2014 NBA Trade Deadline Grades

The NBA trade deadline came and went without a star player being moved but that’s not a surprise. However; we did have a good number of trades happening with the 76ers being the most active. With the ten trades that went down at the deadline I graded the deal for each team. Trades were first reported in the order that they are graded.

TRADE 1: Kings and Nets

Kings: get Jason Terry, Reggie Evans

Nets: get Marcus Thornton

Grades: Kings (D) Nets (C+)

WHY?: The Kings were looking to dump Thornton’s contract and save some money, unfortunately for them they couldn’t do any better than Terry and Evans and save them only a million dollars. If the Kings can agree to buyouts with either or both players by March first to allow them to sign with playoff teams there grade will incase to an A. The Nets don’t understand what the point of the luxury tax is for so adding another million dollars in salary and a bunch of tax penalties doesn’t matter to Russian billionaire Owner Mikhail Prokhorov. The Nets get a minimal upgrade in Thornton over Terry.



Terry (left) and Evans (right) get swapped for Thornton (middle).

 

TRADE 2: Lakers and Warriors

Lakers: get Kent Bazemore, Marshon Brooks

Warriors: get Steve Blake

Grades: Lakers (C+) Warriors (A)

WHY?: The Lakers had no use for Blake and by shipping him off they save some luxury tax money and get a trade exception for about $2.8 million they can use all the way up to next year’s trade deadline. The Warriors traded for Jordan Crawford back in January to be the backup point guard and it unbearably failed. Bringing in Blake gives the Warriors a veteran backup point guard to play behind and with Stephen Curry much like Jarrett Jack did last year.

Blake, in his first Warriors practice, will provide veteran experience coming off the bench.

 

TRADE 3: Cavaliers and 76ers

Cavaliers: get Spencer Hawes

76ers: get Earl Clark, Henry Sims, two second round picks

Grades: Cavaliers (B) 76ers (B-)

WHY?: The 76ers have been looking to unload Hawes for a first round pick for the last two months, unable to do so they unload him for a couple of non-guaranteed contracts and a pair of second round picks (a theme for the 76ers on this day). The 76ers had no long term plans for Hawes since Nerlens Noel is their future at center so dumping him for a couple of picks without taking back long term salary is a good move. The Cavaliers are making one last hard push for the playoffs and adding Hawes gives All Star MVP Kyrie Irving a pick and pop player who can space the floor for Irving to create. The reason the Cavaliers didn’t get a higher grade is because Hawes is an unrestricted free agent this summer and likely won’t return next year. However, two second round picks and some bench players isn’t a horrible deal for a player rental to make a playoff push.

Hawes ability to stretch the floor and shoot the three will fit well in the Cavaliers offense. 

 

TRADE 4:  Heat and Kings

Heat: get conditional second round pick

Kings: get Roger Mason Jr. (waived right after trade approval), cash considerations

Grades: Heat (B-) Kings (C)

WHY?: This is a very simple trade; the Heat pay the Kings enough cash (plus a little extra for helping out) to cover Mason’s contract (that the Kings waived right away). Now the Heat have an open roster spot for the all-important March first date when player buyouts must be done for players to play in the playoffs. The Kings by rule have to give the Heat something so the Heat will receive the Kings 2015 second round pick if it is between picks 56-60 (which won’t happen) so the Heat won’t receive anything in reality.

The deal is all about money for the Kings. A lot of money!

 

TRADE 5: Bobcats and Bucks

Bobcats: get Gary Neal, Luke Ridnour

Bucks: get Ramon Sessions, Jeff Adrien

Grades: Bobcats (A) Bucks (B)

WHY?: The Bobcats are making a playoff push and while many believed Ben Gordon’s expiring contract would be used in any Bobcats deal, it wasn’t and Gordon might be a player looking for a March first buyout. The Bucks were looking to add a shooter and grabbed Neal, who has been dying to get out of Milwaukee since he signed their in the offseason. The Bucks have been trying to get rid of Neal and his two year $6.5 million dollar contract. The reason why the Bucks don’t get an A grade is because they should of tried to get a second round pick in this deal. Considering the Bucks traded away two of their trade assists in one deal without getting anything valuable back. Sessions may also be a playing looking at that March first buyout.

