NBA Trade Evaluations: Winners and Losers

Korver gives the Jazz a legitimate three-point threat which spreads the floor and opens easy plays for Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer. 

The Jazz are an improved team, but they will need to prove that they can win on the road. They are an NBA best 26-3 at home, but only 13-19 on the road. In the playoffs, losing just one home game could end a playoff series.

 

Amare Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns) 

In the six games that Shaq has played, Stoudemire has averaged 30 ppg on 55 percent shooting, while still grabbing over nine rebounds.

Clearly, Stoudemire has benefited most playing as power forward rather than center. The Suns figured out how to bring the beast out of Stoudemire, but they will have to figure out how to bring wins and a championship soon.

 
Other Winners: San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, New Jersey Nets, Larry Hughes

 

Losers  

Phoenix Suns

The Suns expected to figure out their interior problems by acquiring Shaquille O’Neal. The Suns do have an improved half-court offense, but their defense has been a problem. The team is 2-4 while giving up over 116 ppg to opponents.  

The Suns will need to incorporate Shaq into the team’s philosophy fast if they are to even contend in the playoffs.

Editor’s Note: The Suns defeated the Trail Blazers in Portland 97-92. The Suns shot only 41 percent, but made 34-42 free-throws and held the Blazers to 41 percent shooting.

 

Memphis Grizzlies 

The Grizzlies were trying to rebuild their team through trades and draft picks. But they traded their franchise player in Pau Gasol for mediocre players and two draft picks.

Worst of all for Memphis, they traded Gasol to a Western Conference powerhouse. The west will be extremely competitive over the next few years, so it will be a very long time before the Grizzlies can become a playoff team. 

 

Miami Heat 

The Miami Heat didn’t make a bad trade. The Heat traded for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to provide more energy and athleticism for Dwyane Wade, but they are still losing, going only 2-7 with Marion and Banks.  

It may be best for the Heat to shut down Wade so he can be healthy for next season, and the Heat will also get a high draft pick. The management for the Heat will be crucial if they want to re-sign Wade.

 
Other Losers: Denver Nuggets

 

Breaking Even 

Cleveland Cavaliers

Lebron James needed a better supporting cast in order to help the Cavaliers contend against the elite teams. Dan Ferry pulled off an 11-player trade, acquiring Ben Wallace, Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak, and Joe Smith. 

The new players have improved the Cavaliers’ interior defense and perimeter shooting. But they are still only 3-2 since the trade and they still rely heavily on Lebron James’ scoring. It’ll remain to be seen if the trade will truly make the Cavaliers playoff contenders.

 

Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks acquired veteran point guard Mike Bibby to provide leadership and help run the offense. Since the trade, however, the Hawks are 3-6 and are ninth in the east standings. 

The Hawks still have a chance to make the playoffs in the weak conference, but it is uncertain whether Bibby alone is enough to help push the team into the playoffs.

 
Other Evens: Chicago Bulls

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