February 9, 2013; Sacramento, CA, USA; Utah Jazz power forward Paul Millsap (24) and center Al Jefferson (25) react after being called for a foul during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Kings defeated the Jazz 120-109. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA trade deadline came and went, and nothing happened. After names like Josh Smith, Paul Millsap, Carlos Boozer, and Dwight Howard saw their name attached to rumors, fans sadly watched as Jordan Crawford was moved to Boston, Sebastian Telfair swapped to Toronto, and J.J. Redick sent to Milwaukee. The reason? Due to the new, harsher CBA repeater tax, and the value of those first round draft picks, we saw various rumored trades shot down. That sad part about this is that this is just the first year. The trade deadline might be even more boring as teams begin to pay the tax, and lose their exceptions. While teams like Milwaukee, Houston, and Oklahoma City should benefit from their deals, there’s a ton of teams that disappointed me as well, whether it was their reluctance in making a trade, or not making a move at all. (more…)

1. Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks

Josh Smith has been rumored in trade talks for years now.  However, with his free agency status pending, he is a virtual lock to go elsewhere.  And why not?  He has put his time in with the team, helping the Hawks go from cellar-dweller status to a respectable playoff team.  He was suspended earlier this season for conduct detrimental to the team.  The one reason to try to keep him is to use him as a lure for Dwight Howard to come to his hometown of Atlanta.  However, if Dwight didn’t put the Hawks on his wish-list last year, why would he go there now?  And if Dwight is unlikely to come, why hold on to Smith?

Feb 8 2013; Miami, FL, USA; Los Angeles Clippers point guard Eric Bledsoe (12) during the second half against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

2. Eric Bledsoe, LA Clippers

Eric Bledsoe has really set himself up for a huge paycheck for next year and beyond.  The question is, where is it going to be?  Certainly not in Clipper land, where Chris Paul will presumably sign a long-term deal and run Lob City for years to come.  With his trade value very high, Bledsoe should garner a lot of interest from other teams looking for a solid point guard to build their team around.

3. Paul Millsap, Utah Jazz

With a crowded but talented front court, Utah is not going to be able to hang on to all their bigs.  As a small-market team, we have seen precedence that holding on to more than 2-3 stars is just not feasible (e.g. James Harden in OKC, Rudy Gay in Memphis).  Trading Millsap makes the most sense, as the Jazz will want to give more minutes to their new talented bigs in Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter.  At the same time, they can keep their contender status with Al Jefferson manning the middle.  To me, trading Millsap to the Clippers for Bledsoe makes the most sense for both teams.

4. Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics

I’m going out on a limb here:  while GM Danny Ainge has been adamant about not trading Kevin Garnett or Paul Pierce, he remains mum about his newest superstar.  Obviously, tearing his ACL kind of sets back Rondo’s trade value, but teams would still love to have him.  Also, it’s not like this would be the first time Rondo would be shopped around.  The team rattled off eight straight wins in his absence, which may reinforce Rondo’s expendability.  Although a shakeup is due soon, I think Ainge, deep down, does not want to build around the volatile young point guard.

5. Kris Humphries, Brooklyn Nets

Humphries is being actively shopped by the aggressive Nets, most conspicuously in an effort to get Josh Smith from Atlanta.  While that particular exchange seems unlikely, I think Humphries has become the odd man out of Brooklyn in PJ Carlisemo’s playbook.  Besides, Reggie Evans and Andray Blatche have proven to be far more valuable role players.  There’s many teams that could get his hands on him in the next 24 hours, and I suspect that the Nets aren’t going to be it.

Of all the players rumored to be in trade talks, I’ll tell you who’s not getting traded, also.

1. Dwight Howard and 2. Pau Gasol, LA Lakers

Despite the growing speculation that Howard is a lock to leave LA so long as coach Mike D’Antoni and golden boy Kobe Bryant stick around, I highly doubt that Mitch Kupchak will come to his senses and trade Howard.  The team has made it clear that it wants Howard to be the centerpiece of its future.  Problem is, I don’t think Dwight will want to suck it up for another year or two under the tutelage of Kobe and D’Antoni.  It would be equally asinine for the Lakers to keep Howard as it would have been for the Magic to keep him last year.  Be that as it may, don’t expect Howard to leave LA until July 1^st.

As for Gasol, don’t expect him to go anywhere, either.  His foot injury has not only quieted trade talks surrounding him, but also subsided the other troubling subplot of the season:  D’Antoni has NO CLUE how to play his two star bigs together.  None.  The team is about a million times better featuring Gasol in the post rather than Howard, but now that is a moot point.  Lakers will want to keep him in case they make a run at the playoffs – which, by the way, is still a possibility, given the Golden State Warriors’ impending slide in the standings.

3. Kevin Garnett and 4. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics

Since Rondo went down, the media-driven trade talks surrounding the two current Celtics icons gained some steam.  However, Danny Ainge has been very clear that he does not expect either Garnett or Pierce to get traded.  Garnett has a no-trade clause that he has absolutely no intention of waiving, and Pierce cannot leave Boston for the same reason that Kobe can’t leave Los Angeles, and Tim Duncan can’t leave San Antonio:  you just cannot get rid of your long-standing franchise player.  That’s a big no-no.

5. Carlos Boozer, Chicago Bulls

Yes, he is overpaid.  And yes, he has been largely disappointing, other than a few stretches of good games this season.  But I think with Derrick Rose presumably coming back soon, the Bulls will want to see one more go-around with the Rose-Boozer-Noah core and make another playoff push.  If Boozer disappoints again, I think he will be shopped heavily over the summer.  But for now, expect him to stay put.

Dec 5, 2012; Sacramento, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors center Andrea Bargnani (7) looks to the basket against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

Since Bargnani’s role has has now been deemed ”changed,” it’s looking more and more likely that he’s going to stay with the Toronto Raptors past the deadline and potentially through next season. With the Raps apparently wiping the Carlos Boozer-for-Bargnani deal off the table from last week, this was ultimately was a sign of their lack of urgency to deal him at all.

