NBA Trade Deadline Deals (Part 1)

Although it was pushed back a little this year to accommodate the shorter season, the NBA deadline has come and passed and a few good deals were made so let's take a look at the deals and see who the smartest teams were.

New Jersey Nets get: Gerald Wallace

Portland Trail Blazers get: Shawne Williams, Mehmet Okur, and a 1st round pick (Top 3 protected)

Synopsis:

I'm not sure why the Nets make this move other than to say something to Deron Williams that we are 'trying' to make this team better.  By getting Crash, the Nets have a high volume scorer who can play both forwards spots.  As his nick name would suggest, Wallace enjoys contact and in my opinion is always thisclose to being injured for a week or two.  Here's to hoping that he doesn't opt out of his contract (player option) and leave the Nets next year.  If he does (and possibly he may not even matter) I would expect Deron to leave too.

The Blazers traded for 2 players that are,..wait for it,....injured.  Williams has a bad foot and Okur has a bad back.  Maybe they just finally realized that Crash just wasn't a fit for their team and wanted some relief and the ability to get a top 10 pick in this loaded draft. 

Overall, this was a swap of spare parts for the chance to get a good part this summer.  Did I mention that the Blazers fired (in my Ahmad Rashad voice) my main man Nate McMillan?  Sad day in Portland.

Portland Trail Blazers get: Hasheem Thabeet, Jonny Flynn, and Minny's 2nd round pick

Houston Rockets get: Marcus Camby

Synopsis: 

Out with the old, in with the new for Portland.  Not only did they make this move but they released oft-injured Greg Oden and Chris Johnson.  In this trade they get a young inexperienced center in Thabeet and a former Timberpuppies PG in Flynn.  I have to say that I am intrigued by Thabeet.  He's a big body, but he never had a chance to really work on his game (on the offensive end) and seems to be somewhat of a defensive presence only.  IF he can make some waves offensively, that could help him and this Portland team.  And it's Portland that we're talking about so if he stays healthy that's a plus.  Not that high on Flynn as I might have once been, but he'll get some opportunity to play and we'll see what he can do.

The Rockets get a 15 year grizzled veteran who can still play defense and make a few of those awkward jumpers that he takes with that elongated shooting form.  Don't get me wrong, I'm a Camby fan and the fact that he has been in the league this long and produced, that says a lot about him.  This gives the Rockets the defensive presence they need to make a run for the playoffs and beyond.  Can someone ask Camby what happened to Lou Roe?

Overall, decent deal on each end.  Portland gets an opportunity to try out a few new players to see if they fit in their system and for that they get a 2nd round pick.  Houston definitely got the better end of this one. 

Golden State Warriors get: Richard Jefferson, TJ Ford, and a 1st round pick (SAS)

San Antonio Spurs get: Stephen Jackson

Synopsis:

The Warriors take on RJ's albatross of a contract while ridding itself of Captain Jack.  TJ Ford will retire, and the Spurs' 1st round pick would be late 1st round.  Jefferson might actually help this team make the playoffs.  I've always like Jefferson, but something just isn't there.  Sometimes I don't think that he wants to play basketball for a living.

The Spurs get Capt. Jack.  Let that sink in for a second as you think about the Spurs and their organization.  Enter Coach Pop and he knows that he has his work cut out with Jackson, but if he can get his head right, Jackson can play a little defense and put up points in a hurry.

Overall, this is an RJ for SJ swap and for the trouble the Spurs' 1st rounder.  I like this for the Spurs as they have a wildcard now in Jackson that they seem to have lacked in the playoffs the last few years.  You always knew that Ginobili and Parker would get there's but who else?  More firepower for the battles they'll face in the West this year.

Los Angeles Lakers  get: Ramon Sessions and Christian Eyenga 

Cleveland Cavaliers get: Luke Walton, Jason Kapono, and a 1st round pick (LAL)

Synopsis:

How does this keep happening?  Where is David Stern to void a trade when you need him?  Are the Buss' their own Jedi clan?  The Lakers got Ramon Sessions for NOTHING.  I'm sorry they got Ramon Sessions and Christian Eyenga for NOTHING.  They gave away Walton (bad back, expiring contract), Kapono (has he even played this year), and a late 1st round pick.  They got the point guard that they needed to help Kobe and Eyenga is a young wing that can atleast help play some defense.  So I give you 2 guys that don't play and a chance to get a rookie next year and you give me a pretty dayum good starting point guard and a young SF?

Cleveland,.....say it ain't so.  Maybe this deal didn't get submitted in time and won't be allowed.  Dan Gilbert just made the Lakers dangerous.  Is he still that mad at LBJ?

Overall, the Buss' should not only send a hand written thank you note, but they should give them the Jeter treatment. 

More to come,......

If you can't beat them, hire them,......

Rich Cho has been hired as GM by the Charlotte Bobcats, after recently being let go by the Portland Trailblazers.  While in Portland, Cho worked with Rod Higgins to make the deal that brought Gerald Wallace to Portland.  Most Bobcats fans hated to see 'Crash' go, but it did provide them with an extra 1st round pick in this years draft.  The Bobcats will be drafting 9th, 19th, and 39th.  Rod Higgins, the former GM for the Bobcats has been promoted to President of Basketball Operations.  Cho had recently worked in the front office for the Oklahoma City Thunder and became the first Asian GM when he was hired by Portland. 

Wallace out of Charlotte

Charlotte Bobcats
Get: Joel Przybilla and 2 future 1st round picks

Portland Trial Blazers 
Get: Gerald Wallace

My take on the Bobcats: You get rid of 'Crash' for Joel Pryzbilla.  Big Joel brings in some size (since they also sent out Mohammed in a different deal) and some offense, but mostly defense.  The picks are the key here.  Two future firsts?  Jordan may have punked someone on this one. 

My take on the Trail Blazers: Why do you go out and get Wallace when you have Batum and you've made it straight to anyone who listens that Batum is YOUR GUY?  Batum didn't get shipped, so unless you're sliding Batum to the SG spot, I'm not sure how this helps.

This one confuses me.  Why do you give up two future 1st round picks?  I guess the Bobcats have some Jedi mind tricks in their bag too.  What's your take on these trades?
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Charlotte Bobcats send Gerald Wallace to Portland for Joel Przbila(whatever) and a pick.