NBA Trades: Grading Baron Davis To Cavs and the 10 Biggest Deals So Far
The NBA trade deadline ends today and we could still have a few more trades. Several teams are still in talks with other clubs seeing what they can do to improve their team in the second half of the season.
After the Carmelo Anthony trade we saw several deals in response. But how do they all stack up? Which teams made the right moves, and which ones made quick panic moves?
Here are the 10 biggest trades so far this season and my grade for each.
10. Kosta Koufos to Denver
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Minnesota trades Kosta Koufos to Denver for a 2015 unprotected second round pick.
Denver: C+
In this late addition to the Carmelo Anthony trade, Denver gets a seven footer that doesn't really do much. He's only 21 so perhaps Denver thinks he can grow into a better player. Don't expect Koufos to play much.
Minnesota: B+
You gotta hand it to David Kahn here in getting rid of a poor playing big man. Koufos averages eight minutes, two points and two and half rebounds per game. The Timberwolves get a future draft pick for a scrub player. With the addition of Anthony Randolph, Minnesota had no need for Koufos.
9. Troy Murphy to Golden State
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New Jersey trades Troy Murphy and a 2012 second round pick to Golden State for Brandan Wright and Dan Gadzuric
New Jersey: B
The Nets are getting two bigs that hopefully can improve their game with Deron Williams at the point. New Jersey has been trying to move Murphy for awhile now and finally he's out the door.
Golden State: B+
This is nothing more than a payroll move, and a smart one at that. Murphy's contract will more than likely be bought out soon and he'll find a new home in Boston or Miami. The Warriors save a good deal of money here and pick up another draft pick, which they could potentially use as trade bait if they wanted to.
8. Three Team Trade Between New Jersey, Los Angeles and Houston
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On December 15, 2010, New Jersey acquired Sasha Vujacic and a 2011 first-round draft pick from the Los Angeles Lakers and a 2012 first-round draft pick from Houston. The Nets sent Joe Smith and two second-round draft picks to Los Angeles and guard Terrence Williams to Houston.
New Jersey: B+
Vujacic has played well for the Nets averaging 11 points off the bench. The Nets got a solid guard in him and picked up additional first rounders. They eventually traded one of them away. Getting rid of the second rounders and Williams doesn't hurt them all that bad.
LA Lakers: B-
They shipped out Vujacic to save money and picked up two second round picks. Not a bad deal, but not a great one either.
Houston: C-
The Rockets gave up a 2012 first rounder for Terrance Williams. Not a very smart move since he's done nothing for Houston. Granted he's been out and Houston could have never predicted that, but even if he was playing he wouldn't be contributing all that much.
7. James Johnson to the Raptors
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Chicago trades James Johnson to the Toronto Raptors for a 2011 first round draft pick.
Chicago: B+
This is a smart move for Chicago as it frees up cap space and they get a first round pick. The pick is likely to be a late first rounder because it belongs to the Miami Heat. The Raptors acquired it in the Chris Bosh sign-and-trade. This will give Chicago two picks towards the end of the first round. It's also a possibility this pick will be used for a trade as the Bulls need help at shooting guard.
Toronto: C
The Raptors get a small forward that could play a good bit and gave up a first round pick that never belonged to them. Toronto hopes Johnson can find his groove, play better and not turn the ball over. He was the No. 16 pick in the 2009 draft and has yet to do much in the NBA.
6. Kirk Hinrich to the Hawks
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Atlanta trades Mike Bibby, Maurice Evans, Jordan Crawford and a 2011 first round draft pick to Washington for Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong.
Atlanta: C+
The Hawks get an upgrade at the point position in Hinrich, and a scrub bench player in Armstrong. Atlanta would have rather had someone such as Devin Harris or Raymond Felton, but they'll settle for Hinrich instead. He is playing better than Bibby, but is only two years younger.
As a Hawks fan (and a Hinrich fan) I like this move, but Atlanta gave up a little too much here. Was the draft pick really needed here? I like Hinrich, but he isn't worth that much. It's also sad to see Crawford go because he had solid potential. Plus he dunked on LeBron.
Washington: B+
Washington saves some money by getting rid of Hinrich. They get another veteran point guard that could help mold John Wall into a better player. The addition of Crawford is nice and they hope he can be a part of their future. This trade is a good rebuilding move. It's possibly Bibby and Evans contract could get bought out.
