Howard to LAL, Bynum to PHI in 4-Team Trade

Dwight Howard, the newest Laker

   The Dwight Howard drama of the off-season is over and Howard is heading to the Lakers. Granted, the league will review the trade on Friday, but it is expected to be approved.

    Along with Howard, Andrew Bynum and Andre Igudoala were involved in the trade. Here is what all the teams received:

Lakers:

Dwight Howard, C (ORL)
Chris Duhon, PG (ORL)
Earl Clark, SF (ORL)

Magic:

Arron Afflalo, SG (DEN)
Al Harrington, PF (DEN)
Nikola Vucevic, C (PHI)
Moe Harkless, SF (PHI)
Christian Eyenga, SG (LAL)
Josh McRoberts, SF (LAL)
A protected 1st round pick from all 3 teams.

76ers:

Andrew Bynum, C (LAL)
Jason Richardson, SG (ORL)

Nuggets:

Andre Iguodala, SF (PHI)



    Lets start with a team by team breakdown:

Los Angeles- The Lakers have instantly become arguably the best team in the West. They have been pursuing Howard for along time and finally have him. Howard is an upgrade over Bynum and this team is now, in my opinion, the best team in the West over Oklahoma City. But, sources close to Howard are saying he will play out the year without an extension. It is critical the Lakers make the Western Conference Finals, at least, to keep him in LA. But when your starting lineup is what is listed below, anything but an NBA Championship is a disappointment.

C- Dwight Howard
PF- Pau Gasol
SF- Metta World Peace
SG- Kobe Bryant
PG- Steve Nash

    The Lakers also now have depth on the bench. Jordan Hill is a great 6th man and Antwan Jamison is a veteran backup. This team is set to contend, and can you imagine and Lakers-Heat Finals next year? Four of the five best players in the NBA on the court. That would be a treat.

EDIT: Lakers also received Earl Clark and Chris Duhon from Magic, and sent Christian Eyenga and Josh McRoberts to Orlando.

Orlando- Orlando knew they were not getting a star in return for Howard, and they would need to start rebuilding. But they picked up three great players.  Aaron Afflalo is one of the more underrated players in the league and is a younger, better player then Jason Richardson was for the Magic. Nikola Vucevic burst on to the scene last season and was very good for Philadelphia. But with Bynum coming to the Sixers, Philly could let him Vucevic go. The Magic got a player with good potential moving forward.

    Al Harrington is a decent backup to throw in, but could just be bought out. They also got a heap load of first rounders that they were going after. One from each team, though they might not be very high ones. A player many are not talking about is Moe Harkless. He was selected 15th overall in the draft last June out of St. Johns, and many think he was a top 10 talent. I am surprised the 76ers let him go, especially with Iggy leaving too.

    It would be hard to find a much better deal for the Magic, besides maybe getting Brook Lopez from the Nets. And some still may disagree with this trade being good. But I think they got a good return for Howard, and they may even have a chance to contend for a low seed this year.

EDIT: Magic also acquired Christian Eyenga and Josh McRoberts from Lakers, while sending Chris Duhon and Earl Clark to LA.

Philadelphia- Philadelphia needed a big man, but they probably didn't expect the likes of Andrew Bynum to be starting for them this October. Bynum is a top center in the league and is only 24. He averaged 18.7 ppg last season along with 11.8 rebounds. Only Howard and Al Jefferson had more.

    They also landed Jason Richardson, who can add scoring behind Evan Turner and Nick Young.

    With the loss of Iguodala, they loose one of the best defensive players in the league. And by letting Harkless leave, only have Thaddeus Young to fill in at SF. Young is good, don't get me wrong but is not a defender. With the likes of Jrue Holiday, Evan Turner, Nick Young and Thaddeus Young, along with Jason Richardson, this team will compete with Golden State to be the leagues best scoring team. Not to mention Bynum will average a double-double. The 76ers are the best team in the Atlantic now, but this tough division is anyones with the Celtics, Nets, and Knicks all close behind.

Andrew Bynum

Denver- Denver got a good deal here too. Andre Iguodala, who is currently in London playing for the Olympic team, adds the defensive player they have been looking for, and loosing Afflalo won't be so bad with Ty Lawson, Wilson Chandler, and Danilo Gallinario still there. First round pick Quincy Miller also could easily end up a starter this season too. The Nuggets didn't improve much, but still got better.

    Overall, I do and don't like this trade. I do like that all teams got better, and two smaller market teams in Philly and Denver improved. But I don't like how the Lakers now could be the best team in the NBA again. Enough already. I understand the history they have, but I really wish new teams would emerge and change up the NBA. In the last 13 years, the NBA Finals have had either the Lakers, Heat, Spurs, or Celtics in every single one. Every single Finals the last 13 years. And with this trade that does not seem to be ending anytime soon.

