The post-trade deadline NBA reminds me of those reality shows where people blindly bid on confiscated storage units, hoping to cash in big. Though the deadline passed without much of a whimper, the deals made after the trade deadline, involving players who were traded and/or released, could have a heavy impact on the playoffs.
Eleven deadline deals went down this season, but most of them involved old and/or average players being exchanged for cigarettes and car wash coupons other non-essential players or draft picks. The exceptions both involved the Philadelphia 76ers, who moved rising star Evan Turner and some guy (Lavoy Allen) for former Indiana Pacers’ All-Star Danny Granger. The Sixers also dealt away Spencer Hawes, one of the few decent centers in the league, to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Earl Clark, Henry Sims and two second round draft picks that they can only hope will like turn out as extra-regular as Clark and Sims.
Clearly the Sixers organization is positioning itself to fail in hopes of landing in one of the top three draft positions. That would grant the team a shot at one of the fierce freshmen atop draft boards everywhere: Joel Embiid (Kansas), Jabari Parker (Duke) and Andrew Wiggins (Kansas). Why else would the team agree to move Hawes for nothing and acquiesce to Granger’s request for a buyout, so he could sign with a playoff contender? It’s a common occurrence known as tanking. Every season a few cellar-dwelling teams do it. Every season those same cellar dwellers deny it.
This season, the Los Angeles Clippers have cashed in most from the midseason giveaways, signing Granger and Glen “Big Baby” Davis for the rest of the season in moves that add depth to one of the major players in the West. Davis was bought out by the Orlando Magic, another cellar-dwelling, draft-dreaming team. If he stays healthy, Granger could potentially steal away Matt Barnes’ starting spot at small forward for the Clippers. Davis won’t start, but provides a gritty, tough rebounder who can put the ball in the basket.
The Clippers weren’t the only playoff-bound team to activate a free upgrade. The Oklahoma City Thunder signed Caron Butler (Milwaukee Bucks) to bolster its playoff run. The injury-prone swingman has seen better days, but his presence is greatly appreciated in OKC after learning Thabo Sefalosha will be sidelined for four to six weeks with a calf strain. Like Granger, if Butler can funnel his inner-IceJJFish and stay on the floor, he should make an impact for the Thunder.
In the East, the Chicago Bulls got in on the mix by signing Jimmer Fredette (Sacramento Kings). The sharp-shooting Fredette never lived up to expectations in Sacramento, but his long-range prowess could be exactly what Chicago needs. Tom Thibodeau’s team is full of grit and grind, but needs someone to help stretch the floor. Let’s not overstate things, Chicago has no shot at winning the East, but Fredette could help them win a series. The same can be said for the Memphis Grizzlies back in the West, who signed Beno Udrich (New York Knicks).
Pacers and Cavs tops in trades
As far as playoff contenders who actually made trades instead of playing the vulture game, the Pacers and Cavaliers came out on top (thanks to the 76ers). Although Granger and Turner are strikingly similar players, Turner is five years younger and less injury-prone. Though his contract is up after this season, he gives the Pacers a super sub for the playoff run and could be signed to a contract extension if Lance Stephenson goes to the highest bidder.
Listing the Cavaliers as playoff contenders seems wrong, but they are currently sitting just 3.5 games out of the 8th and final playoff position. The team is playing much better than the Atlanta Hawks and Detroit Pistons, the two teams seemingly standing in the way. Once Anderson Varajao, CJ Miles and Dion Waiters return from injury, they will join Hawes and the rest of the team for a strong push for that 8th seed.
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