WATSON TO SONICS IN 4-TEAM DEAL
In a four-team deal, the Seattle SuperSonics acquired Earl Watson, Bryon Russell and a 2008 second-round draft pick from the Denver Nuggets; the Nuggets acquired Reggie Evans from Seattle and Ruben Patterson and Charles Smith from Portland; the Trail Blazers acquired guard Voshon Lenard from Denver and Brian Skinner from Sacramento; the Kings acquired Vitaly Potapenko from Seattle (via Denver and Portland) and Sergei Monia from Portland.
What does it give the Seattle SuperSonics
A back-up point guard they have coveted all season, and a way to get rid of two big men they didn't want. Watson is the 'prize' here for Seattle, a player capable of helping run their up-tempo offense and taking the heat off young starting point guard Luke Ridnour. Watson fills the hole and role left open by the earlier departure of Antonio Daniels, who was a spark off the bench and someone who helped Ridnour stay fresh. Potapenko has been injury-prone and unproductive for quite awhile, and Evans had fallen out of favor in the new Bob Hill regime. Financially this deal isn't a big winner for the Sonics (since they take on four years of Watson's salary) but it's not too big a burden for an underrated playmaker. Russell won't likely see much action for Seattle if at all, but at least they'll save a little cash when his contract expires this summer. The second-rounder is also a nice bonus.
What does it give the Denver Nuggets
The scoring and frontcourt depth they need for their stretch run, and a little financial flexibility down the road. Evans isn't expected to be a starter but his tough rebounding brings desperately-needed relief for the dinged-up Denver front line. In Patterson and Smith they get two underrated scorers (one inside, one outside, respectively) who can come off the pine and provide a needed spark. What the Nuggets really needed was a bona fide starting shooting guard, but they'll likely keep making do with a committee approach that now includes Patterson and Smith. Getting rid of Watson's four-year contract gives them some breathing room after next season, when Patterson's $6.35 Million deal runs out. Evans and Smith will both be free agents following this season.
What does it give the Portland Trail Blazers
A solid veteran shooting guard in Lenard, and a solid veteran center in Skinner. Smith was a bit of an experiment for the Blazers that didn't pay off, while Patterson was a headache who became a distraction. Both Lenard and Skinner are true professionals, journeymen who are excellent at their specialties (Lenard at shooting and Skinner at defending the basket and rebounding). Both will make the Blazers more competitive down the stretch, and their leadership and work habits will hopefully rub off on all the baby Blazers.
What does it give the Sacramento Kings
A veteran center in Potapenko who isn't likely to play much, and an intriguing forward prospect in Monia. Skinner wasn't seeing much action for Sacto, which is a bit confusing because the Kings' new team identity is 'defense-first.' Regardless, the prize here is Monia, who still has one more year on his contract and is a versatile and athletic talent. Monia fits in well with the Kings' new approach of turning tough defense it into running transition. Potapenko seems have been included in the deal to make the money work, but he too still has one more year on his contract, and when he recovers from a back injury (one that has kept him out of his past 19 games) he may still eventually provide a solid back-up for starting pivot Brad Miller.
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