Trade Spectacular!

New York Gets: Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Corey Brewer, Sheldon Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman

Denver Gets: Ray Felton, Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, Kosta Koufos, 2014 first round pick (New York), 2012 & 2013 second round picks (Golden State), the right to exchange first round picks in 2016 (New York) and $3 million (New York)

Minnesota Gets: Anthony Randolph, Eddy Curry, 2015 second round pick (Denver) and $3 million (New York)

For the Knicks…

In a merciful end to the most annoying story of the season, Owner James Dolan finally got his man. While many are saying NY gave up too much I’m not in that camp. Sure they could have gambled and hoped that Anthony opted out of his contract after the season but something tells me Melo wanted his $65 million extension and would have signed it with New Jersey or Denver rather than leaving it on the table. So kudos to Dolan, President Donnie Walsh, Coach Mike D’Antoni, Isiah Thomas or whoever was actually calling the shots on this one.

In Anthony the Knicks get an elite scoring machine to pair with Amar’e Stoudemire to form one of the fiercest forward tandems on the offensive end in the entire league. Since neither of them defends or rebounds that well D’Antoni will have his work cut out for him there if the Knicks are to truly contend.

Seemingly lost in the shuffle of this deal is Billups who is an upgrade over the departed Felton running the point. “Mr. Big Shot” should get plenty of open looks off double teams while being able to keep his forwards happy at the same time. Brewer was surprisingly bought out and I don’t see the rest of the players NY acquired contributing very much other than spot minutes here and there thanks to D’Antoni’s ultra-short rotation. That said Williams provides beef down low, Carter veteran leadership and Balkman hustle.

For the Nuggets…

All things considered rookie VP Masai Ujiri comported himself very well after Anthony forced his hand. Ujiri shaved $13 million off Denver’s payroll getting them under the luxury tax line, got two SFs to replace Melo, a much younger and cheaper PG to replace Billups and two young big men with differing skill sets. Not to mention three (or four) draft picks and cash.

Gallinari and Chandler already formed a nice forward tandem in NY and will continue to do so for the Nugs. Chandler brings a lot of energy as a sixth man and can even play PF in small ball lineups. Wilson is a restricted free agent (RFA) after the season though, so Denver could possibly lose him. I’ve always thought Gallo was pretty overrated but if he gets in better shape and learns to put the ball on the floor more he could be a player.

Felton has already made noise about not wanting to come off the bench behind Ty Lawson but if Coach George Karl can diffuse that situation the Nugs will have a potent PG duo. I don’t expect either to play much but Mozgov is a lumbering banger type whereas Koufos likes to float on the perimeter and shoot mid-range jumpers.

At first I thought Denver was out of the playoff hunt sans Melo and Chauncey but the more I look at it they are now ten deep and should be much more of an up tempo side using the mile high altitude to their advantage. If they can hold their own on D and the boards a low playoff seed is certainly within reach. They will likely be one and done if they get there but it wouldn’t shock me if they were able to put a scare into their first round opponent.

For the Timberwolves…

President David Kahn offered up his salary cap space to absorb and buyout Curry’s contract to basically steal the ultra-talented youngster Randolph. Anthony is a bit of a knuckle head but at 6’11 he can grab a rebound and handle the ball well enough to lead the break. He also uses his length and athleticism to block shots from the weak side but is not a good decision maker on the offensive end, both passing and shooting the ball. He is certainly worth a look on such a bad squad though.

Winner – New York

New Jersey Gets: Deron Williams

Utah Gets: Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, 2011 first round pick (New Jersey), 2012 first round pick (Golden State, top 7 protected) and $3 million

For the Nets…

President Billy King gave up a ton of assets to possibly only rent arguably the best PG in game for a season and a half. I’m sure Owner Mikhail Prokhorov and part owner Jay-Z think they can convince D-Will that Brooklyn is the place for him but if he bolts after next season this trade will look extremely bad for NJ. The Nyets are too far out of the playoff chase this year but are set to have major salary cap space this summer. Deron and Brook Lopez are a nice foundation but for NJ to really make some noise they will need to sign a true #2 option like maybe David West or Zach Randolph.

For the Jazz…

While some say he should have waited to see how the new Collective Bargaining Agreement affected the landscape I like how proactive Director Kevin O’Connor was in making this move. He didn’t wait for the media circus to arrive and got a boatload in return for his franchise player. Harris is obviously not the same caliber of player as Williams is but Devin isn’t chopped liver either. I actually think Harris might excel now that he’s out from under Avery Johnson’s thumb.

