A wild NBA trade deadline has left plenty of winners and losers around the league. Here’s the breakdown:
Winners:
Washington Wizards and Atlanta Hawks:
This trade was a win-win. The Hawks add solid backcourt depth with Kirk Hinrich that Mike Bibby failed to provide and the Wizards continue to stock up on young talent with Jordan Crawford, a
shooting guard who has lots of upside, and a first round pick in this years draft.
OKC Thunder:
Is Sam Presti the best GM in basketball? Probably. He traded Nenad Krstic
and Jeff Green's expiring contract (who they most likely wouldn't have been
able to resign in the offseason) for Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson
adding the front court depth that they really needed.
Presti also sent Mo Peterson and DJ White to the Charlotte Bobcats for Nazr Mohammed to
make up for the size loss in Kristic.
NJ Nets:
Some call this trade a plan B...but anytime you pick up an Deron Williams it's
a win. They did have to give up a lot of potential in Derrick Favors, Devin
Harris, and two future first round picks, but a point guard of William's
talent is to hard to pass on. The Nets hope they can do what the Jazz failed
to do an build a contender around him.
Denver Nuggets:
The Nuggets straight robbed the Knicks. Melo said he wanted to go to NY. He
wouldn't go to LA or NJ or Chicago. The leverage was 100% on the side of the
Knicks, but somehow they managed to give up Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, Timofey Mozgov, and picks for Anthony, Chauncy Billiups, Shelden Williams, and Renaldo Balkman. Don't get me wrong the Knicks are still now a better team, but when the Knicks make a move they tend to give up too much.
Losers:
Baron Davis:
I really feel for Baron, as much as you can for someone who is going to make
$28 million over the next two seasons, but he does have to go to Cleveland.
Boston:
Not really sure what the Celtics were doing trading every single one of
their big men not named O'Neal. Maybe Danny Ainge knows what he's doing but
trading for an undersized 4-3 tweener who struggles with his jump shot (as
much as I love Jeff it's true) an OK center and a future second round pick,
seems like someone got hosed.
Memphis:
The Grizzlies lose for not dealing OJ Mayo in a trade that fell apart 3 times then was
submitted to late to the league. Not really much to say about a trade that
didn't happen but OJ Mayo continues to suck (12 ppg in 28 mpg) and be a
problem in the locker room (or plane).
Mark Cuban:
The Dallas Maverick's owner isn't happy that the NBA-owned New Orleans Hornets, a
team already in severe debt, is taking on another $2.25 million in salary. I guess he's gonna have to deal with paying that extra $78,000.
-Post by Marc Kravitz
