Trade Reaction: Houston/New Orleans/Indiana/New Jersey Swap Players
At first glance, one looks at a headline reading how the New Orleans Hornets traded a point guard, and one immediately thinks of Chris Paul.
Alas, this trade was no nearly as exciting. But there were still some very good players involved.
The trade is as follows:
New Orleans Hornets trades: PG Darren Collison to Houston; SF James Posey to Indiana
Houston trades: SF Trevor Ariza to New Orleans
Indiana Pacers trades: SF Troy Murphy to New Jersey
New Jersey trades: G Courtney Lee to Houston
How does each team come out:
New Orleans Hornets: Trading Collison away pretty much guaranteed the Hornets keeping Chris Paul. I don't understand trading away Collison. He is a very good PG that played well while Paul was out. Dealing Posey was very smart. Posey was an overpaid player who was supposed to come in and help NO compete for a championship (they signed him after their magical '08 playoff run). NO fans are happy because Paul is going to be with the team for the immediate future. Trevor Ariza will help out somewhat in NO, but he is an overpaid player that plugs up their cap.
Indiana Pacers: They made out the best in this trade. Collison is a terrific young PG that will mesh well with Danny Granger and Roy Hibbert. The youth movement is underway in Indiana. They are a borderline playoff team at the moment. They will probably battle with the New York Knicks for that last spot.
New Jersey Nets: Troy Murphy is an upgrade over Courtney Lee. Murphy is a double-double type guy that will contribute on the Nets. Still, NJ isn't quite ready to make the step. They do have a good young team: Brook Lopez, Devin Harris, Anthony Morrow and rook Derrick Favors (Georgia Tech). This team can only get better.
Houston Rockets: Not a terrible move by Houston. Trevor Ariza is a fine player but he was overpaid in Houston and this allows them a little bit more wiggle room if they want to bring in a player mid-season. Courtney Lee has potential. Houston will have a good team next season. They didn't improve or get worse with this trade, but it helps them for the future.
