Grade the trades

Trade 1:
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Kings: D
76ers: B

Trade 2:
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Celtics: B
Cavs: B

Trade 3:
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Kings: C
Spurs: C

Trade 4:
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Knicks: C
Rockets: A

Trade 5:
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Warriors: F
Nuggets: A

Trade 6:
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Bucks: D
Rockets: A

Trade 7:
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Hawks: C
Celtics: B

Trade 8:
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unknown

Trade 9:
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Dallas: D
Bucks: B

Trade 10:
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unknown

NOTE: I have edited my post with a change to trade 4: Rox upgraded from a C to an A because of the news from CD that we didn't give up a 1st round pick and instead received a 2nd round pick.

-- droxford

 

My head is still spinning. I can't remember a day like this.

 

Though it could turn out to be utterly useless, for some reason what the 76ers did this last few days seems rather solid.

 

There's a difference between grading the trades now, after the NBA Finals, and in a couple of years when we see the ramifications of the trades and other items such as contracts.

 

Trade 1
Kings: F
76ers: A

Trade 2
Celtics: B
Cavs: B

Trade 3:
Knicks: F
Spurs: B

Trade 4
Knicks: B
Rockets: C

Trade 5
Warriors: Undecided (still not clear which pick)
Nuggets: Undecided

Trade 6
Bucks: C
Rockets: A

Trade 7
Hawks: Undecided (don't understand this one at all)
Celtics: Undecided

Trade 8
Warriors: B
Hornets: B

Trade 9
Mavs: D
Bucks: A

Trade 10
Sixers trade: A
Hornets: A

So, by team:


Kings: F
76ers: A
Celtics: ?
Cavs: B
Knicks: D
Spurs: B
Rockets: B
Warriors: ?
Nuggets: ?
Bucks: B
Hawks: ?
Hornets: B
Mavs: D

 

Trade 1
Kings: C+
76ers: A-
-->I think this trade is much better for the Kings than popular belief. Mostly because I think Webber was having a massively negative effect on the squad, from an offensive, defensive, chemistry, and economic standpoint. If this were NBA 2k5, I'd be more inclined to agree with everyone else. For those same reasons, I don't think this is going to make the 76ers a top 3 team in the L, though it does improve them dramatically for the time being.

Trade 2
Celtics: C+
Cavs: C+
This trade's pretty minor. Both Jiri and the pick aren't going to make an impact (2006 and 2007 are expected to have poor/shallow drafts due to the pending implementation of the age limit). Jiri wasn't in the rotation anymore, and the Cavs need him as an upgrade over Wags.

Trade 3:
Knicks: D-
Spurs: B+
-->Isiah Thomas is a clown. He's now traded a slightly above avg center for an undersized and overpaid PF that he got obsessed with. The first rounder, coming from a top 3 team, may as well be a second round pick (only it'll demand a guaranteed contract). The Spurs get insurance if Duncan has to hit the IL for his nagging ankle injury or for when Rasho gets flaky.

Trade 4
Knicks: D+
Rox: B-
Rox remove an anchor from their necks in exchange for two guys Isiah couldn't beg off the team. What's sad is that Isiah really backstabbed Vin Baker, whom he had been trying to help as a friend. Apparently, once he saw that he wasn't going to rebound as an All-Star, he became fodder. Typical Thomas. The Rox may use Moochie a little in the short term, but this was really about getting contracts off the books sooner. -edit- And this just in? The Rox actually got a second rounder instead of sending a #1 for unloading Mo's contract?

Trade 5
Warriors: C
Nuggets: C
-->all players involved had no future on their now former teams. The draft pick belongs to Dallas, and will likely be around #25. If Skita pans out, he'll help the Warriors sorry state at center.

Trade 6
Bucks: INC
Rockets: B+
-->Rox help themselves out in a position of need without giving up anything of substantial value. The Bucks get the INC since the value of this move won't be known until Redd signs his new contract.