5. Baron Davis to Cleveland
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Los Angeles trades Baron Davis and a 2011 first round draft pick to Cleveland for Mo Williams and Jamario Moon
Los Angeles: B+
The Clippers will free up some cap space by getting rid of Davis. He is owed $28 million over the next two years. Los Angeles gets another over paid point guard in Mo Williams, but he will definitely step up his game playing with Blake Griffin. Jamario Moon's contract expires at the end of the season which is nice for the Clippers. They give up a first round pick, but that's okay because this draft is not very strong.
Cleveland: A-
The Cavs take a huge step towards the rebuilding mode. Davis will not be happy about this as he was just starting to enjoy playing again because of the electrifying game of Griffin. If he is motivated to play for Cleveland, which will be very difficult, than things will be alright. However Davis could get really mad here and refuse to play, which would decrease this grade big time.
The big pick up here is ditching Williams and gaining an unprotected pick. Cleveland will now have two lottery picks with which they can rebuild their team around. It may be a weak draft but Cleveland needs all the help they can get.
4. Carl Landry to New Orleans
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Sacramento trades Carl Landry to New Orleans for Marcus Thronton and cash considerations.
Sacramento: B-
The Kings did well here in getting rid of Landry. His contract expires this season and it was very likely he would not be returning to Sacramento. I mean would you go back there? Yeah, I didn't think so.
Thronton is a solid player that can score. His contract also expires this year, but he is a restricted free agent which will make it a little easier for the Kings to bring him back. Sacramento also gets a fat paycheck here, which is always nice.
New Orleans: A-
The Hornets are doing their part to keep Chris Paul and David West on their team. Adding Landry gives them another player to help the team, as well as satisfying their top two players. Landry can come off the bench and dominate the post. Since Landry's contract is up after this season one would think New Orleans will try to keep him around to continue their hopes for a title.
3. Three Team Trade Between Orlando, Phoenix and Washington
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Three team trade that sent Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat and Mickael Pietrus to Phoenix, Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu, Gilbert Arenas and Earl Clark to Orlando and Rashard Lewis to Washington.
Orlando: A
The first big trade of the year has worked out well for the Magic. Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson and Hedo Turkoglu are playing really well in Orlando. It's a big part of why this team is fourth in the Eastern Conference.
Phoenix: B
The Suns are two games out of eighth place in the Western Conference. This deal has been a pretty decent move. Vince Carter and Steve Nash are a solid tandem, and Gortat is playing really well off the bench. However this deal just made them older, and you have to wonder how long will Vince be on this team.
Washington: C+
They got rid of troubled Gilbert Arenas which is a solid move for them. However Rashard Lewis is very over rated and when he was playing he wasn't contributing all that much for the struggling Wizards.
2. Deron Williams to the Nets
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Utah trades Deron Williams to the New Jersey Nets for Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, two first round draft picks and cash considerations.
Utah: B+
It's hard to give Utah an A here because they give up one of if not the best point guard in the league. Williams wasn't too happy there and there was speculation that he wouldn't re-sign when his contract was up in 2012. The Jazz decided to not mess around anymore and get something for him now.
They picked up two young players with great potential. Utah also gets two first round picks plus they have their own first rounder. The Jazz are now in a rebuilding mode, and have two young players to build a new team around.
New Jersey: C+
The Nets get arguably the best point guard in the league. However they gave up a whole bunch to get him. This grade has the potential to get better if the Nets can bring in players to surround Williams with. Only time will tell on that. For now, the Nets get a tremendous player, but it isn't enough to make this team better immediately.
1. The Carmelo Anthony Mega Trade
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Denver trades Carmelo Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter and Renaldo Balkman to the Knicks for Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov, a first-round draft pick (2014 or later) and cash. Knicks also send Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry to Minnesota for Corey Brewer.
Denver: B
The Nuggets knew Carmelo wasn't going to return to Denver. They did what they had to do and sent him packing to the team he wanted to go to.
The Nuggets played the Knicks and stole some solid young talent away from New York. They still have time to move some of these players around. Ty Lawson's game is improving which means Felton could be on the move. There were also rumors that Denver would be trading Gallinari, but I don't believe that will happen. Denver picked up some great young talent and now begins a rebuilding process.
New York: C+
The Knicks get one of the best players in the league in Carmelo Anthony as well as the clutch Chauncey Billups. The other players are nothing but scrubs as they're averaging less than 10 points combined.
The Knicks lost several young players in exchange for two solid players. They also give up Anthony Randolph who had a lot of potential. This grade can improve if they bring in a third star in the future. But for now it stays here because New York lost a lot of depth.
Minnesota: B+
The Timberwolves jumped in to make this whole deal possible. They get the expiring contract of Eddy Curry and a potential star in Anthony Randolph. They give up Brewer who is a good role player at best.
