Dallas Gets Anthony Johnson

[Nasser22]

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- The Indiana Pacers will send point guard Anthony Johnson to the Dallas Mavericks for veteran floor leader Darrell Armstrong and two young players, Armstrong's agent said Sunday.

Armstrong, forward Josh Powell and swingman Rawle Marshall are headed to the Pacers in a sign-and-trade deal that can't be completed until the NBA office opens Monday.

Johnson gives the Mavericks a pass-first point guard to complement starters Jason Terry and Devin Harris, both of whom are more scorers than distributors. Johnson also is taller than Armstrong, and a strong defender with solid playoff experience.

Dallas had been considering signing Chucky Atkins to fill the same role. By getting Johnson in a trade, the Mavs instead can spend their remaining salary cap money on a backup swingman and a third-string power forward, the final two items on their offseason want list.

The 31-year-old Johnson averaged 20 points and 5.2 assists in six playoff games last season. He'll make around $2.6 million this season and $2.8 million the following year.

Johnson had been a backup for most of his career, but started 89 regular-season games the past two years while the Pacers fought through injuries and suspensions. He scored 40 points in his last game with Indiana, a loss to New Jersey in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The 38-year-old Armstrong is a 12-year veteran with career averages of 10.1 points and 4.4 assists. He spent most of his career with Orlando before brief stints in New Orleans and Dallas.

Armstrong played much of last season with a torn rotator cuff. His biggest contribution, though, was as a locker room leader. Among the players he mentored was Marquis Daniels, who was traded by Dallas to Indiana for Austin Croshere earlier this month.

Glenn Schwartzman, Armstrong's agent, said Daniels' move helped Armstrong, an unrestricted free agent, agree to go to the Pacers.

"I think Marquis going there certainly was a factor," Schwartzman said. "But Darrell's decision was about what was best for Darrell and his family."

Powell and Marshall were players being developed by the Mavericks. Both are coming off their first NBA season.

Powell played 37 games, starting twice, and saw mop-up duty in six playoff games. Marshall played 23 games, starting nine, but was left off the postseason roster.

Damn, Dallas is loaded right now. This is a very good trade for them. I am losing my faith in the Suns being able to beat them, especially if we don't sign someone else.

 

[Chaplin]

Anthony Johnson for Darryl Armstrong alone isn't that big of an upgrade, let alone with the two younger players. I like this trade for the pacers. Anthony Johnson is more of a playmaker than Darryl Armstrong, but even at his age, Armstrong is much more energetic.

 

[Nasser22]

Those young players aren't very good. The Mavs fans I talked to would've rather had Pops than Powell.

As for the point guards: Armstrong is finished. He's 38 and all he could really do is come in for 5 minutes and maybe get a steal. Johnson can score and pass better and his defense is pretty good also from what I heard. The Pacers fan i've talked to is upset about losing him. I see this as a big upgrade for Dallas. Now they got a pass first point guard with Harris and Terry. Johnson is 6 years younger and can actually help out a lot more than Armstrong from the bench. He's also taller and stronger so it would be tougher for opposing guards to play against him.

Dallas is like 11 or 12 deep right now. The Suns need to get someone else. One more big man, PLEASE.

 

[hsandhu]

Damn, Dallas is loaded right now. This is a very good trade for them. I am losing my faith in the Suns being able to beat them, especially if we don't sign someone else.

I agree, lets not play the season, they're too tough for us. In fact it is time to move Nash and rebuild.

 

[Nasser22]

I agree, lets not play the season, they're too tough for us. In fact it is time to move Nash and rebuild.

I think we have a chance to beat them but I'm just worried with all the depth they have and not being sure of how Amare will do, how JJ performs in the playoffs or how long KT will last.

 

[Joe Mama]

Anthony Johnson for Darryl Armstrong alone isn't that big of an upgrade, let alone with the two younger players. I like this trade for the pacers. Anthony Johnson is more of a playmaker than Darryl Armstrong, but even at his age, Armstrong is much more energetic.

Anthony Johnson for Darryl Armstrong is a big upgrade. I would rather have Marcus Banks than Anthony Johnson, but AJ comes at a better price and with some good playoff experience. I like this move for Dallas. I'll like their off-season even more when they bring in another swingman with a good outside shot like Devon George.

I like the Marcus Banks signing. I actually like the Marks signing for one year for the minimum. I can't say I'm a big fan of the Polish rifle, especially with a two-year guaranteed contract, but I hardly think it's the end of the world. He could come in and score a few important baskets from time to time. I would like to see the Phoenix Suns add another 4/5 to the roster for release this upcoming season.

Joe

 

[hsandhu]

I think we have a chance to beat them but I'm just worried with all the depth they have and not being sure of how Amare will do, how JJ performs in the playoffs or how long KT will last.