Ridnour (left) and Neal (right) will provide scoring and stability to a shaky Bobcats bench. 

 

TRADE 6: Wizards, Nuggets, and 76ers

Wizards: get Andre Miller

Nuggets: get Jan Vesely

76ers: get Eric Maynor, two second round picks (one each from Wizards and Nuggets)

Grades: Wizards (A) Nuggets (C+) 76ers (C+)

WHY?: The Wizards turn two players sitting on their bench into one of the better veteran point guards on an expiring deal. The Nuggets trade Miller who has been away from the team since the start of 2014 because of a clash he had with Head Coach Brian Shaw. The 76ers get two second round picks (see the 76ers theme?) to take on Maynor and the remaining year on his contract after this year (something the Nuggets weren’t willing to do).

Miller will provide a veteran leader and playmaker to the Wizards second unit.

 

TRADE 7: Rockets and Nuggets

Rockets: get Jordan Hamilton

Nuggets: get Aaron Brooks

Grades: Rockets (C+) Nuggets (D-)

WHY?: Pretty boring trade especially after the three team deal above. The Rockets and Nuggets swap bench players who were doing very little for their old team. The reason why the Rockets got a C+ is because they took Brooks (who they have traded now twice) and got back a young prospect in Hamilton, who was a first round pick three years ago and never got a chance to show what he can do with consistent minutes. The Nuggets get a D- because while they needed a point guard with Miller traded and starter Ty Lawson hurt, they gave away a former first round pick to get a guy who won’t be with the team next year and all Denver has to look forward to is the draft. So instead why not sign a free agent point guard for the rest of the year and play Hamilton to see what he can do? Changing my grade now to an F!!!

The Nuggets get an F on this trade. Horrible decision!!!

 

TRADE 8: Raptors and Spurs

Raptors: get Nando De Cole

Spurs: get Austin Daye

Grades: Raptors (C) Spurs (C)

WHY?: Probably the most boring trade of the deadline. Both teams get a grade of a C because this trade could have never happened and no one would care. Both players were stuck on the bench doing very little for their old team. I can only imagine what the conversation between Spurs General Manager R.C. Buford and Raptors General Manager Masai Ujiri…

·        Buford: Hey Masai how’s the deadline going?

·        Ujiri: Nothing, quiet you?

·        Buford: Same, wanna make a deal?

·        Ujiri: What did you have in mind?

·        Buford: I’ll give you De Cole

·        Ujiri: For?

·        Buford: uhh?.. A bucket of fried chicken and a two litter of soda?

·        Ujiri: HAHA anything else? Maybe some mac n cheese?

·        Buford: Nah not a fan of mac n cheese… how about Daye?

·        Ujiri: Sure why not? But no chicken and soda then!

·        Buford: HAHA okay deal

·        Ujiri: Cool. Most painless deal ever

·        Burford: Agreed

·        Ujiri: When are we going to have dinner R.C.?

·        Buford: When you find a wife that can cook? HAHA

·        Ujiri: -SLAM!!!- Hangs up phone

And that is how the Daye and De Cole trade happened (I WISH!!).

 

TRADE 9: Clippers, Hawks, and 76ers

Clippers: get draft rights to Cenk Akyol (from Hawks)

Hawks: get Antawn Jamison

76ers: get Byron Mullens, second round pick

Grades: Clippers (C-) Hawks (B) 76ers (C+)

WHY?: The Clippers are playing the luxury tax so removing both Jamison and Mullens saves the Clippers some money plus opens two roster spots for the March first buyout date. If the Clippers add a player or two come early March their grade will go up toward the B+ range since neither Jamison nor Mullens were playing much for the Clippers anyways. The Hawks just need a body that is healthy enough to play basketball right now and adding the savvy veteran Jamison for the draft rights to a guy playing in Turkey who will never play a game in the NBA. The 76ers gain a second round pick to take on Mullens contract and pay him for the rest of the year. The Clippers are first in line to sign recently bought out Glen “Big Baby” Davis.

