Economics had a lot to do with the Sonics-Celtics trade, for both sides.

Even though the Celtics are not going to re-sign Rodney Rogers, trading away Kenny Anderson, Vitaly Potapenko and Joseph Forte allows them the room to re-sign free agent Walter McCarty. And the Sonics wanted to get rid of Vin Baker and hopefully free up enough money to re-sign Rashard Lewis.

In return, the Celtics needed a big man off the bench, the role Rogers filled. Without Rogers, the Celtics were able to do the next best thing in getting Baker, although it's not exactly what Celtics coach Jim O'Brien wanted. He liked to use Rogers against big centers. Rogers' 3-point shooting ability was always a matchup problem for big centers like Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning and Todd MacCulloch.

On a positive note, Baker provides the Celtics with the post-up player they lacked. Neither Paul Pierce nor Antoine Walker is an inside player. Hopefully, Baker can be consistent and can return to his previous form, when he averaged 20 points a game. For Baker, who has struggled with his conditioning, this deal is a chance for him to start over.

Shammond Williams gives O'Brien another guard who can play the point, but I think he will also use Tony Delk in that role. O'Brien also likes J.R. Bremer, a rookie from St. Bonaventure, and thinks he can develop into a good player. While Delk is a solid defender, he has been inconsistent as a shooter and playmaker. Yet he will have an opportunity to show whether or not he can handle the point guard role.

As for the Sonics, they had been unhappy with Baker for some time. Plus, there have been rumors that the Sonics' ownership is feeling a pinch from the stock-market decline and is looking to tighten its money belt. Trading Baker and his contract is a step in that direction.

Adding Anderson may also allow them to seriously consider moving Gary Payton, something the Sonics have been contemplating for the last few years. I'm sure there is still a market for Payton, who remains among the NBA's best guards.

Even if the Sonics dealt Payton, they still have a lot of young players in Lewis, Desmond Mason, Jerome James, Vladimir Radmanovic and Predrag Drobnjak. The cupboard wouldn't be bear by any means.

Anderson is entering his contract year, so I expect him to play well. The Sonics are rolling the dice with Potapenko, who is coming off knee surgery and probably won't be ready to play until December or January. Forte, meanwhile, has little game experience. Although he has played well during in summer league games, he is still an unknown quantity.

Hall of Fame coach Dr. Jack Ramsay is a regular contributor to ESPN.com.