LARRY Hughes and Chris Wilcox were on different teams in different parts of the country but shared the same feelings of alienation and frustration.
Hughes, once named to the NBA’s All-Defensive first team, wasn’t even suiting up for the Bulls anymore, and Wilcox was no longer in the rotation for the talent-challenged Thunder. Both hoped the trade deadline would offer them a new beginning in a new location.
“It was just not a good situation in Chicago,” Hughes said yesterday. “I had planned on moving on.”
Moving day has landed Wilcox, 26, and Hughes, 30, with the Knicks, both arriving in separate deals made by GM Donnie Walsh on Thursday. Wilcox’ contract expires this season and Hughes’ next, which keeps the Knicks committed to their long-term blueprint of having enough cap space to sign two big-name free agents after the 2010 season. In the short term, the deals could prove beneficial if Wilcox and especially Hughes play like they have something to prove. Pride and a new contract can be powerful motivators in the NBA.
Truth is no one is expecting Wilcox or Hughes to have a huge impact. They were traded for a reason. Even Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni seemed a bit ambivalent.
“We’ll have to juggle and play it out,” he said. “But I’m excited about the possibilities. We’ll see how it goes.”
It hasn’t gone so well for Hughes lately. A one-time winner of the Austin Carr Good Guy Award in Cleveland, he was viewed as a malcontent in Chicago, a player who thought he was as good as his $12 million to $13 million per year contact, but performed far below that salary.
“He has been on a lottery team and he’s been on a team that’s gone to The Finals with Cleveland,” one scout said of Hughes, who is with his sixth team in 11 years. “Both types of teams have traded him. The only thing to gather from that is his issues have been more than just basketball issues.”
Though the 6-foot-10 Wilcox adds muscle to the frontline, Hughes has the kind of versatility the Knicks could use. At 6-foot-5, he’s athletic, can run floor, play solid defense on the perimeter and score in double figures. He’s a natural two-guard that can also spell Chris Duhon or Nate Robinson at the point. Those skills are why five previous clubs wanted Hughes on their roster, only each dealt him away when expectations weren’t fulfilled.
Though Wilcox dressed last night, Hughes was on the bench in street clothes soaking in the atmosphere of the Knicks’ 127-97 domination of the Raptors. D’Antoni’s up-tempo offense was in high gear and Hughes is eager to be a part of it.
“It’s a style of play that fits me,” he said. “I can make plays myself, but I pride myself on making plays for other people. I just want to come here and win.”
A St. Louis native, Hughes was drafted by the Sixers with the eighth overall pick in 1998. He had his best years at Washington, where he averaged 22 points per game during the 2004-05 season before becoming LeBron James’ sidekick at Cleveland. Traded to Chicago at the deadline last year, he wound up buried on the bench behind Kirk Hinrich. Now Hughes gets the chance to prove he can still help a team.
“You want to be effective and make everybody better,” he said. “That’s what I’m about right now. I feel comfortable here. The biggest thing is I feel welcome.”
Hughes has his chance to change his history of arriving under high expectations only to be dealt because of money or disappointing performances. Eventually, he’ll run out of chances.
