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OFFICIAL 2010-2011 NBA PLAYOFFS THREAD : VOL. MOST. ANTICIPATED. PLAYOFFS. EVER?
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big j 33
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I caught that earlier
I had to stop and take a break halfway through
big j 33
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I caught that earlier
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white on white crime
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white on white crime
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ExtRaOrDinaRy SwAg wrote:
white on white crime
Triple C
The Hinrich Maneuver
��
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ExtRaOrDinaRy SwAg wrote:
white on white crime
Triple C
The Hinrich Maneuver
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Originally Posted by NobleKane
i dunno who this guy is but he always says some dumb %!+% that ends up backfiring on him.
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Originally Posted by NobleKane
i dunno who this guy is but he always says some dumb %!+% that ends up backfiring on him.
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Triple C
The Hinrich Maneuver
executed flawlessly sir
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Triple C
The Hinrich Maneuver
executed flawlessly sir
The NBA trade deadline is one week away, and with the exception of the six-month Carmelo Anthony saga, which is really humming the same tune over and over again, there hasn't been much in the way of new trade rumors.
That should change this weekend, as representatives from all 30 teams descend on Los Angeles for the All-Star break. In the past, All-Star Weekend has been a nice catalyst for trade talks. With so many GMs and owners in the same room, the ice gets broken and people start talking.
Two big obstacles stand in the way, of course. For starters, with so many teams having interest in Melo, teams are holding onto assets they might otherwise be willing to move. Second, the looming lockout and new CBA discussions have created an environment of caution for many owners. A number of teams have been unwilling to commit to taking on more money until they have a clearer view of how things will change under the new CBA. Owners may get some clarity when they sit down with the union as part of a weekend bargaining session, but it's unlikely they'll really know much more at this early stage.
So we've talked about Denver ad nauseam … but what about the other 29 teams in the league? Who else might make a non-Carmelo deal by the trade deadline?
Here are 10 teams with both the motivation and resources to make something happen.
[h3]Dallas Mavericks[/h3]
The Mavs are having a great season, despite significant injury problems. The question is, do they have enough to overtake the Lakers and Spurs in the West? The general view is pessimistic. Not only does Dallas have a history of flaming out in the playoffs, but the team's offense has taken a hit since Caron Butler went down.
The Mavs brought in Peja Stojakovic to help, but if they can make a bigger deal before the deadline, they will. They have Butler's expiring contract as an asset, and could include Rodrigue Beaubois in a deal if they got back a significant player in return.
Much of the focus has been on players like Tayshaun Prince, Stephen Jackson and Antawn Jamison. If they make a deal, it will likely be for a veteran like this.
[h3]Houston Rockets[/h3]
Houston really has needs just about everywhere, and sources say the Rockets have been very active contacting teams. A number of GMs have told ESPN.com that everyone on the Rockets' roster is available right now -- for the right price.
The Rockets' biggest need is at center, and they've looked at everyone from Samuel Dalembert to Chris Kaman to Marcus Camby. The team is also trying to pry away a small forward -- Carmelo Anthony has been at the top of their list, though they aren't willing to give away the farm for a guy who might be a short-term rental. The Pacers have soundly rebuffed their Danny Granger overtures. There is also a level of interest in the same three guys the Mavs have been pursuing and, if they're really desperate, they could spend a ton of money on hometown favorite Rashard Lewis. And they'd still like an elite point guard.
The question on everyone's mind right now is -- where are the Rockets going? They're currently in 11th place in the West -- and several games out of a No. 8 seed. Is GM Daryl Morey trying to put together a playoff team? Or is he blowing things up? He's sending mixed signals around the league right now, and the truth is he may be playing his hand both ways until he sees what his best move is going forward.
[h3]Portland Trail Blazers[/h3]
It's been a rocky first year for new GM Rich Cho. Brandon Roy's knees are in bad shape. Greg Oden is out after yet another season-ending surgery. The up-and-coming young Blazers team we thought would battle for an NBA title now looks in danger of falling into mediocrity. They currently have a tenuous hold on the fifth seed in the Western Conference.
Like the Rockets, the question for the Blazers is, which way are they going? If the Blazers want to improve their playoff chances, the goal is to add veterans to the squad. But most of the rumblings involving the Blazers point in a different direction. With players like Andre Miller, Marcus Camby and Joel Przybilla mentioned as the primary trade bait, it looks like the Blazers are likely eyeing a rebuilding process centered on LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum.