I understand that Bryan Colangelo’s position is to avoid just throwing away Bargnani for the sake of it, but what exactly will Bargnani’s “new” role? Will he make it back into the starting lineup and replace the ever-popular Amir Johnson, who’s been playing great? Will he be the Raptors new 6th man weapon? Do they try him at center again and shove Jonas Valanciunas back to the bench? It’s unclear as to what this changed role will be. About the only thing that is clear with the Raptors recent moves is that he will no longer be the No. 1 option (Gay), and not likely the No. 2 either (DeRozan/Lowry).

The pressure off Bargnani might be a good thing. I was definitely in the “Trade Bargnani” camp over the past few weeks, but if the expectation of him is now one with less pressure and to give the team (and possibly the bench) more versatility, then I can get behind that plan. Especially in the midst of a winning streak and playoff push in the weaker Eastern Conference.

Anything’s possible.

Article via Sam Amick, USA Today Sports can be found here.

Stay with us at SavingtheSkyhook.com as we continue to report more on the highly anticipated NBA trading deadline. We will be getting news out as soon as we hear about it.

February 8, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats guard Gerald Henderson (9) drives past Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) during the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Lakers won 100-93. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Crawford is a complete enigma to me. Shot selection isn’t exactly his strong suit, but he can definitely score the ball. His streakiness could certainly provide some bench scoring for some team. Perhaps if he’s playing along side some better quality teammates, he’ll find his most effective role. Several teams are interested in bringing in Crawford. My first thought at the best fits would be the Celtics, Warriors or Pacers, all projected playoff teams that are thin at shooting guard and bench scoring.

Blair is sure to be gone from San Antonio before the deadline, which the Spurs have said they’ll take the best offer for him, likely a second-round pick. With Duncan, Splitter, Diaw and Bonner getting the bulk of the big man minutes, Blair is out of the rotation. There’s no way he re-signs with them again next season, so it’s definitely time to move on, where he can help another team. Blair could help teams like the Sixers, Pacers and Celtics.

I’m a little puzzled as to why the Bobcats are so eager to move Gerald Henderson. He’s their third leading scorer at 12.8 points per game and is a very solid perimeter defender. After the Ben Gordon meltdown, he’s sure to be moved, leaving the Bobcats very thin at the shooting guard position. Trading Gordon and NOT Henderson makes the most sense. But alas, it is the Charlotte Bobcats and true to form, Michael Jordan’s ownership skills are once again leaving people scratching their heads. It sounds like they’re asking for a first-rounder for Henderson, which they’ll likely screw up in the draft anyway. Henderson could help any NBA team in need of an above average wing defender, which pretty much includes ALL of them.

Latest Yahoo! Sports NBA trade deadline buzz. tinyurl.com/aqr2xrv

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 20, 2013

Stay with us at SavingtheSkyhook.com as we continue to report more on the highly anticipated NBA trading deadline. We will be getting news out as soon as we hear about it.

Josh Smith

Feb 11, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith (5) dunks against Dallas Mavericks forward Shawn Marion (0) at the American Airlines Center. The Hawks beat the Mavs 105-101. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Smith being traded is probably the most inevitable move that will be made in the next few days. The question is though, where is he going to end up? According to HoopsRumors.com, several teams have shown interest in acquiring Smith’s services. Teams like the Boston Celtics, Brooklyn Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns, and Washington Wizards are reported to have been in contact with Atlanta Hawks GM, Danny Ferry.

ESPN’s Marc Stein tweeted that if the Hawks were to make a deal with the Bucks, Atlanta would want to receive Monta Ellis in return. Atlanta believes that Ellis would be a great compliment to Jeff Teague. The Hawks are confident in Teague and apparently plan to move forward with him.

On Bucks/Josh Smith talk: Hawks’ interest believed to start w/Monta Ellis, since Monta could play next to Jeff Teague, whom Hawks still like

— Marc Stein (@ESPNSteinLine) February 19, 2013

The Phoenix Suns have also been rumored to be strong suitors for Josh Smith. However, reports are that both teams are concerned that Smith may not be willing to resign with the Suns after he becomes a free agent at season’s end. If a deal were to get done, I can almost guarantee that Marcin Gortat would be involved due to the fact that the Hawks are looking to bring in a center in exchange for Smith. Bringing in Gortat would allow the Hawks to move Al Horford back to his natural power forward position. Perhaps out of desperation, the Washington Wizards have let Atlanta know that everyone on their team is available with the exception of John Wall, Bradley Beal, and Nene Hilario.

In talks with ATL for Josh Smith, Wizards have said all but 3 players available: J Wall, B Beal & Nene — Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) February 19, 2013

  I don’t believe that there is a great chance for the Wizards to grab Smith unless Emeka Okafor was sent to Atlanta. Again, Okafor would allow the Hawks to satisfy their desire to move Horford to the power forward. Finally, what has emerged as the most probable destination for Smith has been reported by ESPN’s Marc Stein. The Brooklyn Nets are predicted to land Smith in a three team deal, says one unknown team close to the situation. Although this has been reported, I’m not so sure who the Nets would include in the group they would end up exporting. Kris Humphries isn’t exactly a valued commodity in the NBA right now, per Brian Windhorst of ESPN.

Nets trying for Josh Smith but ATL has no interest in offers w/Kris Humphries. Neither do many teams they’re trying to involve for 3-way — Brian Windhorst (@WindhorstESPN) February 19, 2013

JJ Redick

JJ Redick might be rumored to be on the move less than Josh Smith is but nonetheless, Redick has been talked about. The Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers, and most recently, the New York Knicks have all showed interest in the sharp shooter.

The Magic and Knicks have discussed a J.J. Redick for Iman Shumpert trade. Other players (and maybe a third team) would have to be involved.

— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) February 19, 2013

Feb 8, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New York Knicks point guard Iman Shumpert (21) drives to the basket past Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio (9) in the first half at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

A deal of this nature really makes sense to me. Redick would fit right in with a Knicks team that absolutely loves to hoist up 3′s. The veteran two guard will also contribute to the Knicks’ “win-now” mentality. Redick has experienced the playoffs a few times, including a 2009 NBA Finals appearance with the Orlando Magic. On the other side of the coin, Iman Shumpert would be a great addition to the Magic. He’s a young, athletic player with plenty of potential that can help this team through the rebuilding process. Not that Shumpert is going to be the next Messiah in Orlando, but he’ll surely be apart of their future plans.

As you see above, Alex Kennedy of Hoops World reports that there would need to be other players or teams involved for this deal to get done. Said players/teams are unknown but when it comes down to it, if these two teams are serious about this, they will find a facilitator to get it done by Thursday. One thing to keep in mind though is that GM Rob Hennigan has told Redick that the team is open to resigning him when he hits free agency this summer, according to reports from Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel.

Other Murmurs

• The Los Angeles Lakers head coach, Mike D’Antoni wants to make a move to acquire guard, Raja Bell. D’Antoni coached Bell in early Phoenix days.

Mike D’Antoni has remained intrigued with bringing exiled Jazz guard Raja Bell to Lakers, sources say.

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 19, 2013

• The Portland Trailblazers are still open to move JJ Hickson but apparently haven’t been blown away by any offers they may have gotten from teams around the league. Portland still willing to move J.J. Hickson, but hasn’t found an appealing offer yet, sources tell Y!

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) February 19, 2013

• Eric Maynor and Sebastian Telfair of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Phoenix Suns respectively, are available.

OKC aggressively shopping PG Eric Maynor. Asking price is high. Phoenix looking to move Sebastian Telfair to clear PT for Kendall Marshall.

— Chris Broussard (@Chris_Broussard) February 19, 2013

Stay with us at SavingtheSkyhook.com as we continue to report more on the highly anticipated NBA trading deadline. We will be getting news out as soon as we hear about it.

Oct 19, 2012; Tulsa, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden (13) warms up before a game against the Phoenix Suns at the BOK Center. Thunder defeated the Suns 107-97. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-US PRESSWIRE

I was not expecting this at all. After reportedly turning down a 4-year, 55-million dollar deal, the Oklahoma City Thunder traded 2012 Sixth Man of the Year and Gold Medalist James Harden to the Houston Rockets along with Daequan Cook, Cole Aldrich and Lazar Hayward in exchange for Kevin Martin, Jeremy Lamb, 2 first-round picks and a 2013 second-rounder. NBA players took to twitter to express their shock with this blockbuster deal. After all, it was almost a foregone conclusion that James Harden was going to be a integral part of a potential Thunder dynasty alongside Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and newly resigned Serge Ibaka, right?

There are many ways to look at this trade but I will start off by saying I think this is as rational a blockbuster move as I have seen since Deron Williams was traded to the then New Jersey Nets in February 2011. I give kudos to both teams as I think both the Rockets and Thunder made out very well in this trade. How the Thunder arguably got more in return for James Harden than the Orlando Magic received for Dwight Howard still boggles the mind but I digress. Harden chose long-term financial security and a chance at being “the guy” on his own team over being third on the food chain on a squad that was three games away from winning a championship.  I will break down what this deal means for James Harden, the Houston Rockets and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

James Harden

I can’t knock a man for looking out for his long-term financial security and I applaud James for getting the max deal he feels he deserves. Much like Joe Johnson when he asked the Phoenix Suns not to match the 70-million dollar contract the Atlanta Hawks signed him to in the summer of 2005, Harden wanted a bigger role elsewhere. With that being said I believe unless the Houston Rockets have other big moves planned going forward, Harden will realize that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. It will be very different for James being the focus of opponents on a nightly basis and I absolutely expect Harden’s shooting percentages (49.1 percent from the field, 39.0 from downtown) to take a dip.

However there is some hope for Rockets fans that Harden can shoulder the bigger load. In the 526 minute sample where James Harden played without Kevin Durant on the court, he averaged an insane 34.7 points per 40 minutes. Harden became much more aggressive off the dribble with Durant out, with his free throw attempts leaping from five per 40 minutes to more than 13 (Bradford Doolittle/ESPN).

James Harden intends on signing a max contract with the Rockets and though I expect his percentages and efficiency to drop, with more minutes he should score more and should build on an impressive 2011-2012 campaign where he averaged 16.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists in 31.4 minutes. A 20, 5 and 5 stat line should be attainable for “The Bearded One” as the Rockets will need him to perform at an All-Star level if they want to contend for a playoff spot.

Houston Rockets

Feb 15, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard James Harden (13) dribbles against the Houston Rockets during the second quarter at the Toyota Center. The Rockets won 96-95. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-US Presswire

After years of accumulating assets only to be turned down in numerous overtures for star talent, GM Daryl Morey finally found his guy. Morey was fed up of being in the NBA’s middle class and knows that in this day and age you need stud talent to win in this league. With acquiring Harden, him and Jeremy Lin will surely form one of the most intriguing back courts in the game. Will they be a hype machine that doesn’t produce at all? Will they propel to Rockets to the playoffs? Who knows? if nothing else the Rockets faithful have much reason to be excited for the 2012-13 season and beyond.

I was talking with my brother about it last night and I still don’t understand why the Rockets haven’t been able to get a big-name superstar in recent years. Houston isn’t like Salt Lake City or Cleveland where athletes rarely play there by choice (though money does talk). Its the fourth biggest city in the country so there is plenty to do in terms of nightlife, the women are beautiful by all accounts, there is warm weather year round and no state tax. Add to that a now promising core of Harden, Lin, and Omer Asik along with other young pieces that could turn out to be solid players such as Terrence Jones, Royce White, Donatas Motiejunas, Patrick Patterson, and Marcus Morris the Rockets should be a player in a loaded 2013 free agent class.

