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,......

The Nets Strike Back

Well, the Nets lost out on Carmelo, but that set back didn't last long.  The Nets have agreed to a trade with the Utah Jazz and the Golden State Warriors that will give the Nets Deron Williams.  The breakdown of the trade is below.

Utah Jazz
Get: Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, and draft picks (2 1st rounders)

Golden State Warriors
Get: Troy Murphy

New Jersey Nets
Get: Deron Williams, Brandan Wright, and Dan Gadzuric

My take on New Jersey:  Wow!!!! I guess this is what you do when you're a little desperate.  I say that because Williams can opt out at the end of his contract in 2012 and can't sign an extension until July 12, 2011.  The NBA will probably be locked out until the new collective bargaining agreement can be ironed out.  Brandan Wright is intriguing because he's been buried on the Warriors bench, but should get some run if Avery lets him touch the floor.  Dan Gadzuric retired a year or two ago, right?  (Joke).  On the floor, I love Williams' game because he is a complete point guard and is often in the conversation as one of the best in the game.  Brook Lopez probably had a wet dream this morning, just thinking about how much easier his job will now will become with a bonafide PG.   If Williams thought Sloan was tough, he's definitely going to be at war with the Little General too. If Williams walks at the end of 2012, this would be a HUGE disaster.  

My take on Golden State:  They gave up two guys that didn't play and turned him into another PF that can rebound.  This guy is essentially David Lee without the ability to score as well.  Murphy has an expiring contract so at the worst case, this will be a salary dump.  If Murphy was taller, this would have to be defined as a coup.  Hey, at least he's well rested so running with the Warriors shouldn't be an issue.

My take on Utah:  Something going on in Utah and I'm not sure what it is.  Are they concerned that they would have to go through what the Nuggets went through this year with Melo or are they looking at it like they had another LBJ scenario on their hands?  Derrick Favors is a good big that can probably play well in that system, but that system will definitely have to change with the departures of Sloan, his #1 in charge, and Williams.  You'd have to say that the Nuggets did a pretty good job with the handling of Melo and got way more than the 2 compensatory picks that the Cavs and the Raptors received with LBJ and Bosh leaving.  Big men are in high demand in the league and especially those that have a high upside.  But if that were the case, the question has to be is Williams worth trading Favors?  I guess we'll find out.

Who got beat?  Was this a response to the Knicks trade?  Has the East gotten better?  What in the halibut is going on here?  

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Update:  The Warriors are planning on buying out Troy Murphy and all signs are set for him to sign with Orlando once that happens.  That gives Orlando another rebounder and someone who is rugged enough to stand up to the bullies in the East. 

Where does Melo go?

Carmelo Anthony is doing his best to force his way out of Denver.  He can opt out of his contract at the end of the upcoming year and we all know he won’t be winning any titles in Denver anytime soon.  Today there is speculation that there is a 4 team deal that will bring Melo to the Nets.  We’ll take a look at that proposed deal and talk about other possible teams that are interested in the Denver Nuggets star.

Proposed Trade:

New Jersey Nets get – Carmelo Anthony (DEN)

Charlotte Bobcats get – Devin Harris (NJN)

Utah Jazz get – Boris Diaw (CHA)

Denver Nuggets get – Derrick Favors (NJN) and Andrei Kirilenko (UTA) plus picks

Fallout:

New Jersey Nets – You give up your point guard in Harris and you give up your prize rookie for Carmelo.  What is a top 5 NBA player worth?  Maybe that’s the better question.  If you make this move, you are essentially the Denver team of the East.  You could compare the two easily:  B. Lopez/Nene (even), T. Murphy/Andersen (Nets), A. Morrow/J.R. Smith (even, lean Nets), J. Farmar/C. Billups (slight edge to Nuggets).  For what you’re giving up, I think the Nets have to make this move.

Charlotte Bobcats – You get to give up Boris Diaw who’s desire has been openly questioned?  And you get Devin Harris at really the same money?  Done!!  Do this deal today and twice on Sunday.  You get a point guard (distributor), which is something that this team has needed for years.  If this deal happens, I can imagine that Shaun Livingston may be shown the door.  

Utah Jazz – You get Boris Diaw who’s desire has been openly questioned, but who happens to also be a great facilitator for a big man.  The system that the Jazz run is more closely in line with the type of player they’ll get.  On top of that the Jazz will get $5M.  That’s not part of the deal, it’s just that Kirilenko’s salary is presently putting the Jazz in luxury tax threshold.  Taking away AK’s $17.8M from the Jazz and they will save about $5M and get the $5M payout.  For a small market team, $5M is $5M.  Do this deal today.

Denver Nuggets – You lose Carmelo, but you get more than what the Cavs got for LBJ.  You get Favors, a young big that can be your power forward of the future and you pair him with Nene and that’s something to build on.  Add Kirilenko, and you have an expiring contract that you can use to bring in a point guard after you do Billups a favor and trade him out of Denver too.  You’ll also get picks, probably from Charlotte and the Nets.  Do the deal. 

Other possible destinations:

Chicago Bulls – This one is pretty much dead with the Bulls not wanting to include Noah in the deal.  I for one can’t blame them.  Noah is their emotional leader and the Bulls should be pretty good without Melo.  But, Melo is arguably a top 5 NBA talent. 

Los Angeles Clippers – Chris Kaman and some change for Melo?  I think that Nene and Kaman would be duplicating big men, but it’s available for the taking.  This works very well for the Clippers if they only gave up Kaman and some small change or picks. 

Where do you think Melo should go?  Should he just ride it out in Denver and then pick his new team, ala LBJ?  Or should he try and get his new deal now under the present collective bargaining agreement (more money)?