Portland Trail Blazers And Sacramento Kings Swap Ike Diogu And Michael Ruffin
On February 18th, 2009, the Sacramento Kings traded forward-center Michael Ruffin to the Portland Trail Blazers for forward-center Ike Diogu and $1 million in cash considerations.
Ike Diogu became a Portland Trail Blazer when he was traded by the Indiana Pacers to the Blazers in a multi-player 2008 draft night deal. A former lottery pick of the Golden State Warriors in 2005, Diogu joined a deep Blazers frontcourt that featured LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Oden, Joel Przybilla and Channing Frye.
The deep rotation left Diogu as the odd man out. The Arizona State big man appeared in 19 contests and posted 1.4 PPG and 0.9 RPG in 3.8 MPG. Portland was 32-20 when they made the move to trade Diogu.
Michael Ruffin was on the Chicago Bulls for the 2008-09 season before being dealt on the eve of the trade deadline to the Sacramento Kings in the six-player deal involving Brad Miller, John Salmons, Drew Gooden and Andres Nocioni. Ruffin was then re-routed to Portland for Diogu on the same day. Ruffin had not played at all during the season up to that point because of an achilles injury suffered in training camp.
With the outgoing Diogu making $2,912,823, the incoming Ruffin earning the veterans minimum of $1,141,838, the Blazers gained a $3.13 million trade exception in the deal.
After the trade, Diogu did not play much until the final four games of the regular season. A knee injury to Kings center Spencer Hawes allowed Diogu to start the final game of the season as well. In the final four games, Diogu produced 20.3 PPG and 7.8 RPG in 29.1 MPG.
This included a 32-point 11-rebound performance against the Denver Nuggets on April 13 and 28 points and 13 boards against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the season finale. Diogu ended up with averages of 9.2 PPG and 3.9 RPG in 10 games and 14.2 MPG. The Kings finished up the season with a 17-65 record. Diogu became a free agent in the 2009 offseason and signed a one-year deal with the New Orleans Hornets.
Ruffin appeared in 11 games for the Blazers, putting up 0.5 PPG and 1.0 RPG in 3.2 MPG. The Blazers finished up the 2008-09 season with a 54-28 record. Portland faced the Houston Rockets in the first round of the 2009 postseason. Houston took the first game of the series with a 27-point blowout victory. After a Blazers Game Two victory, Houston won the third and fourth games in Houston.
Facing a 3-1 series deficit, Portland won Game Five 88-77. Houston closed the series out with a 92-76 rout. Ruffin saw action (five scoreless minutes) in garbage time of the series opener.
After the season, the Blazers did not re-sign Ruffin. He ended up signing for 2009 training camp with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Michael Ruffin on conversation he had with Bulls teammate Lindsey Hunter about what he’s seen from the Blazers (via The Oregonian):
“I was telling him how impressed I was watching this team play. So I’m proud to be part of it. You can tell this is a well-coached team. They play hard, and it seems like everyone is on the same page, a lot of good guys. I’ve been impressed with the chemistry they have put together here.”
On his injury:
“It’s been a long season for me. I’ve been trying to get through this injury all season, but right now, I feel like I’m at the point where I’m getting really close to playing.”
What he brings to the team:
“What I’ve made my NBA career on is basically defense and rebounding. Playing hard, being physical, being willing to do the dirty work. I always try to play hard. Any chance I get on the floor, I try to give it all I've got.”
How he’s eager to play:
“It’s been a long season, and I’m tired of sitting here waiting. I’m trying to be patient with it, but I’m anxious to get out there and play.”
Portland Trail Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard on the trade in a statement (via Blazers.com):
“We want to thank Ike for his time with the Trail Blazers, and hopefully this trade will give him an opportunity to play more minutes in Sacramento. This move will give us trade flexibility going forward with the $3 million trade exception we gained in the deal.”
On getting a trade exception in the deal (via Center Court):
“We made one [trade] yesterday that got us a trade exception, something we thought was a good thing for us.”
Sacramento Kings head coach Kenny Natt on Ike Diogu (via Kings.com):
“I know Diogu is a very tough guy, physical. I remember he came out and played well for Golden State early in his career. He’s a banger. He brings that physical presence that obviously we need here, so I’m looking forward to that. I think [every new player acquired at the deadline] bring different elements, but they’re all going to add to our team.”
Image Credit:
Michael Ruffin via Getty Images/Scott Cunningham
Ike Diogu via Getty Images/Rocky Widner
