Trade Spectacular!

Orlando Gets: Tyronn Lue

Milwaukee Gets: Keith Bogans & cash

For the Magic…

With Jameer Nelson lost for the season (right shoulder) Orlando GM Otis Smith felt he had to do something. While the idea of adding Lue looked good on paper since he can make open shots, the reality is Tyronn isn’t effective unless he’s allowed to dominate the ball and gun at will. Since that’s not happening in Coach Stan Van Gundy’s system, Lue has already fallen out of the rotation.

For the Bucks…

With Michael Redd lost for the season (left knee) Milwaukee GM John Hammond was in the same situation and decided to shed one of his excess PG’s to fill a position of need at SG. Since Tyronn wasn’t playing anyway for Coach Scott Skiles, adding Bogans was a nice move around the edges for the Bucks. Keith is a gritty defender that can hit an occasional open shot. This deal was cap neutral for both teams since each guy’s contract ends after the season.

Winner – Milwaukee

Charlotte Gets: Vladimir Radmanovic

Lakers Get: Adam Morrison & Shannon Brown

For the Bobcats…

This was a bit of a head scratcher for me. While Vlade is certainly the most talented player in this trade, he’s overpaid with two years and $13 million left on his contract after this season. Furthermore, his inconsistent effort level is not something that Coach Larry Brown will appreciate. All that stuff aside, Radman does give LB another versatile SF/PF to play behind the inconsistent Boris Diaw and oft injured Gerald Wallace. Plus, neither Morrison nor Brown were playing all that much for Charlotte.

For Los Angeles…

This was a straight up salary dump by the Lakers. Coach Phil Jackson never liked the “Space Cadet”, and while this does mean more minutes for Luke Walton, I’m still happy that Vlade’s salary if off the books. Brown is an interesting player as he might be LA’s answer to defending the small quick guards that always give them trouble. He can also hit the corner three pretty consistently, but the question is will he be able to fit in? I doubt Morrison plays much this season, but since he has one more year on his contract ($5.25 million) he might crack the rotation next season with a full training camp under his belt.

Winner – Charlotte

Miami Gets: Jermaine O’Neal, Jamario Moon, a 2010 first round pick (lottery protected through 2015), a 2010 second round pick (if first round pick does not transfer in 2010) & a $4.2 million trade exception

Toronto Gets: Shawn Marion, Marcus Banks & $3 million

For the Heat…

Miami President Pat Riley parlayed Marion’s expiring contract into two players that will help the Heat make the playoffs this season. While O’Neal does make an unseemly $23 million next year, he is a bona fide upgrade over the likes of Jamaal Magloire, Mark Blount and Joel Anthony. JO’s defensive presence in the middle and on the backboards is just what Miami needed. The great thing about this deal is that Moon will give the Heat almost exactly the same things that the Matrix did, minus the sulking attitude. Then you factor in the pick, the trade exception and the salary cap space in the summer of 2010 and Riles hit a home run here.

For the Raptors…

It’s a little surprising what GM Bryan Colangelo had to give up just to dump Jermaine’s salary. Yes he got Marion’s $17 million expiring contract, but he had to include a draft pick and take back Banks’ two years and $9.2 million after this season. (Marcus should give thanks to a statue of Mike D’Antoni every day for that contract.) Marion might help them win a few more games this season, but not enough to make a serious run at a post season berth.

Winner – Miami

Clippers Get: Alex Acker & a 2011 second round pick

Detroit Gets: a conditional 2013 second round pick

For Los Angeles…

Acker should get his first legitimate chance to compete for NBA minutes with Fred Jones and Mardy Collins behind Baron Davis and Eric Gordon. Other than that, the Clips get a second round pick for helping the Pistons out.

For the Pistons…

This move was all about Detroit getting under the luxury tax line. I doubt they’ll ever see that second rounder.