The Blazers should find some interest in their veterans. Miller is still very cagey and capable, and his contract isn't guaranteed next season. Przybilla is an effective big man when healthy, and he's also in the last year of his deal. Camby is a bit more expensive, but he'd be a legitimate get for a team like the Thunder, who are looking for help in the middle.
[h3]New Orleans Hornets[/h3]
You'd think a team that's owned by the NBA would be playing it safe until the league finds a more permanent owner. You'd be wrong.
Multiple sources say the Hornets have been among the most active teams in the past few weeks. They've not only tried to convince David West to sign an extension, but they've put out a number of feelers trying to land more scoring help and more size in the paint.
The team is trying to do all of this and remain relatively cap-neutral at the same time, meaning they don't want to take back any long-term deals. The goal is to try to make a deeper run in the playoffs as a way to convince West and Chris Paul to hang around longer.
So far, the Hornets' efforts haven't born fruit. But they've been trying. They've looked at a number of the same forwards and bigs that Dallas and Houston have.
The problem for the Hornets is what they are (or aren't) offering in return. A number of teams would love to get their hands on West, but so far GM Dell Demps hasn't been willing to put him on the block. That leaves a number of yawners like Marcus Banks' expiring contract and former first-round picks like Quincy Pondexter and Jason Smith as their trade bait.
[h3]Indiana Pacers[/h3]
The Pacers are 7-3 since Frank Vogel took over as the head coach and now contenders for the East's eighth seed. The Pacers' goal was to make the playoffs this year and then tinker with the team in the summer (they'll have considerable cap space). So far it looks like Larry Bird is close to achieving his goal.
But don't count the Pacers out of the trade talks just yet. While it's unlikely they'll trade their star, Danny Granger, they do have a number of expiring contracts of players (Mike Dunleavy, T.J. Ford, Jeff Foster) who can help veteran teams. They also have young players like Brandon Rush, Josh McRoberts and possibly Tyler Hansbrough that they'd move for the right player.
The Pacers know they aren't a top free-agent destination, and if they can land a player or two now that will help the team long-term (preferably another 4 who can score in the post), they won't be afraid to pull the trigger.
[h3]Cleveland Cavaliers[/h3]
Cavs owner Dan Gilbert has been promising change and at this point, his own players and fans are begging him for it. The problem is the Cavs don't have great assets. Anderson Varejao was their best chip, but he's out for the season with an injury. J.J. Hickson still has plenty of suitors, but the Cavs want to use him as part of the rebuilding project. Everyone else on the roster doesn't get anyone too excited.
Antawn Jamison has some buzz, but he'll probably be more valuable next season when he's on the last year of his contract. Mo Williams and Ramon Sessions also have generated some interest.
The guy most likely to move before the deadline is Anthony Parker. With teams like the Bulls pining for a veteran shooting guard, the Cavs should be able to get something for him now before losing him for nothing this summer.
[h3]New York Knicks[/h3]
Donnie Walsh has been characteristically cool on adding Carmelo Anthony to the team. While the Knicks would love to have him, so far Walsh has held his ground on gutting the team to get him. It's a wise move. Melo won't put the Knicks over the top in the East, and if Walsh uses all the team's assets to get him, he won't be able to add the additional pieces it will take to win a championship.
If the Knicks don't land Melo, look for them to try to add a few veterans to the mix to help their chances in the playoffs this year. Walsh has been looking primarily for a big man and has shown interest in Przybilla as well as in the Pacers' Jeff Foster. He has Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry's expiring contract as trade bait, and might be willing to include a little more for the right player.
The main criterion for Walsh? The players he adds must be veterans and have deals that expire by the summer of 2012 so his team can make a run at Deron Williams, Chris Paul or Dwight Howard.
[h3]New Jersey Nets[/h3]
The Nets have been the primary pursuers of Carmelo Anthony. And as Chris Broussard reported Wednesday and we called weeks ago, the Nets are still in the hunt for Melo despite the fact that their owner very publicly halted the talks.
The Nets have been exploring other options as well. Primarily the team has been trying to find a home for Troy Murphy and his expiring contract. But they've also been quietly hunting around the league for another star using the same package of Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, expiring contracts and draft picks they offered the Nuggets.
Should one of the other teams in the league that's nervous about losing one of its stars in free agency of 2012 decide to bite, the Nets will be ready to make a deal. It's a long shot, but when you have all the assets the Nets have, you can't count them out.
