HoopStuff

An opinion on every NBA, before the deadline.

1. Milwaukee Bucks trade Andrew Bogut and Stephen Jackson to the Golden State Warriors for Monte Ellis, Ekpe Udoh and Kwame Brown

Milwaukee Bucks: Losing Bogut hurts, but it was well known that he was going to get traded at some point. First off, Udoh is a fine young player and Brown is an injured player on an expiring contract, but the real piece was Ellis. He is one of the most gifted scorers in the league, but is very similar to Brandon Jennings and does not seem to be a Scott Skiles player, with his ball-hogging tendencies and lack of defense. This may not work as an Ellis/Jennings combo is eerily similar to the Ellis/Curry combo, as they are both undersized backcourts that are poor at defense, but can score in bunches. Not sure if this is a great fit, however this trade makes the Bucks chances of making the playoffs this season much better overall. Grade: B-

Golden State Warriors: Bogut may be currently injured and has had many injury problems during his career but he is one of the best centers in the NBA and one of the most dominating defenders in the entire league. He is also a great rebounder and has a good offensive game. If healthy, he is a great fit for the team. They are finally changing their culture in Golden State, from all offense to more defense, which will be a very welcomed sight. Also, Jackson can help offset some of the loss in scoring from losing Ellis and he was most successful while in the Bay Area. A great trade for the Warriors, the only thing that hurts the grade is the injuries to Bogut. Grade A-

2. Philadelphia 76ers Trade Rights to Ricky Sanchez to Memphis Grizzlies for Sam Young

 Philadelphia 76ers: They added a versatile perimeter player for what amounts to a player who may never play in the NBA. Regardless of fit, they got a very solid player for almost nothing. Grade: A

Memphis Grizzlies: Young was not a part of the team’s plans, but this still hurts their depth. This was a cost cutting move, for a team that needs to cut costs, since they are paying a lot of money to a small group of players. Grade: D

3. Indiana Pacers Trade Second Round Pick to Toronto Raptors for Leandro Barbosa

 Indiana Pacers: The Pacers got another scorer for their bench, which lacks punch, This is a team who wants to compete for a title and have added another player to help them out overall. Grade: A-

Toronto Raptors: The Raptors are not making the playoffs and Barbosa was gone after the season, so they were wise to get something of value for him. Grade: B+

4. Los Angeles Lakers Trade Luke Walton, Jason Kapono, 2012 First Round Pick and the Right To swap 2013 Laker’s First Round Pick with Miami Heat for Ramon Sessions and Christian Eyenga

Los Angeles Lakers: They get rid a horrible contract in Walton, a bench specialist and two late first round picks for a long needed, starting point guard and an intriguing young wing in Eyenga. Eyenga could become a Shannon Brown like backup with his great athleticism and could truly find a role on the Lakers. Losing draft picks hurt, but they get some cap space and a better shot a title, which is their only goal. Grade A

 Cleveland Cavaliers: This is quite puzzling, yes they add more draft picks, which is important, but they are taking on a really bad contract and are giving up a very good player. If it helps in the future, then this could become a good trade, but for now, it seems like a why bother move. Grade: C-

5. New Jersey Nets Trade Mehmet Okur, Shawne Williams and 2012 First Round Pick (Top Three Protected) to Portland Trailblazers for Gerald Wallace

 New Jersey Nets: They are getting an above average starter and former All-Star, but it seems like they overreacted to not being able to trade for Dwight Howard and recklessly traded for a player that might appease Deron Williams. However, they may have traded for Wallace in an effort to increase the pieces for a future Dwight trade, but they have given up significant cap space and a probable high pick in a very good draft. Grade: C

 Portland Trailblazers: This was the first of many moves in order purge the team and build for the future. Wallace was not a great fit and took minutes away from the younger and better Nic Batum and they will receive a great draft pick. Starting next year they should have a core of Batum, All-Star Lamarcus Aldridge, Wes Matthews and two probable lottery picks. Grade: A-

6. Houston Rockets Trade Jonny Flynn, Hasheem Thabeet and a Second Round Draft Pick to the Portland Trailblazers for Marcus Camby.

 Houston Rockets: The Rockets gain another solid piece for their playoff push and all that costs them is two barely used draft busts and a second round pick. Great trade for the Rockets. Grade: A

 Portland Trailblazers: Like previously stated, the Blazers are going into a rebuilding faze and decided to trade a reliable veteran for two young players, albeit colossal busts, to see if they can revive their careers. It is a two-month tryout to see if they can be apart of their future. Nice trade. Grade: B

7. San Antonio Spurs Trade Richard Jefferson to the Golden State Warriors for Stephen Jackson

 San Antonio Spurs: Brilliant trade for the Spurs, Jackson has one year less on his contract, so the team will save 11 million dollars in two years. They also know how to control Jackson, so he will not be causing trouble. This also opens more minutes for talented young players like, Gary Neal, Kawhi Leonard and Danny Green. Grade: A+

 Golden State Warriors: The Warriors lose a headache, in Jackson, but are taking back more salary. But they may have gotten the better player and regardless, he is a big upgrade at small forward over Dorrell Wright. He will play defense, which the team is trying to make more important and along with Bogut will help turn around a no defense roster in Golden State. However, with the Bogut trade and now the Jefferson trade, they have thrown away a huge amount of cap space in 2012, 2013 and 2014.    Grade C+

8.Houston Rockets Trade Jordan Hill to the Los Angeles Lakers for Derrick Fisher and a 2012 First Round Pick.

Houston Rockets: For the Rockets, they gain a leader and a solid backup point guard as well as one second round pick and only had to give up a backup center. Since they received Camby, Hill would not have played at all, so they received a nice haul. Grade: B

 Los Angeles Lakers: They Lakers received the better player in the deal, but they lost a leader, Kobe’s friend and sidekick, as well as a first round pick. The loss of Fisher on the court does not mean much, but what he brought to the locker room and huddle cannot be stressed enough. The loss of Fisher will hurt in more ways than they realized, however they gained a player who could play a key role of the bench and could get them that much closer to a title. Grade: B+

9. Washington Wizards Receive, Nene, Brian Cook and a Second Round Draft Pick, Denver Nuggets receive, Javalle, McGee and Ronny Turiaf and Los Angeles Clippers receive, Nick Young

Washington Wizards: They trade two young and talented players, but receive a very good starting center in Nene, even though it is a five year and sixty million dollar contract they inherit. Nene instantly becomes the teams second best player, he does not have a me first mentality like Young and McGee and will be a good influence for this young team. Cook was just a throw in and will most likely be bought out or waived and the pick could help in the future. If Nene can stay healthy, this trade will work very well for the team and John Wall must be happy to finally have a reliable second option and someone to help him take control of this very young and talented team.  Grade: A-

 Denver Nuggets: They obviously were not pleased with the production Nene was giving them after signing him to a major deal and they shed were able to gain significant future cap space. They also receive a young and talented center in McGee, who will be trying out for the team, so they can decide if they should resign him long-term or let him go. Turiaf will either be waived or bought out and will not help, but overall a good trade for the team. Grade: B+

Los Angeles Clippers: They receive an instant starter and a player to replace what Billups gave them. If Young is behaving and actually passes the ball and plays a little defense, he could help them rise up the ranks in the West. The fact that it cost them just Cook and a low pick, makes this an excellent trade. Grade: A+