Winner – Clippers

Sacramento Gets: Sam Cassell

Boston Gets: a 2015 second round pick (top 55 protected)

For the Kings…

I’m not sure what this did for Sacto? They took on Cassell’s $1.2 million salary and just waived him, without even attempting to save some money with buyout negotiations.

For the Celtics…

Boston lowers their luxury tax bill and clears a roster spot in the process.

Winner – wash

Chicago Gets: Brad Miller & John Salmons

Sacramento Gets: Andres Nocioni, Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons & Ike Diogu

Portland Gets: Michael Ruffin

For the Bulls…

Chicago rid themselves of the three years and $21 left on Nocioni’s contract and turned them into a starting center and sixth man. Salmons will be given the instant offense role off the pine behind both Ben Gordon and Luol Deng. While Miller is certainly showing his age, he’s a veteran leader with playoff experience that can show the Bulls young bigs the tricks of the trade.

For the Kings…

Team President Geoff Petrie dumped Miller and Salmons’ contracts and got back nothing but expiring deals in return…except for Nocioni. Gooden is a buyout candidate if he pushes for one. This is likely the last stop in the NBA for both Simmons and Diogu, but each will surely get their chances in Sacramento. As for Andres, he’d be a nice role player off the bench for a contender, so I expect he’ll be traded again in the off season.

For the Trail Blazers…

Portland saved $3,541,968 in luxury tax payouts with this deal. They also dumped a guy who had no chance to play for a slightly below average backup center. If Greg Oden (left knee) is out for an extended period, Ruffin is a decent insurance policy behind Joel Przybilla.

Winner – Chicago

Memphis Gets: Chris Mihm

Lakers Get: a conditional 2013 second round pick

For the Grizzlies…

Multiple surgeries on his right ankle have robbed Mihm of his once above average athleticism. Even with that he can help Memphis as a backup…if they don’t buy him out.

For Los Angeles…

Another salary dump by the Lakers. Truth be told though, Mihm was not producing at the level LA needed him to. So why keep him around when D.J. Mbenga can be just as unproductive behind Pau Gasol and costs $3,290,086 (luxury tax wise) less?

Winner – Memphis

Orlando Gets: Rafer Alston

Houston Gets: Kyle Lowry & Brian Cook

Memphis Gets: Adonal Foyle, Mike Wilks, a 2009 first round pick & cash (both Orlando)

For the Magic…

To me this seems like a panic deal for Orlando after they saw how bad the Hawks PG rotation from last season (Anthony Johnson & Tyronn Lue) was for them. The good news for the Magic is, besides the first round pick, they didn’t give up a player in their regular rotation and received a starting PG in return. Alston is actually a better defender than Jameer Nelson, but Rafer is a very streaky shooter and not near as adept at running a team when compared to Nelson. This move assures that Orlando will be the third seed in the East this season and have a very solid one-two punch at the point next year.

For the Rockets…

Alston has never been consistent enough for Coach Rick Adelman’s liking, so after Tracy McGrady (left knee) was lost for the season GM Daryl Morey decided to go with a whole new back court. Lowry is lightning quick, tough and a very good defender. He’s great at pressuring the ball and beating his man off the dribble to get into the lane. He’s a terrible shooter though and still needs to work on his decision making, but he has the tools to be effective. Cook is probably lucky to be in the NBA at this point, and is unlikely to see any time in Houston’s crowded front court.

For the Grizzlies…

GM Chris Wallace again takes back someone else’s trash, but picks up a first round pick this time around for his trouble. Both Foyle and Wilks (Chris Mihm too) have expiring contracts. Foyle is unlikely to see the light of day or be bought out, and Wilks (right knee) is already out for the season. What this really means for Memphis is they decided that Mike Conley Jr. is their starting PG of the future.

Winner – Orlando

Sacramento Gets: Will Solomon & cash (Boston)

Toronto Gets: Patrick O’Bryant

Boston Gets: a conditional 2014 second round pick (Sacramento)

For the Kings…

Solomon is journeyman who knows how to run a team and can hit an open shot. He’s not a great defender though, so he’ll fit in perfectly in Sacto.

