2011 NBA Trade Deadline

          The NBA trade deadline ended Thursday February 24 at 3:00 PM ET. It seemed like a lot of teams waited until then or pretty close to make trades and change up their roster before it was too late. The last few minutes were so busy that I had trouble taking notes in my classes, I was so focused on refreshing my page and waiting for breaking news as the countdown came to an end. This year more than ever, trades came down to the last minute and even after the deadline passed, news still trickled in regarding major transactions and power shifting moves. The NBA saw many of these power swings as players changed teams, not only among divisions but among conferences. Teams that were stranded in no-man’s-land suddenly become threats to make the finals while potential finals contenders slid down a few notches. Here are the major trades that took place at or around the deadline and analysis and grades of each one.

Nets Acquire Deron Williams

It was probably the most surprising trade of the year. A few weeks after their legendary coach Jerry Sloan resigned, the Utah Jazz traded away their centerpiece, All-Star point guard Deron Williams, to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, two 1st round picks, and cash. 

Williams becomes a free agent in 2012 and after all of the Carmelo Anthony drama that plagued the Denver Nuggets, the Jazz decided to deal with the problem sooner rather than later. From both team perspectives, it is a great trade. The Nets did not look good after losing in the LeBron/Wade/Bosh free agency summer of 2010 and the Carmelo sweepstakes. But to everyone’s surprise, they did not give up hope. In making this deal, the Nets get arguably the best player available. Williams is one of the best guards in the league who can dish as well as use his big body to score on smaller defenders. The Nets also have a year to convince him to sign an extension in New Jersey and possibly help bring a big free agent next summer to the team.

For the Jazz, they avoid wasting half a season with the same theatrics that ’Melo brought to the Nuggets. In addition, they receive a young point guard in Devin Harris who is as quick as anyone in the league and essentially three 1st round picks as Derrick Favors was the #3 overall pick last year with two future 1st round picks. This gives them the ability to rebuild without having to strip down the entire team and start over. The team is a low seeded playoff team without Williams but in a few years, after they use those picks, the Jazz can be threats in the West.

Grades: Nets A; Jazz A

Atlanta Upgrades at Guard

The Atlanta Hawks, looking for a push into the upper tier of Eastern Conference teams, traded Mike Bibby, Jordan Crawford (not to be mixed up with Jamal Crawford), Maurice Evans, and a 2011 1st round pick to the Washington Wizards for Kirk Hinrich and Hilton Armstrong. 

In order for the Hawks to be in conversation with the likes of Boston, Miami, and Chicago, they needed to get a better floor general. Considering Jeff Teague hasn’t had the breakout year this season that everyone expected, a change needed to be made. Bibby had done his part in the past, but he is getting older and is not quite the same player as he was a year ago. In getting Hinrich, the Hawks have a smarter player with the ball who is also significantly better than Bibby on the defensive end, which should help soften the load from losing the defensive minded Evans. Hilton Armstrong is not much, but he should be able to take s little pressure off of Al Horford whose natural position is power forward but is forced to play center. The question is: Is Hinrich enough? Seeing that Deron Williams was apparently available hurts the Hawks because if they had managed to get Williams without trading Horford or Joe Johnson, that team would have become a title contender immediately.

The Washington Wizards seem to be in a weird position. Obviously the team now and in the future will be based around John Wall, but taking on the contract of Mike Bibby is not making them any younger. With two years left on his deal, Bibby is going to be there for a couple more seasons as well as Rashard Lewis and his massive contract. A bit of a no-difference type of trade for the Wizards as they don’t seem to be going anywhere just yet, although an extra draft pick certainly doesn’t hurt.

Grades: Hawks B; Wizards C

Baron Davis’ Worst Day Ever

Baron Davis seemed to be in a great situation. He was making big money playing  in his home town of Los Angeles while throwing alley-oop after alley-oop to Blake Griffin, one of the most electric players in the NBA. Suddenly all that came crashing down when the Clippers sent him and a 1st round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Mo Williams and Jamario Moon.

The Clippers seem to be on the up and coming. They may be young but they are full of talent. Blake Griffin may get the most attention, but the great guard play of Eric Gordon and Eric Bledsoe and the breakout year for DeAndre Jordan have helped this team climb back into a positive light. Baron Davis’ contract seemed to be untradeable, but they found a way and in return received a quality veteran guard in Mo Williams as well as a very versatile wingman in Jamario Moon. Yes, they gave up a draft pick, but that team is young enough already.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are in a tough situation. After 26 straight losses, breaking the NBA record, there wasn’t much for them to do. However, this trade is tough to digest. Baron Davis has been known to be a bit of a pre-madonna and had his trouble with Cavs coach Bryon Scott when they were both with the Charlotte Hornets. Davis’ contract, he is owed $13,000,000 this years and still has 3 years left, is also a tough pill to swallow. Although, like the Wizards, an extra draft pick doesn’t hurt a rebuilding team, but giving up one of your best young players in Moon does.