Trade 7
Hawks: D-
Celtics: B
-->If this were a game of hearts, the Hawks sat on their Queen of spades a few rounds to long. They were going to move Walker no matter what, but found that the takers were few and far between. The trade makes them worse now, and no better this summer. The Celtics improved themselves despite public denials about this trade for well over a month. The knock on it is that Al Jefferson loses minutes, and Walker may or may not be the happy role player that Gary was.

Trade 8
Warriors: A-/B+
Hornets: D+
-->This trade is like the Webber trade. The Hornets had it with Davis, and weren't even going to wait for him to up his trade value on the court (a la Kidd) anymore. After a mini-comeback at the start of last year, BD went back to a poor work ethic and poor conditioning, which lead to his constant IL trips. He topped that off by becoming openly disgruntled and disrespectful to the team by hanging out in LA, taking his sweet time in rehab. If he pulls a Carter, he'll instantly make the Warriors worth watching. However, he could very well end up like a miniature Larry Johnson in a couple of years as well. Time will tell the story. The Hornets, like the Kings, were going to move him at all costs and don't care that they were taken to the cleaners. They're in pure rebuilding mode.

Trade 9
Mavs: C+
Bucks: INC
-->No one here was moved in order to push someone over the top. The Bucks absolutely HAD to move KVH horn in order to keep Redd, and Cuban went along with the deal since KVH will be a blue chip (expiring max contract) for trades next year.


Trade 10
Sixers: C
Hornets: C+
-->While the trade is essentially a wash with two expiring max contracts, the Hornets possibly get a guy that can score buckets for a couple months in an efort to get a new contract, making them somewhat less pathetic to finish out the year. The Sixers finally rid themselves of a malcontent for someone that could possibly offer 10 minutes a game.

Evan

 

The grades should improve for the Rox because they didn't have to give up any picks and they got a 2nd round pick in return.



GO ROCKETS!

 

Seattle, Lakes, Heat all made a good 'non' move day for themselves.

Minny + McHale = play offs? LottoLand for them.

Portland, where were you?

 

I'll have to amend the grades here now that the info on the 1st round pick has changed. Rockets get a A- (they don't get an A because JVG undermined Mo's trade value all season -- I suppose it's impressive that CD managed to move him despite how bad JVG was making him look). Knicks get a C. They don't get an F because they got a player who can play in Mo for a couple of guys who can't. But, they can't do any better than a C because they didn't get a draft pick and they've made their cap even worse.

I'm sure a number of other grades will change because the news on the picks involved changed. But, I'm not going through it again.

 

I don't understand why the Kings are taking so much flak for the Webber trade. All the sportswriters are blasting them saying that they've thrown in the towel for the season with this trade.

Has everyone forgotten how well they played WITHOUT Webber last year? And how crappy they became when he returned? He is having a good year, but I think the Kings are better off without him. It's the old addition by subtraction theory.

Their PF situation is weaker, but they can platoon KT, Songalia, and Corliss. I think they'll get the job done. And Peja, Bibby and Miller can easily make up for the offense lost with Webber.

Also, Peja is more likey to re-sign since his beef was mainly with Webber.

If they get healthy, I predict they'll be tough in the playoffs. Season over????.... whatever.

 

Its not just that Webber is a top notch power forward, he's perfect for the Kings because of his passing ability. That's what they will miss most, plus his consistency from 15 feet out. You can say what you want about the regular season, but when Webber went out in the playoffs the Kings were clearly a lessor team.

 

So you don't think they'll be any kind of threat in the playoffs?

I never said they got BETTER with the trade, but I don't think they got any worse. I just don't think their season is over by any stretch like many seem to be predicting.

Brad Miller is just as good of a passer in the post if not better than Webber. He'll get a lot more touches now (which BTW is great 4 me cuz he's on my fantasy squad.)

 

If the Baron Davis doesn't pan out, Chris Mullin should be fired. He's Isiah Thomas-lite... he's put together a team with 4 overpaid starters and no post presence whatsoever. Maybe getting Skiti will redeem him... remember he was a monster in the summer league, for whatever that is worth.

