For the record, analysis came from reading articles, playing NBA 2k11, and having a daily fantasy league.
Denver gets:
New Orleans gets:
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James Johnson to Raptors
Chicago gets:
2011 first round pick (from Heat)
Raptors get:
F James Johnson
Verdict: Neutral
Analysis:
Not much to talk about, as James Johnson has been at the tail end of the Bulls Bench despite injuries to their bigs. Could be a project, but this deal looks like something to have the Bulls dump salary wherever they can.
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Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks
New York gets:
F Carmelo Anthony
G Chauncey Billups
F Renaldo Balkman
C Shelden Williams
G Anthony Carter
G Corey Brewer (MIN)
Denver gets:
F Wilson Chandler
F Danilo Gallinari
G Raymond Felton
C Kosta Koufous
C Timofey Mozgov
$3 million cash
2014 1st round pick (from NYK)
2012 & 2013 2nd round picks (originally from GSW)
Minnesota gets:
F Anthony Randolph
C Eddy Curry
2015 2nd round pick (from DEN)
$3 million cash
Verdict: Great trade.
Analysis:
In essence, this is a win-win for the Knicks and Nuggets. While Melo could've just walked over to the Knicks after not signing an extension, New York got a boost in this trade by getting Chauncey Billups. 'Melo and Amar'e could work, really, like AI and 'Melo worked before in Denver. But Denver wasn't a serious contender before Chauncey arrived. Had 'Melo walked, NYK would be a bunch of young guys trying to have fun with each other, and would be exciting to watch, but wouldn't go deep in the playoffs.
As for Denver, they got great value in getting something out of Carmelo. Gallow could provide a good scoring punch, Chandler would be a nice defensive stopper and 2nd offensive option, and Felton could push the tempo. The problem they have to deal with would be veteran leadership (Kenyon Martin, really?), now that three significant figures in their locker room in 'Melo (the franchise), Chauncey (championship experience, fan favorite), and Anthony Carter (veteran experience) are gone. It'd be interesting how they'd turn out, especially with two players (Lawson and Felton) playing the same style. As Denver already has the Birdman, K-Mart and Nene, Mozgov probably wouldn't be having much playing time. Actually, either Mozgov or Koufous has to go, but either way, they can't go wrong. Both are project big men.
Oh and New York got back one of their draft busts in Renaldo Balkman (I say bust because the people watching the draft were so disappointed to have picked him at such a high pick, thank Isaiah Thomas). And I think Shelden Williams has major upside, he just needs the minutes. Despite losing Wilson Chandler, getting Corey Brewer is a bit of a safety net for them. At least they don't lose much of the athleticism Chandler provided. Anthony Carter is an good bonus, but really essential.
As for Minnesota, they get cap relief by season's end and the "intriguing" Anthony Randolph. At least they have someone to spell for Darko if he gets injured again.
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Deron Heads East
New Jersey gets:
Deron Williams
Utah gets:
G Devin Harris
F Derrick Favors
2011 1st round pick (NJN)
2012 1st round pick (GSW)
Cash considerations
Verdict: Good trade.
Analysis:
Raise your hand if you thought this would actually happen!
New Jersey finally lands a legit star after striking out on LeBron, Bosh, Amar'e and 'Melo. From watching shows with American humor, I realize that New Jersey isn't the ideal destination if you're going to the US. And it probably is the reason why big name stars don't want to be shipped there. If Deron re-signs with the team, they should be good, with Brook Lopez developing further, and other stars wanting to play with Deron.
Utah doesn't lose much in exchange. Harris is an all-star caliber player (though a bit underwhelming this year), while Favors is a rookie with high potential. How he fits in the front court with Millsap and Al Jefferson would be a problem. I think they're going to be moving one more big man in the offseason.
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Landry for Thronton
Sacramento gets:
G Marcus Thronton
Cash considerations
New Orleans gets:
F Carl Landry
Verdict: Ok trade
Analysis:
The teams involved didn't get significantly better, but getting these players won't hurt them either. For Sacramento, they are loaded in the backcourt (Francisco Garcia, Beno Udrih, Jeter, Evans), but this is probably just to shake the roster up, and as a short relief while Evans is recovering. Although seeing as they're not in contention for a playoff spot, they might go the Rudy Gay route on Evans, and just rest the rest of the season, as they are left in very capable hands anyway.
For the Hornets, they get relief at the 4 and 5 spots with Landry while Okafor is out of action. I don't really understand why they had to trade for Landry when Jason Smith seems to be progressing nicely.
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Hinrich to Hawks
Atlanta gets:
G Kirk Hinrich
C Hilton Armstrong
Washington gets:
G Mike Bibby
G Jordan Crawford
G Maurice Evans
2011 1st round pick (ATL)
Verdict: Excellent trade
Analysis:
This is a great trade for the Hawks. They have had a history of bad point guards, and though Bibby did an excellent job at it, they needed something more. I am a huge Kirk Hinrich fan, and I think getting him at the point can finally redeem Atlanta for not taking any of the good point guards with their high draft picks (Chris Paul and Deron Williams have often been mentioned as those they passed on to take Marvin Williams instead). And now that we've seen Al Horford play as an all-star center, he can probably slide down to his natural position at the 4 with Hilton Armstrong effectively manning the middle. This gives them a scary starting unit, with Hinrich, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith at 3, Horford at 4, and Armstrong at 5. And they still have Jamaal Crawford off the bench.
