NBA TRADE DEADLINE!

The NBA trade deadline has come and gone and it didn't go away quietly. There were plenty of trades, in fact, this was the most active teams have been at the trade deadline in years. Two All Stars from the West went East, along with a former NBA Finals MVP. Two contenders swapped starters that they think make them even more likely to get over the hump and win an NBA Title this year. Lets review some of the trades that could shake up the league for years to come.



Knicks Land a Star

Carmelo wanted to be a Knick and he finally got his wish. Denver traded him, Chauncey Billups and a few other pieces to the Knicks and received Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton, Danilo Gallinari, a 2014 First round Draft pick and a few other complementary pieces. The winner of this trade is obviously the Knicks, as they get the superstar to go along with Stoudemire. A very overlooked player they get in the trade is Chauncey Billups. He’s a battle-tested veteran who can put up big numbers on any given night. He will be able to lead them and gives them a shot to do some damage this year in the playoffs. Denver did what it had to do and got some nice pieces in return for Anthony. Minnesota was also involved in the trade as they decide to take Eddy Curry’s expiring contract from the Knicks.Complete Trade:

 New York Knicks get: F Carmelo Anthony, G Chauncey Billups, F Renaldo Blackman, G Anthony Carter, C Shelden Williams
 Denver Nuggets get: F Wilson Chandler, G Raymond Felton, F Danilo Gallinari, C Kosta Koufous, C Timofey Mozgov, $3 million in cash, 2014 first-round pick (from Knicks), 2012 & 13 second-round picks (from Knicks via Golden State Warriors) Minnesota Timberwolves get: C Eddy Curry, F Anthony Randolph, 2015 second-round pick (from Nuggets), $3 million in cash

  
Trade Winner: New York Knicks

 

Nets Answer Their New York Counterpart With a Big Deal of Their Own
Deron Williams "surprised" by trade

Carmelo becomes a Knick, coming from Denver along with Mr. Big Shot Chauncey Billups. They join Amare Stoudemire to form their own big three and will be very dangerous down the stretch and in the playoffs.

The New Jersey Nets were in the market for Carmelo Anthony, but could not convince him that New Jersey was a place he could win. A day after Anthony is traded to the Knicks; the New Jersey Nets answer by getting a superstar of their own. Deron Williams is not as big of a name as Carmelo Anthony, but he is a big guard who can flat out play. He is the sixth player since the NBA merger to average 20plus points and 9 assists in his first six years in the league. I think in many instances, teams would like to have Deron Williams over Carmelo Anthony. This trade did surprise Deron, but if New Jersey can keep bringing in pieces to surround Williams with, then the odds of him signing an extension to become the heart of the Brooklyn Nets (they are moving to Brooklyn in 2012) just got a lot greater. Williams is a star who wants to win and if the Nets give him the pieces they could become contenders in upcoming years.

The Utah Jazz are realists and even though they gave up their superstar in Deron Williams, they got a lot in return for him. The Jazz knew the odds of Williams staying in Utah would not be likely when he becomes a free agent after next season were not great and for that reason they decided to deal him when they could get a lot for him. They received a solid point guard in Devin Harris, a lottery pick with loads of potential with Derrick Favors and two first round picks. This trade is good for both sides and the winner of it will remain to be seen. I have to give a slight edge to the Nets because they get an All Star who is motivated to win now and we all know one star will draw another.
Complete Trade:
New Jersey Nets get: Deron Williams
Utah Jazz get: Derrick Favors, Devin Harris, 2011 first-round pick (from Nets), 2012 first-round pick (from Nets via Warriors)

 

Trade Winner: New Jersey Nets

The Celtics Make a Trade Splash
Perkins Sent to Oklahoma City

In a last minute trade two contenders swapped starters in order to strengthen their Title hopes. The Boston Celtics are the Eastern Conference favorites. They traded their starting center in Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinson for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic of the Oklahoma City Thunder. What does this trade mean? It is no secret for the Thunder why they made this trade. They lacked size and a real physical presence on their team and not they have it. They give up their third leading scorer, but get a center that will help them improve defensively and give them a real shot to beat the Los Angeles Lakers. However, the problem is I am not sure if they can win this year. The Lakers aren’t the scary team in the West even though they are the defending champs. San Antonio is the favorite and in my opinion they can beat the Thunder with or without this trade.

The Boston Celtics are the winners of this trade and here is why. The Celtics are in the Eastern Conference. The Eastern Conference is loaded with talent, but they are all wing players. Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony and Derrick Rose to name a few of the players the Celtics could face in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. None of the teams that are a real threat in the Eastern Conference have a big, physical center. Dwight Howard is an elite center, but his team is not good enough to win a Championship. The Celtics still have Shaquille and Jermaine O’Neal who can get healthy for a playoff run. Now, they have a young forward named Jeff Green who can guard Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony and Kobe Bryant if needed. This helps the Celtics this year, but also helps them in the future because Jeff Green is someone they can pair up with Rondo, as their team gets older. Overall, the Thunder are trying to win now, but it is not that likely. Most people think the Celtics made a mistake but they are still the favorites in the Eastern Conference and improved their team with this trade.

Complete Trade:

Boston Celtics get: Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic
Oklahoma City Thunder get: Kendrick Perkins, Nate Robinson

Trade Winner: Boston Celtics








Carmelo becomes a Knick, coming from Denver along with Mr. Big Shot Chauncey Billups. They join Amare Stoudemire to form their own "Big 3" and will be very dangerous down the stretch.
Photo Courtesy of Yahoo Sports