     If some new teams don't emerge soon, the NBA could be in trouble. Aside from Oklahoma City, no other teams in small markets have a real chance at the Finals this year. The other contending teams play in Miami, New York, Brooklyn, Chicago (with Rose healthy), and two in Los Angeles. The Spurs are done, and Celtics are too for awhile.

    Both the Spurs and Thunder show that small market teams have to build from the draft. Big name players won't go there in free agency. In MLB and NFL this stuff does not happen. And that is why the NBA is headed for trouble.

    Maybe this trade will be vetoed and restructured to smaller teams. I would secretly cheer inside. It is one of the only good things David Stern seems to be doing, trying to prevent big name players from teaming up in big media markets.

    But if the trade does go through, the Lakers are back, again, and the fans in Cleveland, Minnesota, Portland, Phoenix, Toronto, Milwaukee, and Utah are still in the same spot again this season.

Andre Iguodala 

NBA Trade Deadline Occurs; Players on Move

    On one of the busiest days in sports of all year, with March Madness, and NFL Free Agency, the NBA had it's share with the trade deadline. Every deadline, multiple trades go down and this year was no different. Dwight Howard and Rajon Rondo were not moved though, but Monta Ellis was a couple of days ago. Still, players were moved all over the league, including some coaches being fired players being waived.

    A three team trade involving the Wizards, Nuggets, and Clippers happened on Thursday, with both players and picks involved.

                                                       

Nene

Clippers Receive:

Nick Young - SG (WAS)

Wizards Receive:

Nene - C (DEN)

Brian Cook - PF (LAC)

2015 2nd Round Pick (LAC)

Nuggets Receive:

JaVale McGee - C (WAS)

Ronny Turiaf - PF (WAS)

    

    For Denver, this trade makes a lot of sense. The team has wanted to go younger, and recent play of rookie Kenneth Faried means Nene could be let go. Nene has been injured much of his career, and is also 29-years old. He signed a five-year extension with Denver last season, for $67 million. McGee is a headache for teams, but also is young and very talented. A winning environment in Denver can bring him back to Earth. He also is younger then Nene and can be worked in with Faried while demanding less minutes. Turiaf is expected to be cut within the next few days.

Nick Young

    For Los Angeles, the deal adds an offensive player in Nick Young. Loosing Cook, who never plays, for Young along with a round two pick is a steal for the Clippers. Young is an LA native before playing at USC. A five year pro, Young is averaging 16.6 ppg this season. 

    For Washington, they add a mature player in Nene to help John Wall and this team rebuild. McGee and Young were very immature and would bring the team down it seemed sometimes. Loosing them can help Wall focus and with a veteran like Nene it only helps. The team also picked up a future 2nd round pick. Brian Cook is also expected to be cut.

    The next trade we saw was between the Lakers and Rockets. A deal that was only made for as a result of a bigger trade which we will talk about next.

Lakers Receive:

Jordan Hill - PF (HOU)

Rockets Receive:

Derek Fisher - PG (LAL)

2012 First round pick (LAL)

   The Lakers had to give up one of their three PG's, and decided to go with youth and kept Steve Blake and Darius Morris. That ment that 37-year old Fisher was the one to be traded. In return the team got Jordan Hill, a former lottery pick by the Knicks. Hill is a solid backup who is averaging  5.0 ppg, and 4.8 rpg this season. The acquisition ruled out any chance that LA would get Michael Beasley from Minnesota. Beasley was not moved during the deadline. Overall, a good pickup for the Lakers, but this was not their biggest trade.

    For Houston, the trade brings in a veteran who can give support at PG. They also pick up a first round pick, which was the main reason they gave up Hill.

    The Lakers best trade on Thursday though, was the one with Cleveland to land Ramon Sessions and fill the hole at PG. 

Lakers Receive:

Ramon Sessions - PG (CLE)

Christian Eyenga - SF (CLE)

Cavilers Receive:

Luke Walton - SF (LAL)

Jason Kapono - SF (LAL)

2012 1st round pick (LAL)

   Los Angeles added a young and talented PG in Sessions who can fill the need of a true PG and help the Lakers get back in the title discussion. Sessions has shown he is a solid player in his career with Milwaukee and Cleveland. Though questions do remain. Does he truly make the Lakers a title contender now? While Sessions was able to average 10.5 ppg backing up Kyrie Irving in Cleveland so far this season, he has not proven he is more then an average starter in this league. 

Ramon Sessions

       

The move certainly helps LA, but does it really help as much as people say? Eyenga is expected to be assigned to LA's D-League affiliate, the Los Angeles D-Fenders.

