Before I could even finish my series of NBA year ender stories, the first wave of off season moves began, and what wave it has been. I thought it would be nice to grade these trades, to see how the teams involved will fare in the future.
Major Trade Number 1: The Shaq Trade
Cleveland gets: Shaquille O'Neal
Phoenix gets: Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic
This trade had been in the works last season and after the Magic's domination of the Cavs, I'm sure the Cavs wished this trade happened last year. In any case, the Cavs finally get a big and tough center to match up with Dwight Howard and a shot blocking defensive presence. On first look, this looks great for the Cavs, but I have my doubts about this. Shaq demands a lot of attention and ball possessions, most of which were given to reigning MVP Lebron James. Unless Shaq finally learns to match his demand for attention with his diminishing skills, there might be a little iffyness in the team chemistry department. Another issue would be Shaq's health. Will he be healthy enough to actually make a difference for the Cavs? In any case, what the Cavs have going for them is that Shaq will most likely be motivated and they can rest assured Shaq will give his best effort, if only so that Shaq can beat Kobe's team and Shaq can have more titles than Kobe again. By giving up very little (Wallace and Pavlovic were useless in the playoffs anyway), the Cavs deserve an A for this.
For the Suns, this isn't GM Steve Kerr's way of helping his friend, Cleveland GM Danny Ferry. It was mostly a cost-cutting move to help the Suns avoid paying huge luxury taxes. The move saved them a total of about 10 million dollars now, and if Wallace retires and agrees to a buyout, they save even more. I think Kerr has recognized the need for the Suns to finally rebuild (about two years to late I think), and if they also successfully trade away Amare Stoudamire to Golden State for Setphen Curry and Andris Biedrins, the Suns would be able to rebuild, save money and still entertain fans. They get a C from me, a B+ if they complete the Amare deal.
Major Trade 2: The VC Homecoming
New Jersey Nets get: Courtney Lee, Rafer Alston and Tony Battie
Orlando Magic get Vince Carter and Ryan Anderson
I find this trade as actually the most significant trade of the Eastern Conference. Once again, the Magic are looking to outdo the Cavaliers, this time in the trade arena. While many question VC's heart and health, he has been pretty solid for the Nets for the past two seasons, missing fewer games and playing better team ball all around. He will give the Magic a scoring threat that can create his own shot while still giving Magic the three point threat they always have on court. While much has been said of Carter's inability to win, he has never been on a contending team as well built as the Magic. This, along with the fact that Carter is an Orlando native, could spur him to actually bring a lot more effort to his game. Meanwhile, Ryan Anderson will get his chance to develop behind the Magic's athletic forwards, and he may turn out to be more than a trade throw-in. Lastly, having VC around gives the Magic a little leverage to negotiate with free agent Hedo Turkoglo. Now that the Magic have a new forward, they won't be tempted to over pay the Turkish native, but still have a chance to resign him, since GM Otis SMith said they are willing to pay luxury taxes. Overall, this trade is good one for the Magic, a strong commitment to winning for the next two to three years. A solid B+ (A if Turkoglo re signs with the Magic).
The Nets have been letting go of expensive parts for years, first with Kenyon Martin, then Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson and now Vince Carter. Instead of a straight salary dump a la Phoenix, the Nets actually get some quality players. Courtney Lee gives them a starting quality shooting guard at a much cheaper price while officially turning the team over to All Star guard Devin Harris. Meanwhile, the veterans Rafer Alston and Tony Battie both give them not only vetera minutes of the bench, but also expiring contracts, which is still in line with their plans to bring in owner Jay-Z's best buddy Lebron James in 2010. Overall, a great move by GM Rod Thorn, and also a solid B+.
Major Trade 3: The San Antonio Resurrection
San Antonio Spurs get: Richard Jefferson
Milwaukee Bucks get: Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas and Fabricio Oberto (later traded for Amir Johnson)
The Spurs' Tim Duncan era is about to come to a close, so Gregg Popovich and co. figure to give it one more go. Adding Richard Jefferson to one of the NBA's oldest superstar trios is a much needed shot in the arm. Jefferson gives them a cushion against injuries that will likely hit one or all of their big three of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker-Longoria, while sacrificing very little. Bowen has long been past useful, while Thomas and Oberto might actually be bought out and come back to them. Overall, this was quite a steal for the Spurs and there is (literally) a spring in the step of the Spurs. They deserve an A.
The Bucks have long been known as a small market team and so paying the luxury tax is not really ideal for them. The move saves them a ton of money, but they received practically nothing in return. While saving money will enable them to re sign their "important" free agents, you have to wonder if signing Ramon Sessions and Charlie Villanueva was actually so important they gave away a former All Star for well, two grandfathers and one who plays like one. Last year, they couldn't make the playoffs and Jefferson was their only stud, so Coach Scott Skiles has his work cut out for him next season. This move was a total head scratcher, a D.
Major Trade 4: Atlanta Loads Up
Atlanta Hawks get: Jamal Crawford
Golden State Warriors get: Speedy Claxton and Acie Law IV
The Hawks had a second straight successful season but they need to add more to their roster. While re signing Mike Bibby is one of their priorities this summer, they went ahead and got more help at guard. Crawford will provide solid play for both guard positions. This ensures that if Bibby leaves, it won't be a total disaster for them. Meanwhile, Crawford gives them a player who has an unmitigated desire to shoot, which will help them avoid those weird offensive plays that went nowhere because no one would shoot. It also gives them more leverage to try to sign Bibby to a more reasonable price. What's best is that they gave away practically nothing. A solid B+ for the Hawks.
Golden State has had a lot of turmoil in the front office as well as with the players and coaches, so weird trades is not a surprise. Barely a few months after aggressively acquiring Jamal Crawford in a trade, Coach Don Nelson couldn't wait to throw him away. Throw is the right word as they basically got an aging, barely-used point guard (Claxton) and an official draft bust (Law). What makes the move an even bigger head scratcher is that they just committed to signing Monta Ellis to a long term contract and they also picked up Stephen Curry (another point guard) in the draft. Add to this the signing of mercurial guard Stephen Jackson and Corey Maggete to long term deals last year, and you can see the Warriors' front office has been slugging back too much alcohol. They should have let former GM do his job, instead of bypassing him last year. Obviously, either the Warriors know something we don't or they don't know anything. In any case, they deserve a "D."
Watch out for more NBA trades and their grades in the coming weeks.
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