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By JJ Lawley (Miami Heat) and Brian Sachs (Sacramento Kings), Aug. 17th to the Trade Deadline
This is the third edition of what will hopefully be a monthly edition of the Top 10 Trades of the Month. I know the articles have
been heavily delayed but to make up for lost time we're getting two out at once as we were able to finish up the top 10 leading up to
trade deadline (which we started working on over two months ago) as well as getting everybody this new updated list. With this edition of
the top 10 trades of the month we decided to focus on the offseason. Obviously since we had something ridiculous like 80 trades during that
time span it was extremely difficult to trim this list down to 10. In fact I believe we had 20 trades that we considered to be "blockbusters"
but some had to be left off. Sorry to those who expected to see their big deal to reshape their team on this list but got left off. Think positively,
it most likely would have just resulted in a loss and one less point in the team trading leaders breakdown. We'll also list the top 5 trades that just
missed our cut so that those GMs can just kill themselves over how close you were to getting some mention. Switching back to the overall trading leaders,
the story so far has obviously been the dominance that New Jersey Nets GM Richie Mink has shown when it comes to making big name trades. Maybe in this
edition we'll see if somebody can step up and compete with them for the best big name player trader in the league. Also I wanted to note that we had three
other GMs in the league give me their steal of the offseason and write a little about it due to the fact that we had like 80 trades so there were plenty to
choose from. That's just another opportunity for somebody to catch Richie. Hopefully everybody likes this league article that we put together and you can
expect another one about a month into the year (hopefully).
Just Missed the cut!
15. New Orleans Hornets Trade: Kevin Love, Rudy Fernandez
San Antonio Spurs Trade: Danny Granger
14. New Orleans Hornets Trade: Jason Kidd, Udonis Haslem
Indiana Pacers Trade: Baron Davis, Richard Jefferson
13. Charlotte Bobcats Trade: Andrei Kirilenko, Tony Battie
Denver Nuggets trade: Paul Pierce
12. Portland Blazers Trade: Al Jefferson, Maurice Williams
New York Knicks Trade: LaMarcus Aldridge, Martell Webster, Damien Wilkens
11. Atlanta Hawks Trade: Larry Hughes, Hawks 2009 1st Round Pick (Kevin Love), Hawks 2009 2nd Round Pick
New Orleans Hornets Trade: Emeka Okafor, John Salmons, Glen Davis
(More on this later!)
10. Philadelphia 76ers Trade: Shawn Marion and Sixers 2010 1st
Oklahoma City Thunder Trade: Gilbert Arenas and Delonte West
JJ's Analysis:This is the first trade of Noroyan's that I've gotten the chance to review and I have to say that the newbie
got owned in this deal. Shawn Marion in my eyes is much much much more valuable then Arenas will ever be and the pick should be
better then Delonte West. The only thing this deal has working for the 76ers is that Arenas's age fits much better into his team's
plan then Marion's. Either way, I really don't like it for the 76ers.
Brian's Analysis:This is a pretty good trade both ways but I am going to have to give the slight edge in this deal to Philly.
Both of these big name players are expiring so that is not going to be a factor in this deal. However, I think it is harder to come
across a good point guard in this league, and they hold more value. Delonte West is starting in the NBA and is doing pretty good, so
I think getting him for the Sixers pick in 2010 will be pretty good. As I do not think the Sixers 2010 pick will be all that good, I
feel they will be playoffs in the 2010 season.
JJ's Winner: Oklahoma City Thunder
Brian's Winner: Philadelphia 76ers
9. New Jersey Nets Trade: Allen Iverson and J.R. Smith
Oklahoma City Thunder Trade: Tracy McGrady and Rafer Alston
JJ's Analysis: This deal is another one that I feel is kind of lopsided…. Probably because I feel like two teams trying
to win this badly shouldn't be worrying that much about age when I think they can win a championship right now which is really the
whole goal of a sim league. If the Nets were rebuilding I'd like it for them better. However, right now Iverson is clearly a better
player in c2c in my mind as for every team McGrady has played for other than the Pistons if I remember right he has shot somewhat
poor from the floor. Also Iverson gets to the line at a ridiculous rate, which really helps out the team. JR > Alston as well.