[h3]Utah Jazz[/h3]
GM Kevin O'Connor is one of the more conservative GMs in the league, but his hand may be forced a bit here. With Jerry Sloan out, Deron Williams grumbling and the team sliding down the standings in the West, he may have to do something now to convince Williams not to bolt the team in 2012. Adding a wing to the mix that can score and shoot the ball is a top priority.
Andrei Kirilenko is the team's best trading chip. His contract is expiring and he's still a productive veteran. The Jazz have never wanted to let him go -- his influence every night is felt in ways that the box score can't capture. But with Mehmet Okur ailing and Minnesota owning Utah's protected first-round pick … they don't have many other options.
[h3]Memphis Grizzlies[/h3]
We could've included a number of other teams in here, but we'll end with the Grizzlies for a couple of reasons. One, it looks like O.J. Mayo continues to be on the block, with sources saying the Grizzlies will make a deal if they can find one that gets them back a young talent and a good draft pick. Two, Zach Randolph is heading into free agency this summer and it's unlikely the Grizzlies want to pay both him and restricted free agent Marc Gasol big money. That could lead the Grizzlies to be big players at the deadline.
But the emphasis is on could. Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley and GM Chris Wallace are notoriously tough to work with at the trade deadline, and the team is currently battling Portland, New Orleans, Denver, Utah and Phoenix for the final playoff spots. That could be enough to convince them to stand pat and wait until the summer to figure out what to do next.
The trade deadline is a week away, and of course we're all focused on the headliners -- most notably Carmelo Anthony, but also the secondary spoils of a Denver Nuggets demo (Chauncey Billups, J.R. Smith) and whatever veterans the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers might be willing to jettison.
But beneath that storm, there's another trade game in play. This week isn't just about the stars; for smart organizations, it's also body-snatching season. This is about finding players who are rotting on other teams' benches and seeing whether they can fill larger roles on your club. This tends to work best with expiring contracts -- it amounts to a free look at the player before a free-agent decision, and the other party in the trade is usually happy to play along -- but sometimes it works with other players, too.
[h4]NBA Trade Machine[/h4]
Trade Machine
Not that one must wait 'til February to try this; the Houston Rockets already rolled the dice on the New Jersey Nets' Terrence Williams after seeing the Nets weren't making much use of him. A more traditional example, however, might be what the Minnesota Timberwolves did a year ago with Darko Milicic. Although they wildly overreacted to his mild success by outbidding themselves in the summer, they were able to convert Brian Cardinal's expiring contract into a useful player. It's a good example of how even teams that are out of the money can use the trade deadline to their advantage.
Of course, to play this game, one first must identify which players are worth the gamble. To my eyes, 11 players merit such a dice roll; I'm not saying to start dropping established starters for these guys, but if the chance comes to pilfer any of them cheaply to fill a need position, then it's time to pounce.
Let's take a look:
Anthony
Anthony Randolph, Knicks
You can see why the Wolves are intrigued, and it seems he'd be destined to be their Darko of 2011, minus the bidding against themselves in the offseason (since he won't be a free agent this summer). Randolph is one of the rare players who averages better than a block or steal every 10 minutes; two-thirds of that total is blocks, which is why I compare him to Marcus Camby so often.
Compared with Camby, he's also a better ball handler, although he's a worse shooter and a poor decision-maker at the offensive end. Right now, that's beside the point -- on defensive value alone, he should be in somebody's plans. That's why the Knicks are likely to get a first-rounder for him even though he's so far down their bench that he's hidden by Eddy Curry's shadow.
Wright
Brandan Wright, Warriors
When even the Warriors think he doesn't play defense and isn't tough enough, I suppose we should take note of that. Still, I think they might be focusing on Wright's faults to the exclusion of his strengths. We're talking about a 54.3 percent career shooter with a career PER near 18. Despite his thin frame, he's a good rebounder, and he averages better than a block every 20 minutes, so it's not as if he's Andrea Bargnani.
He's also only 23 … yet he doesn't play. He's a restricted free agent after the season, too, so at this point I have to think the Warriors would give him up for a bag of peanuts. There are lots of teams he can help -- in particular, I'm surprised the New Orleans Hornets haven't pushed harder for this guy. He'd be perfect finishing all the trouble Chris Paul starts, and they badly need some production from their frontcourt reserves.