For the Wiz, they got a bunch of role players, and a more veteran voice in Bibby. I think Hinrich was great for them and the development of John Wall, but Bibby, as the starting point guard of formerly-perennial playoff contender Sacramento Kings, would be a more authoritative figure that Wall can listen to. Maurice Evans won't hurt the bench production either.
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B-Diddy to the Cavs
Cleveland gets:
G Baron Davis
G Baron Davis
2011 1st round pick (LAC)
Los Angeles gets:
G Mo Williams
F Jamario Moon
Verdict: Ok trade
Analysis:
As NBA.com put it, the trade is a way for Clippers management to tell Blake Griffin that they're building around him. In that aspect, this trade goes well with the Clips. And they're not shortchanged with who they're getting, as Mo Williams was a 1-time all-star and is a capable scorer, while moon is a Shawn Marion-type of journeyman.
For the Cavs, they get a superstar not named LeBron James. Now, if Baron can play like he's interested, the Cavs could get some wins.
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Boston upgrades for Pierce backup
Boston gets:
F Jeff Green
C Nenad Kristic
Oklahoma gets:
C Kendrick Perkins
G Nate Robinson
Verdict: Great trade
Analysis:
Boston needed depth at the wing position with Marquis Daniels injured (just in, Daniels was shipped to Sacramento for cash and a 2nd round draft pick). Getting Jeff Green is a major upgrade at that position. Nenad may not be as physical as Perk, but you have to give up something to get someone at the caliber of Jeff Green.
For Oklahoma, they got tougher in the interior, now that Perk and Serge Ibaka are splitting time at center. Nate Robinson gives them a Russel Westbrook-light from the bench.
Boston seems to be dumping their bigs for no reason (Semith Erden and Luke Harangody were sent to the Cavs for one (1) 2012 SECOND ROUND draft pick), but seems to be doing so in order to sign free agents. Roster space could probably be reserved for Troy Murphy and a coming-out-of-retirement Rasheed Wallace.
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Rockets moving on without Yao
Houston gets:
C Hasheem Thabeet
Future 1st round pick
Memphis gets:
F Shane Battier
F Shane Battier
G Ish Smith
Verdict: Good trade
Analysis:
Memphis gets a veteran voice in Shane Battier. They have one of the youngest teams in the league, and having someone like Battier in their locker room can help organize this group to play as a team. From what I read, Battier is a great locker room guy, and his leadership shows in the playing court. While Z-Bo is a nice vet in the team, he's not the leader they need.
Houston, for their part, finally seems to be coming to terms that Yao Ming will not save their franchise. They trade for a #2 pick with a lot of upside, but so far hasn't shown much. With Chase Budinger, Kyle Lowry, Kevin Martin and Luis Scola putting up the points, Thabeet could be the defensive anchor the team needs inside. If he develops an offensive game, he'll probably be able to help this team greatly.
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Charlotte exchanges a big for a guard
Charlotte gets:
F D.J. White
G Morris Peterson
Thunder gets:
C Nazr Mohammed
C Nazr Mohammed
Verdict: Ok trade
Analysis:
Paul Silas seems to be getting the hang of his roster, and doesn't want to deviate from what he has. Morris Peterson would probably come off the bench to spell for Captain Jack and play a little bit of point. I think they're confident enough with Kwame Brown to let go of Nazr Mohammed. At least to some extent, that's a relief for Jordan.
As for the Thunder, this doesn't help their team much. They're pretty much set on their rotation, so they're probably either going to move Nazr later, or have Ibaka or Perk as trade baits.
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Suns make a move
Phoenix gets:
G Aaron Brooks
Houston gets:
G Goran Dragic
Future 1st round pick
Verdict: Bad trade
Analysis:
I hate this trade. Dragic was going to be who Nash is to the Suns now. I don't understand why they had to let him go to trade for someone who plays much like Leandro Barbosa. I don't think they lack an offensive game, as they have Carter, Frye, Dudley and Nash. What they needed was more jelling, and adding a new, disgruntled player from a completely different system will not help them now. Unless they want to move in a different direction in terms of team philosophy in the future.
As for Dragic, I'm not sure if his playing style fits the Rockets' system. But he'll be playing behind Kevin Martin and Kyle Lowry, which would be such a waste of talent for him. Sure, he'll be a spark off the bench, but he'll probably be stuck in a backup role for the rest of his career in Houston, since they have a young backcourt tandem in place. At least Rockets got rid of Ish Smith in a separate deal, which makes it easier for Dragic to move up in the rotation.
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Blazers get deeper
Portland gets:
F Gerald Wallace
Charlotte gets:
F Dante Cunningham
C Joel Pryzbilla
C Sean Marks
2011 1st round pick (NOH)
2013 1st round pick
Verdict: Awful trade
Analysis:
Well, it's awful for Charlotte. They let go of their #2 player to pick up pieces from Portland. Sean Marks, who has been a journeyman at best, has been in the league for so long, that I have to assume that he brings intangibles to locker rooms he comes to. Cunningham has upside, if judging only from the time he spelled for the injured bigs of Portland. Those are the best reasons I want to believe why Charlotte pulled the trigger on this deal, because you don't lose a player like Gerald Wallace like that. To some extent, I think it's to give more minutes to Gerald Henderson. He's been getting regular minutes and the 'Cats are playing small most of the time as of late. And they've been winning too.
For Portland, they get a defensive wing to complement offensive machines like Wes Matthews and Nicolas Batum. They can't go wrong with this. But given Wallace's injury history, he doesn't make the team better in terms of health.
The trade is awful in such a way that it's not really a win-win situation.
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