Breaking Down The Trades: Part Two

[Erick Blasco]

The summer days lazily drift by, but not for NBA general mangers still maneuvering to make their teams better. Let’s examine the latest round of trades and what they mean for each new employer and each new employee.

 

Charlotte acquires Erick Dampier, Eduardo Najera, and Matt Carroll from Dallas for Tyson Chandler and Alexis Ajinca

 

After suffering through an ineffective season marred by injuries and foul trouble, Charlotte shipped off Tyson Chandler for a more reliable center. Dampier doesn’t have the defensive range of Chandler, but he’s more forceful inside, and less brittle.

 

Because Gerald Wallace is an undersized power forward in Charlotte, the Bobcats need to make up for their lack of defensive bulk in the frontcourt. Dampier should do that, improving an already solid defense.

 

Offensively, Dampier doesn’t provide much, but he’s always been a terrific offensive rebounder, and finisher around the rim.

 

Matt Carroll is a shooter to store at the end of Charlotte’s bench, while Eduardo Najera is a hard-working scrapper on his last NBA legs.

 

The Bobcats didn’t acquire a player who could create his own offense, but they gave up two non-scorers for three non-scorers who are better defenders than what they gave up going the other way.

 

Discounting the financials of the deal, the Bobcats improved themselves on the court.

 

Grade: A-

 

 

Dallas acquires Tyson Chandler and Alexis Ajinca from Dallas for Erick Dampier, Eduardo Najera, and Matt Carroll

 

The Mavericks are an older team that doesn’t cover as much ground defensively as it once did. Therefore, acquiring the rangy Chandler can serve as a boost to their defense. He’s quick enough to show on screens, to rotate along the interior, and to block shots, while doubling as a sturdy post defender. Chandler’s injury and foul problems are mitigated by having Brendan Haywood on the roster.

 

Ajinca is simply a project big who won’t be a factor in the NBA for a while, if ever.

 

Chandler is a different kind of defender than Dampier, and a better fit right now than Dampier. Najera and Carroll weren’t major parts of Rick Carlisle’s rotation, so the Mavericks, like Charlotte, upgraded themselves on the court.

 

Grade: A-

 

 

Utah acquires Al Jefferson from Minnesota for Kosta Koufos

 

Jefferson can score in a multitude of ways on the block. He carves out space with a wide body down low, has soft touch on his hooks, and can even put the ball on the floor provided he only has to go in a straight line to the basket. Jefferson has even improved his jump shooting to be a respectable threat outside the paint.

 

He’s certainly the same caliber of back-to-the-basket scorer Carlos Boozer is.

 

However, whereas Boozer could create his own offense from the high post, and was an above average passer, Jefferson’s effectiveness rapidly diminishes the farther away from the paint he is. Jefferson isn’t a willing or able passer, and isn’t turnover prone because he’s too busy attempting shots, even against double teams.

 

He does compare to Boozer in another area of his game—defense. Jefferson’s a slow-to-move, slow-to-recognize player who seldom offers defensive resistance.

 

With Jefferson on the roster, the Jazz will have a low post option to throw the ball into should their various flex sets not produce any offense, plus another effective screen/roll player.

 

However, Jefferson won’t space the floor the way Boozer could, and is just as poor a defender.

 

Essentially trading Boozer for Jefferson is a parallel deal, one that won’t make the Jazz significantly worse or better. Given the way their interior defense has been shredded the past two seasons by the Lakers, you’d think they’d prefer to go in a different direction than acquiring a poor interior defender.

 

Grade: B-

 

 

Minnesota acquires Kosta Koufos from Utah for Al Jefferson

 

For a team as devoid of firepower as the Timberwolves are, it’s almost unthinkable that they could give away a reliable post scorer and not get anything of value in return. Instead of Jefferson, the T-Wolves have Koufos, a poor facsimile of an NBA player, and will start the unimpressive Darko Milicic at center.

