Alex Acker to the Clippers

With Iverson likely leaving after this season, I was looking forward to seeing what Acker could do for the Pistons. This trade does put the Pistons further under the cap by shedding Acker’s $711,571 contract and the Pistons get a future second round draft pick from the Clippers’, which’d be like a high 1st round pick.

If Dumars doesn’t use this pick in a major trade, it’ll be another young player he can land for the Pistons from the top 40 of a future draft.

With this move, the Pistons are contenders again.

Wooot. NBA Contendors again!!!!!!!

I’m wondering why this trade came before the deadline. Dumars is either signalling that he isn’t taking any more calls (likely), or is clearing a roster spot for a potential trade (less likely).

I also think that this signals that Joe D isn’t answering his phone. This was done strictly for salary cap reasons. And the rumor being teh salary cap will likely fall next year and before the CBA gets re-done, I think this is just a finanical deal.

Though Ackers deal doesn’t add much (~700k), with AI & Sheed coming off the books Det will have ~35M this summer to dole out. Given how bad the economy is and owners pocketbooks, I think Joe D could be positioned to do well this summer and/or next. He can take back salaries without giving much up and still be below the luxury limit.

The LA Daily news is reporting that the clippers will release Cheikh Samb to make for Acker. Does that mean that spell check will be back in the D?

Mark Butter:

We won’t have 35 million. We’ll have like 23 million. We’re 12 or so mill over the cap. There are obviously some exceptions that allow you to go over, but those are generally to resign your own players.

Colin: sheed is at ~13M and AI is ~20M

The difference is what is known as the salary cap and the luxury cap. Trading Acker will leave us ~20K over the luxury cap.

But I agree with your assessment.

Everyone should read the “How a Lower Luxury Tax Could Kill 10 NBA Teams” article. There’s a link under the NBA Fanhouse section on the left.

It will make you feel better about where Detroit is financially. It makes it sound like Detroit could get some good players on the cheap (like Nene, for instance).

QD: Saw that article. Joe D working towards cap room is probably something he’s been doing a long time given Det’s economy. It was just a matter of time before it caught the rest of the league (lol).

It’s one of the few times to be glad to be at the bottom. I saw a number of small market teams, Utah jumps out. It will be tough sledding for a number of teams.

Markbutter,

I’m pretty sure that the Acker trade puts us under the luxury tax – that was the point of the trade, if I’m not mistaken.

Colin: if not , we’re real close. But yeah, I think it did also.

Markbutter:

Or maybe not: via need for sheed McCosky, Stein and Dave Dial all have different figures. If we’re still over that would indicate that Dumars is anticipating another move. I’m sure Mr. Davidson enjoys saving 1.5 million by not paying Acker, but he’d probably prefer to be under and getting a 3 million dollar payday.

http://blog.mlive.com/fullcourtpress/2009/02/alex_acker_trade_a_precursor_t.html

Colin: Yeah, there’s figures all over the place. I don’tthink this is to make a move. I think it is strictly to save money. He would be saving money this year and I see sending him to Clips as they need some 2 help. But like you said, Mr. Davidson doesn’t get to share in the re-distribution. I guess at the end of the day, Stuck, Rip, AA and Bynum are the four guards we have for the future, as it stands right now.

I demand Cheikh Samb’s return now!

Hey Matt Watson. Are we sweet at predicting trades or what!!!

Peace