Sessions
Ramon Sessions, Cavaliers
A variant on the theme because he gets plenty of minutes for Cleveland, plus there are now 10 million Lakers fans who think he's better than Steve Nash. Nonetheless, I'm not sure Sessions is in Cleveland's long-term plans, and I know Byron Scott is down on his permissive defense -- in fact, that's why he was barely playing earlier this season. Although Sessions' D is going to be an issue wherever he goes, his superlative pick-and-roll skills make him an outstanding pickup for the right team.
In addition to the defensive shortcomings, Sessions isn't a good long-range shooter and can't be asked to spot up on the weak side -- he has to have the ball. So fitting on the right team will be really important. Nonetheless, he'd be ideal coming off the bench and running the second unit offense, where his defensive shortcomings wouldn't be as problematic and he wouldn't be taking the ball out of the hands of better offensive players.
Fesenko
Kyrylo Fesenko, Jazz
I'm not sure whether he's in Utah's long-term plans, given the immaturity issues he has shown and his glaring lack of offensive skill, but Fesenko can help the right team for one single reason: The dude is huge. And because of that, he has had a tremendous impact on games defensively.
According to basketballvalue.com, Utah gives up 97.53 points per 100 possessions when he's on the floor … and 109.78 when he isn't. That 12.26 point differential is by far the greatest on the team and leads one to wonder why he hasn't been paired more with either Al Jefferson or Paul Millsap -- perhaps even as a starter. He's an unrestricted free agent after the season, so if the Jazz aren't interested in using him, perhaps somebody else can make it work.
Brown
Derrick Brown, Bobcats
I have no idea why Paul Silas has kept Brown on the pine while rolling out mediocrities such as Dominic McGuire and Matt Carroll to take his minutes. I do know this: He has NBA athleticism, can shoot well enough to get by and, as a second-year pro, can still improve. That combination of attributes is the type you like to take a chance on, and although Brown's upside isn't huge (he's 24 and has had PERs in the 12s his first two seasons), I'm fairly sure he can be a rotation player if he gets half a chance.
Babbitt
Luke Babbitt, Trail Blazers
Look, I have no idea whether Babbitt can play. Frankly, the early returns aren't encouraging. But his college numbers were really good and, as the Blazers look to retool, it's possible he can be had cheaply. This is very rare for first-round picks in their rookie season, but Babbitt wasn't selected by the current regime, so there's going to be less resistance to moving him if the right deal comes along.
Lee
Courtney Lee, Rockets
Lee's a known quantity, unlike a lot of the other players on this list, but he's also somebody who could move into a greater role than his current one. A backup in Houston, he already has started for an NBA Finals team and is drawing salivating glances from the Chicago Bulls in particular because he does the two things needed from every role player: He plays defense, and he makes corner 3s.
The Rockets won't be giving him away, but if they do a blockbuster, he might be one of the pieces, and smart scavengers might look to get involved as a third team and pry him loose.
Speights
Marreese Speights, 76ers
He's in his third season and the Sixers still don't play him much, but he's another player teams in need of frontcourt help should be pursuing. Like Wright, Speights isn't much of a defender, although he at least injects humor with his spirited but slapstick-quality flop attempts.
Speights' gift is the midrange J -- he can flat-out fill it up from midrange, helping him average just under a point ever two minutes for his NBA career. There just aren't a ton of players who can make that claim, especially ones who are 23 and spend most of the game near the end of the bench.
Jones
Mahinmi
Ian Mahinmi and Dominique Jones, Mavericks
The Mavs are firmly in win-now mode, which is why if push comes to shove they'd likely part with two young players who aren't getting much burn. Jones is hurt at the moment, so he'd be a stash-for-next-season acquisition. He's undersized and his offense is a question mark, but he's an athletic 2 who can rebound; if he makes outside shots, he'll be another Quentin Richardson.
As for Mahinmi, it seems he's been around forever but he's only 24. And, in his brief NBA career, he has averaged nearly a point every two minutes while shooting 60.8 percent. It's only a 434-minute sample, and his D-League numbers aren't as strong, but this is a guy fairly begging for a real opportunity someplace. Lottery teams should be beating down Dallas' door trying to get him into their system and see what he can do with extended minutes.
Teague
Jeff Teague, Hawks
The classic young point guard trying to do too much, Teague may yet turn into a real basketball player. The Hawks' second-year pro doesn't have trouble creating shots -- it's making them, and making good decisions on whether to take them or distribute the ball, that have been his problem.
However, a mammoth turnover rate has been his biggest problem, and sometimes players of that ilk improve rapidly once they start figuring things out -- high-turnover young players in general have brighter futures than the low-turnover ones with similar overall productivity. Teague is only 22, so perhaps the lightbulb will come on … but with the Hawks phasing him out of the rotation as they try to get in playoff shape, it might be time for that theory to be tested in a less demanding environment.