Brian's Analysis: The difference maker in this trade has to be J.R. Smith. This is one of my favorite players in the league,
and I have been trying to get him from whoever has had him. I think Tracy McGrady is a little overrated in this league, and I feel
that AI is just as good, maybe a little better because he can play the ever important Point Guard position. So in my opinion J.R.
is what makes the difference, in my opinion he is gonna be something huge in this league and in the NBA.
JJ's Winner: Oklahoma City Thunder
Brian's Winner: Oklahoma City Thunder
8. Miami Heat Trade: Caron Butler
Miami Heat Receive: Luke Ridnour, Hakim Warrick, Kings 2010 1st Round Pick
Sacramento Kings Trade: Paul Pierce, Jarrett Jack, Kings 2010 1st Round Pick
Sacramento Kings Receive: Caron Butler, Grant Hill, Keith Bogans
Denver Nuggets Trade: Luke Ridnour, Hakim Warrick, Grant Hill, Keith Bogans
Denver Nuggets Receive: Paul Pierce, Jarrett Jack
JJ's Analysis: This is an interesting deal since both of us who are judging it were involved. Obviously I wouldn't
have done this deal if I thought I was losing it. Valuewise I think it was pretty even for me, when I was making the deal I
didn't even realize how good Warrick had played last season. The Nuggets I think overpaid for Paul Pierce who is past his prime,
however getting Jack made up for that a little. The Kings I think made off best in this deal as they upgraded from Pierce to Caron
without giving up a whole lot in Jack and their own 1st rounder in 2010.
Brian's Analysis: I would love to give myself the win in this trade, because in my opinion I got the best player in the deal,
Caron. However, as that may be the case Jeffery Entin got an absolute steal. Sorry JJ but it's the truth, Ridnour is not as good as you
think he is, and Pierce is going to be a 20 point plus scorer. Jarrett Jack is also a value piece and is a good Starting or Back up Point
Guard in this league, and is coming into his own in the NBA. I would give myself second place on this trade for getting the best player
in the deal, but overall for what jeff gave and received, he definitely wins this trade.
JJ's Winner: 1. Sacramento Kings 2. Miami Heat 3. Denver Nuggets
Brian's Winner: 1. Denver Nuggets 2. Sacramento Kings 3. Miami Heat
7. Minnesota Timberwolves Trade: Chris Kaman, Hakim Warrick, Ime Udoka, Timberwolves 2010 1st Round Pick
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: Elton Brand, Michael Redd, Wayne Simien, Clippers 2010 2nd Round Pick
Denver Nuggets Trade: Elton Brand, Michael Redd, Sebastian Telfair
Denver Nuggets Receive: Chris Kaman, Hakim Warrick, Nene Hilario
Los Angeles Clippers Trade: Nene Hilario, Wayne Simien, Clippers 2010 2nd Round Pick
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Sebastian Telfair, Ime Udoka, Timberwolves 2010 1st Round Pick
JJ's Analysis: I'll start in order of the teams listed. Minnesota made out great here. I would personally take Brand over Kaman and I know that
Redd has a lot lot more value then Warrick in c2c. Losing a future first rounder is a small price to pay for that upgrade. Only worry, Brand is a free agent
this offseason but that shouldn't be a problem since the TWolves will be able to offer him a max contract. The Nuggets made an interesting move here. The
only reasoning I can see is that expiring contract. However they were at least able to get Nene for Telfair out of the deal, which is a big upgrade. Clippers….
I'm not too sure of the strategy in this deal. I guess a future first rounder…. But its in 2010 and Minnesota should be great by then. Just doesn't seem to be
worth giving up Nene for Telfair at all to me.
Brian's Analysis: I can't believe this trade went through without getting vetoed. The only reason that Kaman was good last year, in my opinion, was
because he was in the right system. His ratings state that he is not that good, and to give up Michael Redd and Elton Brand, for Kaman who in my opinion is worse
then Brand even with the expiring contract of Brand. ya i said it. Then add in Michael Redd for Hakim warrick and a future pick. I just don't get it at all for
Denver, and if this trade went through congress I personally would have highly considered vetoing this.