Davis, just bought out by the Magic, could provide depth to a very thin Clippers front court.

 

TRADE 10: Pacer and 76ers

Pacers: get Evan Turner, Lavoy Allen

76ers: get Danny Granger, second round pick.

Grades: Pacers (A-) 76ers (B+)

WHY?: The Pacers traded Granger’s expiring contract and turn it into two players designed to give the Miami Heat trouble in the playoffs. Turner gives the Pacers depth at both guard spots and the small forward spot. Allen gives the Pacers a big physical body to guard against the pick n roll. The only downside is it might seriously mess with the team’s chemistry after Granger swallowed his pride and accepted his sixth man role. The 76ers looked like they couldn’t find someone to take Turner and were just going to hold to him. But last minute, of course, the 76ers take part in their fourth trade of the day and ship off two players not in their long term plans for the expiring contract of Granger; who is a very likely to be bought out in time for that March first date and net them yet AGAIN a second round pick (their sixth of the day!!). I originally gave the 76ers a B+ because they will save some money if they can agree to a buyout with Granger and failed to get back a first round pick for Turner (much like Hawes) but being clutch in the last few minutes of the deadline and finding a deal for Turner I’m re-grading them and giving them an A+!!

76ers get a grade of an A+ after making smart moves for their future.

 

Miami Dolphins Locker Room Disguste

It is a dark time in the NFL, probably the darkest since the New Orleans Saints Bounty Gate scandal in 2010. In October 2013 Miami Dolphins Offensive Tackle Jonathan Martin abruptly left the Miami Dolphin and hasn’t been back with the team since because he felt bullied by other Dolphin offensive linemen. A prominent criminal attorney Ted Wells was hired by the NFL to conduct an investigation of the Dolphins locker room activity for bullying; his 148 page report was released yesterday. The link to the report is provided below and please be warned no censorship is provided in the report nor this post and the information gathered during the investigation is graphic, inappropriate, and disturbing.

Ted Wells Reporthttp://63bba9dfdf9675bf3f10-68be460ce43dd2a60dd64ca5eca4ae1d.r37.cf1.rackcdn.com/PaulWeissReport.pdf

The Dolphins offensive lineman, Richie Incognito, John Jerry and Mike Pouncey, engaged in a pattern of harassment directed at not only Martin, but also another young Dolphins offensive lineman, whom is refer to as Player A for confidentiality reasons in the report, and a member of the training staff, whom is refer to as the Assistant Trainer. The report finds that the Assistant Trainer repeatedly was targeted with racial slurs and other racially derogatory language. Player A frequently was subjected to homophobic name-calling and improper physical touching. Martin was taunted on a persistent basis with sexually explicit remarks about his sister and his mother and at times ridiculed with racial insults and other offensive comments. All the information used in the post came from the investigation report.

Now before I go off on a rant explaining some of the key events that happened over the last almost two years, let’s go over a key point first. Neither Dolphin upper management (Owner Stephen Ross and former General Manager Jeff Ireland) as well as Head Coach Joe Philbin had no knowledge of any events according to the report.

During this post we will go over the harassment of Martin, the unnamed Dolphin player (player A), the unnamed assistant trainer, the history of Incognito, and then conclude with my recommendations to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.

First and foremost event is the sexual taunting of Martin’s sister and mother. On many occasions Incognito, Jerry, and Pouncey would make derogatory comments toward Martin about his sister including the following four used most often...

·        We are going to run train on your sister. She loves me. I’m going to fuck her without a condom and cum in her cunt.

