NBA BASKETBALL
NBA Trade Deadline Moves
<January 29, 2002>
By
AC Young
The NBA trading deadline is fast
approaching. All teams are talking but which ones can
make a deal happen ? Some teams are looking for an extra
player for the push to the playoffs, other teams are
looking to next year and hoping to pick up some draft
picks. There are teams trying to get cap-space while
many teams have soon to be free agents that they won't
be able to keep next year.
A trade deadline blockbuster can help turn a team around.
Remember the gigantic trade several seasons ago, Dallas
sent an entire starting 5 (Sam Cassell, Jim Jackson,
George McCloud, Chris Gatling and Eric Montross) to
New Jersey for Shawn Bradley. With more additions since
then, both teams are now finals contenders. Miami also
successfully rejuvenated their roster a few years back,
adding Tim Hardaway, Chris Gatling and Walt Williams
at the deadline.
Here is a look at each NBA team as they decide what
to do in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline,
which is February 21.
Looking to Next Year
Golden State - Golden State will be receiving calls
from many teams. They have a young player in Hughes
who has great talent, but he will soon be a restricted
free agent. After matching the Houston offer for Marc
Jackson, the Warriors will hope to find a new home for
him soon. Golden State need to land a steady point guard
and to reduce the number of players they have.
Houston - Are they wishing they hadn't signed Maurice
Taylor to that big contract extension? With Kenny Thomas
and Eddie Griffin producing there will be a problem
next year. Houston should look to move Taylor, Detroit
could be a possible destination. Houston do have assets
to trade. Kevin Willis and Walt Williams are experienced
players who could help a playoff team. Their contracts
end this year which gives Houston some options. They
can trade them for a pick or a younger player or they
can keep them around, and clear around $8million off
the cap.
Denver - The Issel era is over. Denver need to start
afresh. They should follow the example of Phoenix in
the late 80s who within a year had turned over their
entire roster, everyone except Hornacek. Denver should
keep Posey and Avery Johnson, maybe Bowen too. Raef
LaFrentz is their most valuable commodity, even more
than McDyess. There are not many centers who block 3
shots and hit a three pointer every game. It will also
be easier to trade LaFrentz now, because during the
offseason he will get a big increase in salary making
him a base-year player.
Memphis - They are young and talented and should look
to next year with anticipation. They are rumoured to
want Marc Jackson, but with Wright, Swift and Gasol
there isn't a need. Although not the best motivation
to perform, if Memphis improve too much they will give
their lottery selection to the Detroit Pistons.
Atlanta - Injuries ruined this year but also gave them
a chance to see what some of their other players could
do. With the exposure Dion Glover has received, maybe
Atlanta should see what they can get for him. Next year
his position could get a bit crowded with Kukoc, Chris
Crawford and Johnson. Point guard is probably their
weakest spot. They should have a look at Minnesota's
Williams Avery, they could send Bowdler in exchange.
Cleveland - They have Miller and Ilgauskas. But there
is little difference between their 3rd best player and
their 15th. Tyrone Hill isn't going to be part of the
Cavs' future so a trade is possible. Person is playing
very well so now is the time to move out his contract
too.
Chicago - Do you think there might be some Western Conference
teams who could see a use for Oakley and Brad Miller
? The Oak would relish a move to a contending team.
Chicago would look for a pick and some ending contracts
in return. Brad Miller has been the Bulls' most consistent
performer but is always rumored to be going somewhere.
Miami - The interesting collection of early 90s lottery
picks can't get it done. Jim Jackson, Kendall Gill and
LaPhonso Ellis are not the answer for Miami. The decision
should be centered around Mourning. What can Miami get
in return for Zo ? Should Riley move Mourning to power
forward, but who does he trade Grant for then. Maybe
Riley needs to relieve himself of the managerial duties.
His draft picks recently have been Tim James, Charles
Smith and Martin Muursepp.
New York - It's over in New York. It is barely the new
year and the playoffs are nearly out of reach. The coach
left, so obviously it is the players that are the problem.
Looking at their main players, the Knicks have 3 point
guards, 3 shooting guards and 4 power forwards. Not
the best combination. Camby, Sprewell, Thomas, Harrrington
and Ward all have value. The Knicks need to look towards
the future and acquire younger players and draft picks.
Playoff Contenders
Portland - When Portland were seemingly finals bound
they had Sabonis and Brian Grant up front. Now they
have Dudley and Kemp. Let the rebuilding begin. Rasheed
Wallace could be one of the top 5 players in the league,
but it won't happen in Portland. A Wallace trade could
bring in a high draft pick and a very good player. Wells,
Davis and Stoudamire could be moving too.
