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2010 NBA Trade Deadline thread
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quik1987
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You mind copy and pasting it since most of us don't sign up for the insider.
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[h2]Trade spin: Ranking the teams[/h2][h3]How did your team do at the trade deadline? We evaluate every team's performance[/h3]
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By Chad Ford
ESPN.com
Archive
Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE/Getty ImagesAntawn Jamison could be the key to the Cavaliers' title hopes ... and keeping LeBron in Cleveland.
Thisyear's NBA trade deadline was, in a word, epic. Several All-Stars weremoved, which is significant enough -- but just as important, the volumeof trades that took place and their potential implications for thisseason, this summer and beyond made this week unique.
Because ofthis, we can put each team in one of three categories: teams going forit now, teams going for a brighter future and teams that didn't do much.
Andwithin each category, we can rank the teams along these lines: Whohelped themselves? Who stumbled? And what about the teams that couldn'tget something done?
We've evaluated each team's execution at the trade deadline, with pros and cons for all 30 teams:
[h3]Going for it[/h3]From best to worst, in terms of moves made in an effort to win now
1. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Positive spin: I think the Cavs are now the odds-on favorite to win the NBA title this year. Antawn Jamisonis a perfect acquisition for Cleveland -- an experienced veteran whofits a huge need for the Cavs as a stretch 4 and is a great guy in thelocker room.
Even better, the Cavs got him basically for free. Yes, they had to give up Zydrunas Ilgauskasand their first-round pick. But the Wizards will likely waive Big Z intime for him to rejoin the Cavs' roster. As for that pick, it'sprobably going to be No. 30 in the draft. For a chance to win a title,I'd say it's worth it.
Negative spin: While theCavs did a lot to convince LeBron that his present looks very promisingin Cleveland, they did less to convince LeBron that his future in Cleveland will be bright. Jamison has two years and a whopping $28 million due to him after this season.
AndJamison is no youngster: He turns 34 in June and is expected to startalongside an aging Shaquille O'Neal (who turns 38 in March), meaningthe Cavs have done little to assure LeBron this team will stay at anelite level in future seasons.
The Cavs believe that if they wina title this season, LeBron will be compelled to stay. Given all thesuitors lining up to get their shot at him this summer, I'm not sosure. Unless he's in love with the potential of a supporting cast of J.J. Hickson, Mo Williams and Anderson Varejao, Cleveland could be trumped by teams offering younger, more talented teammates and a brighter future.
2. DALLAS MAVERICKS
Positive spin: Thanks to his wallet, Mark Cuban continues to milk more life out of the Mavericks. Getting Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood for Josh Howard and some expiring contracts was a steal for Dallas.
WhileButler and Howard are similar players offensively, Howard's game hadgrown stale in Dallas and he was having problems with coach RickCarlisle. And Haywood may be the key to the trade. With Erick Dampier ailing, the Mavs needed another shot-blocker and rebounder, and when he's healthy, Haywood can be very effective.
WhileI'm not sure the trade puts the Mavericks on par with the Lakers orNuggets, it got them a lot closer and made them contenders in the West.
TheMavericks also acquired assets that could be used in a LeBron Jamestrade this summer. Cuban has been angling for James for years and couldoffer Butler's expiring contract plus Dampier's non-guaranteed contractto Cleveland if Bron just flat out tells the Cavs he isn't going tosign with them and only wants play in Dallas. It's a pipe dream, butone Cuban is still thinking about.
Negative spin:Is it enough? Dallas is spending a ton of money, but I'm not sureButler and Haywood put them over the top. While Butler is probably abetter offensive player than Howard, he's not nearly the defenderHoward is. Meanwhile, the Mavericks have just one young prospect, Rodrigue Beaubois,on their roster. If David Stern and the owners get a hard salary cap in2011 and the Mavs can no longer turn expiring contracts into veterans,the team could be in for a very long rebuilding process.
3. HOUSTON ROCKETS
Positive spin: The Rockets fleeced the Knicks. GM Daryl Morey got a premium for taking on the last year of Jared Jeffries' deal. Jordan Hill, a swap of 2011 picks and a top-5 protected pick in 2012 was a lot of bounty just to take on Jeffries for the year.
The team also replaced Tracy McGrady with one of the most efficient scoring 2-guards in the league, Kevin Martin. The 2-guard position just moved from a big weakness to a strength for Houston.
Negative spin: I was shocked that the Rockets gave up Carl Landry.Not only is Landry having a fantastic year, but he's also one of themost reasonably paid big men in the league. I felt that he was part ofthe heart of the Rockets.