The NBA trade deadline is one week away, and with the exception of the six-month Carmelo Anthony saga, which is really humming the same tune over and over again, there hasn't been much in the way of new trade rumors.
That should change this weekend, as representatives from all 30 teams descend on Los Angeles for the All-Star break. In the past, All-Star Weekend has been a nice catalyst for trade talks. With so many GMs and owners in the same room, the ice gets broken and people start talking.
Two big obstacles stand in the way, of course. For starters, with so many teams having interest in Melo, teams are holding onto assets they might otherwise be willing to move. Second, the looming lockout and new CBA discussions have created an environment of caution for many owners. A number of teams have been unwilling to commit to taking on more money until they have a clearer view of how things will change under the new CBA. Owners may get some clarity when they sit down with the union as part of a weekend bargaining session, but it's unlikely they'll really know much more at this early stage.
So we've talked about Denver ad nauseam … but what about the other 29 teams in the league? Who else might make a non-Carmelo deal by the trade deadline?
Here are 10 teams with both the motivation and resources to make something happen.
[h3]Dallas Mavericks[/h3]
The Mavs are having a great season, despite significant injury problems. The question is, do they have enough to overtake the Lakers and Spurs in the West? The general view is pessimistic. Not only does Dallas have a history of flaming out in the playoffs, but the team's offense has taken a hit since Caron Butler went down.
The Mavs brought in Peja Stojakovic to help, but if they can make a bigger deal before the deadline, they will. They have Butler's expiring contract as an asset, and could include Rodrigue Beaubois in a deal if they got back a significant player in return.
Much of the focus has been on players like Tayshaun Prince, Stephen Jackson and Antawn Jamison. If they make a deal, it will likely be for a veteran like this.
[h3]Houston Rockets[/h3]
Houston really has needs just about everywhere, and sources say the Rockets have been very active contacting teams. A number of GMs have told ESPN.com that everyone on the Rockets' roster is available right now -- for the right price.
The Rockets' biggest need is at center, and they've looked at everyone from Samuel Dalembert to Chris Kaman to Marcus Camby. The team is also trying to pry away a small forward -- Carmelo Anthony has been at the top of their list, though they aren't willing to give away the farm for a guy who might be a short-term rental. The Pacers have soundly rebuffed their Danny Granger overtures. There is also a level of interest in the same three guys the Mavs have been pursuing and, if they're really desperate, they could spend a ton of money on hometown favorite Rashard Lewis. And they'd still like an elite point guard.
The question on everyone's mind right now is -- where are the Rockets going? They're currently in 11th place in the West -- and several games out of a No. 8 seed. Is GM Daryl Morey trying to put together a playoff team? Or is he blowing things up? He's sending mixed signals around the league right now, and the truth is he may be playing his hand both ways until he sees what his best move is going forward.
[h3]Portland Trail Blazers[/h3]
It's been a rocky first year for new GM Rich Cho. Brandon Roy's knees are in bad shape. Greg Oden is out after yet another season-ending surgery. The up-and-coming young Blazers team we thought would battle for an NBA title now looks in danger of falling into mediocrity. They currently have a tenuous hold on the fifth seed in the Western Conference.
Like the Rockets, the question for the Blazers is, which way are they going? If the Blazers want to improve their playoff chances, the goal is to add veterans to the squad. But most of the rumblings involving the Blazers point in a different direction. With players like Andre Miller, Marcus Camby and Joel Przybilla mentioned as the primary trade bait, it looks like the Blazers are likely eyeing a rebuilding process centered on LaMarcus Aldridge and Nicolas Batum.
The Blazers should find some interest in their veterans. Miller is still very cagey and capable, and his contract isn't guaranteed next season. Przybilla is an effective big man when healthy, and he's also in the last year of his deal. Camby is a bit more expensive, but he'd be a legitimate get for a team like the Thunder, who are looking for help in the middle.
[h3]New Orleans Hornets[/h3]
You'd think a team that's owned by the NBA would be playing it safe until the league finds a more permanent owner. You'd be wrong.
Multiple sources say the Hornets have been among the most active teams in the past few weeks. They've not only tried to convince David West to sign an extension, but they've put out a number of feelers trying to land more scoring help and more size in the paint.
