After a flurry of major deals, the NBA trade deadline has finally come to a end.
Some teams made some surprising trades including Boston, who sent Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson to Oklahoma City for center Nenad Krstic, power forward Jeff Green, and a first round pick from the Clippers.
Cleveland and the Clippers also made a deal Wednesday night that sent Mo Williams and Jamario Moon for Baron Davis and the Clips’ 2011 1st round pick.
The Bobcats sent Gerald Wallace for Blazers center Joel Przybilla, Dante Cunningham and two first round picks.
These are just a few of the big deals from the past 48 hours. Let’s grade some of the major deals in this very exciting trade deadline.
New York Knicks – A
The Melo trade is the biggest deal of the year. Melo, Chauncey Billups, Shelden Williams, Anthony Carter, Corey Brewer and Renaldo Balkman went to the Knicks while Denver received Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, Timofey Mozgov plus a 2014 first-round draft pick.
The Minnesota Timberwolves got into the deal to help clear some of New York’s salary cap. Minnesota got Anthony Randolph, Eddy Curry’s fat ass, and $3 million bucks.
I love this deal for the Knicks, Carmelo is a potential Hall of Famer and is currently a top 10 player. Billups still has some game left in him, and he is one of the more underrated point guards in the NBA.
Some people say New York gave up to much in this deal. I disagree. I would rather have Billups and Anthony as my PG/SF instead of Felton and Gallinari. No offense to either of them, especially Felton, as both of them are having good years. I just wouldn’t ever pass on the Billups and Anthony combo if I had the chance.
Lastly, yes I know Billups is old, but there is always a chance they could trade him if they sign Chris Paul.
Oklahoma City Thunder – A
Questionable trade from Boston. The Celts sent big, bruising center Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson for Jeff Green, center Nenad Krstic, and a first round pick of the Clippers. The Thunder also made a deal that sent guard Morris Peterson and forward D.J White for center Nazr Mohammed.
The Thunder are obviously trying to get bigger down low by adding two centers who both are solid rebounders and good defenders. Perkins is a steal, as he will improve the Thunder’s defense and add veteran leadership.
The Thunder might struggle with low post scoring after Green’s departure, and they will need Serge Ibaka and Perkins to pick up the load. But then again they have Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook so they shouldn’t be too worried about scoring.
Denver Nuggets – B+
The Nuggets might look like losers after losing Carmelo, but this team is still able to make the playoffs. The Felton/Lawson point guard combo will be one of the best in the league. Wilson Chandler and J.R Smith are both reliable scorers and Danilo Gallinari will become one of the NBA’s best sixth man.
Losing Melo will still hurt Nuggets fans, but they got some pieces for a good team in the future.
Portland Trail Blazers – B
Good deal for the Blazers. They get a talented scorer and defender in Gerald Wallace. They gave up Joel Przybilla, who has been awful this year only scoring 1.8 ppg, and Dante Cunningham. The only downside for the Blazers is they also had to ship two first round picks.
The Roy/Wallace/Aldridge trio gives Portland a poor man’s big three.
Los Angeles Clippers – B
The Clips got PG Mo Williams and SF Jamario Moon from Cleveland for the 2011 1st round pick and Baron Davis.
Williams and Davis are both pretty equal talentwise, but Mo is a much better teammate and he won’t quit on his team like Baron Davis has been known to do, plus the Clippers freed up some cap space.
Cleveland Cavaliers – B
It is sad to see Mo Williams go, as he was a fan favorite who played hard even when the team was struggling, but that was a deal that needed to get done if Cleveland wants a better future. Two lottery picks will really help Cleveland to attempt to build young talent in the future.
I don’t like Baron Davis or his ugly beard in a Cavalier uniform. I doubt he is going to try, and he is going to probably fake a few injuries. All he is going to do is collect his paycheck and bitch and moan during the offseason until he gets traded.
Cleveland also traded a 2013 2nd round pick to Boston for Semih Erden a 7 foot center and forward Luke Harangody.
Utah Jazz – B-
The Jazz might have lost the best or second best point guard in the NBA, but Deron Williams was hurting the team’s chemistry and might have caused Jerry Solan to retire.
In this deal Utah sent Williams to New Jersey for Devin Harris, Derrick Favors, two future first round picks, and cash. Now, Devin Harris is no Deron Williams, but he still is a very good point guard, and Favors is a talented young big man who can become a good player.
Utah now has one of the best frontcourts in the NBA with Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Derrick Favors, and Mehmet Okur once he comes back from a back injury.
New Jersey Nets – C
I don’t really love this deal for the Nets. They gave up too much for Deron Williams. They lost two first round picks in the deal, and if Deron doesn’t sign long term that could really cripple their future. They also traded away Troy Murphy to clear space to try to lure a free agent in the offseason.
But in New Jersey’s defense, Deron Williams is a big upgrade over Devin Harris, and Williams is the type of all-star who could encourage star players to join him in New Jersey.
Boston Celtics – D
The Perkins trade doesn’t make sense for the Celtics. Jeff Green isn’t a good fit for the Celtics’ style of tough defensive play. Green is an undersized power forward who isn’t a tenacious defender and definitely wont be able to guard Dwight Howard or Chris Bosh come playoff time.
The Celtics are trying to get younger with this deal. Green is 24 years old and is a pretty good scorer, averaging 15.2 points per game. The Celtics are hoping Green will develop more into a star player so he can pick up the slack once older stars like Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen’s talent begins to fade.
But I don’t like this trade because it doesn’t help the Celtics win a title this year, which they should be more concerned with. In my opinion this was the worst deal of the day.
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