NBA Trade Deadline Grades

by Josh Roth

Chicago Bulls –Sacramento Kings-Portland Trailblazers

Bulls : Brad Miller and John Salmons

Grade: A-

Comments: There are a lot of good aspects about this trade for the Bulls. First they are able to dump some salary for the big free agent year of 2010, the big salary big that of Andres Nocioni. They were also able to get a better post player for the system that the Bulls run. Is Brad Miller great? No, but he is a better defender than Drew Gooden, a better post offense (again not great, but solid), and a smarter player. As for John Salmons they are able to get a longer guard, a solid scorer, and solid defender. It also helps them out for next year, when Ben Gordon becomes a free agent, which if the Bulls front office has any intelligence will not re-sign him. John Salmons is not only a good back up plan for Ben Gordon, but he can play both the guard and small forward position.

Kings: Andres Nocioni, Drew Gooden, Ike Diogu, Cedric Simmons

Grade: C+

Comments: I am confused at what the Kings are trying to achieve in this deal. I like Andres’s intensity and defense, but he has a long and somewhat expensive contract and for a team that won’t be winning anytime soon. I don’t see how this helps their future, plus they bring in Drew Gooden who is not very good defensively and doesn’t have a true post game, but who knows maybe he can turn things around in Sacramento, but I doubt it. The one good thing however, is that Drew Gooden becomes a free agent next year, so even if he doesn’t produce they get an expiring contract.

Trailblazers: Michael Ruffin

Grade: C

Toronto Raptors-Miami Heat

Raptors: Shawn Marion, Marcus Banks, and Cash

Grade: B+

Comments: I like the deal here, they bring in a much needed defensive small forward with length. It also allows for Andrea Bargnani to get more minutes and play alongside Chris Bosh. Jermaine O’Neal just didn’t seem to fit into the Raptors system and now if they can play more of an up-tempo game, I think they can make a legitimate run to the playoffs. It may be tough to get there, but I think this trade will help them and who knows maybe they can bring back Marion at a reasonable price next year and get back to playoff form.

Heat: Jermaine O’Neal, Jamario Moon, Conditional Draft Pick

Grade: B-

Comments: I don’t know if I am on board with the majority on this trade. Jermaine O’Neal wasn’t a bad player to bring in, he gives them a solid post player, who will play better defense and grab more rebounds than Beasley at this point, but I hate the idea of moving Beasley to the small forward position. I just see other small forwards around the league having a field day with him and offensively he may struggle as well seeing as his best offensive game is taken bigs of the dribble or shooting jumpers. Now he won’t be able to have that versatility. Second I love what Marion brings to the table and is a huge asset to any team with his defense. I thought they should have tried to work out a deal for a Tyson Chandler type, a true center that can get boards, block shots, and give the Heat much needed size. This could work out if Beasley dedicates himself to playing defense and O’Neal can come close to returning to his old self.

Orlando Magic-Houston Rockets-Memphis Grizzlies

Magic: Rafer Alston

Grade: A-

Comments: I love this deal for the Magic. They needed to fill the void for Jameer Nelson and I believe Rafer Alston can fill it. Now I don’t believe that he completely fills the void, but for what was out there this was the best option.

Rockets: Kyle Lowry and Brian Cook

Grade: B

Comments: An interesting deal for the Rockets. I think they wanted to give Aaron Brooks an opportunity to show what he can do and possibly see if Lowry can have better luck with them than Memphis. Also with McGrady out, they may have felt like they weren’t winning a championship, so they wanted to experiment a little bit with the point guard position. Overall I think it was probably the right move for the Rockets and should give them idea of whether Brooks and Lowry can handle the point or if they need to make a move for a point.

Grizzlies: Adonal Foyle, Mike Wilks, and Magic 1st Round Pick

Grade: B+

Comments: I like this deal for the Grizzlies, because all they do essentially is trade their backup point guard for a late first round pick. However, Mike Conley will have to step up and take over, he is now the guy. Plus they don’t take a big hit to the salary cap and Foyle becomes a free agent next year.

New York Knicks-Chicago Bulls

Knicks: Larry Hughes

Grade: B-

Comments: This is not a bad move by the Knicks; they are able to get a shooting guard that could really bring more length and fit well into D’Antoni’s system. As long as he doesn’t whine about his playing time this should turn out to be a solid deal for the Knicks.

Bulls: Tim Thomas, Jerome James, and Anthony Roberson

Grade: C

Comments: All the Bulls were trying to do here was to get rid of a nuisance. Tim Thomas may give them value, as long as he puts the past behind him (a feud with Skiles in 2006). They also essentially just traded expiring contracts for expiring contracts, so this deal really doesn’t have too much impact for the Bulls, besides getting rid of a guy who didn’t want to be there.

