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Mysticwiz · Posted: 03/21/05 5:17 pm ::: Meek is GONE

The Sparks and Washington Mystics have agreed to a major trade involving two of the WNBA's best players, it was announced today.

Washington will send its star, Chamique Holdsclaw, to Los Angeles in exchange for Los Angeles forward DeLisha Milton-Jones and the Spark's first round pick (13th) in the league's 2005 draft.

The price is a steep one for the Sparks because if Holdsclaw, who missed part of last season and later acknowledged she was battling clinical depression, decides not to report to the Sparks, they will still lose Milton-Jones and their draft pick.

Milton-Jones missed nearly half of the Sparks season, including the playoffs because of a knee injury, but has been overseas this winter and is reportedly playing without difficulty.

Sparks general manager Penny Toler, attempting to contact Holdsclaw, who is playing overseas in Spain, was unavailable for comment today. Sparks' President Johnny Buss confirmed the trade.

"People [in Washington] were worried whether DeLisha is healthy, but her knee is fine," Buss said. "We wish her nothing but the best. She has a real spirit for WNBA and is a great player. We hated to give her up, but also we needed some new energy in Los Angeles. When we thought that Washington might be interested in a trade, Penny held on and kept talking to them.

"We are taking a risk, but that is what we're about. I don't know Chamique personally, but from what I know of her, I think she will be excited to come to L.A. We have a strong organization and a respectful approach for the players who play for the Lakers and Sparks."

Buss went on to say this would probably be the one major deal the Sparks complete this off-season. He said the team lacks the cap room to attract top-level unrestricted free agents "and we're not interested in any other trades."

After an outstanding college career, where she won three national championships at the University of Tennessee, Holdsclaw, 27, was the Mystics' and the WNBA's top first round selection in 1999. She was the WNBA rookie of the year in 1999.

In her six WNBA seasons, the 6-1,172-pound forward has averaged 18.3 points and nine rebounds. Holdsclaw is a three-time all-star, two-time all-WNBA selection, and won a gold medal with the 2000 USA Olympic women's basketball team.

Last year, Holdsclaw played in 23 games for Washington, averaging 19 points and 8.3 rebounds. She left the team for the final 11 regular season and two playoff games for undisclosed reasons. She later revealed that she had been suffering from depression.

Milton-Jones, a popular player in Los Angeles, has been considered one of the league's best defenders as well as a solid offensive complement to reigning league MVP Lisa Leslie.

In her six seasons with the Sparks, who took her in the first round of the 1999 draft out of Florida University, Milton-Jones, 30, averaged 11.2 points and six rebounds. She also won a gold medal in the 2000 Games, and was part of the USA teams that won gold medals at the Fiba 2000 and 2002 world championships. Like Holdsclaw, Milton-Jones is listed at 6-1, 172 pounds.

Her 2004 season was restricted to 19 games because of knee injuries sustained overseas in Russia and during the WNBA season in July. She averaged 9.8 points and 4.7 rebounds.

The Sparks are still looking for a head coach after Michael Cooper, who guided the team to WNBA championships in 2001 and 2002, left last season to take an assistant coach position with the Denver Nuggets. Interim co-coach Karleen Thompson has been hired by the Houston Comets, and Ryan Weisenberg, the other co-coach, is back on the L.A. Lakers staff.

Among those candidates reportedly interested in the Sparks job is former USC men's coach Henry Bibby, who was fired four games into the 2004-05 college season. Buss would neither confirm nor deny Bibby's interest.

"We'd like to have a coach in place by the [April 16] draft," Buss said. "But it's not that critical since we no longer have a first round pick."

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-032105sparks_lat,0,7934363.story?coll=la-home-sports[/i]

Str8_Butta · Posted: 03/21/05 5:21 pm ::: Re: Meek is GONE

DAMN!

CamrnCrz1974 · Posted: 03/21/05 5:22 pm :::

What did I say? What did I say?

Can't wait to see VeProf's reaction!!!

BBallFanCT729 · Posted: 03/21/05 5:23 pm :::

Str8_Butta · Posted: 03/21/05 5:24 pm :::

Keegan · Posted: 03/21/05 5:24 pm :::

There might not be enough valium in the world for VeProf...

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CamrnCrz1974 · Posted: 03/21/05 5:25 pm :::

Thanks, BBallFan. Nice to see that the trade offers I posted actually came to fruition (Tangela Smith, Chamique Holdsclaw, plus the free agent signings and the offers that were extended and later matched).

Keegan · Posted: 03/21/05 5:26 pm :::

666 posts for Cam

Laughing

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BBallFanCT729 · Posted: 03/21/05 5:26 pm :::

Admiral_Needa · Posted: 03/21/05 5:26 pm :::

Penny Toler, WNBA GM of the Year! Shocked

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BBallFanCT729 · Posted: 03/21/05 5:27 pm :::

Mysticwiz · Posted: 03/21/05 5:31 pm :::

now lets send DeLisha Milton-Jones to indy for the #2...

4ever_bball_fan · Posted: 03/21/05 5:38 pm :::

DMJ could definitely be trade fodder for.

Keegan · Posted: 03/21/05 5:40 pm :::

Depending on the status of her knee, I'd trade the #3 and Plenette for D-Nasty.

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BBallFanCT729 · Posted: 03/21/05 5:40 pm :::

BBallFanCT729 · Posted: 03/21/05 5:42 pm :::

Mysticwiz · Posted: 03/21/05 5:43 pm :::

BBallFanCT729 · Posted: 03/21/05 6:01 pm :::

As an aside:

With Mique leaving the Mystics Organization, will Summitt follow her out the door?

BCBG25 · Posted: 03/21/05 6:14 pm :::

Damn, that post made me jump out of my skin!
And now I'm getting ready to jump off a cliff, but not before jumping down Blaze's throat for being so fucking complacent.
My two favorite players landed on the teams I dislike the most.
I cannot believe that... Sad

This is a sad, sad day...
I wonder if I'll actually get to hear ANY good news this year...

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Admiral_Needa · Posted: 03/21/05 6:24 pm :::

Alepp03 · Posted: 03/21/05 6:27 pm :::

Well, I don't have much to say. Whatever. I'm excited to see Delisha on a new team. Still not a Claw fan, so whatev, now she's on my least favorite team. *shrug*

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Slovydal · Posted: 03/21/05 6:37 pm :::

Holdclaw gets traded to L.A. four days before I move.

Ha!

You gotta love the irony.

Go Sparques!

AND Mystics

I think this was good for both teams.

pilight · Posted: 03/21/05 6:37 pm :::

This could be the worst trade in the history of the WNBA.

Milton-Jones is a good player that's been made to look great by playing next to Lisa Leslie. Playing with Nakia Sanford and/or Chas Melvin will expose the weaknesses in her game. And that's not even considering the possibility that her knee might not be sound. The #13 pick the same spot Tawana McDonald and Olga Firsova were drafted.

The Claw is a stud. Capable of leading the league in scoring and rebounding. The only question is whether she can play with other stars. You may recall people asking similar questions about Cynthia Cooper and Sheryl Swoopes for years in Houston.

Unless the Sparks do something stupid, like bringing Linda Sharp back to coach or letting Mabika get an attitude about not being the #2 scoring option, they're clearly the odds-on favorite to win it all.

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rebkell · Site Admin

jammerbirdi · Posted: 03/21/05 7:36 pm :::

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