NBA Trade Deadline: 10 Players Who May Have a Bigger Impact Than Carmelo Anthony
With the Trade Deadline passing on Thursday, many stars and role players, such as Carmelo Anthony, Deron Williams and Kendrick Perkins, now have new homes. Carmelo's arrival to the Knicks has been long awaited, and accompanied with Amar'e Stoudemire, New York has a truly dynamic duo.
As the season progressed, hype surrounding Carmelo Anthony's future continued to increase as a contract extension was failed to be completed with Denver.
New York had wanted 'Melo all season, and quite frankly 'Melo wanted New York. Now that the Knicks have acquired Carmelo Anthony, expectations have sky-rocketed, with the organization now considered to be a serious championship threat by many.
But, will Carmelo Anthony indeed have the biggest impact out of all of the players moved at or around the 2011 NBA Trade Deadline?
With the reception Anthony received during his first game at the Garden it would seem almost impossible, however, player's such as Wilson Chandler and Devin Harris have already begun to make name's for themselves on their new teams.
The following players may eventually have a greater impact on their new team than Carmelo Anthony...
Derrick Favors, Utah Jazz
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Height: 6'10''
Weight: 246 pounds
Season Stats: 6.4 PPG, 5.2 RPG, and 0.7 BPG in 19.3 MPG
Stats (Since being acquired by new team):
2/25- @ Indiana Pacers: Six points, three rebounds and one block in 15 minutes.
2/26- @ Detroit Pistons: 10 points, two rebounds and one block in 16 minutes.
Derrick Favors is eventually expected to bloom into an NBA All-Star, but he's going to need to prove that he deserves more playing time first, because he barely averages 19 minutes per game. With more playing time Favors would be a much more effective player, and in Utah he may get that opportunity soon enough.
Mo Williams, Los Angeles Clippers
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Height: 6'1''
Weight: 195 pounds
Season Stats: 13.3 PPG, 7.1 APG, 2.7 RPG and 0.9 SPG in 29.6 MPG.
The Clippers definitely had to make some kind of move before the 2011 NBA Trade Deadline, but, departing with Baron Davis didn't seem like the right decision at first.
Davis and Blake Griffin have had pretty impressive chemistry, so its quite odd that they would decide to trade the 12-year veteran.
By bringing in Mo Williams, someone who has proven to be able to mesh well with a super star (LeBron James), the Clippers gain a point guard who may actually fit better with this team because of his ability to facilitate and score.
Wilson Chandler, Denver Nuggets
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Height: 6'8''
Weight: 225 pounds
Season Stats: 16.5 PPG, 5.9 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.4 BPG and 0.7 SPG in 34.4 MPG.
Stats (Since being acquired by new team):
2/24- Vs. Boston Celtics: 16 points, five rebounds, one block and one steal in 25 minutes.
2/25- @ Portland Trail Blazers: 20 points, six rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 36 minutes.
Although the Denver Nuggets lost a perennial All-Star and a top-10 caliber player in 'Melo, they did get some very solid players back in return. Perhaps the player with the most upside is Wilson Chandler.
He can score in volume and has a knack for creating his own shot. Perhaps Nuggets fan's will embrace Chandler and ownership will sign him to a long-term contract.
Devin Harris, Utah Jazz
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Height: 6'3''
Weight: 190 pounds
Season Stats: 15.0 PPG, 7.6 APG, 2.5 RPG and 1.0 SPG in 31.9 MPG.
Stats (Since being acquired by new team):
2/25- @ Indiana Pacers: 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists in 29 minutes.
2/26- @ Detroit Pistons: 17 points, 12 assists and two rebounds in 32 minutes.
Although Devin Harris is by no means as prolific a player as Deron Williams, he is still a very capable starting point guard in the NBA.
He can create off the dribble at a level close to Williams, and he also has a knack for setting up his teammates.
Having played with Robin Lopez in New Jersey, he knows how to feed the big guys, something Utah has a plethora of.
Danilo Gallinari, Denver Nuggets
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Height: 6'10''
Weight: 225 pounds
Season Stats: 15.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.7 APG and 0.8 SPG in 34.6 MPG.
