Breaking Down The Trades

[Erick Blasco]

The first volleys of trading and free agency have swept across the NBA battlefield. Let’s examine the first trades fired and what they’ll mean to their prospective teams. Only trades involving two teams swapping players who weren’t subsequently cut will be analyzed.

 

New York acquires Anthony Randolph, Ronnie Turiaf, and Kelenna Azubuike from Golden State for David Lee

 

David Lee would be superfluous with Amare Stoudemire in tow, so the Knicks shipped him off for solid depth and a potentially high reward in Randolph.

 

Randolph is a long, lean forward who runs like a gazelle, falls in love with his inconsistent jumper, plays zero defense, and has a limited understanding of the game. However, If he can gain some upper body strength and put things together, he could become a big time player in an up-tempo offense somewhere down the road.

 

Turiaf will always play hard on defense, even if his undersized frame mitigates the success rate of his efforts. He’ll block shots, rebound, and make plays simply on his competitive spirit.

 

Azubuike can defend a little, shoot a little, handle a little, and run the floor. He’s not a bad backup wing, especially in an uptempo offense.

 

Still, the pickups do little to plus the gaping holes the Knicks need plugged at the guard and power forward/center position.

Grade: C-

 

 

Golden State acquires David Lee from New York for Anthony Randolph, Ronny Turiaf, and Kelenna Azubuike.

 

Lee has terrific rebounding instincts and an extraordinarily quick second jump which allows him to dominate the glass. Aside from Dwight Howard, Lee probably has the most rebounding range in the NBA. His ability to rebound, make quick outlet passes, and run the floor will add another dimension to Golden State’s fast break.

 

He doesn’t need the ball offensively, but he’s an excellent screen-slipper and finisher with both hands around the rim, particularly his left. He’s also improved his game to the point where he’s a dangerous mid-range jumper. He’s far too quick off the dribble for centers to handle, forcing them to give up space for him to shoot 18-footers at will.

 

Of course his defense is deplorable, but in Golden State that’s hardly a footnote. With Golden State’s get-up-and-go gameplan, expect him to put up even bigger numbers than the gargantuan totals he produced under Mike D’Antoni.

 

Getting him for filler amounts to the basketball equivalent of highway robbery.

Grade: A

 

 

Milwaukee acquires Corey Maggette from Golden State for Charlie Bell and Dan Gadzuric.

 

Maggette fills a major hole in Milwaukee’s lineup. He’s a ferocious baseline player with a penchant for ducking in, sealing weaker defenders, and finishing or drawing fouls at the hoop. Looking at the Bucks roster, you’ll see a team devoid of interior finishers. Andrew Bogut is solid up front, but John Salmons takes too many dribbles to get to the hoop, Brandon Jennings is a pathetic finisher, Luke Ridnour is soft, Michael Redd’s career is in limbo, Jerry Stackhouse is running on fumes, Kurt Thomas is strictly a jump shooter, and Ersan Illyasova has trouble finishing among the trees.

 

Acquiring Maggette gives Milwaukee’s offense much needed muscle power to go with the team’s heart and scrappiness.

 

Sure, Maggette’s as ball-hungry as they come, but he hasn’t played for a coach with a strong personality in years. He’ll always play hard on offense if he gets his touches, but looking at Milwaukee’s roster, he’ll be a primary option down low. Plus, if he overdribbles or takes too many quick jumpers, he’ll have to deal with Scott Skiles and a number of well-respected veterans who will make sure he falls in line.

 

Defensively is a different story as Maggette’s never been a good defender. The hope is that he improves by osmosis and provides enough offensive production to offset his lack of defense.

Grade: B+

 

 

Golden State acquires Charlie Bell and Dan Gadzuric from Milwaukee for Corey Maggette.

 

Taking on players is the secondary aspect of this deal. Golden State is more than happy to shed Maggette and free up more ball time for Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry.

 

Bell is a defense-oriented guard who is too small to defend shooting guards, and too slow to defend point guards. He’s a respectable shooter and playmaker but is hampered by lack of size. Gadzuric can run the floor and his active on the offensive glass, but he has no offensive game to speak of and gets pushed around defensively. He’s strictly a third center.

 

Each will be lucky to see more than spot duty. The Warriors are perfectly fine with that.

 

Grade: B+

 

 

Sacramento acquires Samuel Dalembert from Philadelphia for Andres Nocioni and Spencer Hawes.

