Largest trade in NBA history sends Antoine Walker to Miami


MIAMI (AP) -- In the largest trade in NBA history, Antoine Walker was dealt from Boston to Miami on Tuesday night in a transaction involving five teams and 13 players.

The Heat also acquired point guard Jason Williams and small forward James Posey from Memphis, while the Grizzlies received guard Eddie Jones from the Heat. The New Orleans Hornets and Utah Jazz were also involved in the deal.

The trade was larger than a 12-player, four-team deal in 2000 involving Patrick Ewing that had been the biggest in league history.

Miami also received Andre Emmett from Memphis and the draft rights to Roberto Duenas of Spain from the Hornets; Utah received Greg Ostertag from Memphis; Boston picked up Curtis Borchardt from Utah and a package -- Qyntel Woods, the draft rights to Spanish center Albert Miralles, two second-round draft picks and cash -- from Miami; New Orleans acquired Rasual Butler from Miami and Kirk Snyder from Utah; and the Grizzlies received guard Raul Lopez from the Jazz.

Hours after signing Shaquille O'Neal to a five-year deal, the Heat added three significant pieces to a roster that nearly reached the NBA Finals last season.

``We traded a lot, but we got back three quality players,'' said Heat president Pat Riley. ``Antoine Walker is one of the very best multi-faceted, versatile players in this game. ... He is able to handle the ball, pass it, make plays, shoot 3's and rebound the ball. There isn't anyone in this league better at doing that.''

Walker, a three-time All-Star, figures to become the starting small forward and would be backed up by Posey, one of the league's better defenders.

Walker signed a six-year deal worth nearly $53 million with Boston as part of the deal's preliminary framework, and agent Mark Bartelstein said he appreciated the Celtics' willingness to help out their longtime forward.

``Antoine is thrilled,'' Bartelstein said. ``This was a grueling process trying to put a sign-and-trade together. This took a lot of time and work and energy from a lot of people.''

Williams would take over as Miami's starting point guard if Damon Jones leaves as a free agent.

Eddie Jones exits Miami after five years with the Heat.

``I spoke to him and he's appreciative of the five great years he's had in Miami,'' agent Leon Rose said. ``He's proud that he's helped build something, although it's unfortunate that he won't be able to see it to fruition. But he wishes the organization nothing but the best.''

Riley wished the three players leaving Miami well, especially Eddie Jones, whom he called ``the consummate professional through thick and thin.''

``I know he had fun and he was a major part of this,'' Riley said. ``But in order to get something good back, you have to give up something good going out. I wish him nothing but the best.''

Memphis acquired Borchardt earlier Tuesday in a deal in which Sacramento got Bonzi Wells from the Grizzlies in exchange for guard Bobby Jackson and Ostertag.

The Hornets did not give up any players under contract in the megatrade, which was approved by league officials late Tuesday night.

``Our cap flexibility is what allowed us to get these two players as part of this deal,'' Hornets general manager Allan Bristow said. ``We were able to acquire two young, quality players while only giving up the rights to a player who has never appeared in a Hornets uniform.''

Walker, who averaged 19.1 points and nine rebounds last season for Atlanta and Boston, will be a welcome addition to the Heat, said forward Udonis Haslem -- who formally signed his $30.7 million, five-year deal Tuesday.

``We're two different players and we can bring two different things to the table,'' Haslem said, a few hours before the trade got done. ``If we put that together, we should have a pretty good tandem.''

Miami reached Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals this past season -- even though O'Neal and Dwyane Wade were both hurt at the time. And not only was Jones a starter on that team, he was the Heat's best perimeter defender -- a role that Heat president Pat Riley and coach Stan Van Gundy have long valued.

Eddie Jones, a career 16.4-point-per-game scorer, averaged 12.7 in the regular season and 13.7 in the playoffs as Miami's third option.

``Eddie Jones is an All-Star caliber player who has had a terrific NBA career. He is a great 3-point shooter who will make an immediate impact on our offense, while also serving as a solid defender in the backcourt. We look forward to Eddie finishing his NBA career in Memphis,'' Grizzlies president Jerry West said.

Williams averaged 10.1 points and 5.6 assists for the Grizzlies last season. Riley likened his playmaking ability to Steve Nash and Jason Kidd.

``He is a very athletic, quick, explosive scorer and has great experience,'' Riley said. ``One of the reasons why we are making the trade is that we haven't had anyone here like that since Tim Hardaway left.''

Posey was limited to 50 games this past season because of injuries, and only 18 starts. He averaged 8.1 points and 4.4 rebounds.

The trade capped a flurry of activity by the Heat -- who moved quickly once the league's moratorium on player signings expired Tuesday at noon EDT.

O'Neal was signed to a $100 million contract; the move was expected, although the contract was considerably smaller than what O'Neal figured to command.

Haslem said the team has full confidence in whatever personnel choices Riley and general manager Randy Pfund make.

``Since I've been here, they've made great decisions,'' Haslem said. ``And I'm sure they'll make the right decision here.''

So the Heat got Antoine and JWill?
The East is already over next year.

the acquisition of posey by the heat should not be overlooked

man, the heat will be loaded

Dude there was so much to that deal I bet the players involved don't know what all happened.

Yes, I think the President is correct.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!

jwill scares me as the starting pg, but i have faith that svg, riles and daddy arent going to let him fuck around and just jack up shots like hes on the and1 mix tour

Shaq couldn't rein in kobe, so I'm not sure what effect he's going to have on White Trash Chocalate. And Williams had a better coach than Stan in Memphis (Hubie), and still pulled the same stuff 2 seasons ago.
I think Jason Williams ends up being traded or benched.

I watched him last year and he has come around, he only took 9 shots per game last year and had his highest % of his career. I think he'll be just fine in Miami unless the town itself does him in.

it's not so much the quantity of his shots, it's the quality.
and yes, his % did increase, but it's still awful.

Ideally, the Heat would have a PG who played D and didn't turn the ball over. Williams has talent, but I just don't think he's a good fit with that team.

This is a rare case of subtraction by addition.

They needed to add a 3-point shooter and maybe a defender, not two headcases who shoot 1-for-14 at the 3-point line and a white-guy-who-thinks-he's-black who shoots bricks between behind the back passes.

walker's gonna have to learn to shoot A LOT less now..i wonder how he'll deal with that

the heat are definitely going to be loaded with talent. the one thing that they need to figure out is the rotation. you can have all the talent in the world but if they don't mesh well together as a group and if they aren't played properly then it won't do you any good.

it shouldn't take them too long to figure out a rotation though.

ya, they may struggle a bit at the beginning of the year. but after midseason there will be no stopping them

i get the impression that miami is'nt going to be fucking around next year. the rest of the east better watch out!

yea and that too!

haha lenny. the answer is: HE WONT DEAL WITH IT REAL NICE


the Heat wont win squat with this team. Its gonna be an I-want-more-shots-bitchathon.

anyone else think this will give Riley exactly what he and fat daddy want? which is for Gundy to get the axe and rat fuck riles to become the coach again?

Cyber-twan is a cancer. Celtic fans should be rejoicing.