Mark Warkentien makes another shrewd move.

Warkentien, who's unquestionably one of the most intelligent front office executives in the NBA, dumps a couple of crappy second-year players (i.e., Walter Sharpe & Sonny Weems) for a decent backup or third-string power forward in Malik Allen.

The Milwaukee Bucks complete this move due to Weems only being guaranteed $174,284 of his salary next season if he's waived by 8/15/2009. Knowing Scott Skiles, I expect that Weems will be waived and Sharpe will be released sometime this summer.

4 months ago AK1984 18 comments 0 recs |

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Seems like a typical one team's junk for another team's junk deal

Last time I saw Malik Allen play extensively in Dallas, he was already very bad. But maybe the Nuggets figured their front court needed more (practice) bodies since last year with Hunter injured too they would have been very thin if Martin or Nene went down with an injury.

by Norsktroll on Jul 22, 2009 4:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This is more of a John Hammond move than a Scott Skiles move.

Skiles is the one who gave Allen playing time in Milwaukee, despite his game declining to the point where he was nearly useless out there. This saves money and keeps Allen away from Skiles.

That said, Allen has more of a chance to play than either Weems or Sharpe. Good move for both teams, as Milwaukee saves a little cash (and doesn’t have Allen on the floor) and Denver, who gets an improvement in talent.

But like Norsktroll said above, it’s a junk for junk deal.

μὴ φοβοῦ, μόνον πίστευε.

Blazersedge.com || New to Blazers' Edge?

by T Darkstar on Jul 22, 2009 6:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

How is this a shrewd move?

Kind of giving Mr.Warkentien a lot of praise for a deal that will probably mean nothing once the season starts. I wouldnt call Warkentien a great exec yet, lets not forget that all of Denvers success last year is because of Billups, who Detroit basically gave away.

by ggassen85 on Jul 22, 2009 7:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

meh

by Falcao on Jul 22, 2009 8:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

nice try though

mark

by ratzo on Jul 22, 2009 8:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So, aside from getting lucky with the Billups thing

and signing Andersen, what exactly has he done?

Just curious.

by Arby on Jul 22, 2009 9:04 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

he grabbed

Balkman on the cheap, signed Dahanty Jones, and dumped Camby. So it seems that he has made the team more financially viable while at the same time winning more games, which is not an easy thing.

Also, drafting Ty Lawson may be a great move.

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

I will talk about DeJuan Blair no more forever

by jonestr on Jul 22, 2009 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

BLOCKBUSTER!!!!!!!!

The Princess of Blazersedge

by Zaig on Jul 22, 2009 9:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

This is fine, but the Nuggets could/should have attempted to acquire a stronger bench player

Nene and Kenyon Martin played well last year, but the injuries are always a question with this team.

The Chicago Bulls.....the more profitable Los Angeles Clippers.

by Ozzie Montana on Jul 22, 2009 9:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Seems like Warkentein got lucky.

I don’t know much about Warkentein or his tenure with the Nugs, but Martin and Nenes’ injuries could have gone either way. If they didn’t pan out, I bet people would be calling for his head. Getting Billups was a great move though.

What are they going to do about the SG spot? Didn’t they get rid of Dantay Jones?

by Benjamanic on Jul 22, 2009 10:27 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I have a hard time thinking they'll bring JR Smith into the starting spot

But I’m as equally confused about plugging Arron Afflalo into that spot. Considering ther starting SGhas never been the focal point of the offense, though, maybe it won’t matter.

by Arby on Jul 22, 2009 11:12 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I forgot about

Afflalo, that was a nice move on his part

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

I will talk about DeJuan Blair no more forever

by jonestr on Jul 22, 2009 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nene and Martin's

contracts are not his babies

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

I will talk about DeJuan Blair no more forever

by jonestr on Jul 22, 2009 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Intelligent front office exec?

Trading for AI was disaster while he was in Denver. Luckily he was able to turn that huge expiring contract in for Billups. But he didn’t get AI to get Billups, he believed AI was the missing piece. Now that’s intelligent.

This is the guy who “discovered” and pushed for us to draft Zach (ugh) and Quintel Woods (barf) when he was director of player personnel. Yeah, he’s a freakin’ genius.

Patty Mills - PG of the future. Book it.

by Blazerholic on Jul 22, 2009 2:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

AI trade

was not Warkentien it was Vanderweghe

also, look at where Zach was drafted. He was a great pick. Woods not so much, but I dont know if you can blame a pick on the director of player personnel. Wasnt that KPs title when we didnt draft Paul?

Life is exhausting when you are this stupid.

I will talk about DeJuan Blair no more forever

by jonestr on Jul 22, 2009 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Trader Bob liked trading. The draft, not so much.

He let Warkentien make the draft decisions.

Patty Mills - PG of the future. Book it.

by Blazerholic on Jul 23, 2009 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Intelligent is knowing which GM made which move.

Maybe you should figure out who Denver’s GM was when they traded to get AI.

by Arby on Jul 22, 2009 3:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It sure is. Let me know when you figure it out, smart guy.

From Denver Westwood, Best of Denver:

“Best Sports Team General Manager
Mark Warkentien
Denver Nuggets
Readers’ Choice: Mark Warkentien
It takes a lot to admit you’re wrong, but that’s what Nuggets GM Mark Warkentien did when he wisely shipped career chemistry-killer Allen Iverson to Detroit in exchange for Denver native Chauncey Billups. Iverson, whom Warkentien brought to the team in December 2006, has helped sink the Pistons. Billups — calm, accurate, and willing to play defense and pass — has helped make the Nuggets relevant. That move, and that move alone, makes Warkentien the best of Denver’s sports suits.”

From RealGM:

“Instead, it’s time for Nuggets VP Mark Warkentien and player personnel executive Rex Chapman to take the blame for the trade that brought Allen Iverson to Denver.

By trading Andre Miller, Joe Smith, and two first-round picks for Allen Iverson and forward Ivan McFarlin, Warkentien added $11 million in additional salary in exchange for 5 more regular season wins."

From About.com’s Bio on Warkentien:

“Acquired nine-time All-Star Iverson”

From his Bio on the Nuggets Home Page on NBA.com:

“During his tenure, the Nuggets have made numerous transactions while maintaining a high level of success. Included are the acquisitions of nine-time All-Star Allen Iverson…”

From Hoopshype General Managers page on him:

" December 19 2006
Traded guard Andre Miller, forward Joe Smith and two 2007 first-round picks to the Philadelphia 76ers for guard Allen Iverson and forward Ivan McFarlin."

Patty Mills - PG of the future. Book it.

by Blazerholic on Jul 23, 2009 9:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs