Thursday, February 24, 2011

Full Analysis of the 2011 NBA Trade Deadline

Written by: Joseph Landini
High Heat Network

The following thread will be going on up to and after the trade deadline with all of the deals that will go down for the NBA trade deadline which is Thursday February 24th at 3pm Eastern Time.

New York Knicks acquire Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Renaldo Balkman, Anthony Carter, and Corey Brewer. Denver Nuggets acquire Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, and three draft picks. Minnesota Timberwolves acquire Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry. The trade makes perfect sense for all three teams. For the Nuggets, they got rid of their star player who was disgruntled and had been the cause of all distraction. The Timberwolves got a salary dump out of the trade, and a player who can jump through the roof in Anthony Randolph. New York got their guy, and now own two player tandem unmatched by most teams. In the sense of the Knicks giving up way too much it does not matter. Star power wins championships. Going into this season the expectations for this club were not high. They got pleasantly surprised with the play of Raymond Felton, and Timofey Mozgov was becoming a decent big man, but still a project. Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari were both having their most impressive seasons, but Chandler was yet again struggling with injury. This was a no brainer, as they received one of the top 5 players in the NBA, and did not give up anyone who was not replaceable. Getting Chauncey Billups will pay huge dividends at the end of ball games, as he is still clutch and still reliable. You read it here first, but Corey Brewer may be the silent assassin of this deal. The Nuggets distraction from their entire season is now vanished and they can rebuild. Denver has some pieces they can work with as long as the four Knick players they acquired prove NOT to be D'Antoni system players. The possibility of trading one of them is still possible, so stay tuned. For all three team the deal is beneficial, but for the New York Knicks it sets them up to be a dynasty again, a relevant one to be reckoned with.

New Jersey Nets acquire Deron Williams. Utah Jazz acquire 2011 and 2012 first round picks, Devin Harris, and Derrick Favors. In the trade that came out of nowhere, New Jersey ends up getting a top caliber player after losing out on Carmelo Anthony. Deron Williams will be sporting the number 8 for New Jersey. Arguably the best point guard in the league, Williams brings the Nets the point guard of a caliber they have not had since Jason Kidd brought the club to the Finals. The main aspect of the trade though, is whether or not he will sign with the Nets at season's end. New Jersey needs to make a pitch that will keep Williams put or else they have just rented a star for half a season to not make the playoffs. Utah seems to have settled on the rebuilding process and is currently not a playoff team. They gain a scoring guard in Devin Harris, and a potential stud player in Derrick Favors. Although Favors gets in foul trouble, that can change and he does have a great upside after being chosen in the top 5 this past draft. The two first round picks are a great add on for a young team that has the possibility of not rebuilding for long, as they have good talent already. New Jersey got their star, but need to hang on to him.

New Orleans Hornets acquires Carl Landry. Sacramento Kings acquire cash and Marcus Thornton. The Hornets snatch another complimentary foward for David West to play with, while the Kings get another young talented player in Thornton

Atlanta Hawks acquire Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong. Washington Wizards acquire 2011 1st round pick, Mike Bibby, Jordan Crawford, and Maurice Evans. The Hawks who had been struggling as of late receive the hardest worker that the Wizards had this year. Hinrich fits perfectly in Atlanta, as he shoots the ball well, and plays good defense. For the Wizards this is questionable, as they lose a determined player, and gain an aging Mike Bibby. The 1st round pick will be nice for a young team led by John Wall. For Atlanta, hopefully Hinrich can revive this club back into prime form.

Boston Celtics acquire Jeff Green and Nenad Kristic. Oklahoma City Thunder acquire Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson. What in the world are the Thunder thinking? Just when you think the Thunder have all of the right pieces to the puzzle in order to compete, they trade away one of there key players. Jeff Green, along with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have been the reason why this franchise is on the rise. That is all in question now as they have not only traded away Green's talents, but did not acquire proper players in return. Kendrick Perkins is coming off major surgery and will now be in the front court with another young athletic player, while Nate Robinson will be backing up Russell Westbrook. The Celtics hit gold in this deal, as they have gotten younger, and possibly a player they will have for a long time in Green. Oklahoma City in this trade is jeopardizing the future.

Los Angeles Clippers acquire Mo Williams and Jamario Moon. Cleveland Cavaliers acquire Baron Davis and a 2011 1st round pick. The Cavs are obviously abadonning ship as they have now lost their two best players in the past two years. trading away Williams, shows that the rebuild is in full form. They gain Baron Davis whose contract expires soon, and a first round pick in this upcoming draft, which will be handy when trying to rebuild a franchise. The Clippers get younger, and more athletic in this trade. Williams can shoot the rock extremely well, and Moon can fly when given the lane. Both players can become even better, and in Williams case make the franchise player Blake Griffin better. The Clippers making a strong move here to shift the power in Los Angeles.

Houston Rockets acquire Goran Dragic. Phoenix Suns acquire Aaron Brooks. Houston is dropping cap space in this deal as Brooks is an expiring contract at years end. Aaron Brooks is a young guard who can be deadly from three and is an explosive scorer when need be. He fits perfect in Phoenix where the motto seems to be, "shoot, shoot, shoot." If Phoenix can resign Brooks then they may have found the guy to replace Steve Nash when his time is over. For Houston they gain a solid role player who has expanded his game throughout his career.

Houston Rockets acquire Hasheem Thabeet. Memphis Grizzles acquire Shane Battier. In another one for one deal for Houston, the same theme applies. Houston is getting rid of another expiring contract to have cap room. This deal is more interesting for the Rockets then the Grizz though. They gain another guy over 7'2", but this is an unproven. Possibly the biggest bust in the more recent drafts, Hasheem Thabeet has shown why he had critics on him at all times while at the University of Connecticut. The fact is though that Houston needs a big man, just in case Yao Ming does retire or call it quits because of all of his nagging injuries. If Houston can teach Thabeet the way of the NBA, then this can be a steal. Battier is a great shooter with veteren leadership. Grizzles may want to hold on to him for the right price after the season.

Portland Blazers acquire Gerald Wallace. Charlotte Bobcats acquire Dante Cunningham, Joel Przybilla, and two first round picks. The Blazers add another semi star to a team, when healthy is a contender in the West. The trade makes even more sense considering how much Brandon Roy has been getting hurt in his short career. Wallace will become the most versitle player on the team, and will serve for key minutes down the season stretch. Executive Michael Jordan is making cap room, and looking into the future for the teams success. Wallace and the Blazers seem like a perfect pair.

Other Trades:

Boston trades Semih Erden and Luke Harangody to Cleveland for a 2nd round pick.

Chicago trades James Johnson to the Raptors.

Oklahoma City trade Nazr Mohammed to Charlotte for DJ White and Morris Peterson.