·        Hey, Jmart’s sister is in town. Get the plastic sheets ready, she’s a squirter.

·        I’m going to bang the shit out of her and spit on her and treat her like shit.

·        Hear our sister has a wolf-puss. A fat, hairy pussy

 

In case any of you don’t know what a “running a train” means it is defined in the link below.

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=run%20a%20train

In addition to the clearly disturbing and abusive statement made by the three players, they also did things on the practice field to taunt Martin. According to Martin on the practice field Incognito, Jerry and Pouncey would call his sister a “squirter” and then squirt water onto the field from their water bottles, and that while engaged in certain warm-up stretching exercises, they would simulate having sex with his sister. Martin also claimed that Jerry at one point said he wanted to have sex with Martin’s sister and his mother at the same time.

By Martin’s account, Incognito, Jerry and Pouncey did not frequently make similar sexual remarks about family members to other players—only to him… For example, on September 14, 2013, the following text message exchange took place among members of the offensive line:

o   Incognito: J mart. Ur such a fucking nerd. THAT’S A FINE

o   Pouncey: He’s salty about his fines!

o   Incognito: I would be too if I smelled like a camels dick

o   Pouncey: Lol

o   Jerry: Bap Bap

o   Martin: You know what a camel dick smells like?

o   Pouncey: Lol sensitivity fine!

o   Incognito: No Ur mother told me in vivid detail tho

o   Pouncey: Lmao!

o   Tyson Clabo: Mom jokes!

o   Incognito: Bap bap

o   Jerry: Chill Bro Chill!!!!!!

o   Incognito: I flew jmarts sister into Indy. My dick is dry and needs some of her healing squirt juices

o   Jerry: Wow I want in

o   Pouncey: I will pay

o   Martin: Ohh SICK BURN you guys are so original. . . Not

o   Clabo: I just wanna watch

o   Pouncey: Lol we are going to fuck u up

o   Incognito: Caught red handed

o   Pouncey: Clabo you’re a perv

o   Incognito: Clabo can watch We need someone to videotape

 

As if the taunting wasn’t enough to cause Martin to leave the team, there is the whole “fine book” situation.

Approximately one week after Martin left the team, on November 3, 2013, Incognito wrote nearly identical text messages to Pouncey and another lineman: “They’re going to suspend me Please destroy the fine book first thing in the morning.” The fines, which were recorded (often by Incognito) in a spiral notebook known as the “fine book,” generally ranged from $10 to $500 dollars. The money was paid to Clabo, an offensive tackle who served as the line’s “treasurer.” Clabo kept the accrued paid “fines,” which by November 2013 amounted to approximately $35,000, in his locker, saving the money to fund a post-season vacation trip for the group. Examples of the smaller fine are: Incognito recorded a $200 fine against himself for “breaking Jmart,” and a number of fines against Martin for acting like a “pussy.” Of course those are examples of the smaller fine, however; during January 2013 Martin was fined $10,000 for not attending a group trip to Las Vegas. Martin repeatedly was told that he was required to pay this fine, and he eventually did. Martin reported that he paid the money because he did not believe his teammates were kidding with him and that he felt coerced into paying.

On November first only hours after Incognito wrote, “I’m here for you my dude” to Martin, Incognito exchanged the following text messages with Pouncey:

o   Incognito: Fuck Jmart That faggot is never [allowed] back

o   Pouncey: Bro I said the same thing I can’t even look at him the same he’s a pussy

o   Incognito: My agent just asked if we held mandatory strip club meetings Jmart is fucking ratting on everyone

o   Pouncey: Lol wow are you serious he is a fuck boy

o   Pouncey: He’s not welcome back bro I can’t be around that fucking guy

o   Incognito: Fuck that guy if Ur not with [u]s Ur against us

o   Pouncey: No question bro he’s a coward for snitching

o   Incognito: Snitches get stitches Blood in blood out Fucking guy

o   Pouncey: He’s dead to me

 

Now we move on to the abuse the other Dolphins offensive lineman took; referred to as Player A in the report.

