Barry trade seems sleazy
In Sunday's NBA column -- thanks to many of you for the positive feedback, by the way -- I briefly discussed last week's San Antonio-Seattle trade.
If you recall, the Spurs acquired Kurt Thomas from the Sonics for Francisco Elson, Brent Barry and a future first-round draft pick. The Sonics immediately waived Barry, clearing the way for him to become a free agent.
I suggested the Spurs and Sonics might have had a wink-wink deal in place before making the trade -- one that would allow Barry to return to San Antonio.
The whole thing just seems a little sleazy to me.
Ethical or not, Barry is now a free agent. He plans to announce sometime today where he will play when he returns from a calf injury in a couple of weeks.
Supposedly, Barry has entertained offers from Boston, Houston, Dallas and Phoenix.
Personally, I think it's just part of an orchestrated act put together by the Spurs, Sonics and Barry's agent to help dispel the notion that Barry was going back to San Antonio all along -- as part of the trade.
This way, Barry's return to the Spurs simply looks like a business decision, not a premeditated mockery of NBA trade rules.
When I hear Barry's decision, I will pass it along.
If Barry signs with Dallas, Houston or Phoenix (he has apparently ruled out Boston) I will owe everyone involved an apology.
If Barry "decides" to return to San Antonio, we'll all know that this whole thing was just a jump-through-the-hoops circus act performed to prevent the NBA from investigating the trade -- the way it promised to scrutinize the first Jason Kidd-to-Dallas deal last week after Jerry Stackhouse starting talking about returning to the Mavericks even before the trade was finalized.
-- Steve Luhm
If you recall, the Spurs acquired Kurt Thomas from the Sonics for Francisco Elson, Brent Barry and a future first-round draft pick. The Sonics immediately waived Barry, clearing the way for him to become a free agent.
I suggested the Spurs and Sonics might have had a wink-wink deal in place before making the trade -- one that would allow Barry to return to San Antonio.
The whole thing just seems a little sleazy to me.
Ethical or not, Barry is now a free agent. He plans to announce sometime today where he will play when he returns from a calf injury in a couple of weeks.
Supposedly, Barry has entertained offers from Boston, Houston, Dallas and Phoenix.
Personally, I think it's just part of an orchestrated act put together by the Spurs, Sonics and Barry's agent to help dispel the notion that Barry was going back to San Antonio all along -- as part of the trade.
This way, Barry's return to the Spurs simply looks like a business decision, not a premeditated mockery of NBA trade rules.
When I hear Barry's decision, I will pass it along.
If Barry signs with Dallas, Houston or Phoenix (he has apparently ruled out Boston) I will owe everyone involved an apology.
If Barry "decides" to return to San Antonio, we'll all know that this whole thing was just a jump-through-the-hoops circus act performed to prevent the NBA from investigating the trade -- the way it promised to scrutinize the first Jason Kidd-to-Dallas deal last week after Jerry Stackhouse starting talking about returning to the Mavericks even before the trade was finalized.
-- Steve Luhm
9:43 AM
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6 Comments:
I agree Steve. This deal was obviously (or so it seems) Sonics GM Sam Presti returning a favor to his old team, San Antonio. I can only imagine that these sort of wink-wink deals will be brought up in the next NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement. They need to change the rule from 30-days to the rest of the season.
If I understand it correctly, San Antonio would have to wait 30 days after he was traded to resign him, right?
And in order to play in the playoffs, doesn't he have to be signed by March 1?
Am I missing something?
The problem isn't the players... or the organizations that play by these rules. To label it as "sleazy" is to not fully understand the situation. These are the rules. I find them ridiculous and I find the way the league has handled them this season to be especially ridiculous.
Nevertheless, they are the rules and under the current system it's hard for me to fault the organizations who operate according to them. If the NBA doesn't like it, then they should change it this summer, (I hope they do) but these mid-season decisions to veto otherwise legal trades (ie; stackhouse) are preposterous. That's why the Barry trade isn't sleazy, it's a legal move that's only been compromised by the NBA's idiocy in regards to the Stackhouse situation.
Bottom line: Blame the league, not the teams who are able to benefit from said leagues' inconsistent policy/rulings.
To Sam:
The players are also at fault (i.e. Joe Smith was barred from signing with Minnesota for several years). The current CBA does include a provision that states teams and players do not try and get around the rules. This Barry thing is very sleazy indeed. If a team trades a player there shouldn't be a plans to get him back with a reduced salary/luxury cap impact.
To John:
I'm at a loss there too. All I can guess is that he just has to clear waivers by Mar. 1st and just can't play for the Spurs for 30 days.
I guess I have a lot to say. I really think there needs to be a "Jerry Stackhouse Rule". Simply put if a team trades a player after the season starts then he is ineligible to play in the playoffs for that team. I wonder if San Antonio would have still made the Brent Barry trade with that rule in place.
Also, a "Sam Cassell Rule" needs to be added. What team could use a veteran PG more than the Clippers!? Sam basically went back on his contract and forced a buyout to get on a good playoff team without really earning his way there. Get to work NBA Board of Governors!
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