Under the new collective bargaining agreement, because of different provisions and rules, teams are reluctant to move expiring contracts and back contracts left and right.
The move with the biggest names involved happened between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers sent Danny Granger east for Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen. This marks the official end of the Granger era in Indiana. It's kind of sad when you think about it. He's the main guy that got that franchise turned around from the aftermath of the 'Malice at the Palace' featuring the artist formerly known as Ron Artest, and now he's just an expiring contract after injuries derailed the All-Star's career.
Incidentally, the Pacers get a solid wing to bolster their bench and a guy they could perhaps count on in the playoffs if Lance Stephenson isn't playing well or gets banged up. Also, if Turner plays well for the Pacers, they may have a backup plan if Stephenson gets an offer he can't refuse in restricted free agency this offseason.
As far as Philly, it's basically a lateral move. They trade Turner who was going to be a restricted free agent for an expiring in Granger. We'll see if they keep Granger after this season on a reasonable contract. The Sixers are in full on tank/rebuild mode and will give the Bucks a run for worst record this year.
Part of that tank for the Sixers was trading C Spencer Hawes to Cleveland for Earl Clark and a few second round picks. Hawes is a C that can step out a knock down a three or two...or two. He'll spread the floor nicely for Tristan Thompson to work in the paint.
For the Bucks, the deadline went about as well as we expected to. Gary Neal and Luke Ridnour both went to the Charlotte Bobcats for Ramon Sessions and Jeff Adrien. We knew that those two were going to get dealt, it was just a matter of where they were going.
You can put me in the fan club of this deal. They moved a few of the redundant veterans on this team for a few expiring contracts in Sessions and Adrien. I'm mainly a fan of this move because it rids us of Neal's $3.25 million that the Bucks were on the hook for next year. Also, because Gary Neal just wasn't really all that fun to watch. I'm sure we'll be having an official Sportandfashion-news Gary Neal Trade Potluck at some point in the near future. That's definitely going to be BYOB.
All jokes aside, Neal wasn't really happy here (even though he signed on the dotted line) and wanted to go to a contender...so Hammond sent him to the Bobcats. I do respect Neal for being a professional while falling out of the rotation for most of the year.
Bon voyage, Gary, I hear the grass is typically greener in Charlotte this time of year.
Here's a list of the other minor moves in the NBA this week:
- Marcus Thornton to Brooklyn for Jason Terry and Reggie Evans.
- Steve Blake to Golden State for MarShon Brooks and Kent Bazemore.
- Andre Miller to Washington, Jan Vesely to Denver, Eric Maynor and picks to Philadelphia.
- Aaron Brooks to Denver for Jordan Hamilton.
- Antawn Jamison to the Hawks for the rights to Cenk Aykol who was drafted by Atlanta in 2005.
- Clippers send Byron Mullens and second round pick to Philadelphia for a second round pick.
- Austin Daye from Toronto to San Antonio for Nando De Colo
- The Heat basically gave Roger Mason to the Kings for nothing.
That's it. You're up to date on the deadline that was in the NBA.
Post a Comment