 

Yes, it’s painfully obvious that the combination of Al Jefferson and Kevin Love wasn’t going to cut it and one of them had to go. Neither is particularly athletic, and neither plays any semblance of effective defense. Minnesota values Love’ complementary attributes—his rebounding, his passing, his jump shooting—so they held on to him.

 

Instead, of finding a player who Love could work off of—a post scorer who could draw doubles and pass, an athleticic shot blocker, a wing who could create his own offense—the T-Wolves simply gave Jefferson away, failing to improve their roster.

Grade: F

 

 

Phoenix acquired Hedo Turkoglu from Toronto for Leandro Barbosa and Dwayne Jones

 

After a disastrous season in Toronto, Hedo Turkoglu moves west. On the surface, his last three places of residency will have employed basic tenements of the same offense. Orlando, Toronto, and Phoenix are all high screen/roll offenses with up to four three-point shooters on the floor with a big man setting the screen and rolling.

 

The difference between Turkoglu’s strong play in Orlando to his miserable season in Toronto is the personnel. In Orlando, Dwight Howard’s screens pulverized Turkoglu’s defenders, while Howard’s hoopward rolls sucked in help defenders to collapse on him at the rim.

 

Turkoglu’s three-point shooting punished defenders for going under the screens or for making ineffective closeouts. Meanwhile, his height, handles, and vision allowed him to see where the collapsing help defenders were coming from before making on-point passes.

 

In Toronto, defenses didn’t have to worry as much about Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani as rollers, so defenses didn’t have to suck in as much. Left to his own devices, Turkoglu is an ordinary scorer and playmaker.

 

With Phoenix, who will be Toronto’s primary screen/roll man? Robin Lopez looks the part, but can he be successful without Amare Stoudemire. Hakim Warrick shouldn’t pose too many sleepless nights for opposing coaches either.

 

As such, Turkoglu will be asked to handle the ball less in Phoenix, and to be more of a spot-up shooter, something he certainly does well. Expect an improvement over last year, but don’t expect him to return to Orlando form.

 

Goran Dragic’ emergence made Leandro Barbosa obsolete, as Dragic supplies terrific talent without the reckless decisions that plague Barbosa.

 

Grade: B

 

 

Toronto acquires Leandro Barbosa and Dwayne Jones from Phoenix for Hedo Turkoglu

 

The Raptors won’t miss Turkoglu’s lack of production, his deflections of criticism, or his overpaid contract. On the downside, the Raptors are now thin at the small forward position and will need to make a move to fill their gap.

 

Barbosa comes in as a player who could supply offense in a pinch as a backup, but he’s another awful defender on an awful defensive team that desperately needs a defensive backbone.

 

Barbosa isn’t a player who’ll make Toronto better, but they saw a chance to get out of Turkoglu’s contract and took it.

 

Grade: B-

[Check my Stats]

I disagree with that Jazz grade, I think swapping out Boozer for Jefferson is outstanding value considering Jefferson is considerably younger and will probably improve playing under a coach like Jerry Sloan. Jefferson is still only 25 years old and is on an extremely manageable contract for the production he could potentially give the Jazz. Maybe on the basketball court for the coming season, it is a B-, but for the Jazz as a franchise moving forward I think it is better than giving Boozer the 5/80 (or more) to retain him as he pushes 30 years old.

 

I can't judge the Suns deal personally until we see how Hedo is used. If he is used as a spot up shooter like you suggested you can expect another bad statistical year just more shots because of the offense. If the Suns intend on using him as a ball handler and Nash as a shooter sometimes, then Hedo might help make them a better team, this is something i think that Gentry suggested, and something that would be very interesting seeing as Nash is pretty much a deadly shooter while Hedo is extremely streaky. I am still confused what Hedo found more enticing about Phoenix to waive his trade kicker, maybe he just wanted out of Toronto badly, maybe he was promised more ball handling duties, or maybe he is just excited to play in an offense where he can launch the first shot he wants.

