The NBA All-Star Weekend is quickly approaching and with it, the February 19th trade deadline. This is usually the time that teams will make that big move to add a missing piece, or try and offload a bloated or expiring contract in an effort to rebuild a franchise. We’ve already seen quite a few moves in the last couple weeks, but with over a month to go we are far from finished!
WHAT WE’VE SEEN SO FAR…
From trades to waivers and everything in between, the past few weeks has been a hectic time for transactions in the NBA. The Boston Celtics parted ways with Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green in an attempt to secure the future of the Celtics franchise. It was no big secret that the Celtics were looking to offload Rondo as the end of his contract draws closer and once the deal was done, it was only a matter of time before Jeff Green had his bags packed. It was a similar scenario for each trade, with a Western Conference team adding to their already competitive team while the Celtics added to their already heavy stockpile of draft picks.
While at the time it seemed that maybe Stan Van Gundy had lost the plot, the Detroit Pistons made what almost seems like a master stroke when they told Josh Smith that his services were no longer needed. For Detroit, it was almost as if a weight had been lifted from the shoulders of the collective playing group. While Smith was picked up by the Houston Rockets in attempt to bolster their starting line up, the Pistons went on to win 7 straight games in the absence of Smith.
[image src=’http://fnx.network/fnxnetwork/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/8189146096_ed638a7431_z.jpg’ width=‘480’ height=’430′ title=‘Source:Matthew D. Britt,Flickr’ align=’left’]In a multi-team trade, the New York Knicks began their process of clearing house when they sent J.R. Smith and Iman Shumpert to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were sending Dion Waiters off to Oklahoma City. While both Cleveland and Oklahoma City were adding to their roster, the Knicks were simply beginning the process of a “Culture Change” at The Garden with receiving little more than 3 players who would be lucky to see court time at any other NBA franchise as well as a future pick.
The Cavaliers were far from done as they managed to acquire the services of Denver Nuggets big man Timofey Mozgov in return for future first round picks. It was a move that needed to be done with Anderson Varejeo out for the rest of the season. The Cavs had been missing the inside presence of a big man and let’s be honest, anything less than a deep Playoffs push (if not the Finals) for the Cavs will be considered a fail given the changes made to the roster since the end of last season.
Once picking up Josh Smith off waivers, the Houston Rockets went about adding a supporting cast to their roster. The additions of Corey Brewer and Alexey Shved could prove to be handy additons to a team already sitting 3rd in the West.
SO WHAT’S TO COME???
If you’re a Boston fan take a deep breath and relax, the pain is over for now. New York fans however, I would hold off on buying any team jerseys until AFTER the trade deadline. Phil Jackson is doing what he is there to do, and that is make the tough calls. Right now the tough calls involve having a “fire sale” where nearly all players must go!
Having the highest salary in the league while potentially wanting to sell your share in an NBA franchise isn’t an ideal situation, but that is the reality for the cashed up Russian, Mikhail Prokhorov. With the combined salary of Joe Johnson, Deron Williams and Brook Lopez exceeding nearly $58million, it is a huge debt to absorb as a prospective buyer. Not only that, the Nets simply aren’t getting what they are paying for. It was only a few weeks ago that there were reports of Brooklyn potentially shopping their “Big 3”. Whether someone would touch the contracts is one things, but as a businessman, Prokhorov will be exploring every option to get the best out of a future sale of his shares, so don’t count out seeing one (if not all three) elsewhere.
[image src=’http://fnx.network/fnxnetwork/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/12262819414_38ebefdf2c_z.jpg’ width=‘427’ height=’500′ title=‘Source:Keith Allison,Flickr’ align=’right’]Oklahoma City now have an abundance of guards with the acquisition of Dion waiters. The general consensus among NBA fans is the likelihood of OKC moving one or more guards in an attempt to bulk up the big man stocks. Reggie Jackson is a valuable asset to the Thunder, but with his recent play in the absence of Russell Westbrook his stocks have risen. Obviously you’d like to keep your depth, especially a back up point guard with the capability of being starter but if the Thunder are seriously wanting to make a push while the window is open they may need to take a risk. Jackson is also a Restricted Free Agent at the end of the season and in a scenario which seems too familiar for OKC, Jackson is going to want to get PAID!
While OKC have a large collection of guards, they’re not the only ones. After signing Isaiah Thomas in the offseason, the Phoenix Suns had secured themselves 3 starting points guards. Problem is, there is only one spot! Although Eric Bledsoe is listed as a point guard, his style of play allows him move in the number two. Also considering the fact he signed a rather hefty contract with the Suns, I wouldn’t expect them to move on the one they dub “mini LeBron”. This leaves the newly acquired Thomas and Goran Dragic. For me, one of the two has to go and the fact that the Suns signed Goran’s brother Zoran may be an indication that are wanting to hold onto the expiring contract of “The Dragon”.  While they have only just picked him up this season, Thomas proved last season that he talented point guard with the ability to run the floor at Sacramento. With patchy numbers and limited game time throughout the season so far, the Suns could possibly land an experienced and talented big to anchor their side defensively as well as help nurture the young talents of Miles Plumlee and Alex Len.
Where do I even start with Lance Stephenson… Somehow “Born Ready” was going to be the savior for the Charlotte Hornets. A role player and man best known for blowing in the ear of LeBron James during the Playoffs was somehow going to take the Hornets to great things. Well as it turns out, not only is his play below average, so is his attitude. It has since come out that Stephenson was disruptive member of the Pacers for his teammates and that could possibly be the situation again in Charlotte. Stephenson hasn’t played since December 17th due to a pelvic injury. Whether there is more to that, who knows! But it was reported earlier in the season that the Hornets were fielding offers and I doubt that they wouldn’t move on something if the opportunity came along.
In no way am I saying that the above is going to happen, but to me these a realistic scenarios for what is left of the trade period. As teams fight over what is left on the table, who knows who ends up where. All you can do wait ,watch it all unfold and just hope that your team makes the right move!
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Banner Image Credit: Mark Runyon, Flickr
Story Image 1 Credit: Matthew D. Britt, Flickr
Story image 2 Credit: Keith Allison, Flickr