 

Dalembert is a terrific weak side shot blocker and springy rebounder who will clean up some of the mistakes of Sacramento’s novice perimeter defenders. He also displays poor judgment and will take two or three jump shots per game that are beyond his range. Still, his clean up defense will help Sacramento’s offense stay in games, and he’ll feed off the cookies provided by Tyreke Evans’ penetrations.

 

He’s a short term upgrade over Spencer Hawes, with Hawes lacking the potential to become anything more than a journeyman center. Nocioni had no future in Sacramento’s plans, and had fallen out of favor by clashing with Tyreke Evans.

 

Grade: B

 

 

Philadelphia acquires Andres Nocioni and Spencer Hawes from Sacramento for Samuel Dalembert.

 

With Dalembert set free, the Sixers will have more playing time available for Elton Brand, Marreese Speights, and Thaddeus Young. While no player in that trio is a center, the Sixers will be able to split Brand and Speights at the center position, while having the other split time with Young at the four. If the lack of size is an issue, Spencer Hawes won’t embarrass himself by playing major minutes at center.

 

Noccioni used to be a plus defender and a versatile scorer but he’s lost a step. His defense is no longer exemplary, and he has trouble finishing in a crowd. He can still shoot the three, and he still plays hard, giving the Sixers’ bench more teeth than it has with Jason Kapono.

 

Grade: B

 

New Jersey Acquired Quinton Ross from Washington for Yi Jianlian.

 

Defense is Ross’ stock-in-trade—he offers virtually nothing on the offensive end of the floor. At worst, he’s an upgrade over Trent Hassel, and an indicator of what the Nets think of Yi after two seasons.

 

Grade: C

 

 

Washington acquires Yi Jianlian from New Jersey for Quinton Ross.

 

Softer than a sponge, Jianlian is little more than an oversized shooting guard. Yi offers little without the ball so it’s a wonder why the Wizards traded for him when they have so many players who’ll need the ball to be effective next season.

 

Grade: F

[Jenneral]

For the Bucks... as it stands now Ridnour, Stackhouse, and Thomas will all be playing for teams other than the Bucks next season.

[JWaLL]

An F for the Wizards acquiring Yi? We got him for literally nothing and will provide a huge void for the absence of Blatche, who will be missing part of the beginning of the season. I can't possibly see why that was a bad move when we gave up Quinton Ross, who wouldn't have seen the floor once had we kept him.

[fish7718]

I don't see how the Knicks trading a guy they would have gotten absolutley nothing for had he gone to the Nets or Kings is a bad trade for them.

[Jammin]

Awww I wanted to see your take on the Turk/Childress trades for the Suns

 

Oh well, still a great writeup again EB.

[Poe]

I agree with your grades for the most part, and as usual, a good read.

 

I like the direction the Warriors are taking, and they managed to get a pretty big time offensive player in David Lee to compliment Ellis and Curry. His pick in roll game will perfect in Nelson's system. Plus I heard he's extending his range to the 3 point line.

 

I also like the Warriors' replacement for Maggette in Dorell Wright, who will add length and athleticism in the front court, and his shooting and playmaking ability will benefit the team as well.

 

 

Randolph may potentially prove to be a high reward for New York. We'll just have to wait and see how that turns out. Maybe he'll somehow respond differently to D'Antoni than he did with Nelson.

 

 

BTW, congrats on your 1,000th post

[JYD]

I don't see how the Knicks trading a guy they would have gotten absolutley nothing for had he gone to the Nets or Kings is a bad trade for them.

agreed completely.

[Erick Blasco]

I don't see how the Knicks trading a guy they would have gotten absolutley nothing for had he gone to the Nets or Kings is a bad trade for them.

 

It's because there's basically nothing there. A project and some "mehs" for an All-Star.

[Erick Blasco]

For the Bucks... as it stands now Ridnour, Stackhouse, and Thomas will all be playing for teams other than the Bucks next season.

 

They'll try to bring Ridnour back if they can afford him, and Thomas if he wants to come back. Stackhouse will probably try the old sit out half of a season and see if the Bucks need him in February.

[Erick Blasco]

An F for the Wizards acquiring Yi? We got him for literally nothing and will provide a huge void for the absence of Blatche, who will be missing part of the beginning of the season. I can't possibly see why that was a bad move when we gave up Quinton Ross, who wouldn't have seen the floor once had we kept him.

 

It's because when Yi does see the floor, you'll wish you had Ross on your team not seeing the floor.

[Erick Blasco]

Awww I wanted to see your take on the Turk/Childress trades for the Suns

 

Oh well, still a great writeup again EB.