And while Martin is clearly atalented offensive player, he's terrible on defense. The Rockets havebeen a gritty, hustle-oriented team this season. Martin doesn't reallyfit that mold.
As a side note, the Rockets were in serious talks late with the Suns about an Amare Stoudemire deal. Had they landed STAT (for Shane Battier, Luis Scola and picks), they would've topped the list.
4. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS
Positive spin: The team was desperate for help up front, given the season-ending injuries to Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla. Marcus Cambyis a great fit as a veteran shot-blocking, rebounding presence, and hehas an expiring contract. Assuming Oden and Przybilla are healthy nextfall, the Trail Blazers can walk away without having to continue to payCamby, who meanwhile should secure the Blazers' position in theplayoffs as a fourth or fifth seed.
Negative spin: The Blazers had to give up two key assets. Blake was the team's backup point guard, and it remains to be seen whether Jerryd Bayless can pick up the slack. Travis Outlaw has been injured this season, but he has a lot of upside and was a tough asset to lose.
5. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS
Positive spin: Charlotte coach Larry Brown wanted another frontcourt player, and the Bobcats got Tyrus Thomascheaply. Thomas has All-Star potential but has struggled to put it alltogether. If Brown can get through to him (he's had luck with Allen Iverson and Rasheed Wallace in the past), this could be a monster pickup for the Bobcats.
Negative spin:The Bobcats had to give up a protected first-round pick for Thomas. Ifhe's a dud, or if they can't re-sign him this summer, they blew a pickfor a 30-game rental. Also, the team stumbled at the finish line on adeal that would've landed them T.J. Ford. It would have been a good deal for the Bobcats, but they couldn't make it happen.
6. MILWAUKEE BUCKS
Positive spin: The Bucks are trying to be a playoff team and needed lots of help at the 2. While John Salmons isn't a franchise savior, he's a big upgrade over Charlie Bell.The team also picked up the right to swap picks with the Bulls, shouldChicago fall into the lottery from losing Salmons and Thomas.
Negative spin:Salmons might push the Bucks into the playoffs. I stress "might." Hemakes $5.8 million in salary next season, and if he doesn't get them tothe playoffs, the Bucks wasted the cash. Other GMs around the leaguearen't happy that the Bucks gave the Bulls more wiggle room to sign abig free agent this summer. If the Bulls use it to land Dwyane Wade, the Bucks may have really hurt their chances of winning their own division in the near future.
7. BOSTON CELTICS
Positive spin: Nate Robinsonis full of energy. He can be a dynamic scorer off the bench and shouldpunch a little life into what's been a pretty lifeless Celtics teamthis year.
Negative spin: I'm not sure Nate'sgoing to be enough. The Cavs got significantly better. The Magic andHawks also appear to be better positioned. Not moving Ray Allen (the Celtics did try) could haunt them. They may not be able to make another significant trade to start rebuilding until 2012.
[h3]Going for LeBron[/h3] From best to worst, in terms of moves made to clear cap space in an effort to land a top-tier free agent this summer
1. NEW YORK KNICKS
Positive spin: Give this to Donnie Walsh: The guy has stones. The Knicks went all-in on Thursday on their bid for LeBron James,trading away draft picks and prospects to get far enough under the capto sign two superstars this summer. The Knicks cleared $9.4 million offthe 2010-11 payroll by sending Jared Jeffries and Jordan Hill to the Rockets.
Thatmeans the Knicks are looking at between $31 million and $32 million incap space this summer. That should be enough to get a max contract andanother contract very close to the max. If the Knicks land LeBronbecause of this, Walsh is the executive of the decade.
Negative spin: The Knicks gave up a lotfor the chance to woo LeBron and a free agent of his choice. They gaveup this year's lottery pick (Hill), agreed to swap picks with theRockets in 2011, and gave up a top-5 protected pick in 2012. If theysign LeBron and another superstar, no one will care.
But if LeBron, Wade and Bosh all say no and the Knicks are stuck overpaying for Joe Johnson and David Lee to play alongside Danilo Gallinariwith no point guard or center to speak of and zero depth, Walsh'sdecision could devastate the franchise for the next three or fouryears. I've never seen a GM take a bigger risk.
2. CHICAGO BULLS
Positive spin: The Bulls had cap space this summer, but not enough to make a run at a max free agent. Moving John Salmonsfor expiring contracts accomplished that. The Bulls now look to bebetween $18 million and $19 million under the cap this summer -- enoughto pay Wade, LeBron or Bosh.
With Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Joakim Noahas a supporting cast, the Bulls should have a very persuasive pitch.The team also salvaged a protected first-round pick from Charlotte for Tyrus Thomas.
