NBA Trade Deadline Review - 2-24-11
We all knew it was coming, well, sort of. We knew Carmelo Anthony would probably be dealt, but that was the only major speculation we could make. That blockbuster kicked-off another when the Nets acquired Deron Williams from the Jazz for Derrick Favors and Devin Harris and then shipped Troy Murphy to Golden State. Even more action occurred as the deadline quickly approached and now that we've had enough time to catch our breaths, here is a recap of Thursday's trade deadline action:
The Cleveland Cavaliers may have had the best move of the day when they traded their starting point guard Mo Williams to Los Angeles for the Clippers' starting point guard Baron Davis, along with the Clippers first round pick. As it stands now, that's the eight pick in the draft, unprotected too. That gives Cleveland two of the top picks in the draft to begin to rebuild post-LeBron.The catch in this deal is taking on Davis' salary in exchange for Williams'- a difference of about $12 million.
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The Oklahoma City Thunder, who currently sit in the fourth playoff spot in the West, added a much-needed talent at center with Kendrick Perkins from the Boston Celtics. Along with the newly-acquired Nate Robinson, Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook and the Thunder get one of the game's best defensive centers and a more-than-capable low-post scorer in Perkins, but Robinson as well, a threat to put up points in a hurry off the bench. In exchange, OKC sends away the talented, but often underwhelming versatile forward Jeff Green and Nenad Kristic. Perkins will be a free agent this summer, so it's worth keeping an eye him if he will stay in OKC for the long-term or bounce to another franchise.
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A deal that was passed dangerously close to the trade deadline was Charlotte sending Gerald Wallace to Portland in exchange for Joel Przybilla and his expiring contract along with two future first-round picks. With Przybilla, Oden and Camby out in the frontcourt, the Blazers desperately needed to shore up their depth, so expect Wallace to see some big minutes at power forward. While Charlotte is just a game-and-a-half back of the 8-spot in the East, they aren't likely do make any noise in the playoffs, especially against a Boston, Miami or Chicago. By ridding themselves of Wallace, they free up cap space and acquire two future picks.
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In Phoenix, there was a lot of speculation surrounding two-time league MVP Steve Nash and if he would remain a Sun. It seemed his days were numbered. But he'll at the very least remain in Phoenix until the end of the 2010-11 season as he wasn't moved. His backup, Gordan Dragic, was. The team shipped Dragic, along with a lottery-protected first-round pick to Houston in exchange for Aaron Brooks. Brooks will likely take over in the event Nash is moved and thrive in his new role with the high-octane offense Suns.
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Veteran Shane Battier was on the move, heading back to Memphis where he began his NBA career. Houston will receive second-year center Hasheem Thabeet and a first-round pick from Memphis. The Grizzles have just a half-game lead over the Utah Jazz for the eighth and final spot in the Western Conference.
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On the smaller front, the Boston Celtics have traded Semih Erden and Luke Harangody for one of the Cleveland Cavaliers' second-round picks. Such a move frees up a spot on the Celtics' roster, which may become important, especially since they are linked to the Golden State Warriors' buyout (and thus the signing) of forward Troy Murphy.
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Late Wednesday night, the Hawks and Wizards agreed to a deal that would send Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong to Atlanta for Mike Bibby, Jordan Crawford, Maurice Evans and the Hawks' 2011 first-round pick. Atlanta's backcourt was crowded and someone had to move to make room for Jeff Teague, Jamal Crawford and All-Star Joe Johnson. Hinrich will immediately assist the Hawks with his defense, something Bibby would routinely forget to do. Washington, a team in plenty of need (see 15-41 record) could afford to lose Hinrich, while adding young talent like Crawford and a first-round pick, plus depth, especially with rookie John Wall's injury problems.
By President Corey Ruff - 2-24-11