    Cleveland adds some depth to the back end of their rotation with Walton and Kapono. They also pick up a first round pick which never can hurt. While Cleveland has along way to go, they still made a good trade.

    

Nate McMillan

    Along with the Lakers and Rockets, Portland was one of the most active teams at the deadline, if not the most. The team made two big trades, overhauling the starting rotation. On top of that, the team fired its coach Nate McMillan after going 20-23 so far this year. 

    McMillan was brought in to Portland in 2005 to rebuild the team. While he as done that, the team has failed to make it past the first round of the playoffs every year. Blame though should go to injuries, as no team in recent memory has ever been hit harder by the bug then Portland. The team's two building blocks in Brandon Roy and Greg Oden both have had their careers cut short by injuries. 

    Still, though the injuries have hurt Portland, the team decided to go in a new direction and fired it's coach. Caleb Kanales will be the intern head coach.

    2007 first overall pick Oden was also cut, as the team needed room for it's new players acquired in trades. Some team will most likely take a risk on him and bring him in on a one year deal, but it still is unknown for sure. Oden still needs to recover from his third knee surgery.

    Portland also made two big trades, the first involving center Marcus Camby.

Portland Receives:

Hasheem Thabeet - C (HOU)

Jonny Flynn - PG (HOU)

Future 2nd round pick (HOU)

Houston Receives:

Marcus Camby - C (POR)

Hasheem Thabeet

    In this trade for Portland, they unload the aging Camby for two former top 6  picks who both have ended up complete busts, and will make the Blazers their 3rd home in their 3-year NBA careers. Thabeet (selected in 2009, 2nd overall by Memphis) became the highest drafted player to be sent to the D-League as a rookie, and ever since has only been able to average 2.2 ppg and 2.7 rps on his career.

    Flynn (2009, 6th overall by Minnesota) has also been awful and played worse then almost every first round pick in 2009 aside from Thabeet. Hopefully, both can tap into their potential in Portland and find some success.

    Houston adds Camby a veteran center who can still put up some decent numbers for them, but better numbers then Thabeet.

    Portland's next trade was with New Jersey. The Nets failed to get Dwight Howard and this trade was a last resort effort to get anyone to come play with Deron Williams.

Nets Receive:

Gerald Wallace - SF (POR)

Trail Blazers Receive:

Mehmet Okur - C (NJ)

Shawne Williams - SF (NJ)

Future 1st round pick (NJ)

    Portland unloads another star for a decent scoring center in Okur, and a solid bench player in Williams who can contribute a couple points each night, along with a first round pick.

    The Nets were apparently close to a deal to get Dwight Howard, forming a Big Two with star PG Deron Williams. But the deal feel through, and Howard announced he will stay with Orlando though next season. The Nets took the best player they could and in return picked up Wallace, a superb defender who can score points too. Solid pick up, but not exactly what Williams had in mind...

Gerald Wallace

    San Antonio also got in on the action, and made a deal with Golden State, who earlier made the biggest trade of the deadline by sending Monta Ellis to Milwaukee for Andrew Bougt.

    In that deal, the Warriors also received Stephen Jackson from the Bucks. But before Jackson could play a game for Golden State, he was sent packing again this time to the state of Texas.

Spurs Receive:

Stephen Jackson - SF (GS)

Warriors Receive:

Richard Jefferson - SF (SA)

2012 1st round pick (SA)

Rights to T.J Ford (SA)

Richard Jefferson

    The Warriors made this deal for the first round pick, and swapped two similar players in age and talent in Jefferson and Jackson. The biggest news in Oakland is still Bogut, but Jefferson, pending a physical, could be ready for Friday's game against Milwaukee, where Bogut will make his Warriors debut  vs. his former team of just three days ago, as will Ellis. 

    T.J. Ford announced his retirement on Monday after another spine injury. If he does make a comeback in the NBA, he will be under contract with Golden State unless cut or traded prior.

     Overall, good trade for Golden State.

   San Antonio gets Stephen Jackson which only can help this team who already seems poised for another deep run into the post season. Jefferson did not really work out as planned, so hopefully Jackson can play in the role Jefferson could not. Keeping the first round pick would have been nice though, as youth is becoming a need as the Spurs age.

    In a small trade today too, Atlanta sent a 2012 2nd round pick to Golden State for cash.

    Some other trades that happened on Thursday:

Raptors Receive:

2012 2nd round pick (IND)

Pacers Receive:

Leandro Barbosa - SG (TOR)

    Raptors also receive cash from Indiana, and waive guard Anthony Carter.

76ers Receive:

Sam Young - SF (MEM)

Grizzlies Receive:

Ricky Sanchez - SF (PHI)

    Ricky Sanchez is currently playing in Argentina. He was originally selected by the Trail Blazers in the 2nd round of the 2005 draft. He has spent time in the D-League with the Idaho Stampede, and in the countries of Venezuela, Mexico, Spain, and Argentina. If he ever comes and plays in America, Philadelphia will have the rights to him. 

