WARRIORS, PACERS TRADE 8
The Golden State Warriors acquired forward Al Harrington, guard Stephen Jackson, guard Sarunas Jasikevicius and forward Josh Powell from the Indiana Pacers for forward Troy Murphy, forward Mike Dunleavy, forward Ike Diogu and guard Keith McLeod.
What does it give the Golden State Warriors
A major makeover, one that suggests they're going even more up-tempo.
Harrington will likely take over as a starter for the Warriors, and will be
a nice upgrade who should fit in well and give the team a little more
defense. Jackson is a streaky shooter, but Jasikevicius is a real sleeper
who may become a top sixth man for Golden State. Powell is also a
diamond-in-the-rough type, but the common thread with all the newcomers is
they do well in the wide-open, running style Golden State has adopted. The
same wasn't really true of Murphy, Dunleavy, Diogu, and McLeod, who are more
suited to the half-court game. It's hard to see this deal hurting the
Warriors, since they'll likely get more out of Harrington than they did out
of any of the players they traded away.
What does it give the Indiana Pacers
A major makeover, one that suggests they're going back to a half-court
style. Is the up-tempo experiment over in Indy? It sure looks that way here.
In dealing Harrington, Jackson, and Powell, the Pacers have moved three of
their most athletic players. Jasikevicius is also a guy who loves to push
the ball, so it could very well be that the Pacers' attempt to adapt to the
OEnew NBA' is over. In sharp contrast, Murphy, Diogu, Dunleavy, and McLeod
are all more comfortable in a slower, half-court style. Dunleavy probably
has the best chance to start, but don't be surprised if Murphy or Diogu
takes over as the team's new starting center. This deal also helps the
Pacers rid themselves of Jackson's streakiness and the stigma of his legal
problems, but it's uncertain whether holdover star Jermaine O'Neal will be
happy now that buddy Harrington is gone again. Talent-wise the most
promising player here is Diogu, who has proven he can excel when given a
chance.
Fantasy impact