Player A like Martin, he is quiet and unassuming. During his time with the team, Incognito, Jerry and Pouncey frequently taunted Player A with homophobic insults. He often was called a “fag” or a “faggot” in a demeaning tone. Incognito reportedly accused him of “sucking dick” and “pissing while sitting down” and asked him “where’s your boyfriend?” Incognito acknowledged that Player A, although not actually believed to be gay, was spoken to in this manner repeatedly and persistently—he got it “every day from everybody, high frequency.” In addition, Incognito and others acknowledged that Player A was routinely touched by Incognito, Jerry and Pouncey in a mockingly suggestive manner, including on his rear end, while being taunted about his supposed homosexuality. Incognito specifically admitted that he would grab Player A and ask for a hug as part of this “joke.” Martin said that on one particularly disturbing occasion, Pouncey physically restrained Player A, and, in full view of other players, jokingly told Jerry to “come get some pussy,” and that Jerry responded by touching Player A’s butt in a way that simulated anal penetration.

In addition to the abuse from his teammates, Player A received abuse from Dolphins’ Offensive Line Coach Jim Turner. Turner was aware of the running “joke” that Player A was gay, and on at least one occasion, he participated in the taunting. Around Christmas 2012, Coach Turner gave the offensive linemen gift bags that included a variety of stocking stuffers. The gifts included inflatable female dolls for all of the offensive linemen except Player A, who received a male “blow-up” doll. Martin and another player reported that they were surprised Coach Turner did this; Martin further said that he was offended that Turner had endorsed the humiliating treatment of Player A by participating in it. Incognito and others agreed that this incident with Coach Turner occurred. When interviewed, Turner was asked if he gave Player A a male blow-up doll. He replied, “I can’t remember.”

Moving along now to the Assistant Trainer, who was born in Japan, was the target of frequent and persistent harassment, including insults relating to his race and national origin. Incognito, Jerry and Pouncey admitted that they directed racially derogatory words toward him, including “Jap” and “Chinaman.” At times, according to Martin, they referred to the Assistant Trainer as a “dirty communist” or a “North Korean,” made demands such as “give me some water you fucking chink,” spoke to him in a phony, mocking Asian accent, including asking for “rubby rubby sucky sucky,” and called his mother a “rub and tug masseuse.” Martin and others informed us that Incognito and Jerry taunted the Assistant Trainer with jokes about having sex with his girlfriend. Incognito admitted that these types of comments were made to the Assistant Trainer. On December 7, 2012, the anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Incognito, Jerry and Pouncey donned traditional Japanese headbands that featured a rising sun emblem (which the Assistant Trainer had given them) and jokingly threatened to harm the Assistant Trainer physically in retaliation for the Pearl Harbor attack. According to Martin, the Assistant Trainer confided in him that he was upset about the Pearl Harbor comments, finding them derogatory toward his heritage.

That is the key points of the Wells report but let’s look deeper into Incognito and his past.

·        In the 44 regular season games he played for the Rams over a three year span, Incognito committed 38 penalties, seven of which were for unnecessary roughness. The NFL fined Incognito in connection with four of his infractions; collectively, the penalties amounted to $85,000.

·        In 2009, The Sporting News named him the “Dirtiest Player in the NFL.”

·        In a December 2009 game against the Tennessee Titans, Incognito committed two personal fouls for unnecessary roughness, and he was benched after engaging in an on-field yelling match with his head coach. These penalties led the NFL to impose $50,000 in fines on Incognito, and he was cut from the Rams’ roster.

·        In May 2012 Incognito allegedly molested a female volunteer at the tournament. He was accused of using a golf club to touch her genitals, touching her inappropriately with his body, squirting water on her and other inappropriate conduct, and she filed a report with the police. Incognito was not charged with a crime, but he entered into a confidential civil settlement to resolve the matter; news reports claim that he made a payment of $30,000.