Negative spin:In the short term, the Bulls hurt themselves. Currently, they are inthe playoff hunt. After the trade of Salmons and Thomas, I wouldn't besurprised if the Bucks pass them. The trade of Thomas was also apainful admission that the Bulls made the wrong selection in the 2006draft -- they picked Thomas over Brandon Roy and Rudy Gay.
3. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
Positive spin:What looked like yet another random Clippers salary dump Tuesdaysuddenly became a semi-serious pitch for LeBron on Thursday. TheClippers were able to clear enough cap space (around $16 million) tomake a run at LeBron or another elite free agent this summer.
Think it's impossible that LeBron would say yes to the Clips? On the surface, sure. But the team will have Blake Griffin, Eric Gordon, Baron Davis, Chris Kamanand a lottery pick and will be able to hire the coach of LeBron'schoosing in the NBA's second biggest market. In other words, they'dhave a lot going for them if their owner weren't Donald Sterling.
Negative spin:The Clippers' owner is Donald Sterling. That alone puts any talk aboutLeBron bolting to the Clips in the "ridiculous" category. The team gaveaway a couple of assets in Marcus Camby and Al Thornton and really got only one other thing besides cap space in return -- the right to overpay Travis Outlaw this summer, if they want.
4. SACRAMENTO KINGS
Positive spin: The Kings were going nowhere and needed to find a way to get an asset for Kevin Martin before everyone in the league got off K-Mart 2's bandwagon. Tyreke Evans is the new alpha dog in Sacramento and wasn't meshing with Martin.
The fact that the Kings got both cap relief and Carl Landryis pretty amazing. Landry is perfect for Sacramento. The Kings were oneof the softest teams in the league a few years ago. Now with Evans,Landry, Andres Nocioni and Omri Casspi,they have some real toughness. Plus, the Kings should be sitting atsomething like $15 million to $17 million under the cap (depending onwhere they draft) next summer. If they want, they could be real playersin the free-agent market, too.
Negative spin:Not much to scoff at here except one thing: I thought the Kingsshould've offered to take on Jared Jeffries' contract and reaped thebenefits (Jordan Hill plus picks). I think it would've been morevaluable to them in the long term. Maybe they had no choice, but theymay have been taken a little advantage of there.
5. WASHINGTON WIZARDS
Positive spin: The nightmare is starting to end. The Wizards were going nowhere and needed to rebuild from scratch. Caron Butler was struggling. Brendan Haywood's contract was expiring. Antawn Jamison, at 33, wasn't going to be productive much longer.
GMErnie Grunfeld did the right thing by pulling the plug. The teamslashed payroll dramatically, getting under the luxury tax this seasonand getting nearly $20 million below the salary cap next year. Josh Howard is still a good player who may just need a change of scenery. They did pick up a young prospect, Al Thornton, and the Cavs' first-round pick (likely No. 30) in 2010.
Negative spin:The future is still very much in doubt in Washington. The team is stillon the hook for the remaining four years and $80 million of GilbertArenas' deal. And it appears they will not buy out his contract andexpect him to be back with the team starting next season. Also, theWizards didn't get any serious prospects back for three of their bestplayers.
Unless JaVale McGee, Andray Blatche or Nick Youngreally breaks out, they don't really have any great building blocks. Idoubt the Wizards will be a hot free-agent destination this summer. Inother words, Wizards fans, the pain may not be over for a while.
[h3]Minor players[/h3] From best to worst, in terms of small moves made
1. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES
Positive spin: The Grizzlies picked up Ronnie Brewerfor the price of a protected 2011 draft pick. Given the protections,the Jazz may not see it for a few years. In other words, they didn'tgive up much to get a guy who should help them right now.
Negative spin:I'm still not sure it will be enough to propel Memphis into theplayoffs. But there's more bad news, Grizzlies fans. With so many teamsgetting under the cap, it almost guarantees that one of them will panicthis summer and overpay for Rudy Gay. (The Knicks, Nets, Clippers andWizards all like him.) Will Michael Heisley really pay the max for Gay?If not, chances are they lose him this summer.
2. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES
Positive spin: Many coaches and GMs have tried to rehabilitate Darko Milicic.The only team with any success was the Magic. The Knicks made up thedifference in contracts in the trade, so they get to try him out forfree for the next two months. Coach Kurt Rambis thinks he can reach Darko. If he can, it would be a steal.