JJ's Winner: 1. Minnesota Timberwolves 2. Denver Nuggets 3. Los Angeles Clippers
Brian's Winner: 1. Minnesota Timberwolves 2. Los Angeles Clippers 3. Denver Nuggets
6. Denver Nuggets Trade: Tracy McGrady, Shelden Williams, Delonte West, Rashad McCants, Pistons 2009 1st Round Pick, Nets 2010 1st Round Pick, Heat
2010 1st Round Pick, Clippers 2010 1st Round Pick, Nuggets 2008 MLE
Oklahoma City Thunder Trade: Yao Ming, Stromile Swift, Shaun Livingston
JJ's Analysis: This is a tough deal for me to evaluate considering I believe that McGrady is very overrated in this league and then on the other hand
Yao doesn't produce like he should either. However I feel like adding in Shelden Williams (who is not a sure decrease at all considering he really doesn't
have that good of ratings in this league, he just performs), Delonte West, Rashad McCants, 4 1st Round Picks (even if they aren't any good ones), and a MLE this
offseason was way too much since they only got Livingston (who will be decreased) and Swift along with Yao.
Brian's Analysis: Wow seems like only 2 teams are involved with each of these trades, Denver and Oklahoma, and what do you know they got one with each other.
I give Denver the edge here because this is what goes back to my original thought on Tracy McGrady. I feel that he is overrated, and Yao I still have faith will eventually
come out of his shell and make an impact in this league. Nuggets did give up a lot with Tmac, but personally I think it was worth it. Overall though this was a very
good trade for both teams, and I understand why each team did it, but gonna give the slight edge to Denver.
JJ's Winner: Oklahoma City Thunder
Brian's Winner: Denver Nuggets
5. Portland Trailblazers Trade: LaMarcus Aldridge, Tyrus Thomas
Sacramento Kings Trade: Chris Bosh
JJ's Analysis: Tough deal for me to judge. I'm not sure if I like it for the Kings just because I feel like they had a chance to really compete this year.
The Blazers I don't really like it for either since once Aldridge and Tyrus get to their potentials I feel like they'll combined be definitely better then Bosh.
I know Bosh is obviously young but he doesn't have as much untapped potential as the other two since he's already great. The thing that is going to swing my opinion
on this deal is that if Tyrus ever does reach that potential in c2c, could he become a prime target for a ratings decrease if he doesn't live up to it
in the NBA?
Brian's Analysis: I feel like value wise I win this deal, but that still would put me a trade out. Chris Bosh is one of the best bigs in this league a top
3 big in my opinion. Anyway you can get yourself one of them, you gotta pull the trigger. Plain and Simple Norman got one of the best players in the league, and didn't
give up the super super star that is usually required to get someone of his caliber. So for the time being Norman and his Trailblazers get the win here.
JJ's Winner: Portland Trail Blazers
Brian's Winner: Portland Trail Blazers
4. Milwaukee Bucks Trade: Anderson Varejao, Boris Diaw, Julian Wright
Milwaukee Bucks Receive: Chris Kaman, Jason Kapono
Denver Nuggets Trade: Chris Kaman, Jason Kapono, Shaun Livingston, Mikki Moore, Nuggets 2012 1st Round Pick
Denver Nuggets Receive: Larry Hughes, Anderson Varejao, Boris Diaw, Bucks 2009 1st Round Pick
Dallas Mavericks Trade: Vince Carter, Bucks 2009 1st Round Pick
Dallas Mavericks Receive: Luol Deng, Shaun Livingston, Julian Wright, Mikki Moore, Thunder 2012 1st Round Pick, Nuggets 2012 1st Round PIck
Oklahoma City Thunder Trade: Luol Deng, Larry Hughes, Thunder 2012 1st Round Pick
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: Vince Carter
JJ's Analysis: Damn, first four team trade in league history I think? Its gonna take some time to short this out…. First up we have the Bucks. They traded
an extremely underrated Diaw and Varejao for Chris Kaman and Kapono. Well, even though I just called Diaw extremely overrated this deal was a steal for the Bucks.
Kaman is the big man they've desperately needed for a long time now and Kapono can be just like Jason Terry is for me if given a chance. Varejao is good but nothing
that is really hard to find. He honestly is just like a younger Etan Thomas who nobody seems to value nearly as much. Now the Nuggets turn. I feel bad that I keep
bashing them considering I like what they've done with their team overall. However each huge trade I get to just keeps seeming like a small loss for them to me.