Edited July 21, 2010 by travesy3

[Erick Blasco]

I disagree with that Jazz grade, I think swapping out Boozer for Jefferson is outstanding value considering Jefferson is considerably younger and will probably improve playing under a coach like Jerry Sloan. Jefferson is still only 25 years old and is on an extremely manageable contract for the production he could potentially give the Jazz. Maybe on the basketball court for the coming season, it is a B-, but for the Jazz as a franchise moving forward I think it is better than giving Boozer the 5/80 (or more) to retain him as he pushes 30 years old.

 

I can't judge the Suns deal personally until we see how Hedo is used. If he is used as a spot up shooter like you suggested you can expect another bad statistical year just more shots because of the offense. If the Suns intend on using him as a ball handler and Nash as a shooter sometimes, then Hedo might help make them a better team, this is something i think that Gentry suggested, and something that would be very interesting seeing as Nash is pretty much a deadly shooter while Hedo is extremely streaky. I am still confused what Hedo found more enticing about Phoenix to waive his trade kicker, maybe he just wanted out of Toronto badly, maybe he was promised more ball handling duties, or maybe he is just excited to play in an offense where he can launch the first shot he wants.

 

How does Jefferson help the Jazz become more than a 5-7 seed that loses in the first or second round every year. The Jazz have been annihilated inside by every team they've faced in the postseason the past few years, except the Rockets. Everybody scores on Utah. Yeah Jefferson will produce, but the Jazz defensively will still be the Jazz. That's not a good thing.

 

Acquiring Jefferson is the kind of move that indicates the Jazz are fine with a second round ceiling.

 

Turkoglu, for whatever reasons hated the system in Toronto. It's probably just a front for him to save face for his awful year, but he wanted out of there.

 

Turkoglu can handle but he needs a good screen to create separation. Robin Lopez has a wide body, I'd be surprised if the Turkoglu trade doesn't simply pencil Lopez in as next year's starting center.

[Lone Wolf]

The Jefferson trade also included: the Memphis Grizzlies’ protected 2011 first-round pick (obtained by the Jazz a previous trade) and an additional future protected first-round pick.

 

The Wolves got those.

[*Swish*]

I would give a A for the Minnesota one because without Al Jefferson, Jazz wouldn't be able to reach playoffs but now Deron and Big Al will work together to become a good duo on the pick and roll etc.

[Poe]

Good job as usual. I always look forward to your articles.

 

 

 

I couple of things I want to point out, though.

 

 

Instead, of finding a player who Love could work off of—a post scorer who could draw doubles and pass, an athleticic shot blocker, a wing who could create his own offense—the T-Wolves simply gave Jefferson away, failing to improve their roster.

 

They did find those players though. Darko Milicic and Michael Beasley (if they use him at the 3). I know neither of them are quite proven just yet, but they are expected to fill the role of post scorer/shot blocker, and wing creator.

 

I agree completely that simply giving Jefferson away like that definitely deserves an F.

 

 

As such, Turkoglu will be asked to handle the ball less in Phoenix, and to be more of a spot-up shooter, something he certainly does well. Expect an improvement over last year, but don’t expect him to return to Orlando form.

 

IIRC, I believe they plan on doing it the other way around. Gentry plans to utilize Nash's shooting ability, as he's also one of the best shooters of all time, and have Turkoglu be the main playmaker on offense.

 

Goran Dragic’ emergence made Leandro Barbosa obsolete, as Dragic supplies terrific talent without the reckless decisions that plague Barbosa.

 

They also acquired Josh Childress to replace Barbosa and plan to run a 10 man rotation like last year.

 

The Raptors won’t miss Turkoglu’s lack of production, his deflections of criticism, or his overpaid contract. On the downside, the Raptors are now thin at the small forward position and will need to make a move to fill their gap.

 

I believe they got Linaz Kleiza and Matt Barnes. The depth there isn't superb in any way, but it's not a huge gap either.