I truly respect Daryl Morey’s aggressive nature when it comes to making moves and I believe the Harden acquisition should pay huge dividends, particularly in the long-term. I doubt Morey is done in his quest to add another star talent and when he does, they will be a force in the Western Conference sooner than later.

Grade: A-

Oklahoma City Thunder

Oct 17, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Kevin Martin (12) rests against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second quarter at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-US PRESSWIRE

I would like to squash one myth before talking about how this trade affects the Oklahoma City Thunder. This is not a sob story about how the Thunder couldn’t “afford” Harden, because if OKC really wanted to they could have signed Harden to a max extension but chose not to. Its debatable whether Harden is worth that money but that is why the games are played and he will have his chance to prove his worth. The Thunder are a marketable and likable team that has made significant money over the past three seasons and have yet to pay the luxury tax. There is a 0 percent chance that owner Clay Bennett will sell this team any time soon because of the revenue they have brought in and will continue to bring in so long as they are a championship contender. The Thunder have a great home court with their fan base that has sold out every game for the past four seasons and have an equally strong bandwagon following. Does that sound like a team that is struggling financially?

While it may be sad to see James Harden leave all of a sudden, the Oklahoma City Thunder fared about as well as they could if they didn’t intend on keeping him after this season. The Thunder elected to maintain financial flexibility, acquiring Kevin Martin who is in the last year of his contract paying him more than 12 million this season and a potential heir apparent at shooting guard in Jeremy Lamb. They also acquired two first-round draft picks and a second-round pick so they can continue to restock their team with young talent. This trade while it may not be received great by the Thunder faithful is a micrcosm of what makes Sam Presti such an excellent general manager.

People forget that Kevin Martin has been one of the most prolific scorers in the league over the past seven seasons. He has averaged 18.4 points over his career and this total is skewed due to limited playing time in his first two seasons. Much like Harden, Martin does a great job getting to the foul line and is a career 86.5 percent foul shooter so he makes defenses pay for fouling him. While he is a sieve defensively and isn’t as proficient initiating the offense, Kevin Martin should be able to match much of Harden’s scoring production and be a welcome addition to the Thunder bench.

Oct 15, 2012; Dallas, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Jeremy Lamb (1) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Rockets 123-104. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE

The piece that I’d be most excited about as a Thunder fan however is Jeremy Lamb. I liked him a lot coming out of UConn and  the guy can flat out score. He has plus athleticism and has a ridiculous 6’11” wingspan which should be helpful defensively. Lamb shot 47.8 percent from the field last season and scored 17.7 points a night as a sophomore. While I don’t believe he will ever be a first option on a team, he won’t have to playing alongside Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. Lamb’s ability to move without the ball should make things easier for the Thunder offense.

OKC made this deal with an eye towards the future and were able to save money while not dropping off significantly in talent. Depending on how well Sam Presti uses the three draft picks he acquired in the deal and I wouldn’t bet against him finding another gem, the Thunder may have made themselves an even more dangerous team in the long term.

Grade: A

April 10, 2012; Washington, DC, USA; Injured Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard claps from the sidelines against the Washington Wizards in the second half at Verizon Center. The Wizards won 93-85. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-US PRESSWIRE

Dwight Howard finally got traded. So now we all can get on with our lives, his “Indecision” is now over after a blockbuster 4-team deal brings him to Lakerland where he will join forces with Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Pau Gasol (how is this even possible?). Before I break down what the deal means for each team, below are all the players and draft picks involved. David Stern is cringing somewhere trying to comprehend this trade.

Lakers receive: Dwight Howard, Chris Duhon, Earl Clark

Magic receive: Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Josh McRoberts, Nikola Vucevic, Moe Harkless, Christian Eyenga, 3 protected 1st round draft picks (1 from each team), 2 2nd round draft picks

Sixers receive: Andrew Bynum, Jason Richardson

Nuggets receive: Andre Iguodala

Apr 5, 2012; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) reacts after a turnover during the fourth quarter at Amway Center. New York defeated Orlando, 96-80. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-US PRESSWIRE

Los Angeles Lakers – Is it possible for General Manager of the 2012-2013 season to be locked up already? Because Mitch Kupchak is making a phenomenal case for that award right now. With Kupchak’s moves, the Lakers have gone from a respected but not serious championship contender to possibly the favorites to win coming into next season. Steve Nash for 4 draft picks and now Dwight Howard suiting up for the purple and gold without having to give up Pau Gasol sounds like an excellent summer to me. The Lakers also received Chris Duhon (completely and uttlerly useless at this stage of his career) and Earl Clark, who actually could turn into a decent backup but is far from the main attraction. With the addition of Dwight Howard, the Lakers become an even more problematic team on both ends of the court to contend with. On the defensive end, Dwight Howard will mask much of the Lakers weaknesses on that end. Teams can no longer pick and roll them to death and with D12′s shot-blocking and rebounding prowess, the Lakers will be a defensive force. Not to mention coach Mike Brown hangs his hat on his defensive schemes, with the 3-time Defensive Player of the Year anchoring the paint the Lakers will be difficult to light up. Now on the offensive side of the ball; picture the many looks the Lakers can give opponents, I’m having visions of pick and roll being run to perfection with Steve Nash and Dwight, Pau Gasol at the high post and Kobe Bryant on the wings, just think about that for a second. The YouTube link in the last sentence is  p&r run with JJ Redick, this is infinitely scarier as a defense with one of the best point guards of all time running it. While Dwight Howard does not have the post repertoire of Andrew Bynum, he is still a high percentage scorer (57.7 percent from the field over his career) and commands a double team. With an all time legend running the point, Dwight Howard’s skills will be maximized offensively. With 4 guys capable of being a first option on any given night, there will naturally be some sacrifice in order for the Lakers to reach their vast potential but this trade was an absolute no brainer for L.A..

While Dwight Howard seems set on exploring free agency next summer, does anyone really believe he will leave the glits and glamour that comes with being a Laker? Nevermind the fact that he would be sacrificing money to leave, he gets to perform in one of the two biggest media markets in the country (New York being the other) and will be playing on a team very capable of winning a championship.

