NBA Trade Deadline: Recap, Analysis & Edge For All 13 Deals
The 2011 NBA Trade Deadline has come and gone, and a total of 13 deals took place before the 3 p.m. deadline. Of course, it could have been 14, but the Indiana Pacers and Memphis Grizzlies could not beat the buzzer in a deal that would have sent O.J. Mayo to the Pacers for Josh McRoberts and a first round pick.
Some of these deals will pay dividends for a handful of teams immediately. Other deals will benefit teams after some of the players involved mature and grow in their new surroundings.
Some deals will be scrutinized for a long time, as those will be the ones that will cause owners and fans to scratch their heads in confusion and disappointment.
Take a look at all 13 deals that went down before the deadline, and you can break down for yourself who you feel got the better end of each move.
If you are lazy, just feel free to read who I gave the edge to in every trade. I have made it as simple as possible.
13. Bulls Ship James Johnson Across The Border
1 of 13
Chicago Bulls Get: 2011 1st Round Draft Pick (Miami's 2011 first-round pick (which Raptors acquired in Chris Bosh sign-and-trade)
Toronto Raptors Get: Forward James Johnson
The Raptors have coveted Johnson since the 2009 Draft, when he was coming out of Wake Forest. He did not receive a lot of playing time in Chicago, but he could earn more playing time with the lowly Raptors.
The Bulls will end up getting a decent draft pick from Toronto, although since it is coming from the Heat, look for it to be in the lower 20's.
EDGE: Bulls - This move will clear a roster spot and add a draft pick. It is unknown what kind of player Johnson will turn out to be in the NBA.
12. Troy Murphy Finally Gets Dealt Out Of New Jersey
2 of 13
Golden State Warriors Get: Center Dan Gadzuric and Forward Brandan Wright
New Jersey Nets Get: Forward Troy Murphy and Nets' 2012 second-round Draft Pick
The Nets have been trying to unload the unhappy Murphy for quite some time, and finally found a taker in the Warriors. Murphy, however, may not want to unpack his bags, as he is expected to be bought out by Golden State and join a contender.
The Nets get some frontcourt depth, but more importantly, will clear some cap space after this season. Gadzuric never truly panned out, and Wright would have benefit had he stayed more than one year at the University of North Carolina.
EDGE: Murphy - He will get to join a better team and will hope to help out a contender. Following the moves they made today, I expect Murphy to join the Boston Celtics when he is eligible.
11. The Hawks Give Up More Than Expected To Unload Mike Bibby
3 of 13
Atlanta Hawks Get: Guard Kirk Hinrich and Center Hilton Armstrong
Washington Wizards Get: Guard Mike Bibby, Guard Jordan Crawford, Forward Maurice Evans and Atlanta's 1st Round Draft Pick
Both Hinrich's and Bibby's contract expire at the end of the season. Hinrich joins one of the better starting lineups he has ever played for, while Bibby will most likely back up John Wall in Washington. He remains a candidate to also be bought out and join a contender.
Overall, the Hawks had to give up a lot to get Hinrich, but they are very happy with their returns.
EDGE: Hawks - The top point guards are about a wash, but I like what the role players could do for the Wizards in the long run.
10. The Hornets Buil Their Depth Up Front.
4 of 13
New Orleans Hornets Get: Forward Carl Landry
Sacramento Kings Get: Guard Marcus Thornton and cash considerations
Landry is a power forward who can score for many different spots on the floor, which is a big boost to their offense. He will be an instant upgrade in the frontcourt.
Unfortunately for the Hornets, they gave up one of their better scoring options, who could have been an option to see more minutes when Chris Paul departs via free agency or trade by 2012.
EDGE: Kings - Sacramento gets a proven scorer, while Landry may depart after this season. This is not likely a move that will help persuade Paul to stay, unless they made this move to clear some cap space.
9. Baron Davis Goes From Bad To Worse
5 of 13
Cleveland Cavaliers Get: Guard Baron Davis and 2011 first-round Draft Pick
Los Angeles Clippers Get: Guard Mo Williams and Forward Jamario Moon
Baron Davis goes from bad to worst by leaving the Clippers for the Cavaliers. He also no longer gets to throw ally-oop passes to Blake Griffin.
Cleveland gives up a pair of players who should be backups on most teams while also adding a first-round pick that ought to be decent.
EDGE: Cavaliers - It has been quite some time since this franchise mad a decent move. This certainly qualifies.
8. Mohammed Joins a Contender
6 of 13
Oklahoma City Thunder Get: Center Nazr Mohammed
Charlotte Bobcats Get: Guard Morris Peterson and Forward D.J. White
The Thunder have needed a few more big bodied defenders inside. Mohammed should fit the bill in a reserve role.
Peterson has an expiring contract, while White never developed into the player many thought he would coming out of Indiana.
EDGE: Thunder - This helps them immediately.
7. Celtics Ship Off Frontcourt Reserves
7 of 13
Boston Celtics Get: 2013 second-round Draft Pick
Cleveland Cavaliers Get: Center Semih Erden and Forward Luke Harangody
Both of these big men were buried on the Celtics' bench, although Erden showed some flashes of brilliance, especially in the preseason. Harangody needs more time to develop, but was an excellent scoring option at Notre Dame.
