Let's Say We: Never Wanted Wally?
Where would we stand today if we didn't go after Wally Szczerbiak? How would our position this offseason change? What would have transpired had Ricky, Marcus, Mark, and Justin remained on our team?
Marcus Banks: No difference. Danny made the questionable move of turning down the option on Banks' contract meaning that Marcus was to be an unrestricted free agent after this season anyway. All that would have happened was that he probably would have gotten more minutes once Delonte went down and he might have helped his salary negotations with a solid performance in those games. Then again, Doc might have let him rot on the bench. Either way, he wasn't staying in Beantown.
Justin Reed: Never would have played. Is also a free agent. No loss.
Ricky Davis: Ricky would have been Ricky, and he might have been able to show off a bit for an offseason trade by being the main man once Pierce went down. Since our won/loss record didn't change much after the deal, I don't think you can say our draft pick would have been affected by the deal (or lack thereof). 
Mark Blount: Now while some people say that the Mark Blount rejuvenation would never have happened had he not been traded, the question one has to ask them is: What rejuvenation? Yeah he looked like a new and shudder-to-think even more annoying version of himself when he played the C's after the deal but his monthly split actually were worse after the deal. As much as I despised Blount, one has to think that he would have some trade value this offseason, especially since he, Ricky Davis, and the lottery pick could be grouped for a top player.
What We Lose: A lottery protected first round pick & Wally Szczerbiak.
This is like a fat girl who might be cute if she lost some weight. Do you get a little something something now right now? Yeah, enough to tide you over but not enough to make you happy. Is their potential in the future? Maybe. Could you have done better if you waited for someone else to come along? Odds are, yes. (Then again, if we hold on and can't move Blount in this offseason, then we're stuck with nothing but what amounts to a waste of flesh in our hands.) So What Say I?
With Blount and Ricky on the payroll, we would have a much better standing in trades. As annoying as Blount was, teams would rather get more for their money and it is easier dealing an underpaid swingman at 6 million with an overpaid big making 5 million than trying to move an injured swingman who makes 10 million and a 2008 (at the earliest) lotto protected pick. Oh, and if Danny had simply picked up Banks' option, we'd have him as trade bait as well. An offer of Blount, Ricky, Banks, and a first round pick equals 14 million which could net us a pretty damn good player in return, and someone definitely better than Wally. Personally, I would be willing to roll the dice on getting stuck with Blount if it meant getting a better prize this offseason. If we change thing, I'd say rescind the deal and let's see what Ricky and Blount can get us this offseason.
Mark Blount: Now while some people say that the Mark Blount rejuvenation would never have happened had he not been traded, the question one has to ask them is: What rejuvenation? Yeah he looked like a new and shudder-to-think even more annoying version of himself when he played the C's after the deal but his monthly split actually were worse after the deal. As much as I despised Blount, one has to think that he would have some trade value this offseason, especially since he, Ricky Davis, and the lottery pick could be grouped for a top player.
What We Lose: A lottery protected first round pick & Wally Szczerbiak. This is like a fat girl who might be cute if she lost some weight. Do you get a little something something now right now? Yeah, enough to tide you over but not enough to make you happy. Is their potential in the future? Maybe. Could you have done better if you waited for someone else to come along? Odds are, yes. (Then again, if we hold on and can't move Blount in this offseason, then we're stuck with nothing but what amounts to a waste of flesh in our hands.) So What Say I?
With Blount and Ricky on the payroll, we would have a much better standing in trades. As annoying as Blount was, teams would rather get more for their money and it is easier dealing an underpaid swingman at 6 million with an overpaid big making 5 million than trying to move an injured swingman who makes 10 million and a 2008 (at the earliest) lotto protected pick. Oh, and if Danny had simply picked up Banks' option, we'd have him as trade bait as well. An offer of Blount, Ricky, Banks, and a first round pick equals 14 million which could net us a pretty damn good player in return, and someone definitely better than Wally. Personally, I would be willing to roll the dice on getting stuck with Blount if it meant getting a better prize this offseason. If we change thing, I'd say rescind the deal and let's see what Ricky and Blount can get us this offseason.
