NBA Trade Machine: Darren Collison Headlines Four-Team Swap

Today in the NBA, four teams completed a five player deal. The parties involved were the New Orleans Hornets, Indiana Pacers, Houston Rockets, and New Jersey Nets.

The five players involved in the deal were: Darren Collison, a second-year point guard; Trevor Ariza, a six-year forward/guard; Troy Murphy, an eight-year power forward; James Posey, a 10-year forward/guard; and Courtney Lee, a third-year guard/ forward.   

The deal essentially helps all the parties involved. However, the Indiana Pacers and New Jersey Nets serve to benefit most from the deal, both immediately and over the long haul.

Here’s a look at the breakdown of what each team can expect, and why the deals do or don’t make sense.

Indiana Pacers Get Point Guard of the Future in Darren Collison

The Indiana Pacers have solidified their point guard position with the acquisition of Darren Collison. Also coming along is NBA journeyman, James Posey.

The Pacers lose fan favorite Troy Murphy, and for the time being have an extremely large void to fill at the power forward position. But that is the least of their worries right now.

The Pacers were facing uncertainty at the most talent-heavy position in the NBA. The team was eager to find a suitable floor general to fill the void after T.J. Ford flopped after being brought over from Toronto.

The team tried to acquire D.J. Augustine from the Charlotte Bobcats this past February but the deal didn’t come through. Now the problem appears to be solved in regards to the Pacers having a starter that can produce. However, they also have a logjam that needs to be addressed.

They currently have four players that can play the position and one or two will have to go. Ford is the likely candidate.

James Posey won't see much playing time because the Pacers are heavy at the wing position. He might be on his way out also.

The addition of Collison makes them a better team than they were last season. If they can find a suitable replacement for Troy Murphy, they might serve to impress a lot of folks. However, replacing Murphy will be easier said than done. He’s one of the best rebounders in the NBA and a vastly underrated offensive player.

I expect a six to eight game increase in the win department next season for the Pacers. Collison is that good of a player.

New Orleans Hornets Get Chris Paul Some Help with Trevor Ariza

The New Orleans Hornets needed to get bigger, quicker, and younger at the shooting guard and small forward positions. They did just that with the acquisition of Trevor Ariza.

They gave up a lot to do so. They had to part ways with rookie sensation Darren Collision and veteran forward James Posey. But when much is gained, so too, is it often lost.

With Ariza, the Hornets have the perimeter stopper they need to compete with teams fielding a Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, or Brandon Roy. He also gives them another player that can get out and run with Chris Paul and Marcus Thornton.

It’ll be interesting if the Hornets elect to start Ariza at the SG position or SF position. My gut says they will keep the second-year man on the bench and sub him in for either Ariza or Pedja.

The deal makes the Hornets more versatile and more balanced. They now have four players that will garner All-Star considerations next season.

It’ll be interesting to see how Ariza handles being traded again. He should be happy; Paul is a better fit for his style of play than Brooks.

The Hornets will benefit greatly from this deal. It pushes them back into a playoff seed in the West.

New Jersey Nets Acquire the Perfect Fit at Power Forward in Troy Murphy

Troy Murphy’s life just became a whole lot more interesting. He is headed to his birth place to play for the team for which he grew up cheering. And all the Nets had to do was give up a player who wasn’t going to see a lot of playing time this season.

The move for Murphy does two things. First, it gives them a top 20 power forward to pair alongside a top 10 center. The second thing it does is it assures the Nets that they will have enough cap space to go after Carmelo Anthony next season, if he’s a free agent.

The Nets are extremely balanced right now and are arguably a deeper and more balanced team than the Chicago Bulls team that everyone is gushing about.

Murphy will provide the shooting touch and deep threat needed to space the floor for starters Harris, Williams, and Lopez. He also is a great looker room guy that will be a great mentor for the rookie Favors.

The move makes the Nets a serious threat to compete for a playoff position. This team should easily win 30-plus games come next season.

Houston Rockets Acquire Young Stud Courtney Lee

Courtney Lee is headed to a new team for the second time in as many offseasons. This cannot be the way he thought his career would be headed. But at least he can smile about landing on a team that will be competing for a playoff spot this season.

The move was made for two reasons by the Rockets. The first was a budget cut, as the team is over the luxury tax, and the second reason is the team’s faith in second-year stud, Case Budinger.

Lee want start because the Rockets favor Kevin Martin at the two spot and Budinger will challenge Battier at the three spot.

Lee will be the second perimeter player off the bench regardless of who starts at the small forward position.

The Rockets are slightly less of a defensive team, even though Lee is no slouch in that department. But the floor will be more balanced because Lee is more of a natural shooter and scorer than Ariza was.

With that said, the Rockets are no greater or less of a team after the deal.