Winners and Losers of the '11 Trade Season

The last 10 months as an NBA fan has been a roller coaster ride that has rewritten the NBA landscape. In the last 10 months more than 10 current and former all stars have changed teams. Over the last 72 hours we have witnessed a power flip from the East to the West then back to West. This trade season has had one overwhelming theme; “Power to the Playa’s” lol. From the management stand point there have been countless irrational moves because of fear in the front office. The teams have no power to hold on to their prized possessions and in response are giving them away to highest bidder in fear of being “Lebron’d”. During this trade season there were a few losers and many winners and I will give my opinion on some of the bigger deals of the season.

Winners:

OKC Thunder:

Remember this day, Feb. 24, 2011 as the day that the OKC Thunder officially became the heirs to Lakers Western Conference throne. The front office of the Thunder have done a commendable job of building around quality draft picks and now have their two all-stars to build around. Not only do they have two all-stars to build around, they have two all-stars who are in their rookie contracts to build around. I can’t think of a franchise that is in a better place in regards to potential success. On to the trade, the Celtics send defensive ace Kendrick Perkins and Streaky scorer Nate Robinson to the Thunder for Jeff Green and Nenad Kristic’s Contract. The unquestioned winner of this deal is the Thunder. I say this not solely based on talent, it more so has to do with need. The trade fills a glaring need for the Thunder which catapults them into western conference contention. This trade will not only pay dividends short term but long term. It puts the Thunder in position to take the reins of Western conference as the Lakers fade away. It also shows there young all stars they are serious about winning, which will eventually contribute to contract extensions for Westbrook, and James Harden. Today was a good day for the Prince of the Western conference, the OKC Thunder.

Jazz

The Jazz were literally caught in between a rock and a hard place. After “witnessing” the Lebron fiasco during the summer and more recently the debacle Carmelo left Denver in, the Jazz learned from their colleague’s and decided to trade while there is still value. As the times change in the NBA, it is leaving the small market teams in a bind. Superstars are being drawn to the bright lights, and there only chance at recruiting talent is forcibly through trades and the draft. The Jazz did just that with this trade by gaining a legitimate point guard in Devin Harris, the third pick in last year’s Draft in Derrick Favors and a potential Lottery pick in the upcoming draft. While the Jazz may have lost their franchise player, they had the advantage of learning from the Cavs and Nuggets, and made the most of their unfortunate situation.

Nuggets

The Nuggets can thank the Nets for finding themselves on this list. If it wasn’t for the Nets driving up the price for Carmelo the Nuggets would have ended up with little more than Wilson Chandler and Eddy Curry for Carmelo Anthony. The nuggets ended up with some solid pieces and a lot of flexibility for the future. They made the best of this situation.

Clippers:

Your probably wondering how the clippers are on this list after giving away a lottery pick and the second best player on their team. It shows they are starting the Black Griffin Era, which is the right direction to go. With Baron Davis’ big personality gone from the locker room, Griffin can begin to take over and become the centerpiece of the franchise. The Clippers can afford to give up that lottery pick because they are already a young team with 4 lottery picks from the last 4 drafts currently on their team. It’s time for them to real in a big fish and this trade gives them the flexibility to do so.

Cavs

I just feel sorry for the Cavs and they need to be on some sort of Winners list post Lebron. But in all seriousness, the Cavs realize the only way to build another quality roster is through the draft and with two lottery picks coming in this draft they are in line to do just that. Too bad there is no Lebron in this draft.

Losers:

Celtics:

I truly hate to write this as a true Celtics fan but there is no other way to put this; This trade makes no sense. While the Thunder get a piece that catapults them to the top of the west, the Celtics give away their distinct advantage in the East. The front line of the Celtics is what separated the Celtics from the top teams in the East. So the Celtics decide to give up their youngest and currently healthiest 7 footer for two players they are going to bury on the bench. While Jeff Green has a lot of upside the Celtics would have been better off getting a high lottery pick for their prized big man, especially if this was a move for the future. The Celtics window is too small to take a unnecessary risk to a Championship contending team.

Knicks:

Refere to Where Should Carmelo Go?.



Nets:

The Nets don’t get Lebron, or Carmelo, and in desperation go out and get Deron Williams. While Deron Williams is a bonafide all star, is he enough compensation the chips they lost. Not even close. They find themselves in the same spot they were 10 months ago, hoping that the upcoming free agent class chooses them. That uncertainty is not enough to bank on, especially as they move into Knick territory with their lone all star.



Just a thought.