Damon Stoudamire Finally Dealt

Damon Stoudamire is Finally Dealt

February 13, 1998:

“Damon Heads to Portland”

The Toronto Raptors traded G Damon Stoudamire, F Walt Williams, and C / F Carlos Rogers to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for G Kenny Anderson, rookie G Alvin Williams, F Gary Trent, 2 1st round draft picks and an undisclosed amount of cash.

1997 - ‘98 Salaries:

Damon Stoudamire, Port.: $1.75 M

Walt Williams, Port.: $3.75 M

Carlos Rogers, Port.: $1.5 M

Kenny Anderson, Tor.: $5.01 M

Gary Trent, Toronto: $1.329 M

Alvin Williams, Tor.: $242 K

Notes:

Portland has reportedly agreed to pay the remaining $38 to $40 M on Kenny Anderson’s contract. He has 5 years left after this season.

Toronto will receive Portland's 1998 first round draft choice and New York's 1998 first round draft choice (which was previously conveyed to Portland in the Chris Dudley, John Wallace deal—10 / 11) unless the Knicks' pick is a lottery pick, in which case the Raptors would receive the Knicks' first round pick in 1999 unless it is also a lottery pick. Then Toronto receives the pick in 2000 without conditions.

Gary Trent, Alvin Williams, and Damon Stoudamire are all free agents this summer.
On Feb. 16th, the Blazers agreed to include their 2nd round pick in the '98 Draft as part of the deal as compensation for concerns which were raised about Alvin Williams knee.

Who got the better of the deal?

Toronto.

Why?

Clearly, the Blazers helped themselves by acquiring Stoudamire. However, the Raptors obtained some quality for a player they couldn’t re - sign this summer. The 2 first round picks Toronto acquired are very important. They may have up to 3 picks in the ‘98 Draft which will allow them plenty of flexibility with future personnel decisions. The trade also allows Toronto to maintain salary cap flexibility this summer. They may have up to $13 M to use on free agents.

If Gary Trent can grow up and stop getting into trouble off the basketball court, he gives Toronto a physical, scoring threat in the low post. Should he finish the season well, the Raptors have the option to re - sign Trent to a big contract this summer.

Alvin Williams has surprised a lot of people with his solid play as a rookie play maker. He’s 6’5, a good defender, a good decision maker, with a decent perimeter shot. He led the Blazers to a 9 - 1 record in games he started. He should be the starter for Toronto for the rest of the season regardless of who Toronto acquires in any deal for Kenny Anderson. The Raptors need to learn if Alvin is their point guard of the future.

Kenny Anderson doesn’t want to be in Toronto. As a result, he probably won’t be here very long. Kenny didn’t get along with Isaiah Rider (who does?) or Portland head coach Mike Dunleavy. Dunleavy wanted Kenny to be more of a distributor this season as opposed to a scoring point guard. Consequently, Anderson’s numbers have slumped dramatically.

Damon returns to his hometown. He along with the other young players ( forwards Rasheed Wallace, Brian Grant, and Jermaine O’Neal and rookie C Kelvin Cato) should really flourish in an up tempo style of play. Damon isn’t afraid to make things happen. He excels at the pick and roll. His shooting percentage (43%) isn’t great; but, that may be due to the fact he had to assume so much of the offensive burden in Toronto. He won’t have to do that in Portland.

It is rumored that Damon will be looking for a new contract which will average between $12 and $15 M per season over 7 years. Consequently, Trail Blazer owner, billionaire Paul Allen, probably won’t even blink about re - signing Damon this summer.

Walt Williams becomes the Blazers best perimeter shooter. He should become the starting small forward which should cause Brian Grant to come off the bench. In fact, Williams may play some at shooting guard when Isaiah Rider messes up again or when Dunleavy decides to go to a bigger line up.

Carlos Rogers adds to the Blazers glut of young, tall, lanky front court players. He can run the floor and block shots; however, he isn’t strong enough to defend physical front court players.