If dallas starts terry/stack/howard/dirk/diop, their bench is harris/johnson/crosher/dampier.

And we start kurt/amare/marion/bell/nash, and our bench is diaw/barbosa/banks/jones.

If healthy, the starting line up is even, but our bunch is way better, tell me how they are too deep for us?

 

[Nasser22]

I overreacted I'm sorry. Ager might do well too but no playoff experience so yeah we are just as deep as them now but their team has gotten better. I hope we can get a legitimate big man to back up Kurt or Amare. One more guy and then i'll be happy because I don't think Dallas is done yet.

 

[F-Dog]

This was a pretty big pickup for Dallas--they've been looking for another combo guard since they struck out with Mike James. They wind up with a quality player in AJ for essentially nothing, so they landed on their feet.

I guess there's no point in waiting for Dallas to suffer from depth problems.

 

[Nasser22]

If dallas starts terry/stack/howard/dirk/diop, their bench is harris/johnson/crosher/dampier.

And we start kurt/amare/marion/bell/nash, and our bench is diaw/barbosa/banks/jones.

If healthy, the starting line up is even, but our bunch is way better, tell me how they are too deep for us?

Oh, you forgot Buckner also. He's pretty good. A better player than Griffin....

 

[Folster]

Dallas has always had great depth. I'm not worried about their third string point guard. They only have so many minutes to spread out. I'd take Nash, Banks, and Barbs any day over Terry, Harris, and Johnson.

 

[nowagimp]

Dallas has always had great depth. I'm not worried about their third string point guard. They only have so many minutes to spread out. I'd take Nash, Banks, and Barbs any day over Terry, Harris, and Johnson.

I agree here with Folster. Dallas depth is only a problem for the suns if the suns have poor depth in the backcourt. I expect the backcourt decision making will be much better by the suns guards. And no, I dont think Anthony Johnson or Jason Terry will be able to defense Marcus Banks or Leo, and Nash will be rested. Coming from behind has become harder for opponents of the phoenix suns with the acquisition of Marcus Banks, there will be no rest for the weary. Opponents big guys will need to run more than ever now. I love watching 7' 260 lbs+ guys forced into becoming track stars, huffing and puffin all the way.

 

[Nasser22]

They also are about to sign Devean George. No weaknesses for them right now...

 

[George O'Brien]

They also are about to sign Devean George. No weaknesses for them right now...

Now I really am worried.

 

[Nasser22]

Good thing it's not a 12 on 12 game and Dallas will at most only play 10 guys in the playoffs. The Suns have more depth than they've had the last two years so I'm feeling good about their chances. I'm just worried.

 

[Chaplin]

They also are about to sign Devean George. No weaknesses for them right now...

Devean George is at best a 9th or 10th man off the bench, especially in Dallas. No reason to panic at all.

 

[F-Dog]

Devean George is at best a 9th or 10th man off the bench, especially in Dallas. No reason to panic at all.

The problem was, he was supposed to be the Suns' 9th or 10th man.

I'm not sure what the team is looking for at PF, but this is a guy they were supposedly interested in, and now he's off the table...

 

[Chaplin]

The problem was, he was supposed to be the Suns' 9th or 10th man.

I'm not sure what the team is looking for at PF, but this is a guy they were supposedly interested in, and now he's off the table...

If there was any interest, it was most likely minimal--we're talking less than John Salmons interest, and we all know how much we valued him.

 

[F-Dog]

If there was any interest, it was most likely minimal--we're talking less than John Salmons interest, and we all know how much we valued him.

Yeah, $22m worth.

 

[Chaplin]

Yeah, $22m worth.

We certainly didn't raise our offer when Toronto came calling, did we? I can't believe this is about DEVEAN GEORGE, of all people. He's an ok player, but Dallas signing him doesn't scare me anymore than them not signing him.

 

[Chaplin]

From Insider article:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/features/rumors

George To Sign With Mavs?
Jul 26 - The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports the Mavericks have offered Devean George a one-year, $2 million contract.

Agent Mark Bartelstein told the newspaper that he's still exploring other deals, including Phoenix, New Jersey and Cleveland.

Do I have to eat crow since this statement? The bigger question is... why?

 

[Mainstreet]

From Insider article:

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/features/rumors



Do I have to eat crow since this statement? The bigger question is... why?

I wouldn't mind Devean George playing in Phoenix and I have been campaigning for a role rebounder to play the 4/5 position.

IMO the Suns' logic is simple. If you cannot afford a playable big man, then the Suns go after the BPA. This was the kind of logic the Suns used the year they acquired Nash and Q, except they had alot more money to spend that year. I think I understand D'Antoni's logic although I don't always agree with it.

Also if the Suns do not get a player like George, I wouldn't be surpised to see Eddie House back in Phoenix if he hasn't already signed elsewhere.

Note: I still want that role playing rebounder but it doesn't look good for me.