Grades: Clippers B; Cavs F

Boston Shakes Up Their Lineup

Coming off a finals loss to the rival Los Angeles Lakers, all Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers could say was that their original starting lineup; consisting of Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Kendrick Perkins; has never lost a playoff series. Perkins went down with an injury during the finals and wasn't able to compete in the final few games, so technically that statement was true. Well, Boston won’t get a chance to back that statement up this year because they traded Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic, and a future 1st round pick.

I still can’t seem to believe that the Celtics made this trade. Perkins being inside with his height and power was one of the biggest advantages that Boston had over other Eastern Conference finals hopefuls such as the Heat and the Bulls. It’s also what allowed them to keep up with the Los Angeles Lakers and Pau Gasol/Andrew Bynum. With the loss of Marquis Daniels, the Celtics certainly needed a wing player who could help take some pressure off of Pierce on the defensive end, but not at the expense of one of their biggest advantages in the Eastern Conference. Krstic won’t be able to fill the gaping hole in the paint that Perkins leaves, and neither will players like Glen Davis, who is a big body but not an inside presence, nor will the O’Neals, Shaq and Jermaine, who are getting old and can’t stay on the floor for as long as is needed. In addition, the loss of Nate Robinson means the loss of a huge spark of the bench that often brought new life to the Celtics like a defibrillator. A lot of this trade seems to be contingent on the Warriors buying out the newly acquired Troy Murphy who will help bring back some of that toughness down low, but he is not as good on defense as Perkins.

As for the Oklahoma City Thunder...WOW. This was a great trade for them. One of the glaring weaknesses in the Thunder lineup was the lack of an inside player. With the addition of Perkins, not only does the Thunder get that, but they also maintain their youthfulness as Perkins is only 26 years old. With this addition, the Thunder jump to the upper tier of teams in the West and become legitimate finals contenders, sending worries to the Lakers and Spurs.

Grades: Celtics D; Thunder A

Cavs Receive Quality for Nothing

In another surprise trade for the Celtics, Boston sent pleasantly surprising players Semih Erden and Luke Harangody to the Cavs for a future 2nd round pick.

This seemed to be a salary dump by the Celtics. In addition to Perkins, they lose more height and youth in Erden and Harangody. Although nobody seemed to expect much from either, both have been more than holding their own in the league. This is another Celtics trade I don’t understand.

As for the Cavs, they finally picked up some quality, young talent. I am sure the Cavs hope to keep both Erden and Harangody for the future and it’s certainly a good start to rebuilding. Giving up a 2nd round pick for two low 1st round quality players works every time. This isn’t going to make the Cavaliers much better this year, but adding these role players while waiting for a star to come in the through the draft doesn’t hurt anyone in Cleveland.

Grades: Celtics F; Cavs A

Rockets and Suns Swap Point Guards

In a changing of the guards, the Houston Rockets swapped Aaron Brooks for Goran Dragic and a future 1st round pick in a trade with the Phoenix Suns.

It’s tough to say why the Rockets seemed so anxious to get rid of Aaron Brooks. In return, they got Dragic who, although may have his moments, seems to be more overrated than anything. He had a great playoff series in 2010 against the Spurs but really hasn’t done a whole lot since. They get a 1st round pick, but sometimes someone you have is better than the unknown.

I like this trade for the Suns, they now have a very good point guard to follow Steve Nash when he leaves. Brooks is a small, quick guard who shoots one of the best three balls in the league. He seemed to be doing very well in Houston, which is why I am still a little perplexed that they traded him. But I like him a lot and he is going to do good things in Phoenix under the tutelage of Nash.

Grades: Rockets C+; Suns A-

Blazers Add More Injuries

Charlotte finally made a trade that looks towards the future of that franchise. The Bobcats sent Gerald Wallace to the Portland Trailblazers for Joel Przybilla, Daunte Cunningham, Sean Marks, two 1st round picks, and cash.

The Blazers needed a change and they got it. Gerald Wallace adds another dimension to this team on both sides of the ball. Wallace is a hustle players who can score on one end and can play defense, both on the ball and help. The only problem is that because Wallace is such a hustle player, he gets hurt a lot. The Blazers already have injury problems, but this is still a very good trade for them. With Brandon Roy seemingly on his last legs and LaMarcus Aldridge having a breakout season, the time to win is now. That’s why those draft picks don’t matter much. Aldridge’s great season is also a reason why Przybilla and Cunningham were expendable.

The Bobcats are starting again. They are trying to clean house and hope to rebuild over the next few years with point guard D.J. Augustin at the helm. New coach Paul Silas has done a nice job there considering he came in midway through the season and was rewarded with an extension through next year. Daunte Cunningham has had nice moments in Portland and those draft picks could be nice, provided that Michael Jordan does not waste them like he did the #1 overall pick on Kwame Brown when he was in Washington.

Grades: Blazers A; Bobcats B+