Why Boykins Was Traded For Blake

The biggest story in sports today is ~~the Barry Bonds saga~~ the trade of Nuggets point guard Early Boykins and

journeyman Julius Hodge to the Bucks for guard Steve Blake. According to the Denver Post (who got the tip from unnamed NBA sources), this deal was done primarily to save money:

A major reason the Nuggets made the move was to get under the NBA's $65.4 million luxury tax threshold by season's end. The trade pushes Denver about $500,000 under the tax threshold, saving them from being slapped with a dollar - for- dollar tax for being over. The Nuggets also get an injured player's exception in the trade. Bobby Simmons is out for the year with a heel injury.

Boykins, who was averaging 15 points and 4 assists per game, was a fan favorite in Denver. He is making just under $3 million this season and Hodge just over $1 million. Blake, on the other hand, is in the final year of his contract, and is pulling in just over $1 million. According to the Post, Denver had been shopping the diminutive Boykins out of fear that he was going to exercise his player option and become a free agent next season.

I get the feeling short people everywhere will be bummed out about this deal; it would have been riveting to watch the smallest backcourt in the League (Iverson and Boykins) try to win a title.

(Photo: Garrett Ellwood, Getty Images)