The Washington Wizards and Sacramento Kings swapped backup point guards at the NBA trade deadline today, as the Wizards acquired guard Ramon Sessions from Sacramento in exchange for guard Andre Miller.
One obvious reason for the trade was new Kings coach George Karl's familiarity with Miller, who played for Karl in Denver.
Miller has below-average speed and is a bit long in the tooth, but he is an excellent passer and has an outstanding post-up game against smaller guards. His steadying veteran presence, lob passes, and ability to see the floor were vital to Karl's uptempo system with the Nuggets.
Meanwhile, Sessions is a well-travelled player, but does have game. He is a good athlete, and can break down defenses with his penetration.
“Ramon is a proven veteran who will bring an up-tempo style to our second unit and give us quickness, energy and defensive presence,” said Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld. “He can make plays for himself as well as others and will help to solidify our bench as we head into the final 28 games of the season and the playoffs.”
Expect both Miller and Sessions to play backup roles with their new teams.
Sessions (6-3, 190) holds career averages of 11.3 points, 4.5 assists and 2.9 rebounds in 503 career games (134 starts) in seven-plus years with six teams. He has shot .435 from the field and .797 from the line. In 12 career playoff games with the Los Angeles Lakers, he holds averages of 9.7 points, 3.6 assists and 3.0 rebounds.
The 56th overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft Sessions has averaged 5.4 points, 2.7 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 36 games (seven starts) with Sacramento this season. In seven games as a starter this season, he averaged 9.6 points, 4.0 assists and 3.3 rebounds. Sessions enjoyed his best season during the 2012-13 campaign when he averaged 14.4 points, 3.8 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 61 games with Charlotte.
Miller was originally acquired by Washington on February 20, 2014, in a three-team trade with Denver and Philadelphia. In 79 games with Washington in parts of two seasons, Miller averaged 3.7 points and 3.0 assists (including 3.6 points and 2.8 assists in 51 games this season).
“Andre was a consummate professional during his time with the Wizards and gave us great veteran leadership,” said Grunfeld. “We wish him and his family the best.”
By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services
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