The Cavaliers are simply giving up a second-round draft pick two years from now, but it could still be almost like a first-rounder the way the Cavs are headed.
EDGE: Celtics - Not just for this move, but because this may be clearing cap and roster space for Troy Murphy or another big body inside.
6. Aaron Brooks Heads To The Desert
8 of 13
Phoenix Suns Get: Guard Aaron Brooks
Houston Rockets Get: Guard Goran Dragic and a future first-round Draft Pick
The Suns get another scoring option in Brooks, who was started to fall out of favor in Houston. If he can mature, he could be a nice source of points.
The Rockets get Dragic, who still needs some time to develop. He will get that chance with the Rockets, while adding a future first round draft choice will not hurt either.
EDGE: Push - I'm not sure how much this helps either team right now, or in the future.
5. Trailblazers Prove They Are In It To Win It Now
9 of 13
Portland Trailblazers Get: Forward Gerald Wallace
Charlotte Bobcats Get: Forward Joel Pryzbilla, Forward Dante Cunningham and two future first-round Draft Picks
Portland has been blazing hot in the west as of late, and the addition of Wallace could be very big. Adding another big scoring option to a loaded team makes them much more dangerous.
The Bobcats continue to look to the future, but things still do not look too bright for Michael Jordan in Carolina.
EDGE: Trailblazers - They are in it to win it right now, and while they still have four or five teams ahead of them in the west, they are now a force to reckon with in the playoffs, especially if Brandon Roy can come back healthy.
4. Battier Returns To Memphis
10 of 13
Memphis Grizzlies Get: Forward Shane Battier and Guard Ish Smith
Houston Rockets Get: Center Hasheem Thabeet and a future first-round Draft Pick
Battier gives the Grizzlies a great defender and decent scoring option, plus a player who is familiar with the team and system. Smith also has some potential.
The Rockets get one of the biggest projects who they are hoping will not go down as one of the biggest busts in recent history. Thabeet may have just needed a change of scenery, or he may never pan out in the NBA.
EDGE: Grizzlies - Battier brings some leadership to this team, while Thabeet brings a big body on the bench. It could come down to the draft pick down the line.
3. The Thunder Get Exactly Waht They Need Inside Defensively
11 of 13
Oklahoma City Thunder Get: Center Kendrick Perkins and Guard Nate Robinson
Boston Celtics Get: Forward Jeff Green and Center Nenad Krstic
The Thunder have been in dire need of a big man who can play defense. They finally get their man in Perkins, provided he can stay healthy. Robinson brings some depth and energy to the bench, as long as he can learn his role.
Green will return to the team who drafted him, although he never suited up for Boston as he was traded for Ray Allen on Draft night in 2007. Green can score, but he does not have the size to guard other power forwards, which he insists is his position. In Boston, he will most likely back up Paul Pierce.
EDGE: Thunder - If this move is about right now, which it must be because every contract besides Robinson's is up after this season, it has to favor Oklahoma City. It is a bit of a head scratcher for both, but more so for Boston. Trading Perkins away weakens them against teams such as the Los Angeles Lakers. Maybe they know a few things that we do not right now.
2. The New Jersey Nets Make a Big Move, But Not For Who We Thought
12 of 13
New Jersey Nets Get: Guard Deron Williams
Utah Jazz Get: Guard Devin Harris, Forward Derrick Favors and two first-round Draft Picks
The Nets finally made the big splash they were hoping for for over a season now, but is it the right one? Williams is an elite point guard, but will they be able to surround him with enough talent necessary to keep him long term?
The Jazz are not completely blowing up their roster, but they did trade away their best player. Thankfully for them, they got some very solid players in return.
EDGE: Jazz - I know many people will disagree with me on this one, but I see Favors as being a player who you can build your team around. They do have Al Jefferson already, but Favors may be more athletic. Plus, I really don't see Williams staying in New Jersey/Brooklyn past 2012.
1. Carmelo Finally Gets His Wish
13 of 13
New York Knicks Get: Forward Carmelo Anthony, Guard Chauncey Billups, Center Shelden Williams, Forward Renaldo Balkman, Guard Anthony Carter and Guard Corey Brewer
Denver Nuggets Get: Guard Raymond Felton, Forward Danilo Gallinari, Forward Wilson Chandler, Center Timofey Mozgov, 2014 first-round Draft Pick, 2012 and 2013 second-round Draft Picks, Center Kosta Koufos and $3 million
Minnesota Timberwolves Get: Center Eddy Curry, Forward Anthony Randolph, $3 million and 2015 second-round Draft Pick
You know all about this saga by now. Do you really need any more analysis? Just skip to the edge.
EDGE: Knicks - I really do like what the Nuggets got in return, but the Knicks come out of this one on top. Look for them to parlay this into signing or acquiring Chris Paul sooner rather than later. Deron Wiiliams could also be a fit after 2012.