·        Specifically, on December 13, 2012, Incognito and a former Dolphins offensive lineman, who is white, communicated about purchasing guns, apparently for recreational purposes. (The report identified the former Dolphin as Player B.) The discussion veered into jokes about shooting black people:

o   Player B: Especially if u plan living in Arizona in the future, that’s exactly what you want

o   Incognito: Yea. For picking off zombies

o   Player B: Lol isn’t that why we own any weapons!?

o   Incognito: That and black people

o   Player B: Mmm def all black ppl

Four days later, Incognito and Player B discussed rifle scopes in text messages.

o   Player B: Yes. That’s a solid optic made specifically for a .308 battle rifle

o   Incognito: Perfect for shooting black people

o   Player B: Lol exactly

o   Player B: Or Jeff Ireland

 

So what was originally reported back in October 2013 that Incognito was bullying Martin has turned out to be multiple players and coaches bullying an abusing multiple other players and an assistant trainer.

Now that I am 2055 words into this post, let’s get to my suggestions to Goodell on punishment. The NFL docked the Saints two second round picks, fined the team $500,000 dollars, suspended Head Coach Sean Payton for a year, suspended General Manager Mickey Loomis eight games and fined him $500,000 dollars, suspended Defensive Coordinator Gregg Williams for what turned out to be a year and then gave individual suspensions to the four players involved that none of them actually served.

While that was paying players to deliberately injury other players is serious; these events are almost as serious. My suggestion to Goodell are as followed:

·        Fine the Dolphins $500,000 dollars and dock them a second round pick in the 2014 NFL draft and a fourth round pick in the 2015 draft.

·        Fine Head Coach Philbin $150,000 dollars and suspend him for eight games.

·        Fine Offensive Line Coach Turner $250,000 dollars, suspended him for a year, and terminate his current contract with the Dolphins.

·        Fine Offensive Lineman Jerry and Pouncey $1,000,000 dollars each and suspended each of them for a year with a lifetime probation in the NFL.

·        Fine Offensive Lineman Clabo $250,000 dollars and suspend him for four games.

·        Fine Offensive Lineman Incognito $2,500,000 dollars and give him a lifetime ban from the NFL without appeal.

·        Have the Dolphins pay in full the remaining two years of Offensive Lineman Martin’s original four year $4.5 million dollar contract and release him from his current deal without penalty, and pay $250,000 dollars to each the unnamed Dolphins offensive lineman (known as Player A in report) and the assistant trainer for damages done to them.

 

My reasoning behind the punishment? While the report concludes that Dolphins management and head coach didn’t know what was going on it is their responsibility to know what is going on within their team. Coach Turner not only knew what was going on and didn’t put a stop to it but even encouraged it hence why he needs fined, suspended, and fired. Jerry and Pouncey were major players in these events but were the following the lead of Incognito which is the only reason I am giving them a second chance in the NFL. Clabo had a smaller role than both Jerry and Pouncey but was still part of the events but to a lesser extent so deserves a smaller fine and suspension. Incognito has repeatedly had run ins with the NFL and the law and has been given way too many second chances to deserve another after these events. A lifetime ban is the only suiting punishment for a man who presents himself this way; a manner the NFL shouldn’t and can’t stand for.

2014 NBA Trade Deadline Ideas

Hey remember me? No well knock loose those cobwebs in your head and get your NBA general manager thinking cap on.

 

With the NBA trade deadline less than a week away I decided to take a look at possible trades. Granted I will warn you before you keep on reading NONE of these trades are likely to happen but I’ll try and explain why they should; starting with most likely to least likely to happen.

