The NBA trade deadline has passed and the dust has finally settled.
Of course there will be players waived and bought out but for the most part the NBA landscape has changed yet again. Whether it be a team totally changing the course of their franchise (Portland Trail Blazers and Washington Wizards) or teams improving (San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers), there is no doubt this season’s trading period spoke volumes.
But with the deals being made, how has the NBA landscape changed? To answer that question, Crossover Chronicles own Brendan Bowers, Jeff Garcia, John Karalis, and Phillip-Rossman Reich weight in with their thoughts.
Brendan:
Eastern Conference — Ramon Sessions trade
The Cleveland Cavaliers were in the playoff race, this season. Right, I don’t know how that happened either. Actually I do, it had a lot to do with Andrew Bogut getting injured, and Carmelo Anthony getting healthy, along with the brilliant play of one Kyrie Irving. In any event, the Cavaliers were hanging around that 8th spot though. Ramon Sessions was a big reason why as well though, and he just got traded. Sessions had been arguably the team’s 3rd or 4th best player this season behind only Irving, Varejao, and maybe Antawn Jamison. He was backing up the PG spot, and playing significant minutes at the SG spot as well, but now he’s a member of the Los Angeles Lakers. The move was a good for the Cavaliers future, while garnering an additional first round pick for Cleveland, but it takes the Cavaliers out of the play of mix this season. It’s Monta, Jennings, and the Bucks vs New York for that final playoff spot now.
Western Conference — JaVale McGee trade
I kinda like Denver more now with JaVale McGee. Which is weird, because I never really liked McGee that much in Washington, I just think he’s going to explode with the Nuggets. Nothing against Nene, but I think Denver is a better more explosive team after making the trade they did yesterday. They’re also talking about adding Wilson Chandler too – which dealing Nene’s contract will / could help facilitate – so if you’re telling me the Nuggets trade Nene and get McGee and Chandler back I’m going to argue that they won the trade deadline. Chandler isn’t back yet, but he’s close I guess. So I think Denver made themselves significantly better here, both with just JaVale and even more so if they end up with Wilson too.
Jeff:
Eastern Conference — Dwight Howard stays in Orlando, for now
So Howard will remain in Orlando for at least one more season which means the Magic will get to do this all over again next season. However, will Orlando have enough to make a significant move to keep Howard long term remains to be seen. The team will still be over the cap next season and do not have
tempting players (and stuck with horrid contracts next season) which will draw in other teams to make a deal with the Magic. But with Howard remaining, this means the Nets will have to figure out what to do with Deron Williams. Now that he won’t be paired up with Dwight this season, is this another reason D-Will will be leaving to Dallas as many speculate and the Mavs roll the dice Dwight will end up in with the Mavericks after next season should he not resign with Orlando?
Western Conference — Spurs bring back Stephen Jackson, ride themselves of Richard Jefferson
The Spurs made a solid move bringing back Jackson t the fold and ridding themselves of Jefferson and his albatross of a contract. By bringing back Jackson, the Spurs now have a player who can create his own shot (unlike RJ) and more importantly, play defense (again unlike RJ). Plus, he can produce offensively and is insurance should Manu Ginobili continue to get struck by the injury bug as he has this season.
Though Jackson still doesn’t fix their weakness at the center spot, this is a shout to the Western Conference that they are gunning for a title now! The Thunder and Lakers should be weary.
John:
Despite a wild flurry of moves, there was no blockbuster that would change the balance of power. Chicago, Miami and Oklahoma City are all still far-and-away the best teams in the NBA and no one got significantly closer.
However, out West, the Lakers and Spurs showed they are going to make another run by trying to shore up some weak spots. The Lakers rolled the dice by getting rid of Derek Fisher and bringing in Ramon Sessions. That deal could go very well, but (and here comes the big time analysis) it could also backfire. Sometimes an emotional leader is worth more than the production on the court.
Orlando’s non-move threw the East into a tailspin. New Jersey had to go to plan B (or probably J or K by this point). Orlando has been playing well (despite some wild swings here and there) and they are strong where Chicago and Miami is weak. Orlando is the biggest winner by getting their guy to stay.
Washington is a winner too, because there was no way JaVale McGee was getting any smarter there, and there was no way Nick Young was going to take any fewer shots. Now Wall will have room to move and do his thing.
Phil:
The NBA landscape probably changed most in Washington where a franchise that seemed hopelessly lost got rid of some problem childs and began a process to rebuild around John Wall. There is no doubt that Wall has a ton of talent, and a lot of it has gone unrealized. He has picked up bad habits and disappointed many observers. The presence of me-first players like Nick Young and JaVale McGee (and to some extent
Gilbert Arenas, who was traded last year) one could conclude were having a bad influence on this talented young player.
Washington may have paid too much to the Nuggets and Clippers to get rid of McGee and Young. But it was a necessary move to clear the decks and begin building an actual team. You know, with an actual future.
How Wall responds to his new teammates and where the Wizards go from here will determine whether this is a successful move or not. But for a guy with a ton of talent, this is the fresh start he needs to realize his full potential. Nene is a good player that will improve the team immediately, but this is still not a playoff team. However, maybe now the team will actually want to play together for a change.
Who says change can’t come to Washington?
What do you have to say Crossover fans? Leave us your comments.
