I look at the trade bait out there and I'm stuck thinking, outside of G Wallace, I don't see a player I want enough to trade for that REALLY makes this team better! Do any of you? I mean playoff better player, instantly contributing,and can be a solid aid to our big 3?
The trouble is, none of us really know who is and isn't truly available, all we have is reporters' inferences, "inside" sources (ie. agents) giving out dribs and drabs of information, and GMs posturing and bluffing.
But to say that is only
one player out there who would improve this team at the small forward position and would help a playoff push for this year and in the future is probably not exactly true.
Off-hand I can think of a handful of 3s that may or may not be available that could step in and provide an upgrade on defense and also provide a veteran presence and/or the ability to shoulder some of the load on offense:
Stephen Jackson (GW, really cap constrained and likely going nowhere unless something changes)
James Posey (Hornets reportedly near bankruptcy)
Richard Jefferson (meh)
Gerald Wallace (Charlotte's best player, but LB loves to trade and bring in his own people)
Vince Carter (NJ would love to get their cap figure reduced before 2010, and I doubt VC fits into their long term plans at 32).
I'm certainly missing some viable names, but I think it's pretty clear that there are ways to upgrade deficient positions on this team; it just all boils down to cost, and that's something that only KP and a trade partner know the answer to.