Look, it's always leaked to the press prior to any all-star being traded. If this trade had been leaked that it was imminenent, I'm sure ten teams would of called Memphis with better offers. There's a reason no one ever heard of it. That''s the suspicious part. Wallace had everything to gain by not finalizing the deal until he heard feedback. For some bizzarre reason he expedited the deal.
In terms of expiring contracts, I can't see Minny not offering Ratliff and anyone not named Al Jefferson for Gasol. Foye, Brewer, and Minny's pick are better than what Memphis got. McHale turning an aging (sorry just being realistic longterm) KG, who hadn't won anyting for them, in to two all star caliber big men in their 20's (one, basically just out of college age) would have been a great sell for him. Imo, McHale did a great job drafting KG, and a great job getting great value in return for his superstar. Teams never get great value. He got Big Al, who's as good as your gonna get as an available young player, big man at that, and he got his pick back, which very well might be a lottery pick. If KG doesn't balk at the original June trade, he'd hyave also gotten the C's #5 pick.
On another note, I still don't know why Minny didn't trade for A.I. during the '06-'07 season. They seem like they would have complimented each other perfectly. A.I. is everything KG needs in terms of a guy to take the shots in the 4th quarter. And KG is the perfect compliment to A.I. Iverson needs his costar to be unselfish. Can you think of a better unselfish player in the league than KG? A.I. and Melo? Poor combo. A.I. and KG? probably could of gotten you too the finals.