The team is trying to do all of this and remain relatively cap-neutral at the same time, meaning they don't want to take back any long-term deals. The goal is to try to make a deeper run in the playoffs as a way to convince West and Chris Paul to hang around longer.
So far, the Hornets' efforts haven't born fruit. But they've been trying. They've looked at a number of the same forwards and bigs that Dallas and Houston have.
The problem for the Hornets is what they are (or aren't) offering in return. A number of teams would love to get their hands on West, but so far GM Dell Demps hasn't been willing to put him on the block. That leaves a number of yawners like Marcus Banks' expiring contract and former first-round picks like Quincy Pondexter and Jason Smith as their trade bait.
[h3]Indiana Pacers[/h3]
The Pacers are 7-3 since Frank Vogel took over as the head coach and now contenders for the East's eighth seed. The Pacers' goal was to make the playoffs this year and then tinker with the team in the summer (they'll have considerable cap space). So far it looks like Larry Bird is close to achieving his goal.
But don't count the Pacers out of the trade talks just yet. While it's unlikely they'll trade their star, Danny Granger, they do have a number of expiring contracts of players (Mike Dunleavy, T.J. Ford, Jeff Foster) who can help veteran teams. They also have young players like Brandon Rush, Josh McRoberts and possibly Tyler Hansbrough that they'd move for the right player.
The Pacers know they aren't a top free-agent destination, and if they can land a player or two now that will help the team long-term (preferably another 4 who can score in the post), they won't be afraid to pull the trigger.
[h3]Cleveland Cavaliers[/h3]
Cavs owner Dan Gilbert has been promising change and at this point, his own players and fans are begging him for it. The problem is the Cavs don't have great assets. Anderson Varejao was their best chip, but he's out for the season with an injury. J.J. Hickson still has plenty of suitors, but the Cavs want to use him as part of the rebuilding project. Everyone else on the roster doesn't get anyone too excited.
Antawn Jamison has some buzz, but he'll probably be more valuable next season when he's on the last year of his contract. Mo Williams and Ramon Sessions also have generated some interest.
The guy most likely to move before the deadline is Anthony Parker. With teams like the Bulls pining for a veteran shooting guard, the Cavs should be able to get something for him now before losing him for nothing this summer.
[h3]New York Knicks[/h3]
Donnie Walsh has been characteristically cool on adding Carmelo Anthony to the team. While the Knicks would love to have him, so far Walsh has held his ground on gutting the team to get him. It's a wise move. Melo won't put the Knicks over the top in the East, and if Walsh uses all the team's assets to get him, he won't be able to add the additional pieces it will take to win a championship.
If the Knicks don't land Melo, look for them to try to add a few veterans to the mix to help their chances in the playoffs this year. Walsh has been looking primarily for a big man and has shown interest in Przybilla as well as in the Pacers' Jeff Foster. He has Anthony Randolph and Eddy Curry's expiring contract as trade bait, and might be willing to include a little more for the right player.
The main criterion for Walsh? The players he adds must be veterans and have deals that expire by the summer of 2012 so his team can make a run at Deron Williams, Chris Paul or Dwight Howard.
[h3]New Jersey Nets[/h3]
The Nets have been the primary pursuers of Carmelo Anthony. And as Chris Broussard reported Wednesday and we called weeks ago, the Nets are still in the hunt for Melo despite the fact that their owner very publicly halted the talks.
The Nets have been exploring other options as well. Primarily the team has been trying to find a home for Troy Murphy and his expiring contract. But they've also been quietly hunting around the league for another star using the same package of Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, expiring contracts and draft picks they offered the Nuggets.
Should one of the other teams in the league that's nervous about losing one of its stars in free agency of 2012 decide to bite, the Nets will be ready to make a deal. It's a long shot, but when you have all the assets the Nets have, you can't count them out.
[h3]Utah Jazz[/h3]
GM Kevin O'Connor is one of the more conservative GMs in the league, but his hand may be forced a bit here. With Jerry Sloan out, Deron Williams grumbling and the team sliding down the standings in the West, he may have to do something now to convince Williams not to bolt the team in 2012. Adding a wing to the mix that can score and shoot the ball is a top priority.
Andrei Kirilenko is the team's best trading chip. His contract is expiring and he's still a productive veteran. The Jazz have never wanted to let him go -- his influence every night is felt in ways that the box score can't capture. But with Mehmet Okur ailing and Minnesota owning Utah's protected first-round pick … they don't have many other options.