TRADE 1: Spurs and 76ers

Spurs: get Evan Turner

76ers: get Matt Bonner, Nando De Cole, 2014 first round pick

WHY?: The Spurs are in need of another playmaker outside of Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, Turner is a restricted free agent and if the Spurs are not happy with Turner’s play they can cut him loose after the season. Giving up the little used Bonner and De Cole nets them another young playmaker with the option to keep or cut loose at the end of the season. The 76ers don’t want Turner so if they can get anything for him he is gone. The 76ers get the expiring deals of Bonner and De Cole (so no added salary for next year) plus the Spurs first round pick in the deep 2014 draft, while the pick will more than likely be a 26-30 pick it is still a solid asset for a player the 76ers don’t want on their team.

 

Turner would provide a needed playmaker for the Spurs.

 

TRADE 2: Celtics and Thunder

Celtics: get Hasheem Thabeet, Kendrick Perkins, Mavericks 2014 first round pick

Thunder: get Brandon Bass, Avery Bradley

WHY?: The Celtics are in the collecting draft pick industry. The Celtics want either a draft pick or a cornerstone player in any trade they make. So by giving up Bass and Bradley and paying for Perkins salary next year the Celtics net themselves a third first round pick in the deep talented 2014 draft. The Thunder have the Maverick’s and their own first round pick so giving up one plus the dead weight of Thabeet and Perkins to net them two defensive playmakers for another title run is a smart move to make.

TRADE 3: Suns and Bucks

Suns: get O.J. Mayo, Larry Sanders

Bucks: get Emeka Okafor, Pacers 2014 first round pick

WHY?: The Suns are looking to make a serious playoff push, adding Mayo gives them another scoring option with Eric Bledsoe out for the year. Sanders gives the Suns a true anchor  in the middle of their defense allowing their two young centers to play less minutes off the bench against team’s second units. The Bucks are in total rebuild mode, while they have stated they want to keep Sanders but when a team is offering a first round pick in the deep 2014 draft plus take Mayo and the remaining 2 years 16 million dollar contract off your books; the Bucks got to make the move. Okafor hasn’t played all season and his contract will be covered under the injury clause so the team he represents will only have to pay 20% of his salary.

 

Sanders shot blocking would be a huge asset for the Suns defense.

 

TRADE 4: Spurs and Magic

Spurs: get Arron Affalo

Magic: get Matt Bonner, Nando De Cole, 2014 first round pick

WHY?: Again the Spurs need another playmaker and scorer to make another serious push for a NBA title. While Turner is more of a playmaker, Affalo is a scorer who has good three point shooting ability. He can start or come off the bench and play either the two or three spot. He does have another two years on his contract at 7.5 million each year but the last year of the deal is a player option he will likely decline. If he sticks long term (a smart move on his part) he could be the starting shooting guard on a team that will feature an ageing Tony Parker and a superstar in the making (Kawhi Leonard). The Magic are like the 76ers, totally rebuilding around Victor Oladipo and Nikola Vucevic. So for the Magic to trade Affalo and allow more playing time and responsibility to the cornerstone player (Oladipo) and net them again a highly coveted first round pick in the 2014 draft is a steal.

 

Affalo's outside shooting would mesh well with the Spurs offense.

 

 TRADE 5: 76ers, Pelicans, and Suns

76ers: get Emeka Okafor (Suns), Archie Goodwin (Suns), highest 2014 first round pick (Suns), 2014 second round pick (Suns)

Pelicans: get Thaddeus Young (76ers), Spencer Hawes (76ers)

Suns: get Eric Gordon (Pelicans)

WHY?: The 76ers are in total rebuilding mode so to trade Young and Hawes (both of which are not in the teams long term plans) for a former first round pick (Goodwin) and the highest pick of the Sun’s potential four first round picks is a good way to speed up the rebuilding process. The Pelicans get a young stretch forward to take Ryan Anderson (who has been injured basically all year) spot in the rotation, and a true center in Hawes who can guard the middle and yet step out to the three point line allowing All Stars Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday work in space. The Suns have been looking for a star player since Steve Nash was traded away. The Suns have been high on Gordon since they offered the restricted free agent a 4 year 58 million dollar deal two summers ago. The Suns get the star scorer they have been dying to get and they can trade either Eric Bledsoe (unlikely) or Goran Dragic in the offseason and regain that first round pick they lost.