I’m not really sold on Favors yet but he’s only 19 and has obvious potential especially on defense. He’s already a capable rebounder but his offense has a long, long way to go. The main thing I like about this deal for Utah is the draft picks. Since I don’t expect them to be playoff contenders this season or next they will likely have two lottery picks in both 2011 and 2012. So if O’Connor does his job scouting and spending his salary cap space in the summer of ’12 the Jazz could be right back in mix rather quickly.

Winner – New Jersey

Boston Gets: Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic, 2012 first round pick (Clippers, top 10 protected) and cash

Oklahoma City Gets: Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson

For the Celtics…

To me this was hands down the biggest surprise of deadline day. I just don’t understand why GM Danny Ainge would shake up the best team in the East? Boston was a lock to make the Finals (barring injury) in my opinion but I guess losing Marquis Daniels (leaving the Cs without a backup SF) put these events into motion.

Green certainly makes Boston younger, more athletic and versatile but how much is he really going to play? Is Coach Doc Rivers going to sit Ray Allen, Paul Pierce or Kevin Garnett in favor of Green? I think not. I’ve never really been a big fan of Jeff’s game either. He does a lot of things ok but isn’t great at anything. He’s like a shorter version of Lamar Odom with a better outside shot but minus the handle.

I understand that Boston was going to struggle to resign Perk this summer (Green is about to be a RFA himself) but trading your starting center for a sixth man? Beyond counting on Shaquille O’Neal (right Achilles), Jermaine O’Neal (left knee) and Krstic to contain the likes of Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol /Andrew Bynum how do you replicate the outstanding chemistry Rajon Rondo, Allen, PP, KG and Perk had? You don’t, it’s that simple, and the chemistry that group shared on both offense and defense is what made the Celtics so great the past three and a half seasons. Now they have to integrate a new starter AND a completely revamped rotation with only 25 games to go before the playoffs. All the while maintaining their calling card tough defense and equal opportunity offense.

Krstic has never been the same since he tore his left ACL back in 2006 and even before that he was never a defender or rebounder. He tends to shy away from contact down low and prefers to float around and shoot mid-range jumpers. He will not be able to shut down/frustrate Howard like Perk could in a 7-game series. I doubt Boston finishes with the best record in the East now or can beat the Lakers if they meet in the Finals. But hey, at least they will have a ton of salary cap space and the Clippers pick in the summer of 2012.

For the Thunder…

GM Sam Presti finally made his move and it sent a clear message to the rest of the West that OKC’s time is now. In Perkins they get a legitimate anchor for their defense that has many big games under his belt. Additionally Coach Scott Brooks can now play Serge Ibaka at his more natural PF position. The tandem of Perk and Ibaka is tailor made to shut down the Laker big man duo of Bynum and Gasol. Serge has the length and athleticism to stay with Pau and Perk the muscle to deal with Drew. Just a great move by Presti (as long as Kendrick can get healthy).

Robinson is an energizer off the bench that likes to shoot…a lot. Nate really doesn’t bring much else to the table and with his questionable shot selection and lack of defensive effort I don’t really see him taking regular minutes away from Thabo Sefolosha, James Harden or Eric Maynor.

Winner – Oklahoma City

Charlotte Gets: Joel Przybilla, Dante Cunningham, Sean Marks, 2011 first round pick (New Orleans, top 7 protected), 2013 first round pick (Portland) and cash

Portland Gets: Gerald Wallace

For the Bobcats…

Even though Charlotte is on the fringe of the playoff chase in the East this trade was all about dumping Wallace’s contract and getting some rebuilding assets in return. I find it refreshing when I hear Owner Michael Jordan say “We don’t want to be the seventh or eighth seed.” Being in the middle is never good in the NBA, especially when you are a small market team that is flirting with the luxury tax.

None of the guys the Cats received are impact players but Gerald was not worth two first round picks so score one for GM Rod Higgins. Przybilla (right knee) can barely move anymore much less run or jump, Cunningham might find minutes as a fourth big man and Marks has been waived.

For the Trail Blazers…

I have to say I’m a bit disappointed with new GM Rich Cho’s first move. Gerald is certainly the best player in the deal but I’m not sure why Portland needed him so badly? He makes them better but only marginally so and certainly not enough for them to beat one of the top four sides in the West in a playoff series. So dumping two firsts for him and taking on the additional $22 million in salary he is still owed is questionable at best for a bench player.

Wallace can play both forward spots for the Blazers off the pine but he is on the downside of his career and struggles to defend PFs as a small ball four. The big take away for me is it now seems like Portland is stuck in the middle and doesn’t quite realize it yet. As I see it they would have been better off unloading salary, keeping the picks and taking a few small steps backwards before trying to climb the mountain again.