[h3]Memphis Grizzlies[/h3]
We could've included a number of other teams in here, but we'll end with the Grizzlies for a couple of reasons. One, it looks like O.J. Mayo continues to be on the block, with sources saying the Grizzlies will make a deal if they can find one that gets them back a young talent and a good draft pick. Two, Zach Randolph is heading into free agency this summer and it's unlikely the Grizzlies want to pay both him and restricted free agent Marc Gasol big money. That could lead the Grizzlies to be big players at the deadline.
But the emphasis is on could. Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley and GM Chris Wallace are notoriously tough to work with at the trade deadline, and the team is currently battling Portland, New Orleans, Denver, Utah and Phoenix for the final playoff spots. That could be enough to convince them to stand pat and wait until the summer to figure out what to do next.
The trade deadline is a week away, and of course we're all focused on the headliners -- most notably Carmelo Anthony, but also the secondary spoils of a Denver Nuggets demo (Chauncey Billups, J.R. Smith) and whatever veterans the Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers might be willing to jettison.
But beneath that storm, there's another trade game in play. This week isn't just about the stars; for smart organizations, it's also body-snatching season. This is about finding players who are rotting on other teams' benches and seeing whether they can fill larger roles on your club. This tends to work best with expiring contracts -- it amounts to a free look at the player before a free-agent decision, and the other party in the trade is usually happy to play along -- but sometimes it works with other players, too.
[h4]NBA Trade Machine[/h4]
Trade Machine
Not that one must wait 'til February to try this; the Houston Rockets already rolled the dice on the New Jersey Nets' Terrence Williams after seeing the Nets weren't making much use of him. A more traditional example, however, might be what the Minnesota Timberwolves did a year ago with Darko Milicic. Although they wildly overreacted to his mild success by outbidding themselves in the summer, they were able to convert Brian Cardinal's expiring contract into a useful player. It's a good example of how even teams that are out of the money can use the trade deadline to their advantage.
Of course, to play this game, one first must identify which players are worth the gamble. To my eyes, 11 players merit such a dice roll; I'm not saying to start dropping established starters for these guys, but if the chance comes to pilfer any of them cheaply to fill a need position, then it's time to pounce.
Let's take a look:
Anthony
Anthony Randolph, Knicks
You can see why the Wolves are intrigued, and it seems he'd be destined to be their Darko of 2011, minus the bidding against themselves in the offseason (since he won't be a free agent this summer). Randolph is one of the rare players who averages better than a block or steal every 10 minutes; two-thirds of that total is blocks, which is why I compare him to Marcus Camby so often.
Compared with Camby, he's also a better ball handler, although he's a worse shooter and a poor decision-maker at the offensive end. Right now, that's beside the point -- on defensive value alone, he should be in somebody's plans. That's why the Knicks are likely to get a first-rounder for him even though he's so far down their bench that he's hidden by Eddy Curry's shadow.
Wright
Brandan Wright, Warriors
When even the Warriors think he doesn't play defense and isn't tough enough, I suppose we should take note of that. Still, I think they might be focusing on Wright's faults to the exclusion of his strengths. We're talking about a 54.3 percent career shooter with a career PER near 18. Despite his thin frame, he's a good rebounder, and he averages better than a block every 20 minutes, so it's not as if he's Andrea Bargnani.
He's also only 23 … yet he doesn't play. He's a restricted free agent after the season, too, so at this point I have to think the Warriors would give him up for a bag of peanuts. There are lots of teams he can help -- in particular, I'm surprised the New Orleans Hornets haven't pushed harder for this guy. He'd be perfect finishing all the trouble Chris Paul starts, and they badly need some production from their frontcourt reserves.
Sessions
Ramon Sessions, Cavaliers
A variant on the theme because he gets plenty of minutes for Cleveland, plus there are now 10 million Lakers fans who think he's better than Steve Nash. Nonetheless, I'm not sure Sessions is in Cleveland's long-term plans, and I know Byron Scott is down on his permissive defense -- in fact, that's why he was barely playing earlier this season. Although Sessions' D is going to be an issue wherever he goes, his superlative pick-and-roll skills make him an outstanding pickup for the right team.
In addition to the defensive shortcomings, Sessions isn't a good long-range shooter and can't be asked to spot up on the weak side -- he has to have the ball. So fitting on the right team will be really important. Nonetheless, he'd be ideal coming off the bench and running the second unit offense, where his defensive shortcomings wouldn't be as problematic and he wouldn't be taking the ball out of the hands of better offensive players.