My other Fs go to the Raptors and Trailblazers for not doing shibazz when they had assets to move. What the heck is SAR still doing in a Blazer uniform?

 

I agree that Mullin has some TERRIBLE contracts. BUT, what GS fans should be hoping for now is that GS turns into more of a Suns or Sonics type team that can run and score. With everyone healthy (a BIG IF) the line up is

Baron Davis
Jason Richardson
Mike Dunleavy
Troy Murphy
Adonal Foyle.

That lineup gives you great scoring in the backcourt. A nice passer at the 3 spot. A guy at PF that is a GOOD rebounder and medium range jump shooter and a guy at C that can rebound and block shots. So on PAPER this team has the potential to be a team similar to the new wave of teams like the Sonics and Suns. Now, will this team turn into one of those teams? Who can say. But considering they are in CAP hell right now at least they have SOME sort of direction. I think the Baron trade was worth the risk. They lost Arenas and now get someone back like Arenas in Baron so I think that is a plus.

 

Biggest surprise is the Walker trade. I am even more surprised that Walker seems eager to play for the Cs, and played well in his first game back. He's lost his number to Al Jefferson, but he took Al's minutes. LOL. Being in his contract year may have something to do with it.

I wouldn't grade Dallas's trade so low. If they get Henderson back, it's an A. They have spots on the injury list if Van Horn turns out to be a malcontent. If Henderson doesn't go back to Dal, then I will rate this trade a B. The biggest gain from this trade is that Nowitzki can now rest for 10 minutes a game. Henderson is a "glue guy", but his defensive contribution is negated by the fact that people doesn't need to guard him when he's in the game (so more double teams for the offensive threats on the Dal team).

I don't know what just happened to the Kings since the off season. They still have some good players left, but just are not good enough to hang in the West any more.

 

Good thread topic. This should be fun.

Trade #1: Kings...B
76ers...A-

The 76ers will improve with more ball movement and star power but will suck in a couple years. The Kings are still a good team, and Kenny Thomas and Corliss Williamson will replace Webber's scoring, if not his passing. Keep in mind that Webber isn't getting any younger and those knees might shatter like glass, even if Kenny won't be quite the answer needed when a pass has to hit Peja, who will be The Man again as he was when Webber was out next year.

By the way, Cat called Kenny on Thursday: "Oh, man, can you believe this s***? Somebody wake me up, somebody wake me up. Why couldn't they trade me for you? Get me back in Philly."

And Kenny saying, "Is it that bad out there? Awwww, man. What about Tahoe? That's close by, right? We'll go gamble or somethin'."

"Man, there's no free time. By the time summer's here, I'll opt out, and you'll be out here grabbin' Schwarzenegger's a$$ by your damned self."

Trade 2: Boston C-
Cleveland B

Danny Ainge might be the most r****ded, uh, what is he? President of Basketball Operations? Tried to get a decent jack-of-all-trades white guy on the roster and now has to eat crow and get Antoine Walker back where he belongs. Jiri Welsch will be OK in Cleveland where there are many people of similar nationality (Slavs, former Eastern Bloc countries, etc).

Trade 3: New York D
San Antonio A

Holy crap. Isiah Thomas should undergo electroshock therapy after this one. Nazr Mohammed isn't that great, sure, and Malik Rose is a hustle player, sure, but trading away size and youth for a bloated contract, JUST to get some sucky draft picks? I gave Isiah small credit because he might parlay Kurt Thomas plus one of those not-so-great draft picks from SA into a player he needs. Otherwise, he'd get an F-.

Trade 4: New York D
Houston B

Incomplete, really. Will New York swing a deal in the summer so that the Knicks have a solid power forward rather than six mediocre ones? Houston gets a B for now but if they can parlay draft picks and the expiring contracts of Mooch, Baker, Ward, and Weatherspoon, and, say, some draft picks into an Elton Brand, then A+++. Or a halfway decent power forward? Then A-.