They were basically just on the other end of the Bucks part and since I love it for the Bucks I have to hate it for Denver. At least they did manage to get Hughes
and an earlier first rounder while not adding in a whole lot other than Livingston for a year. I love love love this deal for the Mavericks. Deng is more valuable
then Carter in my opinion by himself. Livingston gives them a pass first point guard to start this season and Mikki Moore is a big man for a little depth. I just
called those guys not much for the Nuggets but they'll play big roles in giving the Mavs some legit depth. Oklahoma City I think made a really bad deal here. Even
while I like that they're trying to win now I just can't see the wisdom in dealing Deng, Hughes and a future 1st Rounder for only Carter.
Brian's Analysis: This is a huge deal, and I like this deal for the Mavericks a lot as well. However, the Bucks made out the best in this deal. They traded
Anderson Varejo and Boris Diaw for Kaman, and Kapono! Yea earlier I said I thought that Kaman was overrated, but that didn't mean he should be traded for free. Really
no team made a terrible deal in this trade, but somehow Pat and his Bucks came out way on top with getting the deadliest shooter, and a great big man down low.
JJ's Winner: 1. Dallas Mavericks 2. Milwaukee Bucks 3. Denver Nuggets 4. Oklahoma City Thunder
Brian's Winner: 1. Milwaukee Bucks 2. Dallas Mavericks 3. Oklahoma City Thunder 4. Denver Nuggets
3. Los Angeles Clippers Trade: Kevin Garnett
Oklahoma City Thunder Trade: Shawn Marion, Yi Jianlian, JR Smith, 2008 Nets 1st Round Pick (George Hill)
JJ's Analysis: Wow. Just from the first glance at this deal I can't even decide who wins this trade. Garnett is amazing, but Marion, Yi, JR, and George Hill is a
lot to give up for him. Both teams are looking to win now and Marion and Garnett give both teams the chance to do that. I'm going to give the slight slight win to the
Clippers here only because Yi has been playing better in the NBA lately up until his recent injury and has good potential in this league and George Hill could turn
into something as well. Now that I wrote that I'm not so sure. I can't even decide.
Brian's Analysis: The key factor to this trade was the fact that Marion was expiring. If Marion was not expiring this would be in my opinion a pretty fair trade.
Yi and JR are good pieces that Doty can use to trade or play, and will help him in the future. KG however, is like Chris Bosh, people like him just don't come around that
much, and if your ever going to trade them, more times then not I am going to vote against you in this. Sorry Steve I do not think this was a very good deal for you.
JJ's Winner: Draw
Brian's Winner: Oklahoma City Thunder
2. Sacramento Kings Trade: Carmelo Anthony, Rodney Stuckey
Utah Jazz Trade: Chris Bosh
JJ's Analysis: Damn Damn Damn. I guess when you really get into the superstars it gets tough to decide. A big man is clearly more valuable then two guards. And Bosh
is clearly better then Carmelo right now both in this league and real life. Stuckey's potential is really a wild card. Even though I've been a Stuckey hater since day one
I'm going to give the Jazz a slight edge in value. This trade will obviously help Sacramento more next season though.
Brian's Analysis: Ya fuck you Dave giving myself the win. Carmelo has had a problem with every team that he has been a part of. He struggles with
every team and he has a problem with team chemistry. Dave on the other hand has a lot of confidence that he can fix him, (or trade him.) He also has tons
of faith that Rodney Stuckey is the future of this league, and with how he is playing in this league I am starting to agree with him. Chris Bosh, is one
of those people, like I have said many times in this article already, that is going to win a trade for the team he is being traded too. So once again
I will vote in favor of the Superstar.
JJ's Winner: Utah Jazz
Brian's Winner: Denver Nuggets
1. Indiana Pacers Trade: Kobe Bryant, Adonal Foyle
New Jersey Nets Trade: Dwayne Wade, Jeff Foster, Alonzo Mourning
JJ's Analysis: This deal has never been easier for me to pick. Not that I think it's a blowout… it just seems to easy for me to decide who slightly one. Kobe is
clearly better than Wade even though Wade is the second best player in this league. Foyle is basically just like Alonzo Mourning in this league with more years left. That
said Foster just isn't enough for me to warrant the gap between Kobe and Wade. Good deal by the Nets.
