NBA Offseason Moves: Which Deal Is Looking The Best So Far?
This past summer consisted of plenty acquisitions that changed the dynamic of teams in both the Eastern and Western Conference. Elton Brand, Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest are just three players that now sport new threads this season.
Brand was expected to fill the void down low for Philadelphia, O'Neal was added firepower in the paint to complement Chris Bosh and Artest is expected to make Houston legit title contenders. But so far, neither player's team is living up to preseason expectations.
While we may have expected one of the three players mentioned above to be the best offseason deal, neither have come close to Cleveland's new prize possession: Mo Williams.
With all of that out the way, it's time to break out the grade book and review what the players have done so far. And since the big Pistons-Nuggets trade happened just one week into the season, why not take a peek a that one as well.
The Cavaliers' hot start is giving everyone in Cleveland a reason to smile. Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images
Acquisition: Mo Williams (via trade from Milwaukee)
Grade So Far: A-
Cleveland might have gotten a steal by only giving up Damon Jones and Joe Smith in exchange for Williams. Aside from the Celtics, Cleveland now looks like most dangerous team in the East.
Of course we know what LeBron is capable of doing, but the Williams deal seems to be paying off so far. Williams is averaging 15.8 PPG and is shooting 45 percent from the field.
The Cavs have started this season been on a roll, winning 17 of their first 20 games. And according to John Hollinger, the Celtics and Lakers aren't the only team that has a shot at winning 70 games this season.
Milwaukee Bucks
Acquisition: Richard Jefferson (via trade from New Jersey)
Grade So Far: B-
While New Jersey is dumping salaries to enter the LeBron James sweepstakes in 2010, it seemed Michael Redd finally received the sidekick he has been looking for in Jefferson. But instead the Bucks are off to a 9-12 start and Redd has only played seven games.
Jefferson, however, is doing his usual damage averaging 19 PPG. But his team record is prevented him from getting a higher grade.
Brand is averaging 16 points and 10 rebounds so far this season. Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images
Acquisition: Elton Brand (via free agency)
Grade So Far: B-
Philly's 9-12 start isn't exactly what most expected from them. It's still very early though. Brand missed all but eight games last season, and looks like he is back to form.
Brand was brought in to fill the void in the paint for Philly and back up Samuel Dalembert. Of course Dalembert's numbers were going to fall with the arrival of Brand, but he is averaging eight RPG, shooting 47 percent from the field and is still a shot-blocking presence down low.
But they are missing a good outside shooter. Can anyone say Kyle Korver?
Being that it is only December, the Sixers are one team you do not want to sleep on just yet.
Toronto Raptors
Acquisition: Jermaine O'Neal (via trade from Indiana)
Grade So Far: C
So far, my Eastern Conference darkhorse is looking pretty mediocre. All except Chris Bosh and Jose Calderon of course. Meanwhile, O'Neal's numbers are way down from what we are used to be in Indiana. That said, O'Neal is no longer the player he was four or five years ago.
J.O. is averaging a career-low 12.2 PPG, the least of amount of points he's averaged since his first year in Indiana where he became a full-time starter.
The Raptors are off to an 8-10, and have already handed the walking papers to their head coach Sam Mitchell. The only bright spots for Toronto so far has been play of both Bosh and Calderon.
Acquisition: Ron Artest (via trade from Sacramento)
Grade So Far: A-
Artest was hands down the best move during the offseason. At times the Rockets have looked unstoppable, while the other times you wonder just what the heck the Rockets were doing.
The trio of Artest, Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady looked formidable until McGrady suffered a knee injury that will set him back for about a month. McGrady and Yao's numbers have fallen from the norm, but with Artest there it was bound to happen.
Houston is off to a 13-7 and is on top of the Southwest Division so far.
Golden State Warriors
Acquisition: Corey Maggette (via free agency),
Grade So Far: B
With Baron Davis now a Los Angeles Clipper and Monta Ellis out for long period of time due to the moped accident, the Warriors' expectations were quickly tossed out the window. But Maggette has played great, averaging close to 20 PPG so far.
Only thing is, Golden State has a dismal 5-15 record that includes nine straight losses. Maggette's individual performance gets an A, but his team performance knocks him down a letter grade.
The Clippers could be a surprise team down the road if Randolph fits in well with Davis and Co. Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images
Acquisition: Baron Davis (via free agency), Marcus Camby (via trade from Denver)
Both guys have done their jobs well in L.A., but the Clippers are sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference. Camby is still the shot-blocking, double-double machine we've grown to know, and Davis is staying healthy while putting up 17 points and eight assists per night.
The Clippers are 4-16 so far, but could rise in the standings with the addition of Zach Randolph--who was acquired last month for Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas.
New Orleans Hornets
Acquisition: James Posey (via free agency)
Grade So Far: A-
None of the things that Posey does right this season will show up in the box score. Two things that will show, however, are his point total and his amazing 44 percent shooting from long range.
New Orleans now has a good outside shooter and on-one-one defender in Posey, which can make the Hornets more dangerous than they were last season. Posey's Hornets are off to an 11-6 start, and Chris Paul has handed out at least 10 assists in all but three games this year while averaging 20 points.
Biggest Trade of the Year So Far: Allen Iverson and Chauncey Billups swap teams
It has been the biggest trade of the year so far, and it probably will stay that way the rest of the season unless Kobe or LeBron gets dealt away, and that's not happening. The Iverson-Billups swap wasn't an offseason move, but since it happened so early in the season, it was only right to throw it into the mix.
The Denver Nuggets didn't look like a convincing playoff team even with the duo of Iverson and Carmelo Anthony. With just one week within the season--Iverson was shipped to Detroit for Billups, and both teams have went in different directions since.
Denver is now 14-7 and is tied with Portland for the third best record in the Western Conference. Billups has been a huge difference maker in Denver, and Kenyon Martin and Nene have looked a lot better since the arrival of Mr. Big Shot.
It's a different story for Iverson in Detroit however. While Iverson is getting his points, Richard Hamilton's point production has fallen and Tayshaun Prince's has gone up. It's clear to say that the Pistons aren't the same team they have been the last few years, and it's definitely safe to say that the Pistons are no longer serious contenders in the East. Even with Iverson on board.
Michael Whittenberg is one of two NBA Community Leaders and the Charlotte Bobcats Community Leader for bleacherreport.com.
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