LA Clippers - They have a lot of swingmen. Will they
keep them? The Clippers have to decide about keeping
free agent Piatkowski, extending Odom's contract and
what direction they will go with at the center spot.
The Clippers will also be the recipient of the Hawks
draft pick, from the Lorenzen Wright trade. The Clippers
have plenty of options but keeping the team together
will probably give them the best results.
Phoenix - The Suns are unlikely to change their team
during the season. But if the right offer comes one
of their starting guards could go. An inside offensive
player is needed, but Marion is the only player they
could offer to get an impact player back.
Seattle - Seattle keep going along with Payton, and
are still getting the same results. But now they can
add the name of Rashard Lewis to that of Vin Baker and
Payton who are all players Seattle could trade. If Lewis
is leaving as a free agent at season's end it would
make sense for Seattle to explore deadline trades that
so they can move Baker's contract and get something
for Lewis.
Utah - It is unlikely that Malone and Stockton reach
the finals but there is a much more remote chance of
Malone being traded. It would help in the long run but
teams are reluctant to trade their heroes. The center
position is still a problem, it has been since Mark
Eaton retired. Maybe a trade for Jahidi White could
help.
Charlotte - Charlotte have plenty of big men and one
of their reserves could go to land them another guard.
Detroit - Possibly their early season form was a mistake.
They have gone from leading the conference to now fighting
for the last playoff spot. While they would like to
add Rasheed Wallace they don't have anything to offer.
They might be able to land a first round draft pick
for Corliss Williamson, his high percentage scoring
this season has increased his value.
Indiana - The injury to Harrington may change the Pacers'
plans for trading forward Austin Croshere. They are
looking for a big center so O'Neal can play more power
forward and Best or even Jalen Rose could be offered
to acquire one.
Toronto - The problem Toronto have is the great play
of Keon Clark, they probably can't afford to keep him.
He will be a restricted free agent and expect a big
pay rise. But the Raptors spent plenty of money on power
forwards Antonio Davis and Jerome Williams. If an athletic
swingman like Corey Maggette or a dependable point guard
was available then Clark might be moved.
Philadelphia - The 76ers have changed so much from the
team that lost in the finals that any more moves are
unlikely. Their addition of defensive stopper Derrick
McKey was a good move. With everyone finally healthy
they are set for a good post-season run.
Orlando - So many of their moves have been for the future
and organizing their salary cap. The Bo Outlaw trade
is an example. But now their only long-term contracts
are for Hill and McGrady so further trades for this
reason won't happen.
Washington - The Wizards have cleared plenty of salaries
and may be able to land a quality free agent if they
can free some more. Although Richmond and Vaught were
bought-out they still count against the cap. Courtney
Alexander could be available. With Hamilton, Jordan
and Davis his opportunities will be limited for the
next few seasons.
Boston - The Celtics are not going to add any salaries
as they have Pierce's extension starting next year.
Although Kenny Anderson has played consistently so far
this year the Celtics would trade him for ending contracts,
especially now that they have added guard Erick Strickland.
Finals Bound
LA Lakers - The most likely reason for a Laker trade
is to decrease their salary cap. Fox and Horry would
be the players who could go. If there is a position
the Lakers would look to fill it is reserve center.
They have had good results with Walker, Medvedenko and
Madsen but could use more offense there.
Sacramento - Sacramento have nearly everything they
need. Possibly one more big, interior defender could
help. The trade for Cleaves hasn't had an impact so
maybe Cleaves gets traded again.
Minnesota - Minnesota are playing their best ever basketball
and won't want to mess that up.
San Antonio - The Spurs could use another big body,
but they would have to trade Parker or Daniels so it
won't happen.
Dallas - The Mavericks are always ready to trade. Juwan
Howard could be valuable to a team wanting to clear
$20million after season 02/03. But Howard is also the
main low post option for Dallas.
Milwaukee - The Bucks think they have the team to get
to the finals. They have plenty of scoring, but compared
to last year they have the defense of Mason. Przybilla
has matured and is capable in the middle defensively
too. This could make Greg Foster expendable, who could
be shopped for a reserve point guard.
New Jersey - At the halfway point the Nets are the best
in the East. The Nets are healthy and playing unselfish
basketball. If they do make a move it could be for a
backup at point guard.
|