BLAZERS TRADE THREE FOR MAGLOIRE
The Portland Trail Blazers acquired center Jamaal Magloire from the Milwaukee Bucks for point guard Steve Blake and centers Brian Skinner and Ha Seung-Jin.
What does it give the Portland Trail Blazers
A former all-star who can provide rebounding and toughness in the paint. Magloire will likely be a starter for the overhauled Blazers, who are suddenly very crowded with good frontcourt players. Along with recently re-signed center Joel Przybilla, Magloire gives the rebuilding team some quality veteran size, and should emerge as their top rebounder and a protector for their very young roster. The fact he's in the final year of his contract makes him a good bet for a big year. Even if that doesn't happen, Magloire is a solid short-term stopgap while rookie LaMarcus Aldridge learns the pro game. The deal also raises further questions about how much (and if) Zach Randolph will play with Portland next season.
What does it give the Milwaukee Bucks
A way to get rid of Magloire's big contract, and a solid point guard in Blake. Not that Skinner and Ha don't have their good qualities, but both are nowhere near as talented or established as Magloire and were likely included more for salary-balancing purposes. Blake proved last season he can be an above-average NBA point guard when given the chance to play, and will provide quality depth for a team that lost its purest pass-first playmaker when T.J. Ford was traded. Skinner is a journeyman with some defensive skills who has been with the Bucks before, and Ha is a project. Neither is a sure thing to stick with their new club. Expect Andrew Bogut to be the new starting center in Milwaukee, with Charlie Villanueva at the four-spot.
Fantasy impact