Grade: A+

Apr 26, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Denver Nuggets shooting guard Arron Afflalo (6) against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Target Center. Nuggets won 131-102. Mandatory Credit: Greg Smith-US PRESSWIRE

Orlando Magic – Any time you can turn the best big man in the NBA into the pu pu platter that is Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington, Nikola Vucevic, Josh McRoberts, Christian Eyenga, Moe Harkless and draft picks that very likely won’t be before the 20′s, you have to do it right? I’ll stop being facetious now, it is obvious that new GM Rob Hennigan is trying to build from the ground up. I don’t need to rehash the whole Dwight Howard fiasco leading to this trade so I will focus on the future ramifications for Orlando. At first glance, it appears that Orlando is maybe getting 10 cents on the dollar and one would be correct to assume as much. None of the players the Magic received currently are or project to be superstars, though Moe Harkless has potential to be a very solid swingman some day. Arron Afflalo is a solid role player, one who plays strong defense and can hit the three and Al Harrington who is a nice, instant offense 6th man type player. Nikola Vucevic showed flashes of potential in limited playing time for Philadelphia last season averaging 5.5 points and 4.8 rebounds in less than 16 minutes a contest. The Magic will also receive 3 1st round draft picks (all of which are protected) and 2 2nd round picks in this deal. While Orlando could have received much more talent in return for Dwight Howard, they were able to rid themselves of some questionable contracts (Jason Richardson, Chris Duhon) and will have maximum cap room for the 2013 off-season. Orlando has always been a friendly destination for free agents, with the warm climate and no state tax the Magic shouldn’t struggle to improve their team through free agency, especially considering that they can free up even more money if they choose to cut partially guaranteed deals to both Harrington and Hedo Turkoglu. I’m sure Magic fans while not satisfied with the return they got for Dwight Howard are happy that they can finally sleep at night knowing this situation is over. I’m sure they will be ready to shower Howard with boos when he returns to Orlando on March 12th.

Grade: D, I’m not giving an F only because if Hennigan hits on these future draft picks the outlook is much less pessimistic in Orlando.

April 22, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum (17) makes a dunk past Oklahoma City Thunder shooting guard Thabo Sefolosha (2) in the second half of the game at the Staples Center. Lakers won in double OT 114-106. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

Philadelphia 76ers- I for one think the Sixers front office did an excellent job in this trade. For all of the concerns that come with Andrew Bynum, mainly his attitude and his injury history, he is an immensely talented post player and immediately becomes Philadelphia’s first legitimate go to player since the beloved Allen Iverson. He should be able to average 20 and 10 easily on his new team and will appreciate being the number one option which is something he would never be in Los Angeles so long as Kobe Bryant is still a Laker. The Sixers also acquired Jason Richardson in this deal, while JRich at 31 has seen better days as a basketball player he will be a great complement to Bynum as someone that can space the floor as a three point specialist and is an undervalued component of this trade. For everything Andre Iguodala did well as a defender and a playmaker, he was miscast as the go-to guy for the Sixers for years and received his fair share of criticism in his eight years in Philadelphia. The Sixers never made it past the second round of the playoffs throughout Iguodala’s tenure in Philadelphia and this transaction signifies the beginning of a new era, one that Sixers faithful should be very excited about. Bynum instantly makes the Sixers a threat in the East and while they are not in the class of the Miami Heat, they should project to win around 50 games this season and fight for a high playoff seed.

It is unclear whether Andrew Bynum will choose to sign an extension with Philadelphia but much like in Howard’s situation, he would be turning down millions of dollars if he leaves after the 2013 season. Plus growing up an hour outside of Philly can’t hurt, right?

Grade: A

Denver Nuggets – While the Nuggets clearly upgraded in talent, acquiring 2012 All-Star and Olympian Andre Iguodala, it did come at a cost of helping a conference foe get significantly better as well. I’m sure General Manager Masai Ujiri will live with the trade-off however, Iguodala is a picture perfect fit for the up-tempo style George Karl employs and the Nuggets save money long term on this deal, shedding the contracts of Afflalo and Harrington. Iguodala quietly had the best three point shooting percentage of his career this season (39.4 percent from deep) and is an elite defensive stud. While he only averaged 10 shot attempts a game, he averaged 12.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists for the Sixers in 2011-2012 and is no longer in a situation where he is expected to be a heavy scorer as he was circa 2006-2010 in Philadelphia. With great point guard play from Ty Lawson and Andre Miller at his side, I expect an uptick in Andre’s scoring in 2013. A starting lineup of Javale McGee, Kenneth Faried, Wilson Chandler/Danilo Gallinari, Andre Iguodala and Ty Lawson is young, scary athletic and should be an incredibly fun team to watch this upcoming season. Masai Ujiri has done a masterful job building this Denver Nuggets team since trading Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks in February 2011 and while they are likely not a championship threat, this team is an unenviable match-up on any given night.

Grade: A-

Jan 20, 2012; Orlando, FL, USA; Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) and Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) meet prior to the start of the game at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Douglas Jones-US PRESSWIRE

Everyone can finally wake up… the Dwightmare is over!

After what is now months of basketball and media torture, Dwight Howard was traded from the Orlando Magic to the Los Angeles Lakers late Thursday night in a four-team, 8-player trade that also involved the Denver Nuggets and Philadelphia 76ers. According to ESPN’s Mark Stein, there is a trade call with the league office scheduled for Friday to secure the necessary NBA approval to make the deal official.

The full, completed trade will look like this:

While many NBA fans will hardly be blindsided by the news of this inevitable Dwight Howard trade, the assessment of the deal should serve as some serious water cooler buzz throughout offices tomorrow morning. By adding Nash and now Howard, are the Lakers now clearly the team to beat? Did the Magic get enough back in return? Will Bynum be happy enough in Philly to sign long-term? Did Denver add enough in Iguodala? All questions to be debated by experts and fans alike.

