This definitely has to have been one of the most active seasons of note in respect to big name players being moved this year in the NBA. Things got started back in late December when under appreciated Kyle Korver was shipped out of Philadelphia to surging Utah for Gordan Giriceck and a protected first round pick. Then on February 1st the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol and a second round pick from Memphis for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton and Aaron McKie. The Lakers absolutely stole Gasol from the Grizzlies and definitely improved their chances of winning the NBA Finals. Roughly a week later the Suns countered the Lakers trade by shipping Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to Miami for superstar Shaquille O’Neal. Also, a little over three weeks ago I predicted Kidd would be traded to the Mavericks well before the rumors began and ultimately this week Dallas able to get the deal done. Devin Harris, Gana Diop, Trenton Hassell, Moe Ager, Keith Van Horn and a pair of draft picks were shipped to New Jersey in order to acquire Kidd, Malik Allen and Antoine Wright. The final big trade came through yesterday when Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, Shannon Brown and Cedric Simmons were traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Joe Smith, Ben Wallace and Chicago’s 2009 regular second round draft pick. Also as part of the three-team trade, Chicago sent Adrian Griffin to Seattle. There were some other smaller trades like Mike Bibby to the Hawks, Gerald Green to the Rockets, Kurt Thomas to the Spurs, and Bonzi wells along with Mike James to the Hornets so all in all it was a very hectic time. I ultimately think the Lakers helped themselves the most especially if Andrew Bynum can come back completely healthy. Only time will tell and this has to be the most buzz around the NBA since the Jordan days.
You forgot the other part of that trade – Donyell Marshall and Ira Newble for Wally “World” Szcerbiak and Delonte West. This trade was a huge upgrade for Cleveland. They improved their interior D, outside shooting, and bench without giving away draft picks or their young core of Gibson and Varejao, and they’ll still have some expiring contracts next year with Wally, Damon Jones, and Eric Snow.
It will be tough to beat both Boston and Detroit, but there is some hope for this season now in C-town, especially with LeBrizzle playing like an MVP.
You are absolutely right MadMax. I shouldn’t leave out the acquisitions of West and Szcerbiak. I totally think they can hang with Boston, but Detroit is going to be tough considering the Cavs squeaked by them last year. Thanks for the comment.