Winner – Charlotte

Clippers Get: Mo Williams and Jamario Moon

Cleveland Gets: Baron Davis and a 2011 first round pick (Clippers)

For Los Angeles…

This deal was all about GM Neil Olshey getting out from under Davis’ massive contract and turning the keys of the franchise over to Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon. Williams is a quality mid-range shooter who should be reinvigorated by the change of scenery. Mo combined with Gordon gives the Clips two guys that will make the opposition pay for doubling Griffin. Moon may contribute a little but I doubt he will be resigned in the off season.

For the Cavaliers…

Give Owner Dan Gilbert credit since he was willing to spend $12 million (the difference in total dollars between Davis and Williams contracts) on an unprotected lottery pick in what’s supposed to be a pretty weak draft. On pure talent B Diddy is an upgrade over Mo but only if Baron is motivated. Call me crazy but I don’t see Davis being very motivated in a cold weather city on the worst team in the NBA. There is no way Coach Byron Scott puts up with him being an out of shape malcontent either. I don’t see this ending well for Baron. In fact he is officially on the Stephon Marbury/Steve Francis/ Allen Iverson express train to playing overseas.

Winner – Clippers

New Orleans Gets: Carl Landry

Sacramento Gets: Marcus Thornton and cash

For the Hornets…

I really like this move for NO as Landry is exactly what they needed behind Emeka Okafor and David West. Coach Monty Williams no longer needs to rely on the likes of Aaron Gray, D.J. Mbenga, Jason Smith or David Andersen if West or Mek gets hurt. Landry flourished as a sixth man in Houston and returning to that role in a contract year with Chris Paul as his PG surely has Carl excited to play and produce. I think this trade locks the Hornets into the Western playoffs but still isn’t enough for them to win a series.

For the Kings…

Since there was no way Landry was resigning with Sacto this summer President Geoff Petrie made a wise move parlaying Carl into something of value. With Tyreke Evans (left foot) out indefinitely the Kings really needed some scoring at the SG position and Thornton brings that to table in spades while only making $761,195 (which is important since the Maloof’s (owners) are losing money hand over fist).

Winner – New Orleans

Washington Gets: Mike Bibby, Maurice Evans, Jordan Crawford and a 2011 first round pick (Atlanta)

Atlanta Gets: Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong

For the Wizards…

This deal was all about President Ernie Grunfeld acquiring assets. Hinrich really isn’t worth two first round picks (including Crawford) and with Bibby accepting a buyout of the last year of his contract ($6.2 million) Washington ends up saving $8 million (Kirk’s contract) off next season’s salary cap figure. Evans is a solid role player but I don’t see the Wiz resigning him this summer.

Crawford is an intriguing rookie with good length and athleticism for a SG. He has a scorer’s mentality and can put points on the board in bunches when he gets on a roll. He’s a lot like the guy he’ll be backing up, Nick Young, and if Young isn’t resigned in the off season Jordan can step right in and replace him.

For the Hawks…

I know Director Rick Sund probably thinks that Hinrich is a major upgrade over Bibby but I’m skeptical. While it would be nearly impossible to be worse than Bibby on defense I don’t think Kirk is quite the shooter/floor space that Mike is. Also the Atlanta starting five of Bibby, Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Josh Smith and Al Horford had been together for three seasons so replicating that chemistry is going to be tough. The main benefit to adding Hinrich should be saving JJ from always having to guard the other team’s quickest guard.

Hilton Armstrong is as stiff as they come and is unlikely to play more than garbage time/emergency minutes.

Winner – Washington

Phoenix Gets: Aaron Brooks

Houston Gets: Goran Dragic and a 2011 first round pick (Phoenix, lottery protected otherwise Orlando)

For the Suns…

This was a very opportunistic move by President Lon Babby snagging the out of favor and unhappy Brooks for a lesser player in Dragic. You could question the inclusion of the draft pick but if Brooks gets his head screwed on straight and rediscovers his shooting stroke he is worth more than a mid to late first rounder. Aaron should be perfect as a change of pace guard behind Steve Nash as well as providing some instant offense for Phoenix’s anemic bench.

For the Rockets…

From the second he walked off the court straight to the locker after being subbed out on 2/5 Brooks had to go. GM Daryl Morey did well to get a first round pick for him but Dragic really struggles with his decision making, which is not good for a PG. Goran also fancies himself as somewhat of a scoring PG but the problem there is he can’t shoot. At the very least Dragic will happily accept his role as Kyle Lowry’s backup.

Winner – Phoenix

Oklahoma City Gets: Nazr Mohammed

Charlotte Gets: D.J. White and Morris Peterson

For the Thunder…

Presti does it again here by snagging a legitimate backup center for two guys that weren’t even active on most nights, much less playing. OKC now possesses a big man rotation of Perk/Ibaka/Nazr/Nick Collison which is very stout. Again this move was made with the playoffs in mind and should pay dividends before then too since Perkins (left knee) is out 2-3 weeks.

