A Headscratcher, a Spark, and a Steal

Stromile Swift is traded again. Last time he was traded, Houston convinced Memphis to take him back by sending the number eight overall pick (Rudy Gay)in the 2006 draft alongside the athletic yet incredibly disappointing forward. What does New Jersey give up? A big body defender who’s very limited on offense in Jason Collins. This trade pretty much accomplishes nothing. Memphis is rebuilding so they’re going to stink for awhile and the Nets, well, they’ll only get better if they trade Kidd and let VC go.

Mighty Mouse is finally a Spur. After being released by the Griz two weeks ago, Damon Stoudamire will soon be the starting point guard for the NBA champs as Tony Parker recovers from injury. This move reminds me a lot of the Nick Van Exel signing the Spurs did a couple of years ago where he was just the spark they needed to get back to the elite level of the league.

And finally, Curtis Granderson signs on for five more years with the Tigers for only six million per year. The salary isn’t really a steal if you consider the market. A similar player like Carl Crawford (same age as Granderson), is only making four per. Another guy like Jimmy Rollins (three years older than Granderson, the only other active member of the 20-20-20-20 club, is only making eight per. The steal is when you consider his value to his team. The leadoff guy that starts it all in the lineup, and the main part of the outfield defense in center. How is that worth less than a mediocre pitcher that pitches every fifth day like the 10+ million dollar contracts we’ve seen the last couple of years given to guys like Suppan, Gagne, Woody Williams, and John Garland.