 

News was just breaking as I wrote this and I want to wait for most deals to be finalized. I'll probably have a free agent write up this weekend, and then a third article taking care of everything I didn't catch early next week.

[Erick Blasco]

I agree with your grades for the most part, and as usual, a good read.

 

I like the direction the Warriors are taking, and they managed to get a pretty big time offensive player in David Lee to compliment Ellis and Curry. His pick in roll game will perfect in Nelson's system. Plus I heard he's extending his range to the 3 point line.

 

I also like the Warriors' replacement for Maggette in Dorell Wright, who will add length and athleticism in the front court, and his shooting and playmaking ability will benefit the team as well.

 

 

Randolph may potentially prove to be a high reward for New York. We'll just have to wait and see how that turns out. Maybe he'll somehow respond differently to D'Antoni than he did with Nelson.

 

 

BTW, congrats on your 1,000th post

 

lol, ,I had no idea that was my 1000'th post. Thanks for pointing that out!

 

And yeah, the Warriors have gotten rid of projects and upgraded their frontcourt with Lee. Wright's one of the most polished players on their team, and they'll have money to play with next offseason when Gadzuric and Radmanovic' healthy sized contracts come off the cap.

[fish7718]

It's because there's basically nothing there. A project and some "mehs" for an All-Star.

Scouts say Randolph has the most potential of any player in 2008 draft, including Derrick Rose. However you said it yourself even if Lee was on our team he'd be of no use to us, which would make it a B- imo. However, Lee isn't even our team and was probably signing somewhere else, I think getting the potential Randolph brings back for basically nothing is an absolute steal. Guess it all depends on how you look at it.

[Erick Blasco]

Scouts say Randolph has the most potential of any player in 2008 draft, including Derrick Rose. However you said it yourself even if Lee was on our team he'd be of no use to us, which would make it a B- imo. However, Lee isn't even our team and was probably signing somewhere else, I think getting the potential Randolph brings back for basically nothing is an absolute steal. Guess it all depends on how you look at it.

 

It also depends on when the team wants to be competitive. They didn't clear all this cap space and sign Amare to develop projects.

[Check my Stats]

I still hate everything about what the Bucks did this off-season, was pretty Colangelo-esque.

[Erick Blasco]

I still hate everything about what the Bucks did this off-season, was pretty Colangelo-esque.

 

But look at what they did. They acquired talent in Gooden and Maggette for nothing in Bell and Gadzuric. They upgraded two positions. Keep in mind, their alternative after Maggette to start at the wing is Carlos Delfino.

 

The Bucks played a Hawks team that flat out quit last postseason and still couldn't beat them. They had so much trouble scoring and generating offense when Jennings wasn't hitting his jumpers. They added offensive versatility, and Gooden isn't a worse defender than Illyasova, or Gadzuric.

 

People assume that Maggette's a dog...the guy works hard on offense and puts teams in the penalty just by cutting hard. He's the only perimeter guy the Bucks have who can put the opposing team in the penalty. He won't complain because he'll be one of their go-to options and he'll be playing for a coach who'll get him to buy in.

 

They hope that by giving him a shorter leash defensively, he'll play hard on that end.

 

Yeah, the contracts are long, especially for Gooden. What major free agent wants to play in Milwaukee though? Carmelo Anthony isn't playing for the Bucks next year. Milwaukee's making a play to win a playoff series this year and they've put themselves in position to do so. They still have a huge chip with Michael Redd's golden expiring contract ready to fetch them a piece at the trade deadline.

 

People hated on Maggette in Golden Sate because Monta Ellis is a golden boy despite being just as ball hungry, just as bad on defense, and even more inefficient. Maggette's a nice scapegoat. But the dude can still play and fill a role the Bucks badly need.

[Jenneral]

They'll try to bring Ridnour back if they can afford him, and Thomas if he wants to come back. Stackhouse will probably try the old sit out half of a season and see if the Bucks need him in February.

Hammond has come out saying it's highly unlikely that we'll be keeping Ridnour. 1) He has offers worth much more money than we're willing to give and 2) He's been offered starting roles.

 

We no longer have a need for Stackhouse as we have players in Salmons, CDR, Delfino, and Hobson that will be able to replicate what he did for us last season.

 

Thomas is the most likely to come back although even that isn't looking too bright. I'd love to bring him back for another year or two, especially with Bogut's injury history. It would be really nice to have a solid veteran ready in case something happens.

[Poe]

To add to what's been said, the outcome of the Hawks - Bucks series could have changed dramatically had Bogut been healthy.

