Stirring Up The Trade Winds (NBA) - Big3Heat631's Blog

Big3Heat631's Blog

Stirring Up The Trade Winds (NBA)

Posted on December 21, 2010 at 10:10 AM.

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This Saturday, we witnessed two blockbuster deals in which the likes of Vince Carter, Rashard Lewis, Gilbert Arenas and Jason Richardson were swapped. However, there are two months before the trade deadline, and ideally, they will be used.

Atlanta receives: Brendan Haywood and J.J. Barea
Dallas receives: Josh Powell and Jamal Crawford

This trade would help both teams a lot. Brendan Haywood would move out of a bad situation in Dallas to one in Atlanta where he could potentially start (pushing Josh Smith to SF and Horford to what I think is his natural position at PF) or provide a shot-blocking presence off the bench to help contain the likes of Dwight Howard. J.J. Barea moves out of a crowded backcourt (especially when Roddy Buckets returns from injury) and provides Atlanta with a short-term backup PG better than the disappointing Jeff Teague. Barea's only on a one-year contract, so he has trade value if Teague ever picks it up, or management can just let him into the market during the offseason (assuming they don't want to resign him). As for Dallas, they obtain Josh Powell (who's has got to be a better backup 4 than Brian Cardinal) and Jamal Crawford, who wants either an extension or a trade from Atlanta. Crawford could start, or Jason Terry could (ironically, they are the last two Sixth Men of the Year). Either way, this kicks out DeShawn Stevenson from the rotation, which is always a good thing.

Boston receives: Jeff Green and Royal Ivey
Indiana receives: Jermaine O'Neal, Byron Mullens and D.J. White
Oklahoma City receives: Tyler Hansbrough, Jeff Foster and Boston's and Indiana's 2011 second round draft pick

This deal would only work if Doc Rivers is willing to take the risk of playing Jeff Green at SF (which I think is his natural position) instead of the PF position he plays in OKC. However, Boston gets a healthy kind-of-big in Jeff Green, and Royal Ivey mainly for cap filler, though he can fill in for the sidelined Rajon Rondo and Delonte West if need be. Jeff ideally plays backup to Paul Pierce and can play PF if the Celtics want to go small with KG or Big Baby Davis at center (though I don't see why Doc Rivers would ever be dumb enough to play Davis as his center). Indiana gets a platoon of big men. O'Neal would start at PF, pushing Josh McRoberts to the bench. Mullens and White are cap fillers, but could develop roles in a weak Indiana frontcourt. Side note: Jermaine O'Neal said he wishes to retire in Indiana, and this trade would help him achieve that goal. As for Oklahoma, they lose Jeff Green - a big blow. However, after paying Durant big bucks and with Russell Westbrook in line to get a large contract as well, they simply can't afford to keep Green. Ibaka can easily start at the 4, however, and obtaining veteran Jeff Foster and (unproven) sophomore Tyler Hansbrough can only strengthen Oklahoma's subpar frontcourt. The draft picks can't hurt either, especially since Indiana's is bound to be high.

Detroit receives: Andrei Kirilenko
Utah receives: Tayshaun Prince and Jason Maxiell

Utah is a contender, but a weak one. Everyone would be surprised if the Jazz won this year rather than teams like the Lakers or the Celtics. To help propel them even closer to the top, I concocted this deal. Detroit is in rebuilding mode and they're a complete mess. They're loaded with mediocre players, so why not send a couple to Utah? Prince is a versatile player that would do well under Jerry Sloan and would replace AK-47. Jason Maxiell can add frontcourt depth to a thin Utah frontcourt, helping them deal with all the size in the Western Conference. Detroit clears playing time for rookie big Greg Monroe, while also getting a large if not massive expiring contract in Kirilenko. Post-Kirilenko, the Pistons can give his playing time to players like Austin Daye and Jonas Jerebko and even Richard Hamilton if he isn't dealt by then.

Charlotte receives: Andre Iguodala, Andres Nocioni, Craig Brackins, Jason Kapono and Darius Songaila
Philadelphia receives: Gerald Wallace, Stephen Jackson and Boris Diaw

Big deal here. Charlotte's interested in ridding themselves of Gerald Wallace and Jax, and since that would put them in a rebuilding mode, I threw in Diaw to open up PT for Tyrus Thomas. The Bobcats get Iggy, who would help any team, Doug Collins' doghouse resident Andres Nocioni who can play solid defense and stretch the floor, a rookie I like in Craig Brackins, and two semi-large expiring contracts. As for the Sixers, they obtain two solid defenders in Wallace and Jackson (and Doug Collins preaches defense) and Boris Diaw's expiring contract. They'll be stacked on the wings with Jodie Meeks, Evan Turner, Thaddeus Young all looking for playing time off the bench, but I'm sure Doug Collins can figure it out. After all, with Noce gone, there's an opening in his doghouse.

Portland receives: T.J. Ford
Indiana receives: Andre Miller

Nice and simple. According to various rumors, Brandon Roy went to management and asked for either him or Andre Miller to be traded after saying Miller's slow tempo messes with his game. Obviously, Brandon Roy is more valuable as a franchise player, and that means Andre is on the outs in Portland. Indiana is a suitable trade partner. With Darren Collison not playing as well as hoped, Andre Miller could temporarily start over him while being a veteran mentor for Collison. Also, Andre Miller can help get Indiana into the playoffs, since Indiana is one of those teams just outside of the playoff race and looking in. T.J. Ford, a former resident of Jim O'Brien's doghouse in Indy, gets shipped to Portland. He plays a faster tempo then Dre, and is also a much better shooter. That means at times, Roy can be the primary ballhandler and Ford can spot up and stretch the floor.

Chicago receives: J.R. Smith, Luke Walton, Derrick Caracter, Theo Ratliff and Wilson Chandler
Denver receives: Danilo Gallinari, Eddy Curry, Steve Blake, Ronnie Brewer, James Johnson, Luol Deng and New York/Laker draft picks
New York receives: Carmelo Anthony and Kurt Thomas
LA Lakers receive: Chauncey Billups

You knew there was going to be a Melo trade in here somewhere. Chicago, having problems at the SG position obtains J.R. Smith. With Noah out, Caracter and Ratliff will provide temporary support, and Ratliff can carve out a more permanent role as a shotblocking backup center. Walton is there as cap filler, and Wilson Chandler replaces Luol Deng (and offers much better upside for a much lower price). Denver gets a nice haul for the outgoing squad of Melo, Billups and J.R. Smith. Deng and Gallo provide solid options at the 3 and either one can start. Curry has a massive expiring contract that Denver would enjoy, and Blake, Brewer and Johnson can all become helpful as role players. Blake would be a good veteran voice with Billups out of town, and Brewer and Johnson are both prospects that could amount to something. New York gets Carmelo, 'nuff said. Kurt Thomas is just a cap filler, though he could help in a thin frontcourt. As for the reigning champions, the Los Angeles Lakers will get former Finals MVP Chauncey Billups as their starting PG. Derek Fisher will head to the bench, solidifying an already strong second unit.