Baseball - Sonics Deal Radmanovic to the Clippers

Seattle continued their team altering when they dealt PF Vladimir Radmanovic to the Clippers for PF Chris Wilcox. It could be a big move for these two teams who are both in rather weak divisions. But is giving up Vladi worth getting Wilcox?

Chris Wilcox was drafted 8th overall in the 2002 draft after Maryland won the NCAA tournament. Since then he's never been able to get off the Clippers bench, being behind Elton Brand. At 6'10, 235 lbs he's bulked up substantially from when he first entered the League.

It's true that better defense will show a decrease in offense. But just taking away offense won't provide defense either. A team that's either excellent offensively or defensively will always compete for the playoffs, although defensive teams definitely go farther. By removing Radmanovic they're subtracting a big part of their offense, Wilcox had better be a defensive stopper.

For the Clippers it adds offense off the bench that they didn't get from Wilcox. Radmanovic has potential to be a 6'10 Peja Stojakovic yet was never more than the 3rd option in Seattle. The real risk in Wilcox is his contract, which is up at the end of the season, so Seattle should try to make the most of him.

Both Wilcox and Radmanovic have a chance to produce better numbers. Vladimir is the better player right now but Wilcox has the chance to develop. It's a solid move for the Sonics who weren't going anywhere before this move. All the Sonics need now is to fill their void at Center.

The Clippers are probably done making significant deals, what with Artest in Sacramento now. Maggette is coming back soon, something that LA hopes will match Amare returning for Phoenix. Seattle probably has more deals left in them. After ousting Bob Weis and trading Radmanovic the team is clearly trying to reestablish themselves. Look for Reggie Evans, Flip Murray and Danny Fortson to be on the trading block for the weeks leading up to the trade deadline.