Negative spin:Larry Brown, Flip Saunders and Mike D'Antoni couldn't get through tohim (though in fairness, I'm not sure any of them really tried). Do youreally think Kurt Rambis can? Word is that Darko doesn't even want tomake the trip to Minnesota. This experiment may end before it begins.
3. PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Positive spin: Jodie Meeks is a nice young prospect who really knows how to score.
Negative spin: I'm not sure he was worth a second-round pick.
4. SAN ANTONIO SPURS
Positive spin: The Spurs saved a little money.
Negative spin:It felt as though the Spurs needed to be much more active at the tradedeadline. The team is getting too old. I was looking for San Antonio toshake things up more. They explored deals for Amare Stoudemire and Corey Maggette but couldn't make things happen.
5. UTAH JAZZ
Positive spin:Once the luxury-tax savings are factored in, the Jazz saved millions bymoving Ronnie Brewer. They were made whole by a protected pick from theGrizzlies down the road.
Negative spin: Brewer was a good prospect. Not sure what happened to him this year. If he excels in Memphis, they may regret letting him go.
Here is our take on the 13 teams that decided to sit it out this week:
[h3]On the Sideline[/h3] From best to worst, in terms of moves (or lack of moves) made this month
1. MIAMI HEAT
Positive spin:The team is poised to have more than $20 million in cap room thissummer. Of all the teams with money to spend, Miami is a primedestination for free agents. Assuming Dwyane Wade wants to stay with the Heat, he should be able to recruit at least one top-tier free agent.
I think Pat Riley was ultimately wise not to give up all of his assets (multiple picks and Michael Beasley) now for someone the team can get without giving up anything this summer.
Negative spin: The Heat are taking a risk. A big one. If LeBron James, Chris Bosh and Amare Stoudemireall go somewhere else this summer, there's a chance Wade may feel likehe'll have a better chance of winning a championship by bolting theHeat. If that happens, it's Armageddon in Miami.
2. NEW JERSEY NETS
Positive spin:The Nets should have between $25 million and $27 million in cap space,depending on where they pick in the draft. At this point the beststrategy is to let the season play out, have the highest chance ofwinning the John Wall lottery and hope the Nets' new owner and Jay-Zcan lure LeBron & Co. to the Nets.
Negative spin: It'shard to see how the Nets will have the same appeal for free agents asthe Bulls, Heat and Knicks -- especially if they don't land Wall. TheNets may be forced to sign midlevel-type free agents with the capspace. Hard to see how a few above-average players can lift them out ofthe pit they're in.
3. OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER
Positive spin:The Thunder are the best young team in the NBA thanks to Sam Presti'spatience. With no attractive deals coming along, Presti decided to savehis roughly $13 million to $14 million in cap space and try to add themissing piece this summer.
Negative spin: The Thunder could have moved Nick Collisonand their No. 1 picks for cap space, which might have helped them beeven more competitive in free agency this summer. If Chris Bosh justcared about winning, he'd join Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook in OKC this summer.
4. DENVER NUGGETS
Positive spin:The Nuggets are, once again, contenders for an NBA title. They had fewassets, and it didn't make sense to really break up the team.
Negative spin: The team tried to pry away Tyrus Thomas from the Bulls and previously had their heart set on Jeff Foster. However, both deals fell through, and the Nuggets remain a little thin on the front line.
5. ATLANTA HAWKS
Positive spin:The team is playing its best basketball right now and will likelysurpass the Celtics in the East. The Hawks don't have any glaring holesand have great chemistry.
Negative spin: There's a good chance the Hawks will be outbid for Joe Johnsonthis summer. There are just too many teams with too much cap room. Someteam will jump the gun and offer the max for him, and the Hawks willlikely be unwilling to match. I don't blame them for holding on to him,but it likely means they'll lose him for nothing this summer.
6. ORLANDO MAGIC
Positive spin:The Magic were the most stacked team in the league coming into theseason. And although their play has been inconsistent, they have woneight of their past 10 games. No need to make a panic move.
Negative spin:Cleveland got better. Perhaps a lot better. In fact, the Cavs have nowaddressed the two issues that allowed the Magic to beat them lastseason: Shaq can guard Dwight Howard, and Antawn Jamison should be able to hang with Rashard Lewis. No matter how stacked the Magic are, they're no longer the favorites to win the East.
7. NEW ORLEANS HORNETS
Positive spin:The team is struggling and did what it had to do to get under theluxury-tax threshold well in advance of the trade deadline. As foradding talent? The team is just trying to survive.
Negative spin: The Hornets had trade assets. A number of teams were interested in David West and Julian Wright. It's just unclear whether there was a trade out there that made sense for the Hornets.
