NBA Trade Deadline: 10 Bold Predictions For February 24th
The NBA trade deadline is getting closer and closer. Nothing shocking has happened yet, but I believe there will be a lot of big moves.
The most drama is surrounding Carmelo Anthony and what the Nuggets decide to do with him. There are also some other big names that are on the trading block such as Steve Nash, Antawn Jamison, Stephen Curry, O.J. Mayo, and so on.
Here's my top ten bold predictions of this years exciting trade deadline.
Antawn Jamison Sent To Orlando
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Antawn Jamison came over to the Cavs last season from Washington in hopes for a Cleveland Championship run. That didn't happen.
Jamison has said he always wanted to win and he was happy when he was sent to Cleveland because he had a good chance of winning. That's when they had LeBron, of course. Now that LeBron has left Cleveland, Jamison is stuck on another losing team.
He has been linked to trade rumors this year. The Magic make sense for Jamison. The Magic are a serious contender in the east, but I think there's one piece missing which is height in their starting lineup. Orlando does not have a lot of size and this is where Jamison comes into the mix. Jamison is a great scorer who plays aggressive defense. He can be a real help to the Magic come playoff time.
My prediction:
Orlando receives: Antawn Jamison
Cleveland receives: Ryan Anderson, future first round pick from Orlando
Lakers Trade For Gerald Wallace
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Gerald Wallace is another player who might be on the move. The Lakers would be a good fit.
The Lakers aren't as good as they were the past two years when they won back-to-back championships and the front office might start to panic. Gerald Wallace would be a huge help to the Lakers and they would have a great chance of getting back to the finals.
The Lakers will most likely move Ron Artest. It's been reported that he wants out of L.A. and the Lakers will look to trade him.
My prediction:
Lakers receive: Gerald Wallace
Bobcats receive: Ron Artest, first or second round pick from L.A.
Steve Nash Heads To Atlanta In a Big Deal
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It looks like Steve Nash's time in Phoenix might be coming to an end.
There have been rumors that he will be traded for pretty much the whole season. The only question is to who?
The Mavericks seem to be interested and so does Atlanta. I never understood why the Mavs would be interested if they have Jason Kidd running the point. It doesn't make sense to me. Atlanta seems like the best fit for Nash. I think this deal would wind up being a big trade since Jamal Crawford might be on the move as well.
My prediction:
Hawks receive: Steve Nash, Grant Hill
Suns receive: Mike Bibby, Jamal Crawford
Knicks Make a Trade For a Big Man
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The Knicks desperately need a big man who can play good defense. If the Knicks can get a decent big man, I think they can give a team a very hard time in the first round of the playoffs and keep the series close. Here's some good possibilities for the Knicks:
1. DeAndre Jordan - Los Angeles Clippers
2. Marc Gasol - Memphis Grizzlies
3. Robin Lopez - Pheonix Suns
4. Javale McGee - Washington Wizards
5. Chris Kaman - Los Angeles Clippers
Regardless if the Knicks get Carmelo Anthony or not, I think they will definitely make a trade for a center.
O.J. Mayo Lands In Houston
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O.J. Mayo's time with the Grizzlies will most likely come to an end this season. He's been linked to trade rumors all year. The Houston Rockets make sense.
The Rockets are hoping to be a possible destination for Carmelo Anthony, but if that doesn't happen, O.J. Mayo can provide the Rockets with a little hope. Mayo is a great scoring guard and would be a good fit in Houston. Here's my prediction:
Rockets receive: O.J. Mayo
Grizzlies receive: Courtney Lee, second round pick from Houston
The Nets Part Ways With Devin Harris
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Devin Harris is unhappy in New Jersey and I don't blame him. However, it would be different if the Nets got Carmelo Anthony, but that looks unlikely now.
The Portland Trailblazers are in a tough western conference and are fighting for a playoff spot. The veteran point guard Andre Miller would be a nice replacement for Harris. Harris would make the Blazers a better team.
I don't think this would be a straight up deal. Marcus Camby and Troy Murphy have also been linked to trade rumors and they could be involved in this deal also. Here's my prediction:
Nets receive: Andre Miller, Marcus Camby
Blazers receive: Devin Harris, Troy Murphy
The Knicks Acquire Ramon Sessions From Cleveland
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Another big struggle for the Knicks is the lack of a back up point guard. Ramon Sessions would be a great fit in New York.
Raymond Felton has played a majority of the minutes at the point guard position this year. I believe he's averaging up to 35 minutes per game. Come playoff time, Raymond Felton will be exhausted, and that means the Knicks lose strength. Ramon Sessions is a very solid point guard and could help the Knicks a lot. My prediction:
Knicks receive: Ramon Sessions
Cavaliers receive: Toney Douglas, Kelenna Azubuike
Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry Stay Put
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The Warriors are not that bad of a team talent wise. They do have a very talented starting lineup which includes Stephen Curry, Monta Ellis, Dorell Wright, David Lee and Andres Biedrins. I think this could be a playoff team next year if they have a good off season.
Ellis and Curry have both been involved in trade rumors this season, but I doubt they get sent anywhere. Maybe Ellis or Curry could be involved in a Carmelo Anthony deal, but I doubt it.
However, the Warriors could be moving Dorell Wright instead of Ellis or Curry, which I think is more likely.
Andre Iguodala Stays In Philly
9 of 10
Earlier this season, it seemed as if Andre Iguodala was definitely going to be traded. About a month ago, there were rumors that he could be part of a Carmelo Anthony deal that would have sent Iguodala to Denver, but those talks didn't go anywhere. Philadelphia is in a playoff race and they need Iguodala if they are going to have any success.
The Sixers have a bright future and I think they hold on to Iguodala this season or maybe even next season as well. However, if the Sixers don't do anything special in the playoffs, don't rule out the possibility of Philly trading him during the off season.
Carmelo Anthony Finally Gets His Wish and Heads To New York
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Were you expecting this to be the last slide? Probably, and that's because Carmelo Anthony is the only subject that everyone has been talking about this whole season.
His dream is to play for the Knicks and I think this deal gets done minutes before the deadline ends.
There's two scenarios that can happen in this deal. The first scenario is that the Nuggets ask for a cheaper price from the Knicks so they get atleast something in return for 'Melo rather than nothing. The second scenario is that the Knicks get scared that 'Melo signs elsewhere during the offseason and they trade three starters and a first round pick to Denver in return for 'Melo.
Personally, I think the Nuggets will wind up asking for a cheaper price. Donnie Walsh has made it clear that he's not trading Chandler, Fields and Gallinari all for 'Melo. Here's my prediction:
Knicks receive: Carmelo Anthony
Denver receives: Wilson Chandler, Anthony Randolph, Eddy Curry, and two future first round picks
This deal finally gets done.