For the Raptors…

O’Bryant is on his third team in three years, and he’s only 22! He’s very raw offensively, needs to bulk up and improve his focus. He’s very long and can block shots, but I doubt he helps Toronto this season.

For the Celtics…

Boston again saved themselves luxury tax money and created yet another roster spot for a veteran that gets bought out.

Winner – wash

New York Gets: Chris Wilcox

Oklahoma City Gets: Malik Rose & cash

For the Knicks…

This was a very nice move by President Donnie Walsh, swooping in after the Tyson Chandler trade was rescinded. NY more or less paid the Thunder (the $3 million max I’m guessing) to swap expiring contracts with them. In the process the Knicks picked up a decent backup PF that fits nicely into Coach Mike D’Antoni’s system.

For the Thunder…

Owner Clay Bennett needs money. I doubt Rose sees a lot of time in OKC, and may even be bought out if GM Sam Presti decides to keep Joe Smith.

Winner – New York

New York Gets: Larry Hughes

Chicago Gets: Tim Thomas, Jerome James & Anthony Roberson

For the Knicks…

What can I say, other than “The Don” strikes again? While Hughes does make a ridiculous $13.7 million next season (thanks to Ernie Grunfeld), Thomas and James combined make $13.1 next year, so it was pretty salary neutral. If I was Coach D’Antoni, I’d probably start Larry, but even if Hughes doesn’t start he will surely see extended playing time. I think with the two moves the Knicks made they are definitely in the mix for the eighth playoff seed in the East.

For the Bulls…

While this was mostly about shipping the griping malcontent Hughes out of town for VP John Paxson, he did get back a serviceable player in Tim Thomas. The addition of TT and John Salmons to go along with Kirk Hinrich and Joakim Noah gives Chicago Coach Vinny Del Negro a very solid bench. James will never wear a Bulls uniform and Roberson will likely only see mop up duty. These moves put Chicago squarely into the mix (with NY) for the final post season berth in the East.

Winner – New York

Sacramento Gets: Rashad McCants & Calvin Booth

Minnesota Gets: Shelden Williams & Bobby Brown

For the Kings…

Give President Geoff Petrie another two expiring contracts! What Petrie did over the course of his four separate trades was save about $21 million in payroll for next season. While Booth is a big time stiff on his last stop in the NBA, McCants can actually play little. By a little I mean he can shoot. Other than that he’s a gunner that plays no defense and never passes to anyone.

For the Timberwolves…

If we are to believe this is GM Jim Stack’s first move in charge, I’m not impressed. I know Al Jefferson (right knee) is lost for the season, but Shelden Williams isn’t better than Kevin Love, Ryan Gomes, Craig Smith, or Brian Cardinal. Seriously, the word bust was invented for Shelden. On the other hand Brown will get a chance to prove he belongs in the NBA backing up Sebastian Telfair at PG.

Winner – Sacramento

Oklahoma City Gets: Thabo Sefolosha

Chicago Gets: a 2009 first round pick (lesser of Denver’s & San Antonio’s)

For the Thunder…

This was steal for GM Sam Presti plain and simple. The first round pick he surrendered is going to be the worst of the three he possesses this year. In return for that he got a starting SG? Nice! Thabo is still very limited offensively, but his outside shot has improved and he can finish in transition. His main assets are his length and quickness which he puts to good use as a lock down defender. Sefolosha and Russell Westbrook will form one of the longest and most athletic back courts in the league.

For the Bulls…

Even though I only have VP John Paxson winning one of his three deals, I think overall deadline day was a major success for him. What he did was thin out all of the duplication on his roster giving Chicago more balance overall. This will also allow Coach Del Negro to define everyone’s roles better which in turn will improve their lackluster chemistry.

Winner – Oklahoma City