 

Considering how AB has become a top 3 center in the league, and Jennings still has yet to tap into his potential, the Bucks could end up improving their record a good deal next year. If Salmons can keep up the same level of play, and if Skiles can train Maggette properly, they may end up surprising some people come playoff time.

 

 

As they say... fear the deer! Lol.

[Jenneral]

To add to what's been said, the outcome of the Hawks - Bucks series could have changed dramatically had Bogut been healthy.

 

Considering how AB has become a top 3 center in the league, and Jennings still has yet to tap into his potential, the Bucks could end up improving their record a good deal next year. If Salmons can keep up the same level of play, and if Skiles can train Maggette properly, they may end up surprising some people come playoff time.

 

 

As they say... fear the deer! Lol.

Very true. I'd like to see Jennings improve his shooting to over 40%. If he can do that along with perfect his floater, he's going to be very tough to defend.

 

Salmons doesn't even need to replicate what he did for us those 30 games last season. He talked with Hammond before signing and realized he'd play a smaller role. With the additions of Maggette, Gooden, and CDR it's likely he'll be taking less shots per game - and he's fine with that.

 

I just hope Bogut can make it back 100% by the start of the season and stay healthy all the way through. He's the anchor and clear-cut leader of this team. We can't afford for him to keep getting hurt.

 

Also, Redd's expiring contract could be used at the deadline this year to get us some extra talent as we make our playoff push.

 

Fear the Dear!

[JYD]

It's because there's basically nothing there. A project and some "mehs" for an All-Star.

But we were going to lose him anyway...

[xx.]

How can one say that the Bucks are having a bad off-season? They resigned Salmons who fit that offensive perfectly and played a great role. They added another scorer, Maggette. They added a solid bigman into the rotation who will start besides in Bogut, who is Gooden.

 

PG - Jennings

SG - Salmons

SF - Maggette

PF - Gooden

C - Bogut

 

If anything.... the Bucks have only made themselves a lot better.

[Erick Blasco]

But we were going to lose him anyway...

 

Then let him go and use the money to sign three better players.

[AtTheDriveIn]

How can one say that the Bucks are having a bad off-season? They resigned Salmons who fit that offensive perfectly and played a great role. They added another scorer, Maggette. They added a solid bigman into the rotation who will start besides in Bogut, who is Gooden.

 

PG - Jennings

SG - Salmons

SF - Maggette

PF - Gooden

C - Bogut

 

If anything.... the Bucks have only made themselves a lot better.

 

Redd? You're not telling me that you think Redd is going to be on the bench behind Salmons, are you?

 

The Bucks haven't had a bad off-season, but they haven't made any real steps forward. I mean, Gooden and Maggette are good acquisitions, but good doesn't win you many more games. Gooden has been on 9 teams in 8 years and the only time he's playing well is when he's on a bad team during the final months of a season. If I recall, he was okay for the Spurs and okay for the Cavaliers when he played for them, but both teams could have used any other forward and they would have been at exactly the same place as they were with Gooden. Signing Gooden seemed more a move that made sense because of his good trade value and low price more than it did a signing for a player they expect to be there for more than a season or two.

 

As for Maggette.. well at least they have another scorer, albeit a selfish one. But the Bucks problem has been a lack of a go-to scorer when Redd goes out. At least Maggette can be counted upon to step up and provide. I like Maggette, just not for the Bucks.

[YugoRocketsFan]

Redd? You're not telling me that you think Redd is going to be on the bench behind Salmons, are you?

 

The Bucks haven't had a bad off-season, but they haven't made any real steps forward. I mean, Gooden and Maggette are good acquisitions, but good doesn't win you many more games. Gooden has been on 9 teams in 8 years and the only time he's playing well is when he's on a bad team during the final months of a season. If I recall, he was okay for the Spurs and okay for the Cavaliers when he played for them, but both teams could have used any other forward and they would have been at exactly the same place as they were with Gooden. Signing Gooden seemed more a move that made sense because of his good trade value and low price more than it did a signing for a player they expect to be there for more than a season or two.

 

As for Maggette.. well at least they have another scorer, albeit a selfish one. But the Bucks problem has been a lack of a go-to scorer when Redd goes out. At least Maggette can be counted upon to step up and provide. I like Maggette, just not for the Bucks.

 

Michael Redd is overrated, hes definitely going to be on the bench behind Salmons.

[AtTheDriveIn]

Michael Redd is overrated, hes definitely going to be on the bench behind Salmons.

 

Uhuh. What support do you have for this?