Here is a preliminary breakdown to what this trade means to each team:

LOS ANGELES LAKERS

Obviously, they are the major player in this deal. Basically, they replace Andrew Bynum (and give up a protected first-round pick) with Dwight Howard and somehow manage to keep Pau Gasol in the process, which might very well be the underlying remarkable element to this whole deal. So after acquiring two-time MVP Steve Nash a month ago to come facilitate a new era of Showtime in Los Angeles, the Lakers will send out a starting lineup of Nash, Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, likely Metta World Peace and Dwight “I’ll play out the 2012-13 season before deciding how comfortable I am in Los Angeles” Howard. Even after finally being dealt out of Orlando to an instant contender, the guy is still unbelievable.

Kobe Bryant, chasing a gold medal over in London at the moment was apparently “ecstatic” to add a piece like Howard without having to give up Gasol in the process. Wow, do you think?

So now the Lakers, already contenders without this deal, perhaps jump to the top of the Western Conference as favorites over the youthful Oklahoma City Thunder and veteran San Antonio Spurs. While the starting lineup certainly breeds no questions, some may arise about the depth of the bench. Upon reacting to the trade and taking into consideration their draft and offseason moves, I don’t believe they will be quite as thin as some may originally think. Adding Antawn Jamison on the cheap was definitely a key move, while role players like Steve Blake, Jordan Hill, Andrew Goudelock and Josh McRoberts will have the opportunity to solidify their place in the rotation. I even like what the Lakers did in the Draft by grabbing who I think is an underrated Robert Sacre out of Gonzaga and Darius Johnson-Odom from Marquette.

Trust me, the Lakers and their ability to now run an almost-unstoppable pick and roll, will be just fine for a full 48 minutes a game.

May 26, 2012; Boston, MA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers small forward Andre Iguodala (9) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Boston Celtics in game seven of the Eastern Conference semifinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

DENVER NUGGETS

I feel like the Nuggets gave up a slightly too much to land just Andre Iguodala in all of this. Aaron Afflalo, who they just signed to a very healthy long-term deal last season, is basically a poor man’s version of Andre Iguodala, without the brand name and the double the price tag.

Their numbers from last season are very comparable, with Afflalo having an advantage in several categories, including scoring and all of the shooting percentages:

Al Harrington, one of the first options off the Denver bench, will be hard to immediately replace with his solid scoring and perimeter shooting. And surely he can’t be thrilled about moving to the rebuilding project in Orlando. It’s also worth being reminded that Denver also gives up a protected first-round pick to the Magic. All of this seems like a lot for Iguodala and doesn’t essentially improve the Nuggets.

Iguodala, an All-Star and also chasing a medal in London, has been on the block for a few seasons now and may finally welcome a move out of Philly.

PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

May 6, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Aaron Afflalo (6) shoots the ball against Los Angeles Lakers center Jordan Hill (27) during the first half of game four in the Western Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-US PRESSWIRE

The Sixers come away from the deal with a young star in Bynum that they can build around… if of course, he wants to stick around after this season. Growing up about an hour away from Philadelphia combined with now having “his own team,” might be reasons for him to play there beyond next season. Also, the idea of being a dominant big man in the Eastern Conference while earning multiple All-Star and potential playoff appearances must be enticing. During this season, Bynum could sign a three-year, $60 million extension or wait until next season when he would be eligible for a five-year, $102 million deal. Regardless, the Sixers were apparently comfortable to roll the dice without Bynum’s commitment.

In Jason Richardson, the Sixers get a veteran scorer with a very favorable contract. Whether he’s a starter like most of his career, or he comes off the bench, he’ll help mentor the team’s younger players at the shooting guard and perhaps even the small forward position. His production has dipped the past couple of seasons, but the Sixers could do worse.

ORLANDO MAGIC

May 6, 2012; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Aaron Afflalo (6) shoots the ball against Los Angeles Lakers center Jordan Hill (27) during the first half of game four in the Western Conference quarterfinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-US PRESSWIRE

While the Magic are certainly relieved to have this hostage situation behind them now, they immediately enter rebuilding mode and go from the 6th seed in the East to the lottery. Initially there were some reactions that the Magic didn’t get enough back in the deal. I disagree. Getting rid of Howard was the move they were forced (literally) to make and one that I don’t necessarily see as negative. They knew by doing so that they were starting from scratch. By adding veterans Afflalo and Harrington, young guy Nikola Vucevic (who showed some promise last season) and St. Johns rookie Moe Harkless, they pulled in a solid enough mix with guys that can contribute right away and others with the potential to. Does all of it replace Dwight Howard? No, but that wasn’t the goal anyway. I think when you consider that they added three first-round picks, they could be in a very nice position in just a couple of seasons. This season will end up being a long one in Orlando, where the fans have become accustomed to a perennial playoff team.

As Stan Van Gundy is off in a corner weeping, the rest of us can rejoice as the Dwight Howard saga has finally come to and end… until next season.

LOSERS:

 Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard’s Public Image

Mar 14, 2012; San Antonio, TX, USA; Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) shoots a free throw during the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at the AT

Where do we even begin?  After requesting a trade in the off-season, and a series of eyebrow-raising comments and little girly-like, flaky behavior, most expected Dwight to be traded today.  But after changing his mind seemingly every 15 minutes, he ultimately decided to waive his ETO to become a free agent this summer and extend this back-and-forth debacle for another year.  Sure, it’s a temporary relief for Orlando to keep him and have more time to decide what to do with him.  But the stigma of Howard wanting to leave has not changed and will continue to linger with the team.  Here is a notional transcript of how I think conversations between him and those giving him advice (whether it’s his friends, Nets personnel, or anyone not qualified to help him make a decision) went:

• [Dwight]:  Man, I don’t know what to do.  I want to go to Brooklyn and play with my boy D-Will, but I don’t want them to clean out their roster in order to get me.
• [Bad Advisor]:   Why don’t you just sign with them as a free agent for less money?  That way, they’ll keep Brook Lopez, MarShon Brooks, and draft picks they would have had to give up if they traded for you.
• [Dwight]:  Hmm, maybe I could tell them to “roll the dice” [which he stupidly did, by the way] and make them keep me until the off-season, and then maybe I could audition for free agency by carrying my mediocre Magic team to the second roundof the playoffs and beyond!
• [Bad Advisor]:  Oh yeah!  Maybe tell them that you won’t opt out of your contract this year.  That way, you can leave for nothing!