For the Bobcats…

I’ve always liked D.J. White’s game because he’s a tough no nonsense guy who rarely makes mistakes. He’ll play his role as a banger that hits the boards and makes open shots without complaint. I hope Coach Paul Silas plays him enough to develop his skills to where he’s a steady rotation player. Peterson is on his way out of the league and has been waived.

Winner – Oklahoma City

Memphis Gets: Shane Battier and Ishmael Smith

Houston Gets: Hasheem Thabeet, DeMarre Carroll, 2013 first round pick (Memphis, lottery protected) and $3 million

For the Grizzlies…

When Rudy Gay hurt his left shoulder that left Memphis with a huge hole at SF that Battier should fill nicely. Even when Rudy comes back Shane can slide into a sixth man/defensive stopper roll without missing a beat. This move should keep the Griz in the playoff chase in the short term and might clinch them a low seed when back to full strength.

Smith is a water bug type PG that is lightning quick. He needs some work on his decision making but I prefer his upside compared to that of Greivis Vasquez.

For the Rockets…

With Battier no longer in their long term plans and with a gaping hole in the middle Morey decided to take a flyer on Thabeet. Hasheem’s offense is painful to watch but in Houston all he’ll have to do is defend, block shots and rebound. Coach Rick Adelman along with his fellow teammates will have to be very patient with him but Thabeet could be a Mark Eaton type player if he pans out.

Carroll is a tweener energy guy who I don’t expect to play much. In fact his third year option may not even be picked up. Yet another first round pick adds to Morey’s treasure trove of assets but if he can’t parlay them into a star player soon I fear “Dork Elvis” will be looking for work in the near future.

Winner – Memphis

Toronto Gets: James Johnson

Chicago Gets: 2012 first round pick (Miami, lottery protected)

For the Raptors…

Johnson is an uber-athlete that really has no clue how to play. The good news for him is that Toronto is so bad they can afford to play him a lot of minutes to see if he can develop. I also can’t imagine that one of the last picks in this year’s draft would have more upside than James does. Since Johnson is starting already he gives the Raptors three big time athletes when paired with DeMar DeRozan and Amir Johnson. Even if they aren’t very good at least they are entertaining to watch.

For the Bulls…

This pick was supposed to be the final piece that GM Gar Foreman needed to upgrade Chicago’s hole at SG. Well he couldn’t parlay it into O.J. Mayo, Courtney Lee or Anthony Parker and I doubt a pick that low contributes to the Bulls any time soon.

Winner –Toronto

New Jersey Gets: Brandan Wright and Dan Gadzuric

Golden State Gets: Troy Murphy and a 2012 second round pick (New Jersey)

For the Nets…

They get to look at the 8^th pick from the 2007 for a second round pick. Not bad considering Wright has shown occasional flashes when he’s been healthy enough to play. And if D-Will can’t get anything out of Brandan he’s probably not worth making a qualifying offer to (he’s about to be a RFA). Even though Gadzuric is unlikely to be resigned this summer he is an upgrade over Johan Petro at backup center behind Lopez.

For the Warriors…

If they planned on keeping Murphy this would be an absolute home run for them but for some reason they plan on buying him out. What that means is GS basically traded Jason Richardson for a second round pick.

Winner – New Jersey

Cleveland Gets: Semih Erden and Luke Harangody

Boston Gets: 2013 second round pick (Minnesota)

For the Cavaliers…

This was a very solid move by GM Chris Grant picking up a useful big man in Erden for a second round pick. Semih will need surgery on his left shoulder in the off season but he plays hard, knows his role and doesn’t try to do things he can’t. He should be in the league a long time as defensive minded backup center with a decent touch around the rim.

I don’t think Harangody is an NBA player but he should get a chance to prove me wrong in Cleveland.

For the Celtics…

I flat out don’t get this one for Boston? Dumping Erden when Shaq and JO are hurt leaving Krstic as their only true center makes no sense to me. I can’t say I understand any of what Ainge was up to at the trade deadline.

Winner – Cleveland

Sacramento Gets: Marquis Daniels and cash

Boston Gets: 2017 second round pick (Sacramento, 31-55 protected)

For the Kings…

If you can believe this Sacto actually needed to take on Daniels in order to reach the minimum team salary as required by the NBA. Yes, they were actually below the salary floor by a little over a million dollars before this trade. I’m sure the Maloof’s can’t get to Anaheim fast enough right now.

For the Celtics…

Since Marquis (spinal cord) is likely done for the season and has an expiring contract Ainge did Petrie a favor.

Winner – Sacramento