Fesenko
Kyrylo Fesenko, Jazz
I'm not sure whether he's in Utah's long-term plans, given the immaturity issues he has shown and his glaring lack of offensive skill, but Fesenko can help the right team for one single reason: The dude is huge. And because of that, he has had a tremendous impact on games defensively.
According to basketballvalue.com, Utah gives up 97.53 points per 100 possessions when he's on the floor … and 109.78 when he isn't. That 12.26 point differential is by far the greatest on the team and leads one to wonder why he hasn't been paired more with either Al Jefferson or Paul Millsap -- perhaps even as a starter. He's an unrestricted free agent after the season, so if the Jazz aren't interested in using him, perhaps somebody else can make it work.
Brown
Derrick Brown, Bobcats
I have no idea why Paul Silas has kept Brown on the pine while rolling out mediocrities such as Dominic McGuire and Matt Carroll to take his minutes. I do know this: He has NBA athleticism, can shoot well enough to get by and, as a second-year pro, can still improve. That combination of attributes is the type you like to take a chance on, and although Brown's upside isn't huge (he's 24 and has had PERs in the 12s his first two seasons), I'm fairly sure he can be a rotation player if he gets half a chance.
Babbitt
Luke Babbitt, Trail Blazers
Look, I have no idea whether Babbitt can play. Frankly, the early returns aren't encouraging. But his college numbers were really good and, as the Blazers look to retool, it's possible he can be had cheaply. This is very rare for first-round picks in their rookie season, but Babbitt wasn't selected by the current regime, so there's going to be less resistance to moving him if the right deal comes along.
Lee
Courtney Lee, Rockets
Lee's a known quantity, unlike a lot of the other players on this list, but he's also somebody who could move into a greater role than his current one. A backup in Houston, he already has started for an NBA Finals team and is drawing salivating glances from the Chicago Bulls in particular because he does the two things needed from every role player: He plays defense, and he makes corner 3s.
The Rockets won't be giving him away, but if they do a blockbuster, he might be one of the pieces, and smart scavengers might look to get involved as a third team and pry him loose.
Speights
Marreese Speights, 76ers
He's in his third season and the Sixers still don't play him much, but he's another player teams in need of frontcourt help should be pursuing. Like Wright, Speights isn't much of a defender, although he at least injects humor with his spirited but slapstick-quality flop attempts.
Speights' gift is the midrange J -- he can flat-out fill it up from midrange, helping him average just under a point ever two minutes for his NBA career. There just aren't a ton of players who can make that claim, especially ones who are 23 and spend most of the game near the end of the bench.
Jones
Mahinmi
Ian Mahinmi and Dominique Jones, Mavericks
The Mavs are firmly in win-now mode, which is why if push comes to shove they'd likely part with two young players who aren't getting much burn. Jones is hurt at the moment, so he'd be a stash-for-next-season acquisition. He's undersized and his offense is a question mark, but he's an athletic 2 who can rebound; if he makes outside shots, he'll be another Quentin Richardson.
As for Mahinmi, it seems he's been around forever but he's only 24. And, in his brief NBA career, he has averaged nearly a point every two minutes while shooting 60.8 percent. It's only a 434-minute sample, and his D-League numbers aren't as strong, but this is a guy fairly begging for a real opportunity someplace. Lottery teams should be beating down Dallas' door trying to get him into their system and see what he can do with extended minutes.
Teague
Jeff Teague, Hawks
The classic young point guard trying to do too much, Teague may yet turn into a real basketball player. The Hawks' second-year pro doesn't have trouble creating shots -- it's making them, and making good decisions on whether to take them or distribute the ball, that have been his problem.
However, a mammoth turnover rate has been his biggest problem, and sometimes players of that ilk improve rapidly once they start figuring things out -- high-turnover young players in general have brighter futures than the low-turnover ones with similar overall productivity. Teague is only 22, so perhaps the lightbulb will come on … but with the Hawks phasing him out of the rotation as they try to get in playoff shape, it might be time for that theory to be tested in a less demanding environment.
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Andray Blatche airballed a dunk last night.
- 17,654
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- Joined
- Nov 11, 2007
Andray Blatche airballed a dunk last night.
D
Deleted member 38182
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any Nike testers up in here
I am too scared to ask in the Nike forum cuz I feel like I am being watched.......
D
Deleted member 38182
Guest
any Nike testers up in here
I am too scared to ask in the Nike forum cuz I feel like I am being watched.......
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Fun team to watch.
