2001 - 2002 Player Salaries:

Glen Rice, Hou: $9 M.

Shandon Anderson, NY: $5.5 M.

Howard Eisley, NY: $4.78 M.

Muggsy Bogues, Dal: $1.9 M.

Kyle Hill, Hou: $0.332 M.

Who got the best of the deal?

Houston.

Why?

Rockets head coach Rudy Tomjanovich said, “In getting Glen Rice, here’s a guy I coveted and this organization has coveted for a long time because he is one of the premier shooters in this league.”

Rice is indeed one of the top long range shooters in the NBA; however, he’s 34, and, though Houston believes he’s healed from last season’s plantar fasciaitis, Rice’s health has to be a concern. Glen is no longer the young man who hardly missed a game during the early part of his career. Though his foot may be of little concern to the Rockets, the bigger concern is how well will Glen mesh with his new teammates (Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley, and Maurice Taylor) when it comes to shot distribution. Mobley has never met a shot he didn’t like; Mo wants the ball in his hands; Steve promises to be more aggressive on offense now that Hakeem Olajuwon is no longer on the squad; and Rice clamored for more shots when he played for the Lakers and the Knicks.

The Rockets are taking a risk in obtaining Rice; but, his scoring upside is much greater than Shandon’s because Shandon is not a shooter whereas Glen can capitalize on the numerous open looks he’ll receive from the guards’ penetrating opponents’ defenses.

Kyle Hill was the second leading scorer in the country last season while playing for Eastern Illinois University. He’s 6’2; but, he averaged 23.8 ppg, 4.9 rpg, and 4.4 spg last season. His chances to make the active 12 man roster are slim; but, he has potential and the ability to make the 15 man roster.

Knicks head coach Jeff Van Gundy said, “If we were so concerned about getting all three (Rice, Allan Houston, and Latrell Sprewell) guys minutes, we wouldn't have traded for another perimeter guy. Obviously, that wasn't our biggest concern. ... Shandon's going to have to get used to not starting again. I've had a number of conversations with him in the past two weeks. He's going to find his way on the court just like Glen did.”

Shandon will earn a lot of money to come off the bench; but, that seems fine with the Knicks who have shown no aversion to the league’s soon to be imposed luxury tax. Until the Knicks unload Charlie Ward, acquiring Anderson and Eisley strengthen New York’s bench; however, neither Shandon nor Howard is a great perimeter shooter.

Shandon is a better man to man defender than Rice as well as a better slasher to the basket.

Eisley flamed out during last year’s playoffs for Dallas. He struggled competing against Steve Nash in Dallas. Howard has the skills to be an upgrade at point guard for the Knicks over Ward and Mark Jackson; however, Howard has not usually performed well in pressure packed situations which could be a problem considering he’ll be playing in the media capital of the world.

Muggsy Bogues was a throw in for salary cap purposes. His knee injuries limited him to only three games last season. The Mavs’ were a part of this trade because Eisley asked to be dealt and Dallas wanted to acquire a trade exception which the Mavs could use to acquire another free agent such as Miami’s Tim Hardaway.