The Mavericks added to their stable of swingmen by trading Greg Buckner to Minnesota for Trenton Hassell late Friday night.
The guard swap gives the Mavs another option at shooting guard opposite point guard Devin Harris. Hassell (6-5, 233) started 68 games last season for the Timberwolves, averaging 6.7 points on 49-percent shooting. The Austin Peay product scored a career-high 9.2 points per game the previous season.
Hassell, 28, is expected to fit in nicely in Avery Johnson’s system. He’s considered a knockdown shooter inside the arc and a capable perimeter defender. His solid reputation also extends to the locker room where Kevin Garnett often referred to Hassell as his favorite teammate.
“We look forward to bringing Trenton on board,” president of basketball operations Donnie Nelson said. “He’s an exciting young piece who we feel is a good fit for our system.
“We want to thank Buck for his years of dedication and service, and wish him nothing but the best.”
Hassell joins Jason Terry, Eddie Jones and Devean George as the likely candidates to start alongside Harris in the backcourt as training camp opens next week. Jerry Stackhouse will likely reprise his sixth-man duties, while Josh Howard is entrenched at starting small forward.
Buckner, 31, rejoined Dallas last season by signing a three-year contract. He played in 76 games, starting 11, and averaged 4.0 points on 41-percent shooting. The Mavs envisioned Buckner (6-4, 210) as the kind of rugged defender capable of slowing down the league’s premier swingmen, but that role never materialized.
Buckner broke into the NBA with the Mavs during the 1999-2000 season and spent three years in Dallas before signing with Philadelphia. He played for Denver from 2004-06.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Mavs pick up Hassell for Buckner
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Love this trade. Hassell is bigger and stronger than Buckner, is a couple years younger and should be able to hit those mid-range jumpers when given the chance, unlike Buckner who at times looked incapable of hitting any shots. He could become the starting 2 guard eventually, though it will take him some time to adjust to their system. I'm still a little worried about how the minutes will go around to all of the swingmen: George, Stackhouse, Hassell, Jones, and Ager will be fighting for time, and then there's Terry and Howard who will also see time at shooting guard. Should make training camp very interesting, though.
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