 

 

EDIT: Forget what I said. They don't have Matt Barnes yet.. and they might not get him after all.

Edited July 21, 2010 by Poe

[Erick Blasco]

Good job as usual. I always look forward to your articles.

 

 

 

I couple of things I want to point out, though.

 

 

 

 

They did find those players though. Darko Milicic and Michael Beasley (if they use him at the 3). I know neither of them are quite proven just yet, but they are expected to fill the role of post scorer/shot blocker, and wing creator.

 

I agree completely that simply giving Jefferson away like that definitely deserves an F.

 

They're not good options though. Beasley may be okay as a three, though I like him as a four where he's more athletic than other power forwards. They need a wing who can simply jump over people and a center who can block shots. They still don't have those.

 

 

 

 

IIRC, I believe they plan on doing it the other way around. Gentry plans to utilize Nash's shooting ability, as he's also one of the best shooters of all time, and have Turkoglu be the main playmaker on offense.

 

And once Gentry watches Turkoglu struggling to create his own shot, he'll go right back to Nash as the primary ball handler.

 

 

 

They also acquired Josh Childress to replace Barbosa and plan to run a 10 man rotation like last year.

 

Yep, something that will be talked about when I get to part two of the free agent signings. Either way, Barbosa isn't necessary anymore.

 

 

I believe they got Linaz Kleiza and Matt Barnes. The depth there isn't superb in any way, but it's not a huge gap either.

 

 

EDIT: Forget what I said. They don't have Matt Barnes yet.. and they might not get him after all.

 

I'm going by official transactions and official rosters. Hoops-hype has it that Toronto signed him to an offer sheet, but they never updated that the offer sheet was never matched. Plus they don't list him and his salary on the team's roster. Does NBA.com or someplace have a tracker so I can avoid this mistake in the future?

 

 

And as always, thanks for the kind words.

Edited July 21, 2010 by Erick Blasco

[Lone Wolf]

 

 

I agree completely that simply giving Jefferson away like that definitely deserves an F.

 

 

 

 

 

Well now, I did mention what the Wolves also got...

 

For the Wolves to get a wing or shot blocker for Jefferson, that was too hard to get. Like you and others have pointed, people are going to question about his big injury, as well as his poor help defense. His off-court issue may have been a factor, too.

Edited July 21, 2010 by Lone Wolf

[Poe]

They're not good options though. Beasley may be okay as a three, though I like him as a four where he's more athletic than other power forwards. They need a wing who can simply jump over people and a center who can block shots. They still don't have those.

 

Well, how about their draft pick, Wesley Johnson? He's pretty athletic, and so is Corey Brewer [insert dunk on Fisher].

 

And Darko has a career 2.5 bpg per 36 minutes.

 

 

And once Gentry watches Turkoglu struggling to create his own shot, he'll go right back to Nash as the primary ball handler.

 

I don't think the Suns made the deal just for the heck of it. I believe they had a vision in getting Hedo, who we all know is most affective when given the utmost freedom to run the point (as well as what you said about having good screen-setters and dangerous interior scorers like Howard). Even though he's going to be playing right next to one of the best offensive PGs of all time, I think Gentry will give him that freedom. He's going to be using Hedo's abilities as a passer to make more use of Nash's abilities as a shooter.

 

Judging by how the Suns generally have a history of making the most of their players offensively, I think Hedo will do just fine. We'll see what happens, though.

 

 

I'm going by official transactions and official rosters. Hoops-hype has it that Toronto signed him to an offer sheet, but they never updated that the offer sheet was never matched. Plus they don't list him and his salary on the team's roster. Does NBA.com or someplace have a tracker so I can avoid this mistake in the future?

 

Well, there is http://www.nba.com/freeagents/2010/ . Click on "View Signed" and it gives you the official list. Sometimes they are a day or two late, and they have yet to include the Kleiza signing. I only know about that because of the active Raptors fans on this board.

Edited July 21, 2010 by Poe