Stats(Since being acquired by new team):
2/24- Vs. Boston Celtics: Two points, four rebounds, three blocks and two steals in 20 minutes.
2/25- @ Portland Trail Blazers: 30 points, nine rebounds, two assists and one block in 42 minutes.
Danilo Gallinari was another very capable wing player who came over in the blockbuster trade of Carmelo.
At 6'10'', he has incredible size for a small forward, and if need be, he can slide over to the power forward position. His versatility makes him so dangerous, and as he develops other parts of his game, he has the potential to become an elite level scorer.
His former head coach with the New York Knicks said that Gallinari has the best jumper he has ever seen. That is high praise coming from someone who coached Steve Nash in Phoenix.
Gerald Wallace, Portland Trail Blazers
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Height: 6'7''
Weight: 220 pounds
Season Stats: 15.5 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.0 BPG and 1.2 SPG in 38.8 MPG.
Stats (Since being acquired by new team):
2/27- Vs. Atlanta Hawks: Nine points, five rebounds, one assist, one block and two steals in 29 minutes.
Although Portland gave up some role players and future first round picks to acquire Wallace, there is no denying that he is a top-tier player.
He is more than just a scorer at the small forward position, and one could compare him to a mini LeBron James with his ability to fill up the stat sheet.
Look for Wallace to thrive on a very dangerous Portland team.
Kendrick Perkins, Oklahoma City Thunder
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Height: 6'10''
Weight: 280 pounds
Season Stats: 7.3 PPG, 8.1 RPG and 0.8 APG in 26.1 MPG.
Although Perkins has yet to play for the Thunder, he is a defensive force when he is playing.
One of the most underrated players in the league, Perkins was the anchor to the vaunted Celtics defense, and was one of the best help-defenders in the league.
Not only can he block shots and get rebounds with the best of them, but he has some legitimate post moves as well.
Baron Davis, Cleveland Cavaliers
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Height: 6'3''
Weight: 215 pounds
Season Stats: 12.8 PPG, 7.0 APG, 2.8 RPG and 1.4 SPG in 29.5 MPG.
Many people have been saying that Davis has nothing left in the tank, and that he an albatross to have on the roster, but he is still a great scorer and a very serviceable point guard.
Cleveland may have made traded Williams for Davis mainly for the first round pick that the Clippers included, but Davis will surprise people in Cleveland.
Deron Williams, New Jersey Nets
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Height: 6'3''
Weight: 209 pounds
Season Stats: 21.1 PPG, 9.9 APG, 3.9 RPG and 1.2 SPG in 37.9 MPG.
Stats (Since being acquired by new team):
2/25- @ San Antonio Spurs: 14 points, 12 assists, four rebounds, one block and one steal in 41 minutes.
2/26- @ Houston Rockets: 15 points, 17 assists, five rebounds and two steals in 37 minutes.
Although Williams has yet to sign an extension with the Nets, he is arguably the best point guard in the league.
He is taller and stronger than nearly every guard in the NBA, yet he is also quicker, smarter and has a better jump shot than most.
He is a fierce competitor, and his will power alone will lead to a very improved Nets team for the remainder of this season and into next year.
Chauncey Billups, New York Knicks
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Height: 6'3''
Weight: 202 pounds
Season Stats: 16.7 PPG, 5.4 APG, 2.6 RPG and 1.0 SPG in 32.3 MPG.
Stats (Since being acquired by new team):
2/23- Vs. Milwaukee Bucks: 21 points, eight assists, six rebounds and two steals in 33 minutes.
2/25- @ Cleveland Cavaliers: 26 points, eight assists and three rebounds in 29 minutes.
2/27- @ Miami Heat: 16 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals in 34 minutes.
A forgotten man in the mega-deal between the Knicks and Nuggets, Billups is a great floor general, amazing foul shot shooter and even at his advanced age, a top-tier point guard.
Billups is one of the best players in the NBA to have the ball in the closing seconds of a close game because of his knack for hitting big shots, ability to create for teammates and his experienced savvy play.
