July 11: Martin Sign-and-Trade Sends Ridnour to Milwaukee
In a three-team deal, the Thunder sign-and-trade guard Kevin Martin to the Timberwolves, the Timberwolves trade guard Luke Ridnour and the Lakers' 2014 second-round pick to the Bucks, and the Bucks trade the rights to Szymon Szewczyk to the Thunder. The Bucks and Timberwolves also receive cash considerations from the Thunder.
• See the news story on the deal.
Milwaukee: B+
We're still not sure what the Bucks are building, but Ridnour is a decent pickup for a team apparently hoping to make the playoffs next season. At $4.3 million for one season, he's a good value who will leave Milwaukee with flexibility for 2013-14. Ridnour spent most of the past two years playing shooting guard in Minnesota and could play some minutes next to whoever ends up starting at point guard for the Bucks next season in addition to backing him up. As a carrot for taking on Ridnour's contract, Milwaukee gets next year's Lakers second-round pick. Depending how the season goes in L.A., that could actually have some real value.
Minnesota: B
Since Ridnour's contract isn't bad, it's a little disappointing the Timberwolves had to give up anything of value to move it. Such was the cost of balancing out a Minnesota roster that was too heavy on point guards and too light on wings at the conclusion of the David Kahn era. His replacement, Flip Saunders, used this space to sign Corey Brewer. Brewer brings a necessary dose of perimeter defense to a team with Chase Budinger and Kevin Martin as its likely starters on the wings.
Oklahoma City: B
While it's unclear whether the trade exception the Thunder created by moving Martin in a sign-and-trade will ever amount to anything because of the team's precarious position vis-à-vis the luxury tax, it's still useful to have and cost them only (a presumably limited amount of) cash. As the 35th pick in the 2003 draft, Szewczyk was once a notable European prospect. He's now 30 and playing for a minor Italian team. Simon Cowell has a better chance of playing for Oklahoma City.
• Grades: Celtics-Nets blockbuster | Knicks get Bargnani | Clippers deal Bledsoe | Evans to Pelicans | Iguodala in three-way deal | White dealt to 76ers
Mbah a Moute to Kings