The HRR NBA Trade Analyses Archive

August 2,

“Steve Smith Dealt to Blazers in 4 - Player Deal”

The Atlanta Hawks continued revamping their roster by trading G Steve Smith and G Ed Gray to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for G Isaiah Rider and G / F Jim Jackson.

Notes:

• Gray can be a free agent next summer.
• Rider will be a free agent next summer.

1999 - ‘00 Salaries:

Steve Smith, Por.: $7.3 M.

Ed Gray, Por.: $0.941 M.

Isaiah Rider, Atl.: $5.41 M.

Jim Jackson, Atl.: $1.925 M.

Who got the better of the deal?

Portland.

Why?

“It's a very significant trade and a very difficult trade in that we're trading a player we would like our whole organization to embody and be about,” Hawks’ GM Pete Babcock said of Steve Smith.

At 30, Steve Smith, 6’8, gives the Blazers a better all - around player than Rider. Steve is a good passer, a decent rebounder, and a clutch scorer. His knees have given him problems; but, Portland hopes to reduce his minutes from 35 or higher per game to around 25 to 30 by using second year guard Bonzi Wells. The Blazers have high expectations for the slashing 6’5 Wells.

Also, Smith is not a player who Portland has to worry about off the court nor will Smitty be a disruption in the locker room.

Ed Gray has been immature his first two seasons in the league. He’s missed many practices and had problems with marijuana. Hawks’ Coach Lenny Wilkens had grown tired of Gray’s immaturity, lack of professionalism, poor attitude, and an unwillingness to play defense or take good shots. Gray will have a difficult time making the Blazers back court with Smith, Wells, swingman Stacey Augmon, rookie Roberto Bergersen, and point guards Damon Stoudamire and Greg Anthony.

Rider has had run ins with the law as well as missing practices and other unprofessional acts as well inconsistency from game to game.

Jackson may be traded to the Clippers in a deal to acquire F Lorenzen Wright. If not, Jim should probably see minutes at big guard and small forward. Jim is a scorer not a shooter. Though he has not had off court problems, Jackson has been labeled as a selfish player who causes problems with coaches and teammates.

Asked if he was concerned he was sending the wrong message by trading the solid Smith for Rider and Jackson, Babcock admitted “I would be less than honest if I said I wasn't concerned about that.”

Added Babcock: “Our mission statement is to try to win a championship. We would like to do that with as much character as possible. ... (But) all the fans remember is ‘Who did you beat?’ “

Babcock said Rider will be entering the last year of his current contract and can determine his own future in Atlanta.

“It's really up to J.R.,” Babcock said. “He's a tremendous talent; one of the more talented players in the NBA.”

No one doubts Rider’s talents; but, he’s talent far exceeds his stability on and off the court.