Rumor: Mickael Pietrus to the Raptors for Juan Dixon and Joey Graham

by Atma Brother ONE on Feb 20, 2008 1:22 PM PST in Rumors

SI.com's Marty Burns dropped some NBA trade market info just a few hours ago in his piece Market buzz: Players, teams to watch as trade deadline approaches. The Warriors are buzzing:

The Raptors and Warriors have discussed a deal that would center on Mickael Pietrus going to Toronto for Juan Dixon and Joey Graham, according to a league source.

Lace up your Jordans and jump!

The Raptors' interest in MP2 dates all the way back to last spring, so there really isn't too much of a surprise there. He could give the Raptors a reasonable defender at the wings and some solid 3pt shooting from the corners. I wouldn't be all that surprised if Pietrus plays much better some place else right now. He's made it pretty clear that he doesn't want to be here anymore. Given his sporadic playing time and the fact that he's constantly being asked to match up to much bigger front court players, I don't know if I can really blame him.

On the Warriors side, as Nellie noted last week on his show with the Razor and Mr. T on KNBR Pietrus really hasn't given the team all that much this year. It's pretty clear to anyone who's followed the Dubs that there's a high likelihood he's gone by tomorrow at 1pm, but we were all thinking that same thing last year around this time. If the Warriors can't consummate a deal for some reason there's next to no chance that they hold onto Pietrus past this spring. Given Pietrus' struggles this season, dismal hoops IQ, and lack of major improvement from year 1 to year 5 in the NBA, I don't know if I can really blame them.

But do Raps Juan Dixon and Joey Graham really give the Warriors much, if anything at all? Moving Pietrus for them is a lateral move at best. Dixon does have a nice 3pt shot, but the Warriors are already overloading with smallish scoring guards with Monta Ellis and CJ Watson. Graham has been somewhat of a bust since the Raptors selected him with the 16th overall pick in the 2005 draft. I'd be surprised if Nellie even played either of those more than garbage time minutes. Pietrus is no doubt in a serious funk right now, but he's better than he's played so far this season and Nellie knows that.

Head on over to Mrsouthbay's diary for more thoughts about this rumored deal.

Would you trade Pietrus for Dixon and Graham?

Some Raptors focused sites to check out:

A lot of Raptors' blogs have emailed us for a scouting report on Pietrus. Here's some good starting points:

The MP2 Trade Rumor Mill Archive:

99% of rumors never happen, but 99% of them are fun to talk about!

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Why don't we try to get Bargnani? I guarantee he's not as untouchable as Calderon or Bosh and isn't really playing that well this year. The guy has mad upside (former #1 overall) and is tall and can stroke the three. Not a tremendous rebounder but could probably get enough in the right defensive/offensive scheme. Might also be able to bust Belinelli out of his shell.

Pietrus, POB, (pick?) for Bargnani

by BALLINelli on Feb 20, 2008 1:58 PM PST reply actions

I don't get it.....

Peitrus is gone at the end of the year. Dixon's contract is up at the end of the year but Graham's goes through next year. If we aren't going to play either (Dixon or Graham) why trade an expiring contract for another and the right to have Graham take up a roster spot next year.

The deal just doesn't make any sense unless Mullin and Nellie actually see something in these two players. Who knows maybe coming to Warriors will have the same effect on Graham that it had on Jack last year.

by WilliamVanLandingham on Feb 20, 2008 2:03 PM PST reply actions

crap.

crap crap and more crap.

by jchao204 on Feb 20, 2008 2:17 PM PST reply actions

asdf

this is a terrible trade.

although i know i am dreaming, we need bosh.

"TIMEOUT IN BARON'S HOUSE"

by the noTORious TOR on Feb 20, 2008 2:27 PM PST reply actions

I've been dreaming of that too

I feel you. he's my favorite non warrior

Fck Ford, Cpt. Jacks Built To Last!

by protac6 on Feb 20, 2008 2:57 PM PST up reply actions

seriously

the W's would not do this...just for the simple fact that Graham's deal runs for an additional year. They would just keep MP and let him walk to free up $$ to resign their own FA's. Getting a guy with a deal that runs thru next year makes no sense, unless he is a player you actually PLAY.

Let's Go Oakland! Gas, Brake, Dip.

by OaktownFunk on Feb 20, 2008 2:28 PM PST reply actions

what happened with miami.....

obviously miami is trying to speed and lighten up. with shaq's departure and marion taking over, theyre obviously trying to get faster and more athletic. they should give us udonis haslem for pietrus.

by 3Kings650 on Feb 20, 2008 2:29 PM PST reply actions

hmmm

It's an interesting trade.

Juan Dixon might mean Baron gets some rest, the problem is that Juan Dixon isn't very good.

Joey Graham is kind of intriguing though, just because he's still on his rookie contract. Maybe he can do what Barnes and Pietrus do for us (at a combined salary of $7mil) for $2.5mil next year and the QO of $3.4mil the year after that.

This is definitely not a trade that's going to put us over the top or anything like that, but it may save us some coin in the future by not needing to resign Barnes in the future.

by jlagace on Feb 20, 2008 2:36 PM PST reply actions

scratch that

If Joey Graham was capable to come in and do for us what Pietrus does (at a way cheaper price too), then Toronto would not be trading him away (with another player) for Pietrus in the first place. Mullin don't do it!

by jlagace on Feb 20, 2008 3:21 PM PST up reply actions

No get BOSH

get BOSH! HA

Fck Ford, Cpt. Jacks Built To Last!

by protac6 on Feb 20, 2008 2:53 PM PST reply actions

How about Wallace

Big Ben Wallace. He would help our team so much. Trade O'Bryant and Pietrus. Hell, throw in our first round pick this year or Belianeli. We never play/will play Belianeli/this years pick anyways.Wallace would allow us do have the option of going big or small, would serve as a great player as a starter or off the bench, and would allow us to match up against teams like the Jazz, Lakers, and Suns much better.

by montasmob69 on Feb 20, 2008 4:07 PM PST reply actions