New York Knicks- Oklahoma City Thunder

Knicks: Chris Wilcox

Grade: B-

Comments: This deal gave them a post player that could fit well into D’Antoni’s system. It also could help them make a push to the playoffs and they didn’t have to give up anyone significant.

Thunder: Malik Rose

Grade: D

Comment: The reason I am so down on this trade, is that Wilcox could have netted them Chandler, who in my opinion could have made them significantly better.

Chicago Bulls-Oklahoma City Thunder

Bulls: Conditional 1st Round Pick

Grade: A-

Comments: After the deal that brought in Salmons, it just didn’t seem like Thabo Sefolosha was going to see any playing time. It seems that the Bulls didn’t want to stunt the growth of Thabo, so they shipped him to someone who would give him time. In return they are able to get what will be a late first round pick, which is great value for a little used guard.

Thunder: Thabo Sefolosha

Grade: B+

Comments: I also like the deal for the Thunder. They have a hand full of first round pick and they desperately needed a shooting guard. Currently they had Kyle Weaver starting at the shooting guard position and he was hardly producing anything. I think Thabo can be productive for them and at the very least will give them a solid defender and some athleticism.

Minnesota Timberwolves-Sacramento Kings

Timberwolves: Shelden Williams and Bobby Brown

Grade: B-

Kings: Rashad McCants and Calvin Booth

Grade: C

Comments (For Both Teams): Pretty insignificant for both teams. Kings get a solid wing player that will bring them a little offense of the bench and Minnesota gets some depth for the loss of Al Jefferson. All contracts are expiring soon so not a whole lot of money being gained on either side, just depth.

Top 3 Winners, Bottom 3 Losers

Winners:

1. Chicago Bulls

Comments: Get slightly better with the additions of Miller and Salmons and are able to clear some cap space for 2010.

2. Orlando Magic

Comments: Get a much needed point guard with the season ending injury to Jameer Nelson. Alston could be a key piece to this team potentially getting to the finals.

3. New York Knicks

Comments: I really liked what the Knicks did here, they really take on any salary for the big 2010 off-season and were able to get players that can contribute and help make a push for the playoffs.

Honorable Mention: Toronto Raptors

Comments: Marion could be a key addition and a nice fit with Bosh and Bargnani, it could make for a pretty good up-tempo team.


Losers:

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

Comments: They had a chance to make big improvements to their team and make them better for the future in adding Chandler. He would have given them a great defender and height to a pretty small team, at least in the post.

2. Sacramento Kings

Comments: Taking on Andres Nocioni’s contract was a big no no for a team that will probably have no chance for the playoffs in the years to come.

3. Portland Trailblazers

Comments: Thought they needed to get something for Raef’s contract and failed to do so. Now I am sure it was hard for them to make such a move so I will cut them slack. It just would have been nice for them to add a small forward or point to help them make a deep run in the playoffs.

Honorable Mention: Cleveland Cavaliers

Comments: Thought they may have been able to add an additional piece to the puzzle, but failed to do that, with a good bargaining chip in Wally Szczerbiak.

Evaluation of Other Deals that Occurred Earlier in the Year

Detroit Pistons-Denver Nuggets

Pistons: Allen Iverson

Grade:C

Comments: Good news he becomes a free agent next year. Bad news, they lose a big part of their team in Billups which could lead to them missing the playoffs or getting ousted in the first round.

Nuggets: Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess (Released & Back with Detroit), and Cheikh Samb

Grade:A+

Comments: Turned out to be a fantastic deal for the Nuggets who could wind up getting a home court advantage in the first two rounds. Billups has really changed the complexion of the team and has them playing some defense.


Phoenix Suns-Charlotte Bobcats

Suns: Jason Richardson, Jared Dudley, 2010 Conditional 2nd Round Pick

Grade: B-

Comments: Lost some good defenders, but maybe Richardson can give them more athleticism and a nice running mate for Nash.

Bobcats: Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, Sean Singletary

Grade:B

Comments: Able to get rid of Richardson and add some solid defenders and a little bit more quality depth.

New York Knicks-Los Angeles Clippers

Knicks: Tim Thomas and Cuttino Mobley (Retired)

Grade: A-

Comments: Able to shed salary for the big free agent year in 2010 and get rid of head case.

Clippers: Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins

Grade: C+

Comments: Gained a head case, but could bring them better post offense.

New York Knicks-Golden State Warriors

Knicks: Al Harrington

Grade: B

Comments: Adds a nice versatile player into their run and gun scheme.

Warriors: Jamal Crawford

Grade: B-

Comments: Lose depth, but gain a guy that can shoot and handle the ball.