8. TORONTO RAPTORS
Positive spin: They didn't trade Chris Bosh. If he decides to re-sign with Toronto this summer, GM Bryan Colangelo looks like a genius.
Negative spin: They didn't trade Chris Bosh. If Bosh decides to bolt for Miami, Chicago or elsewhere, Colangelo looks like a fool.
9. LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Positive spin: The Lakers are still the best team in the West, even with the Mavs' deadline moves. Why mess with a good thing?
Negative spin: The team is struggling at the point guard position. Derek Fisher can't do much defensively. Jordan Farmar is solid, but the Lakers may need more than solid.
The team had a number of deals it could have made for the expiring contract of Adam Morrison, but balked for financial reasons. It could really come back to haunt the Lakers in the playoffs if Chauncey Billups, Deron Williams or Tony Parker goes off.
10. INDIANA PACERS
Positive spin: In the past two years, Pacers honchos Larry Bird and David Morway have cleaned house. The team they field now isn't great, but Danny Granger is a building block and Roy Hibbertis coming along. The Pacers are also poised to have a high draft pickthis year and tons of cap space in 2011. There may be another seasonand a half of pain for the Pacers, but they can see the light at theend of the tunnel.
Negative spin: For the second straight season the Pacers were unable to make a deal despite getting painfully close. After thinking Troy Murphy would be their ticket to some cap relief and an asset, T.J. Ford almost got them what they wanted, until Charlotte pulled out of a Ford-for-.J. Augustin deal 10 minutes before the deadline. Once again the Pacers were left brokenhearted.
11. DETROIT PISTONS
Postitive spin:Going into the season, many thought the Pistons were a playoff team inthe East. Maybe this group, now that everyone is healthy, will finallystart to find its stride.
Negative spin: The team seems painfully out of balance and out of sync. Tayshaun Princeand Rip Hamilton could use a fresh start elsewhere. The Pistons need abig man in the worst way. Unless the Pistons find a way to move Prince(likely, given he'll be on an expiring contract) and/or Hamilton(unlikely, given the three years remaining on his deal) this summer,the team could be in for a much longer rebuilding process than wethought.
12. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
Positive spin: Oh boy. Thinking. Thinking. Thinking. Stephen Curry has been awesome. Anthony Randolph looks like he has a bright future. Monta Ellisis a player, though he doesn't fit great with Curry. Most importantly,we hear Warriors owner Chris Cohan might be finally willing to sell theteam to someone who actually cares about winning.
Negative spin:The most dysfunctional team in the league didn't really do anything toget better. The Warriors had offers for Ellis and even had teamsinterested in Corey Maggette.Instead, the Warriors turned it all down to continue down the path ofmediocrity that the team has been mired in for most of the past 15years.
13. PHOENIX SUNS
Positive spin:Psych! (I've used this joke for the past two years.) Owner RobertSarver is a funny guy. He loves to punk his players, media types andSuns fans every season about trading Amare. "We're trading him! Wait,we're signing him to an extension. No, wait, we're not re-signing him;we're trading him. No, just kidding, we're keeping him." You got usagain.
Negative spin: I'm not sure how losing Stoudemire this summer and getting nothing in return is better than a first-round pick from Miami or J.J. Hickson from Cleveland or Luis Scola, Shane Battierand picks from the Rockets. GM Steve Kerr said Friday the team isn't infull rebuilding mode. He left out the word "yet." That's coming in twomonths.
- May 4, 2006
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Originally Posted by RoOk
here's the thing...what does he consider 'big money'?
he was making 23 million, so of course hes gonna say he doesnt need big money like that. but does he want 10? 5?
i'd expect he would want at least MLE type of money....even if we all think he should just sign for the vet minimum or so.
of course he doesnt need any money, but when it comes down to it, its very rare for an athlete to sign for less money than they could actually get.
- May 9, 2004
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Originally Posted by RoOk
My dude said ANY money
- Nov 5, 2007
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This is awesome. Awesome, awesome. Saturday can't come quick enough.Originally Posted by RoOk
- Nov 9, 2007
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Has everyone passed their physicals? Everyone is playing for their new teams starting tonight, right?
- Oct 27, 2005
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tmac better play tomorrow.
hugo boss dc
Banned
- Feb 17, 2010
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ps... josh howard is a %$$$* ... tis all
22 rather unique 22
Banned
- Nov 14, 2009
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When you say "we," are you referring to Lakers' fans? Because I don't know any other group of people who thinks that T-Mac is anything close to "just signing for the veteran's minimum."
- Jun 14, 2007
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Yes he will.
