Review of last 5 All-Star trades

Posted on LG.net on 12/23/05.

Tracy McGrady
Date traded: 6/29/2004
Did team have to trade him? No. He was bored with playing on a bad team and was underperforming, but wasn't publicly complaining
Traded for: Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato. Tyronn Lue, Reece Gaines and Juwan Howard were included with Tracy

Shaquile O'Neal
Date traded: 7/14/2004
Did team have to trade him? Yes. He had demanded a trade and had publicly feuded with management
Traded for: Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant and a 2006 draft pick

Kenyon Martin
Date traded: 7/15/2004
Did team have to trade him? Yes. He was a RFA and had received a contract offer from Denver that the Nets weren't willing to match
Traded for: Three first round picks

Vince Carter
Date traded: 12/17/2004
Did team have to trade him? No, but his lackadasical play was a major distraction to the team
Traded for: Eric Williams, Aaron Williams, Alonzo Mourning (who was immediately cut) and two first round draft picks

Baron Davis
Date traded: 2/24/2005
Did team have to trade him? No. Davis had been out with a back injury, the Hornets didn't have any insurance on him and were concerned that he would injure his back again, ending his career and leaving them with a financial liability
Traded for: Speedy Claxton, Dale Davis and cash

Of the five players, I would say that Artest is closest to Baron Davis in value. Both are players who could suddenly become unavailable to their team for a very long period of time. Unlike the rest of the players on the list, Artest isn't signed to a max, long term contract and can be a free agent in the 2008 off-season (per HoopsHype.com. Did Eric say this is wrong?) The Pacers have to trade Artest, which cuts his trade value even more. Based on this, I would say that Mihm, George and the Miami pick would be giving up too much for Artest.