What a week it has been for NBA basketball. As the trade deadline finally comes to a close, there are plenty of teams in the league that have shifted much of its roster around. Some teams hurried to make a trade while others just couldn’t get a trade done by the deadline.
I will be breaking down some of the trades that occurred this week by giving a short analysis of the trade as well as a grade. To start it off, I’ll bring up the Big Apple:
New York Knicks
Additions –
From Denver: Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Anthony Carter, Renaldo Balkman and Shelden Williams.
From Minnesota: Corey Brewer.
Losses – Wilson Chandler, Danillo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Timofey Mozgov, Eddy Curry, Anthony Randolph, 2014 first-round pick, 2013 and 2013 second-round pick, cash.
Grade – A
The Knicks had the best opportunity to snatch an arguable top 10 player in the league, and they bit first. New York made the biggest trade before the deadline and won the heart of hometown player Carmelo Anthony. Plenty of fans and critics knocked the Knicks for giving up “too much” for just Melo.
While it isn’t only Anthony shipped to NY, former Finals MVP Chauncey Billups and Corey Brewer are headed to the Big Apple as well. New York is fortunate that they didn’t have to let go of rookie Landry Fields, who is playing terrific this season at the off-guard position. The Knicks lost plenty of talented young players in the trade, but those can eventually be replaced as (no offense to Gallo, Chandler or Felton) since they aren’t all-star caliber players like Carmelo. The Melo drama finally ends with him in his dream Knicks uniform.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af0vMD_CTYY
Next: Denver
Denver Nuggets
Additions –
From New York: Wilson Chandler, Danillo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Timofey Mozgov, 2014 first-round pick, 2013 and 2013 second-round pick, cash.
From Minnesota: Kosta Koufos.
Losses – Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Anthony Carter, Renaldo Balkman, Shelden Williams and a 2015 second-round pick.
Grade – C
The Nuggets are back to phase one again: Rebuilding. Losing their star players Carmelo and Billups leaves behind a mix of young and veteran players, in which only two have expiring contracts (Kenyon Martin and J.R. Smith). The Nuggets will clear up plenty of cap room with Martin’s contract out the window, but they don’t seem to have too many options as they are stuck with Felton, Harrington, and Anderson’s multi-year contracts. There was a lot of talk about Denver getting rid of Gallinari and Felton before the deadline ended, which would have been a great idea to trade for draft picks, however Denver kept the two and aren’t sure about what the former Knick’s future plans are with the Nuggets.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLD19ypf4uw
Next: New Jersey
New Jersey Nets
Additions –
From Utah: Deron Williams.
From Golden State: Brandan Wright and Dan Gadzuric.
Losses – Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, Troy Murphy, 2011 first-round pick (unprotected), 2012 second-round pick.
Grade – A-
Probably the biggest shocker out of all the trades. Deron Williams supposedly found out he was traded while watching ESPN. The Jazz were unsure if Deron Williams was going to sign an extension and Utah didn’t want to be in the same situation as the Denver Nuggets were with Melo’s. Two-time All-Star Deron Williams is set to join Brook Lopez, but New Jersey is still looking to add more pieces to their team in the off-season with Russian owner Mikhail Prokhorov and rap mogul Jay-Z looking to build the Nets into a contender before heading to Brooklyn in 2012.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyOpsqBX7Ls&feature=related
Next: Utah
Utah Jazz
Additions –
From Nets: Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, 2011 first-round pick (unprotected).
From Golden State: 2012 first-round pick, and cash.
Losses – Deron Williams
Grade – B-
Not even a full week after the departure of head coach Jerry Sloan, Utah gives up their franchise player Deron Williams. The trade of Williams left Jazz fans questioning which direction the team is headed in. With the addition of Harris and Favors, the Jazz are yet another talented, yet inexperienced team in the Western Conference.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOsRE9Xewk4
Next: Sacramento
Sacramento Kings
Additions –
From New Orleans: Marcus Thornton and cash.
From Boston: Marquis Daniels and cash.
Losses – Carl Landry and 2017 second-round pick.
Grade – B+
Carl Landry is once again on the move. The Kings were looking to save money, and who doesn’t like to do that? Marcus Thornton is a great combo guard who can help the Kings replace the banged up Tyreke Evans, who has been bothered by plantar fascitis.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9md62RW5Z0&feature=fvst
Next: New Orleans
New Orleans Hornets
Additions –
From New Orleans: Carl Landry.
Losses – Marcus Thornton and cash.
Grade – B
Landry is a worker. He hustles, scores and hits the boards. The Hornets got a big man and that’s what they needed. On the other hand, they lost a shooting guard which is a position that they are already very weak at. Landry should be a great spark off the bench behind David West, however, Landry is capable of starting for a team and probably isn’t looking to stay in New Orleans for the long term.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbIPpr295Zw&feature=fvst
Next: Minnesota
Minnesota Timberwolves
Additions –
From New York: Anthony Randolph, Eddy Curry, and cash.
From Denver: 2015 second-round pick.
Losses – Corey Brewer and Kosta Koufos
Grade – A-
For once, the Timberwolves did something smart in the trade market. Taking in Eddy Curry’s expiring contract will clear up plenty of cap space for the team to re-sign players and have fun in the free agent market during the offseason. Anthony Randolph is a lengthy forward, whose potential talent and athleticism is off the charts. He’ll have a bright future once he gets the chance to play on the court – especially working with rising star Michael Beasley.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgyybTWnyaY
Next: Atlanta
Atlanta Hawks
Additions –
From Washington: Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong.
Losses – Mike Bibby, Jordan Crawford, Maurice Evans and 2011 first-round pick.
Grade – C-
The Hawks gave up a 2011 first-round pick, their starting point guard and a few others for a slight upgrade at the guard spot. Hinrich, at 30 years of age, has proved he can start for a team in the past. He has been having a good season playing off the bench behind rookie John Wall. Mike Bibby isn’t too different from Hinrich in terms of numbers, but he does have a few more years under his belt. The Hawks don’t gain here, but lose, with the loss of a first-round pick for simply a swap of point guards.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUD9p9awoog
Next: Washington
Washington Wizards
Additions –
From Atlanta: Mike Bibby, Jordan Crawford, Maurice Evans, and 2011 first-round pick.
Losses – Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong.
Grade – B-
The Wizards replaced Kinrich with a more playoff experienced point guard in Bibby. They came up with a first-round pick and a combo-guard, Crawford, who will have no trouble reaching his potential if he starts shooting the ball better. Evans is also a solid defender and has the experience of a veteran to help teach the young kids in Washington.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUHvwwSZKj4
Next: Cleveland
Cleveland Cavaliers
Additions –
From Los Angeles (Clippers): Baron Davis and a first-round pick (unprotected)
Losses – Mo Williams and Jamario Moon
Grade – A
The Cavs got what they just wanted: more draft picks. As expected, they are a rebuilding team and need plenty of picks for the upcoming years. Cleveland comes out of the trade deadline with a unprotected lottery pick for the 2011 draft. Although Davis’ contract still has a few years left, the Cavs only have to hold him for a short time before they come up with young talents. With a few lottery picks in the draft this year, the Cavs could possibly ship Davis out along with a high pick if the Clippers draw lucky in the lottery.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuYjEqLnI0Q&feature=related