Trade Idea of the Week: Trade #3

Here is Crossover Hoops' weekly Trade Idea of the Week. Here is the 3rd trade to come out.

This weeks trade involves the Cleveland Cavaliers and the New Jersey Nets. Jason Kidd is obviously involved in this deal, and you see what might happen, if Kidd is dealt to Cleveland. Which has been talked about over the past week or so.

The Trade: The New Jersey Nets trade PG Jason Kidd to the Cleveland Cavaliers for G Larry Hughes and PF/C Drew Gooden.


games.espn.go.com/nba/features/traderesult?players=1711~356~429&teams=17~17~5

WHY THE TRADE HELPS CLEVELAND:

Obviously LeBron and the rest of the Cavs are immensely happy about this deal going down. They bring in a 9 time all-star, and a great floor general, with tons of playoff experience. Although Kidd's shooting ability is completely worthless to any team, he still does everything else well. Already 11 triple doubles this year, Kidd is one of the smartest players in the game, and will help LeBron get back to the NBA Finals. Although Kidd still has a large contract, in my opinion, I would much rather have Jason Kidd for 19 million and 21 million next year, than a increasing Larry Hughes contract, already at 12 million, for 3 more years. A trio of Kidd, LeBron and Ilgauskas could be one of the best in the league for the next 1-2 years. Great trade for Cleveland.

WHY THE TRADE HELPS NEW JERSEY:

Okay, I still stand by my word, that trading Kidd is not what the Nets need. However, with all this Kidd to Dallas, Kidd to Cleveland talk, I had to use a Kidd trade in this weeks trade idea. If Kidd goes anywhere, it should be Cleveland. They make him happy by sending him to King James and co, and in return get a solid, veteran combo guard, in Larry Hughes. Since Hughes has been running point the majority of the season in Cleveland, I don't see why he still can't if he was in Jersey. Hughes is a good defender, play-maker, and scorer. Although his contract will hurt the Nets for 3 years, he will still provide help in the back court, whether it means he is starting, or he is providing energy off the bench as a 6th man. They also get Drew Gooden, a young, tough big man, who will help add inside scoring, and interior defense to the Nets front line. Although with the sudden emergences from rookie Sean Williams, and 2nd year player Josh Boone, Gooden might have to have his role reduced to a bench player. Most likely he will still get 20+ minutes a night, and he will hopefully bring to the Nets, what he brought to the Cavs. Overall, a solid trade for the Nets. It is probably the best they can get for Kidd, from what teams have been offering lately.

After the completion of this trade, here is what the depth charts could look like for both teams:

Nets:
G-Larry Hughes-Marcus Williams-Darrell Armstrong
G-Vince Carter-Antoine Wright
F-Richard Jefferson-Bostjan Nachbar
F-Sean Williams-Drew Gooden-Malik Allen-Nenad Kristic*
C-Josh Boone-Jamal Magliore-Stromile Swift
*-injured reserve

Cavaliers:
G-Jason Kidd-Daniel Gibson-Damon Jones-Eric Snow
G-Sasha Pavlovic-Ira Newble-Shannon Brown
F-LeBron James-Devin Brown
F-Anderson Varejao-Donyell Marshall-Cedric Simmons
C-Zydrunas Ilgauskas-Dwayne Jones