Best Moves
1) Cleveland’s Four player Swap bringing in Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, Wally Sczerbiak, Delonte West
Many people will be shocked that this is my top deal but it is and here is why; First they move oft injured Larry Hughes who has been struggling, when the Cav’s got him he was coming off his best year and after many injuries he has never been able to resume his form. His struggles were affecting his relationship with his teammates, and he has a terrible contract.
Secondly Cleveland now has the Deepest front court in the East, maybe the League, think about it, Joe Smith, Ilgauskas, Varejo, Wallace any one of these four starts on any other team in the East including Boston, except Detroit (maybe). Last season Cleveland looked liked the best defensive team in the East Playoffs and with this new frontcourt they have 24 fouls to give a night, looked for them to play uber-physical and wear the Garnett’s and Bosh’s down.
Lastly they add depth (instantly becoming a very deep team) in West and Wally, I like Wally come Playoff time great shooter and scrappy defender.
Hidden Agenda to this deal: Biggest Reason why this is the best deal, re-sign Lebron (best player in the Nba) , The King wants to win now and this shows him one big thing, the Cav’s are commited to winning. He was giddy on the becn last night and come a year from now when he can opt out of his contract the Cav’s want LBJ to remeber they stepped up and went way into luxury tax area and would do it again to try to win.
2) Gasol to La
This one is a no brainer, Lakers get Gasol for nothing. The Grizzlies had been forever saying any deal for Gasol came with the TERRIBLE contract of Brian Cardinal in tow, yet the Lakers were able to side step the grenade, solidify Kobe wanting to be there and will have a legit shot to win it all.
3) Mike Bibby to Hawks
The Hawks excorsized the deamons of drafting Marvin Williams ahead of Chris Paul and Deron Williams, well not quite. They did however get a true point guard, and clutch shooter for expiring contracts to lead an improving young team for their first playoff push.
4) Shaq to Suns
Diesel looks like he has something left to give and the Suns looked as good defensively as I have ever seen them last night against Boston, nice move by Kerr. Big risk, Big reward? only time will tell. Also, people should quit bashing this deal, the Suns don’t really need Shaq to score, if he can rebound and improve this teams interior defense and somehow make Amare a one on one defender this team can win it all.
5) Philly’s no deal
In the weeks preceding the deadline Philly quietly played their way into 8th in the East, winning 8 of their last 11, and went from a seller to well a holder. With Andre Miller under a reasonable contract next year this young team could deal him this summer and move up in draft or for a roster player, whatever. This team needs to make the playoffs to re-sign their budding star in Andre Igoudala, and the excitement of being in the playoffs for the first time will go along way, for their young core and the city.
Close to the top five was the Hornets deal that brought Bonzi Wells and Mike James for Bobby Jackson, but both have had mentality issues in the past so it fell off.
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Worst Moves
1) Ron Artest
Their were no fewer than five teams serious and unlike the Bibby deal the Kings have depth at the small forward position, these Kings are rebuilidng and Artest will opt out of his contract at the end of the year. So instead of getting say Linas Klieza of the Nuggets a developing talent or an Alondo Tucker from the Suns, or expiring contracts or a draft pick this year or next. Artest will un-ceremoniously walk out the front door for nothing. My vote for worst Gm of the year, Kings get nothing for Bibby I would’ve wanted Childress at least and Sit on their hands with Artest.
2) Mike Miller
In today’s Nba Mike is a two guard who can maybe play the three, on my Grizzlies depth chart he’s behind, the youngster Rudy Gay which makes him expendable. Again two good deals on the table, both dead because the Grizzlies remained insistent that someone take back their problem in Brian Cardinal. If you couldn’t package him with the more desirable Gasol, why insist now? Look at Seattle they make many moves are also rebuilding have a nice young over sized two guard and because of pulling triggers has five first rounders in the next two years.
3) Jason Kidd
I expect some controversy for this one, but Kidd is not the answer for Dallas and at 20 Million a season for the next 2 years he is too rich a compromise. If you were to rank the top PG’s in the Nba what would your list look like 1) Chris Paul - undisputable 2) Deron Williams 3) Steve Nash 4) Tony Parker 5) Jason Kidd after that we get into Mike Bibby, Andre Miller, Jose Calderon, Baron Davis or combo guards like Iverson and Brandon Roy. Is Devin Harris to much further down this list? the answer is No, truth is both players have captained over matched teams to the finals, if Kidd is a 10 at the Pg positon in ability, Harris is an 8 but he is younger and could have developed with Josh Howard. Plus he has a reasonable salary that would have allowed the Mav’s to add FRONT COURT help they desperately need.
4) Jaamal Magloire
With his value at an all time low their may not have been alot to be had for jaamal but their certainly was something, both the Rap’s and Spurs made deals for bigs any many other team’s wanted too. Jaamal is a former all-star, has true Nba centre size and has career avg’s near a double-double and the Nets cannot find any takers? Come on, yet another case of getting nothing for something.