Trade 5: Golden State C+
Denver C+

Hard to really fathom this one. Depends how the players pan out. What is it that so many GMs/coaches (white guys, see, Rudy T and Mullin and Ainge) go after mediocre white players (Skita, Boki, Welsch, Turkcan, Damn Lanky) because they see themselves in that player? Thank goodness for your Korvers, your Hinrichs, etc.

Trade 6: Milwaukee B-
Houston A-

Milwaukee salary-dumps and sheds even more talent and money later by trading Van Horn and will have no team left for Michael Redd to make much difference when he re-signs. Houston gets exactly WHO they need WHEN they need him. And James' wife is a Houston native? Makes for a happy player.

Trade 7: Hawks B
Celtics B+

Antoine Walker is not perfect by any means but the Celtics needed him back and I credit Danny Ainge for eating that crow. The Hawks get a draft pick and keep their salary situtation intact.

Trade 8: Golden State B+
New Orleans C+

If Davis is healthy and stays that way, great. If New Orleans can lure talent to its sorry franchise with that cap room, fine.

Trade 9: Mavs B
Bucks B

Depending on whether the Bucks can get anyone else to sign with their cap room, because they haven't much team left after Thursday, just Redd and Desmond Mason. The Mavs tried this approach before and it didn't work. I wish Cuban would just send me a million bucks because he just wastes his money anyway.

Trade 10: 76ers B
New Orleans A

The Sixers get some depth with Rogers and New Orleans gets even more cap room to potentially lure young, stupid players who don't realize that the French Quarter will consume their time and talent and ensure they will never, ever, EVER get within sniffing distance of the playoffs, let alone the finals.

 

Trade 1

Kings: C+ - get rid of a player who had a massive contract and was holding their squad back - but then again, didn't get much flexibility contract wise - effectively broke it into 3 smaller parts.

76ers: B- -marginally better deal for the 6ers who get a big name player, but will find themselves chained to his deteriorating game and jumper for the next 3 years. Look for Webber to play some massive games his first few before settling for the outside shot again!


Trade 2
Celtics trade: B- -Didn't want Welsch anyway - so to get a first rounder isn't a terrible result

Cavs: B- -Needed an outside shooter in a bad way!


Trade 3:
Knicks trade: C -get a long term contract and a late first round draft pick - the only solace is that it brings them a "good work ethic" player

Spurs: C+ -get a centre in Mohammed who is vastly overrated - but it shores up their weakest position!


Trade 4
Knicks trade: C -Knicks get a guy who they can play at Power Forward with some productivity - if the trade was assessed on its own merits it might be ok for them (talent wise) - but taking into account the fact they already traded for another PF... hmm....

Rockets: B+ -Dump a horror contract, take back two shorter, smaller ones, and a pick to boot - good management there!

Trade 5
Warriors trade: B- -if it's the Dallas pick (or a late one) then the Warriors dump a poor contract/ overhyped performer.

Nuggets:C The Nuggets get a pick - late first round, a shame they didn't use the Skita (early pick) for something other than a guy who sits on the bench for 3 years...


Trade 6
Bucks trade:B+ Pick up some second round picks and dump one of the contracts they just don't want! Needed to get some flexibility to give Redd the max, and this trade goes partway towards that - even the second rounders mean they don't have to take a guaranteed contract back again. Smart.

Rockets: A- -excellent deal, giving up nothing for an important piece to the puzzle!


Trade 7
Hawks trade: D- -I can't figure this out from the Hawks perspective... isn't Walker a FA at seasons end???

Celtics: A- -pick up an expiring contract, and possibly a player who can help them make a little more noise this year. Only downside is that they lost their starting point.


Trade 8
Warriors trade: A -get a great (when uninjured) player for an expiring contract.

Hornets: C -get more cap flexibility to sign a high-profile FA this summer - but didn't they just lose a marquee player in the deal? Perhaps they are looking to fill other positions, and are happy with Dan Dickau at the point...


Trade 9
Mavs trade: D -hmmmm.... trade two guys who got a little playing time, and formed part of their "bruiser" brigade (if that term is even valid for a mavs team) - and get back a guy who hasn't been able to play too many minutes due to a foot injury, and who plays the same (but worse) game as their superstar...

