-Pictured above left to right is, Shaquille O'Neal, Jason Kidd, and Pau Gasol.
In one of the most active trade years, the Western Conference became even more dominate, if that is even possible. With the Lakers addition of power forward, Pau Gasol, Phoenix's acquisition of the Big Aristotle, and the trade which sent All-Star point guard, Jason Kidd back to the team that drafted him, the Dallas Mavericks. However, all these deals happened before the 3:00 PM (EST) Trade Deadline this afternoon. Most people were expecting a quite deadline, because of all the high profile trades made in the previous weeks. However, the trades that went down today, were hardly quiet at all. Chicago finally dealt center Ben Wallace. one and a half years into his 4 year 60 million dollar contract he signed with the Bulls in the summer of 2006.
Seattle sent away forward/guard Wally Szczerbiak and guard Delonte West. Minnesota forward, and runner up in the 2008 slam dunk contest, Gerald Green, was sent to his hometown of Houston to play for the Rockets. Since there are so many trades, I won't go over all of them, but I'll comment briefly on each major trade completed over the last few days.
Trade #1: On Tuesday, Dallas finally acquired Jason Kidd. The trade was as follows: New Jersey trades PG Jason Kidd, PF Malik Allen, and SG Antoine Wright to Dallas, who signed F Keith Van Horn and traded him to New Jersey, along with, PG Devin Harris, C DeSagana Diop, SG Maruice Ager, and SG/SF Trenton Hassell. Overall a fair trade for both teams. Dallas gets a star PG, however, I don't see it helping them beat the likes of the Lakers, New Orleans, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Utah.
Trade #2: In the last trade completed before today, San Antonio acquired C Kurt Thomas from the Seattle Sonics, in exchange for G Brent Barry, C Francisco Elson, and their 2009 first round pick. This trade makes San Antonio even better, giving them a scrappy big man in Kurt Thomas, who will take a lot of the defensive load, in order to preserve Tim Duncan for the playoffs. Seattle gets 2 expiring contracts in this deal, which will help them sign free agents in the upcoming off season.
Trade #3: In a three team deal, the Houston Rockets acquire G Bobby Jackson, G Adam Haluska and a 2008 second pick from the New Orleans Hornets. They also obtain the rights to Sergei Lishouk of Memphis. The New Orleans Hornets receive PG Mike James and G/F Bonzi Wells from the Houston Rockets. Memphis adds F Marcus Vinicius from New Orleans, and the rights to Malick Badiane, from Houston. Bonzi Wells, Mike James, and Bobby Jackson, are the only notable players moved in this trade. Bobby Jackson gives Houston a nice option at back up point guard. Jackson was the 2003 Sixth Man of the Year, while playing for the Kings. Mike James and Bonzi Wells bring New Orleans the toughness and experience they will need to succeed in the Western Conference playoffs. Wells is a tenacious all around player, and will most likely take Morris Peterson's starting SG job by the playoffs. Mike James provides depth for a very weak New Orleans bench.
Trade #4: Houston makes another deal today, acquiring F/G Gerald Green, who is a Houston native, from the Minnesota Timberwolves, in exchange for G Kirk Snyder, a 2010 second round draft pick, and cash considerations. This trade doesn't have any immediate impact on either team. However, Gerald Green could prove to be a late bloomer, and become a star in his hometown of Houston.
Trade #5: A 3 team-11 player deal between the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, and Seattle Sonics is completed, and is without question, the biggest trade on the day of trade deadline. The Cleveland Cavaliers acquire C/PF Ben Wallace, PF Joe Smith, and 2009 second round pick from the Chicago Bulls. They also receive G/F Wally Szczerbiak and G Delonte West from the Seattle Sonics. The Chicago Bulls get PF Drew Gooden, G Larry Hughes, PF Cedric Simmons, and SG Shannon Brown from the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Seattle Sonics acquire F Donyell Marshall and F/G Ira Newble from Cleveland, and G/F Adrian Griffin from Chicago. LeBron has been seeing all the great teams getting even better, and he wanted his team to give him some help. Well on the day of the trade deadline, LeBron finally gets some new help. The additions of Ben Wallace, Wally Szczerbiak, and Delonte West, will all aid the Cavs tremendously in their hunt for a title. Although, if they somehow manage to get past Detroit and Boston, whoever they play from the West in the finals, will decimate them.
In a meaningless trade, Portland traded G Taurean Green to Denver for G Von Wafer.
Overall, a big season for trading. Tons of big deals were made, and it will only make the league tougher. Their players who were expected to be traded, such as, Jermaine O'Neal, Ron Artest, Vince Carter, and the entire Knicks roster, who all remained in their current locations. That being so, the off season should be full of roster changes and blockbuster deals.
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