A few hours later, after the Magic told Dwight to sign a waiver to commit to the 2012-13 season:

• [Dwight]:  ****, they’re making me sign a waiver because of what I said!  I was hoping they would just take my word for it!  I don’t know if I want to wait to leave for a whole ‘nother year!  They’re totally on to me..
• [Bad Advisor]:  Sounds like you’re between a rock and a hard place on this one.  They don’t trust you – you have to earn their trust back; maybe after a year, they will think you’re loyal again.
• [Dwight]:  Okay, how about this – I’ll just sign the waiver and try to be super loyal from now until next summer so that they can let me go for free!  And then, the Nets won’t have to blow up their roster before I get there!  And if D-Will leaves by then, I’ll at least have my choice of where I can go when I become a free agent!
• [Bad Advisor]:  Great idea!  Now just let the Magic and their fans know how sorry you are and that you’re in it for the long run – and by that I mean, you’re in it for another year.

Of course, this is all my personal speculation.  But I don’t see anyone else making plausible sense of Dwight’s last 24-48 hours.

Also, if I’m other NBA teams, I don’t even want to touch this guy unless he signs with me long-term.  His logic for what he wants in a team has been shaky at best.  Even though he claims he wants to pair up with a superstar, he doesn’t want to go to Chicago because it’s too cold.  He also wants to be the #1 guy.  He wants to play with his friends.  He wants to have input on personnel decisions.  I mean, seriously, what the heck does he want?  Nobody knows, and that’s why nobody pulled the trigger on a trade.  That’s what he gets for being flaky.

If you’re a Magic fan, you have to loathe this guy right now.  And don’t be fooled for a second – he wants to go elsewhere – just not to a bad and depleted team.  In the super awkward and embarrassing press conference after his decision was announced, Dwight pretended that his decision was a result of his “loyalty” to the team.  Please!  If he were really loyal, he would have signed a long-term extension.  Instead, he’s opting to drag this circus on for another year.  I can’t wait!

Of all the parties listed below, several were directly affected by the Dwight Howard saga.

New Jersey Nets

The obvious loser, at least for the short term, may have to wait until next summer to reap the benefits of Dwight’s exit strategy.   This is a huge blow to their chances of keeping Deron Williams as well, as he may not want to wait an entire year on a bad team before Dwight gets to town.  Their inability to land Dwight led them to make a panic trade for Gerald Wallace from Portland.

New York Knicks

Mar. 14, 2012; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks interim head coach Mike Woodson and small forward Carmelo Anthony (7) on the sidelines during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Madison Square Garden. Knicks won 121-79. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE

Much of the turmoil and destruction of Linsanity has been attributed to Carmelo Anthony and Coach Mike D’Antoni.  In a league that seemingly values “star” players more than coaches, D’Antoni became the scapegoat.  When D’Antoni resigned, it was a statement by the Knicks that they are behind Carmelo, even though he is the obvious culprit to the Knicks’ struggles.  Back when I was gloating about Linsanity, I warned everyone with a disclaimer that Melo may put an abrupt end to the Linsanity.  Sadly, my fear of Carmelo’s return was fully realized (read the full article here).  Ultimately, Melo refused to adapt to D’Antoni’s offense, and completely destroyed what made Jeremy Lin flourish.   In other words, expect Knicks fans and Melo haters to keep up the “Carmelo Anthony Sucks” forums.  I don’t blame them.  Firing D’Antoni, after he gave the abysmal franchise 10 days of hope without his two “superstars”, and keeping Melo through the trade deadline makes them perhaps the biggest losers of the trade deadline.

Also, blowing out Portland hours after D’Antoni’s firing means nothing.  All that meant is that it was a classic “Which Team is Less Dysfunctional” game.

Los Angeles Lakers

With Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum now fully vested in the team, the Lakers can make some noise in the Western Conference.  But I really have to question their moves today.  After acquiring Ramon Sessions and getting rid of Derek Fisher – who was one of the true staples of the franchise – I’m not so sure if they’re much better.  Sessions is a talented scorer and finisher, but not a true point guard.  How is that going to mesh with their Big 3?  And by getting rid of Fisher, they are going to be relying much more heavily on Kobe Bryant in crunch-time situations.   Given their narrow margins of victory over the last several games, I think this may come back to haunt them – especially in the playoffs.

WINNERS:

Milwaukee Bucks

Acquiring Monta Ellis for the oft-injured Andrew Bogut, their now-former franchise player, makes them a virtual lock to acquire the 8^th seed in the playoffs.  Ekpe Udoh gives them much-needed front court depth, as well.

Dallas Mavericks

I know they stood pat today, but their chances of replacing aging point guard Jason Kidd with superstar Deron Williams has increased exponentially.  After Dwight Howard’s catastrophic PR actions led him to stay in Orlando for another year, he threw a curveball in D-Will’s plans this offseason.  Now, Williams will have to make up his mind as a free agent this summer whether he thinks pairing up with Dwight will be an option or not.

March 09, 2012; Sacramento, CA, USA; Dallas Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd (2) controls the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Power Balance Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-US PRESSWIRE

San Antonio Spurs

Once again, never underestimate the Spurs.  After a few disappointing seasons by Richard Jefferson, they were finally able to dump him and Stephen Jackson in return.  If you recall, Jackson was once a Spur, and was instrumental in their 2003 championship run.  As a seasoned veteran this time around, he should fit seamlessly in Popovich’s system.  Once again, their savvy roster moves continue to amaze, and  I officially consider them to be a legitimate championship contender this spring.