Gordon would provide that alpha dog scorer the Suns need.

 

TRADE 6: Cavs, Heat, Clippers, Rockets

Cavs: get Mario Chalmers (Heat), Shane Battier (Heat), Ronnie Brewer (Rockets), Donatas Motiejunes (Rockets), 2014 first and second round pick (Heat), 2014 and 2015 second round picks from Knicks (Rockets)

Heat: get Loul Deng (Cavs)

Clippers: get Udonis Haslem (Heat), Francisco Garcia (Rockets)

Rockets: get Jared Dudley (Clippers)

WHY?: The Cavs trade for Deng in hopes of making a playoff push, they terribly failed, so the Cavs ship off Deng to get back more than they gave up to get him. The Heat take a decline Battier, overrated point guard (Chalmers), and a player not in their rotation (Haslem) and exchange them for a former All Star and a reliable scorer and defensive stopper. How good is your team when former All Star Deng is your FOURTH scoring option? The Clippers have plenty of depth at the wing spot and have been looking to trade Dudley for some depth in the front court, Haslem brings them an energy guy off the bench who can cover pick and roll on defense (a key part in winning playoff basketball). The Rockets trade two players who get little playing time (Brewer and Motiejunes) and Garcia (who they have been looking to trade) and net themselves a D and three specialist who can back up at both wing spots.

Deng didn't work out in Cleveland; Maybe in Miami?

 

TRADE 7: Celtics, Knicks, Suns, Pelicans

Celtics: get Carmelo Anthony (Knicks), Tyson Chandler (Knicks), J.R. Smith (Knicks), Raymond Felton (Knicks), Beno Udrih (Knicks), Ish Smith (Suns), Dionte Christmas (Suns)

Knicks: get Emeka Okafor (Suns), Kris Humphries (Celtics), Keith Bogans (Celtics), Avery Bradley (Celtics), Darius Miller (Pelicans), 2014 first round pick (Celtics), 2015 first round pick from Clippers (Celtics), 2014 first round pick from Wizards (Suns)

Suns: get Jeff Green (Celtics), Brandon Bass (Celtics), Anthony Marrow (Pelicans)

Pelicans: get Victor Faverani (Celtics), 2014 second round pick (Suns), one million dollars cash each from Celtics and Suns

WHY???: First off this trade WON’T ever happen but it should. The Knicks are more than likely going to lose Melo in free agency so why not lose him and a lot of the mistakes they have made over the years? By trading Melo the Knicks gain over 35 million dollars in cap space and go from tax payers this offseason to even UNDER the cap for the first time since 2010. In order for the Celtics to get Melo they must offer up three first round picks (done), and take back the bad deals of Chandler, Felton, and that headache shoelace untying Smith (done). All the players the Knicks take back contract is up at the end of the season and on their books for next year is just Amare Stoudemire and Andrea Bargnani expiring deals along with the young pieces in Tim Hardaway Jr and Iman Shumpert. By doing this they will have enough cap space to go after Kevin Love and Kevin Durant in the summer of 2016. The Celtics speed up the rebuilding process by adding another superstar to their roster to join Rajon Rondo. Melo would be highly incline to stay in Boston because he and Rondo are great friends and just a roster of them two makes the Celtics at worst the fourth best team in the weak eastern conference next year. The Suns offer up Okafor’s expiring deal and a middle of the first round draft pick to land the duo of Green and Bass to make a serious playoff push. The Pelicans are a throw in team to make the cap numbers work, they take back Faverani (a solid young player) get two million in cash (to cover his salary) and for their trouble a late second round pick.

Rondo and Melo teammates? Hopefully.

 

IF any of these trades actually do happen remember you heard it first here, very similarly to Woody Harrelson’s character Charlie Frost in the movie 2012.