ESPN’s Marc Stein brings back up a previously rumored Darko Milicic for Quentin Richardson trade in his draft column today:
The Grizzlies aren’t just entertaining the idea of parting with the No. 2 overall pick in Thursday’s draft. They’ve also engaged in advanced discussions with the Knicks that should put former No. 2 overall pick Darko Milicic in New York by week’s end … unless Memphis winds up needing Milicic’s expiring contract in another draft-related trade.
Sources say that the proposed swap would send Milicic to the Knicks for swingman Quentin Richardson and cash. Milicic is scheduled to earn $7.5 million next season in the final year of a three-year deal he received from the Griz in 2007; Richardson has a player option for next season at $8.7 million.
This trade makes a lot of sense if the Grizzlies take Hasheem Thabeet at #2 and and not much sense if the Grizzlies trade down for a perimeter player. My best guess: This is a sign of the Grizzlies preparing for the Thabeet pick in the event that the right trade offer doesn’t emerge.