With the March 15^th NBA trade deadline looming, many players league-wide are wondering what jersey they are going to don by week’s end.  Although it’s hard for the average sports fan to feel sympathy for multi-millionaire athletes dealing with uncertain futures, you have to wonder just how much the psyches of players are being affected by swirling trade rumors.  One would think that the growing shroud of uncertainty constantly hanging over them wears in one way or another – both on and off the court.

We’ve seen several high-profile players being shopped around over the last few years.  This season has been no different; rumors involving Dwight Howard Rajon Rondo, and Pau Gasol have been under the most scrutiny.  How have they been personally handling these rumors?  And what can we expect from them going forward after the trade deadline this Thursday?

Rondo (left) and Gasol (right) have been saying all the right things in the midst of trade rumors, but how are they really being affected?

If you go by a case-by-case basis, some players on this list wanted to be traded, and some didn’t.  And some, well, could have cared less.  Obviously, every player’s situation was different, and many variables factored into each player’s performance.  Nonetheless, the before/after comparisons are something very interesting to look at in light of Kobe Bryant’s aforementioned assessment on the impact of trade rumor drama.

Vince Carter made the biggest improvement out of all superstar players traded in the last ten years

Bar none, Vince Carter gained the single-most benefit from the resolution of his situation after being traded from Toronto to New Jersey – and his gargantuan improvement shown in these stats reflect that.  But as he admitted, this was largely attributed to his half-hearted effort during his waning days in Toronto.  More than any star player in the last decade, Vince’s performance was directly correlated to how motivated he was.  In Toronto, he publicly criticized Raptors management for failing to put together enough talent around him to build a contending team.  When traded to New Jersey, he did all the things he failed to do during his last couple years in Toronto:  attacking the basket, playing some defense, and just putting in more effort overall.  Playing alongside Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson was a huge motivator for him, as he spent years being the lone star in Toronto.  All of this led to a vast improvement in nearly every statistical category.  Of course, this was all short-lived, and Carter was not always engaged in subsequent years to date.  To learn about his ups and downs some more, take a look at my in-depth take on his career as a whole, which tries to explain his sporadic effort over the years.

C-Webb (right) did not find greener pastures playing alongside AI (left) in Philadelphia

In contrast to Vince’s case, some players didn’t exactly benefit from being traded.  Of everyone listed here, Chris Webber seems to be the one who suffered the most from changing jerseys.  Of course, injuries played into his decline (and eventual retirement) more than anything.   Nonetheless, then-Sixers GM Billy King’s experiment of pairing him up with Allen Iverson was obviously a failiure – as the Sixers only managed to obtain a 7^th seed and only win a single playoff game that season.  But given Webber’s and Iverson’s respective situations at the time – as two perennial All-Stars yet to win a title – both felt it was an experiment worth attempting.  I’m not entirely sure if Chris Webber was forcing his way out of Sacramento the same year he was traded, even though he did express a desire to leave before he became a free agent in 2001.  But I suspect that his decline was due to a combination of his injuries, his lack of cohesion with Iverson, and the realization that he had a pretty damn good team in Sacramento compared to his new team in Philly.

 

D12 has his eyes set elsewhere, but he's still playing well in a Magic uniform

Unlike Rondo and Gasol, we know Dwight Howard has publicly requested to be traded.  Since he has been under the most scrutiny as far as trade rumors are concerned, let’s compare his situation to other superstar players demanding a trade in years past:  Shaq, Allen Iverson, Ron Artest (BTW, I still refuse to call him by his new name), and Carmelo Anthony.   Shaq showed slightly greater improvement and efficiency after being traded, which was to be expected after a bad situation (the most memorable part being his feud with Kobe Bryant) got worse in LA prior to being traded.  But of course, pairing up with the young but highly-gifted Dwyane Wade had something to do with that.  Iverson and Artest welcomed a change of scenery, but their +’s and –‘s in their stat comparisons were a relative wash; Iverson’s shot attempts went down, but he had to get used to having a high-volume shooting teammate in Melo.  Years later, Melo benefited from more shot attempts being in Mike D’Antoni’s system, but overall has been playing at about the same level since the trade.  So in the end, the superstars we’ve seen publicly demand a trade have neither improved nor regressed on a significant level.

(more…)

TRADE ONE:

The first major trade was obviously Carmelo Anthony going to the Knicks.

TO NEW YORK: Anthony, Chauncey Billups, Renaldo Balkman, Shelden Williams, Corey Brewer

TO DENVER: Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, Raymond Felton, Timofey Mozgov, a 2014 first round pick, and 2012 and 2013 second round picks

TO MINNESOTAA: Eddy Curry, and Anthony Randolph

This trade obviously is huge. Carmelo gets his extension, and gets to play with his good friend Amar’e Stoudemire. He also gets to play under the shining lights in New York. Carmelo had a solid first game in blue and orange with 27 points and 10 boards. Chauncey Billups may be the key to this trade, as he has plenty of playoff experience and a Finals MVP under his belt. He may be the leader that this team needs. Look forward to big things from New York next year, especially if they can land Chris Paul or Dwight Howard in 2012. (more…)

Devin Harris and Derrick Favors will be heading to Utah in exchange for Williams, which officially gives the Jazz a new start as they’ve now lost Jerry Sloan as their coach and Williams as their franchise player.

Going back to the Nets…..wow. Just wow. Mikhail Prokhorov decides that if he isn’t gonna get Carmelo, he’s going to the next best (or better?) thing. People were doubting this guy’s approach after the Melo to the Knicks deal was finalized, but now? He looks like a genius. (more…)

For starters, what exactly are we waiting on? Well, it sounds like the fun contract of Al Harrington (four years, $28 million) is what is the main problem right now. (more…)

The whole deal would center around the Nets getting Anthony, and while that would be a huge land in and of itself, that wouldn’t be all that New Jersey would be getting. (more…)