court.
Of course, when Ratliff becomes a free agent after the 2007-08 season and a team like the Jazz can sign him for a greatly reduced rate, interest in him could increase again. There is always a need for a 6-foot-11 shot-blocker who, by all accounts, is a good guy.
Just for fun, I ran an Andrei Kirilenko-for-Ratliff swap through the "trade checker" on realgm.com. It works.
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"There has been lots of talk about Dee Brown ... We all seem to have assumed that with the signing of Jason Hart and Ronnie Price, Brown is the odd man out. I realize that Hart and Price are under contract and Brown being a free agent makes him the easiest player to [let go], but is Dee the right player to move? Those of us in Utah have had some good looks at Price and it's no secret the Jazz have liked him since his days at Utah Valley State. Hart, on the other hand, is more of a mystery. He's bounced around a lot and never really produced solid numbers. Is Hart really better than Dee Brown? Can he match the intensity and fire that Brown provided so well last season?" -- Steve Warner, Tooele
If I understand the question, you are asking if the Jazz should consider re-signing and keeping Dee Brown and getting rid of Hart. That would give them a point guard rotation of Deron Williams, Brown and Price heading into next season.
I wouldn't do it and I'm certain the Jazz won't.
In the first place, Utah just signed Hart to a two-year, $5 million contract. Obviously, vice president of basketball operation Kevin O'Connor thinks he's good enough to be Williams' primary backup for the next two seasons and, judging by the way Hart played at the end of last season when given major minutes by the injury-ravaged Clippers, I'd have to agree.
Personally, I thought getting Hart was an outstanding acquisition by the Jazz because of his experience, his size and his toughness. He's never been a great shooter but -- on paper, at least -- he is a textbook example of what a good team with an exceptional starting point guard needs.
Hart has a chance to fill the role that Delaney Rudd, Howard Eisley and John Crotty played so well for so many years, when they caddied for John Stockton in the 1990s.
