Big Trade Day in the NBA

With the NBA trade deadline coming and going yesterda, a lot of deals went down. Let’s examine each trade to see which teams came out on top!

1. First of all, let’s start with the New Orleans Hornets getting Tyson Chandler back! The Oklahoma City Thunder rescinded the trade to give the Hornets Chris Wilcox and Joe Smith in exchange for Chandler because Chandler failed the team-administered physical. Something is fishy about this, because the Thunder had to have known that Chandler missed the last 12 games before the All-Star break, so clearly he was already hurt when they asked for him. At the end of the day, the Hornets come out on top in this reversed trade. Chandler was a great fit for them and he’ll remain that way if he can stay healthy.

Now, on to the actual trades that “have yet” to have been rescinded.

2. In a 3-way deal, Houston sent Rafer Alston to Orlando, Memphis sent Kyle Lowry to Houston, and Orlando sent Brian Cook to Houston and Adonal Foyle, Mike Wilks and a 1st round pick to Memphis. So who comes out on top in this trade? It has to be Orlando who won in all of this. They are the best team of the three, so they gave up the most, but they clearly need a point guard to replace Jameer Nelson who is probably done for the season. Bringing in Alston, who has played the best ball of his career this season, makes up for much of what they lost in Nelson, and even gives Orlando more on the defensive end. As for Memphis, they clearly are just paving the way for the future. They clearly gave up on Lowry, so they took the first round pick and a couple of expiring deals. The Rockets will try to make Lowry work for them since their season is essentially over with T-Mac out for the year.

3. Oklahoma City was very active today. They sent Chris Wilcox to New York, and the Knicks gave them Malik Rose and cash in return. This is a great deal for the Knicks. They save a little money on the luxury tax, and they get a player in Wilcox who is clearly better than the player they gave up in Rose. The contracts are not even an issue, because they both have expiring deals. Wilcox does not really fit the Knicks system, but an upgrade is an upgrade. As for the Thunder, this is a good move in the sense that they will save some money, which is expected of a rebuilding franchise.

4. The Knicks also sent Jerome James, Anthony Roberson and Tim Thomas to Chicago. In exchange, Chicago sent Larry Hughes to New York. Once again, not a bad deal for the Knicks. The money really wasn’t an issue here for New York, and the Knicks filled a hole at the shooting guard position with Hughes (a hole that was created when Jamal Crawford was traded). Hughes isn’t the best “shooting” guard in the world, but he can score, and I’m sure he’ll find his niche in the D’antoni system just like every other player who has ever played for him has. As for Chicago, this was a money move. This move gives them some cap space for the upcoming offseason. Also, remember that they gave up Nocioni on Wednesday, so getting Tim Thomas replaces his spot on the roster.

Other (less notable) trades:
Chicago sends Thabo Sefolosha to Oklahoma City. Oklahoma sends a TBD 1st round pick to Chicago.

Boston sends Patrick O’Bryant to Toronto and cash to Sacramento. Toronto sends Will Solomon to Sacramento. Sacramento sends a conditional 2nd round pick to Boston.

Minnesota sends Rashad McCants and Calvin Booth to Sacramento. Sacramento sends Shelden Williams and Bobby Brown to Minnesota.

LA Lakers send Chris Mihm to Memphis. The Memphis give up a conditional 2nd round pick in 2013.