Brian's Analysis: This is the number one trade for an obvious reason, and this was a very tough one to judge. You have in my opinion the 2 best players in this
league, and for them to be traded for one another is just impressive. On the one hand, you have Kobe Bryant, who win is healthy is the best player in this league, and just
dominates and can make any team in this league make the playoffs. On the other hand he can't stay healthy, and has missed about a full season worth of games. Dwayne Wade
is no slouch either, MVP of the league in his first season, look for him to be back to his old way's as he is teamed with his old PG, and a new face, defensive specialist
Ron Artest. I like this one for Pacers because of Kobe's injury problems, However, if Kobe can stay healthy, I feel that he is going to win this trade and probably a
championship for the Nets.
JJ's Winner: New Jersey Nets
Brian's Winner: Indiana Pacers
JJ's Steal of the Month
Atlanta Hawks Trade: Larry Hughes, Hawks 1st round pick 2008 (Kevin Love), Hawks 2009 2nd Round Pick
New Orleans Hornets Trade: Emeka Okafor, John Salmons, Glen Davis
Hahahahaha, just looking at this deal makes me laugh a little bit. Talk about Tomas making a strong statement early on with his new team. He just tore apart
Pippy who is one of the best GMs in this league. Salmons is clearly more valuable then Larry Hughes considering he is for sure going to get boosted after this
season and will be better than Hughes at that point considering Hughes has trouble offensively at times with his low field goal percentage. Then after that its
Okafor and Glen Davis for Kevin Love. No people you did not just read that wrong. Granted the trade was before the lottery so Love had a chance to wind up as
Derrick Rose but it's a known fact that the team with the worst record has better odds of winding up with the 4th pick then any other pick in the draft. I
just don't understand the risk. If it had turned out to be Rose I'd still consider this a steal by Tomas. Huge statement with this deal.
Brian's Steal of the Month
The Biedrins Fiasco
1. Washington Wizards Trade: Andris Biedrins, Mike James, Brian Cardinal
Sacramento Kings Trade: Chris Mihm, Jarret Jack, Justin Williams
2. Washington Wizards Trade: Andris Biedrins, Carl Landry, Francisco Garcia, Jamaal Magloire
San Antonio Spurs Trade: JaVale McGee, Robin Lopez, Ronny Turiaf, Quentin Richardson, Spurs 2010 2nd Round Pick
Honestly, how can you get two trades vetoed in the offseason involving the same player? That's really hard to do. I know neither of these deals went
through so neither team benefited from the steal but Mike and myself deserve some points for being able to rip off Gary in the first place. If either of these
deals went through it woulda made this spot so I'm still putting it here.
Spurs and Kings will each get half a steal win for this
Noroyan's Steal of the Month aka Sportboy6
Golden State Warriors Trade: Spencer Hawes, Lorenzen Wright
Utah Jazz Trade: Jason Kapono
After reviewing many old trades, in my opinion I think the best “steal” of the offseason belongs to the Utah Jazz. They traded Jason Kapono to the Warriors in
return for Lorenzen Wright, but even more importantly Spencer Hawes. Hawes was the 10th overall pick in the 2007 draft, and he is already showing signs of fast
development by posting 11 ppg, and 7 rpg in his second career NBA season. True Centers are tough to come by, and in my opinion Hawes will be a great player for
years to come. He will play alongside Dwight Howard in C2C, which should benefit him greatly. Kapono for Hawes, I just don't get it?
Entin's Steal of the Month aka jhe90
Minnesota Timberwolves Trade: Richard Jefferson, TWolves 2008 1st Round Pick (Russell Westbrook), TWolves 2008 2nd Round Pick (Omer Asik)
Charlotte Bobcats Trade: Chris Kaman
I believe this is a steal for Ronnie. RJ underachieves big time in this league and won't be good until he gets boosted which was already missed this offseason
and won't come again for a while. The pick turned out to be Russell Westbrook. Westbrook might have good upside but Kaman proved to be an elite big man for the
bobcats last season. If Kaman keeps it up, Ronnie wins this trade big time.
Justin's Steal of the Month ak Justy117
San Antonio Spurs Trade: DJ Augustin
Golden State Warriors Trade: Leandro Barbosa, Jazz 2008 1st Round Pick (Courtney Lee)
Augustin hasn't laced up his shoes and he's already been traded for a guy who helped lead this Warriors team to the Western Conference finals. Barbosa is one of
the best combo guards in the game, and on top of that, he got the 29th pick, Mr. Courtney Lee. I definitely think Jon could have gotten more for him than a guy who
hasn't proven anything in the professional level. Questionable move for a team who could have possibly won their division this year.
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