Sam Young

    An eventful trade deadline, even though none of the biggest stars were traded aside from Ellis and Bogut. We will see how the season unfolds as we hit the home stretch before the NBA Playoffs.

NBA Drama over; Carmelo Anthony is traded to New York

    There were two NBA stars who were on the market before the season started, Chris Paul of New Orleans and Carmelo Anthony of Denver. On Monday, Carmelo Anthony has been traded to the New York Knicks in a three team deal.

    All of this season we have heard rumors of Carmelo Anthony being traded. Was he going to start his own "Big 3" in New York? Make one in Denver or New Jersey? Or even sign with Orlando or the Los Angeles Lakers this off season? All has been settled, and Carmelo is going to the Big Apple.

    The deal has sent these players to these locations:

New York Knicks

Carmelo Anthony (DEN)
Chauncey Billups (DEN)
Sheldon Williams (DEN)
Anthony Carter (DEN)
Renaldo Balkman (DEN)
Corey Brewer (MIN)

Denver Nuggets

Raymond Felton (NY)
Danilo Gallinari (NY)
Wilson Chandler (NY)
Timofey Mozgof (NY)
2014 1st Rd. Pick (NY)
2012 2nd Rd. Pick (NY via GS)
2013 2nd Rd. Pick (NY via GS)
$3 million in cash (NY)

Minnesota Timberwolves

Eddy Curry (NY)
Anthony Randolph (NY)

    How This Affects New York:

Carmelo Anthony

 
    For New York, they finally got their man. Carmelo Anthony is a New York Knick. Even though it meant completely re-hauling the entire team for the most part. New York fans can finally have a good basketball team to root for. Because Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo will get them to a #3 or #4 seed when the playoffs roll around, and the Knicks will be a force for years to come.

    Even with this move, the Knicks did not become a serious championship contender. There still are only two in the East, Boston and Miami.  (No; I do not think the Magic are serious contenders right now, they are just about a player or two away.)

    New York still needs another star player to compete for the title. They should be able to get one this off-season. Is Chris Paul a possibility? Maybe even lure Dwight Howard from Orlando to have the best post game in the NBA with Amare Stoudemire? But Chris Paul could always go to Orlando and join Howard. That would be a stronger team the New York. Right now, I feel Orlando is a stronger team then New York.

    The Knicks lost almost all their roster, and apparently players who were moved such as Raymond Felton,  Danilo Gallinari, and Wilson Chandler are unhappy about leaving New York. They felt they had a good thing and were finally on a team that could compete without Anthony. But now they are going to the Nuggets, who as of Monday night are in rebuilding mode.

    The rest of the players who are going to New York are for the most part bench players who now can get some more playing time. Chauncey Billups and Corey Brewer will become starters.

    For New York, just sign one more star, or even a solid starter who can put up the big points anytime, and an NBA title could be coming to very soon.

How This Affects Denver:

    The face of Denver is gone, and the Nuggets are set to rebuild for the future. They recived a truck load of players who for the most part, don't seem to want to be here

    When talks were going on with the Nets, Denver was pushing to get Devin Harris and rookie Derrick Favors. Raymond Felton and Wilson Chandler will most likely be traded again before the deadline.
    

Danilo Gallinari

    The Dallas Mavericks are pushing for Devin Harris, so we could see another three team trade before the deadline. Denver's number one guy from New Jersey has seemed to be Derrick Favors. But if the Nets are not getting a star in Carmelo Anthony, are they willing to part way so soon with the rookie?

    Danilo Gallinari could be around Denver for awhile. He is a young, underrated player who could help this team for years. I think Gallinari will be a good player in this league.

    Denver is going into rebuilding mode. That is the final point. We will see how management will reshape this franchise to get back into the playoffs. But for a few years, no playoffs.

How This Affects Minnesota:
    

Anthony Randolph

    Not a lot to say here about the Timberwolves. They just seemed to be the other destination for New York to send players. They recived the contract of Eddy Curry who maybe can now find a home where he can be happy. Anthony Randolph was also brought in and can add some help to this young team.

    They lost a young player in Corey Brewer, but Anthony Randolph is also young and will fill in for Brewer perfectly. Don't expect anything different from Minnesota after this trade. Still just a young team who is growing stronger and stronger and is waiting for Ricky Rubio to finally come and play for them.
 

    This has been one of the biggest trades in NBA history. New York still needs a piece to complete the puzzle. They are not done making moves and will be an active team this off season. But in the end, everyone can exhale because the Carmelo Anthony drama is finally over. Thank God.