Bucks: A+ -dump a massive contract and have the freedom to max Redd now.


Trade 10
Sixers trade: C+ -aquire another outside threat in Rogers - probably hoping Mash retires!

Hornets: A -dump salaries of questionable talent (Rogers) and questionable health guy (Mash) for an expiring contract - again, more flexibility in the summer!

 

Overall, very good grading. I don't think the Hornets can do a whole lot in term of FA any time soon though. They are a bad bad team on their way down, and who wants to sign on with a bad team like that?

They will be like the Bulls of the late 90s/early 2000's. They would have tons of cap space, and have to waste them on mediocre players, because the good ones will go somewhere else.

Their hope is primarily rebuild through several conseqative drafts. Meanwhile, their fans and team would suffer losing seasons time and again!

 

I don't know why the Knicks would not have offered their garbage- say Kurt Thomas and some other cap scrubs- for Webber rather than taking Mo Taylor and Malik "I'm still 6'7" Rose and getting rid of Nazr Mohammed. Evidentally, Isiah didn't even inquire about Webber with the Kings. It's not like the Kings got a package much better from the Sixers than the Knicks could have offered. Isiah is really hopeless. The way that Layden and Thomas have turned that franchise into one of the jokes of the league is kind of incredible. Who would have thought you would have so much job security in NYC? The Spurs, on the other hand, get younger, taller and more athletic on the front court while getting rid of a milstone of a contract. Thanks New York.

Knicks D
Spurs A

As for the other trades, the Sixers are going for the gold in order to keep Iverson happy. Webber is worth the gamble considering what they gave up, but they ain't going to win a title with this crew. I see what the Kings are doing with this move. They will be fine, especially if Peja picks his game up to the level they were at last year. Webber's defense is so lousy that his loss on offense may be off-set at the other end of the court. You would have thought the Kings could have gotten more, but Webber has the knees of Jaques Cousteau (now!) at this point....if he were a horse he would be shot any day now. Considering this horse has another- what? $60 million? coming his way, it was time for him to trot into the sunset. (I'll stop this lame equestrian metaphor).

Sixers A
Kings B-


The Hornets got rid of a big contract and can now build the team around JR and Magliore and a lot of cap room. If Shinn can now sell the team and move them to Vegas the Hornets could be a nice franchise! I think the Warriors are in the same boat as the Sixers- Davis is a risk, but they could be a pretty entertaining team if he is healthy. They didn't give up much to get him. The trade they made with the Nuggets is a little more puzzling. I don't think Rodney White is all that and I think Sitka, or whatever his name is, is a bust of Ryan Leaf proportions. Hey Mullin, why not trade for Darko? Potential=poison. The Nuggets got a hustle player in Najera at the 4 which might allow them to move Nene for a good 2 guard over the summer. Getting rid of White and Stiff-ka and getting a number one is a nice bonus.

Hornets B-
Warriors B-
Nuggets B

The Cavs move for Welsch seems good, but what exactly has this guy produced? I think the biggest story of the night was the Bucks clearing out space in a determined effort to keep Michael Redd. I thought it was a mortal lock that Redd would join the Cavs, but their salary dump has made this more and more unlikely. Anytime you can get rid of Keith Van Horn it is a positive. I don't see the point of him on the Mavs, but they have been a top tier franchise for a while now and losing Calvin Booth and Alan Henderson is not a tragedy. If Cuban wants to pay guys who sit on the bench for 30 minutes a night max contracts, that's his business. The same can be said for removing Mo Taylor from your roster. The cap flexibility the Rockets got is probably more important than picking up Mike James. James will be a nice sparkplug and fill-in for Sura, but look at what cap-friendly scrubs brought to teams that dealt them in the past few years. I don't get Danny Ainge. Antoine Walker is what he is- usually a good player on mediocre teams who takes too many shots. Danny, you were right the first time you traded him!

Cavs- B
Bucks- B+
Mavs- C+
Rockets- A
Celtics- C-