DeathRattleSports.com - NBA 2007-08: Trade Deadline Winners and Losers

Home

NBA 2007-08: Trade Deadline Winners and Losers

Written by Rolando Cruz

Sunday, 24 February 2008

{mosimage} This 2007-08 NBA season has seen a flurry of trades this year as teams scramble to make last minute adjustments for a run at the playoffs and a possible title. Now that the February 21 trading deadline has past, here is a look at some of the winners and losers of the trade game.

The Winners

1) Lakers:
The Los Angeles Lakers went from a "Kobe-centric" one dimensional team, to a Western Conference contender when they traded for the 7-foot Spaniard, Paul Gasol. In Gasol's first 8 starts for the Lakers, he has average 21.9 ppg, 7.4 rbg, and 2.5 apg. Even better, the team has won 6 games in a row, and 7 out of their last 8 since the addition of this inside scoring threat. Did they give up too much for what they got? Perhaps. They would still need the return of a healthy Andrew Bynum to make GM Mitch Kupchak look like a genius, and make a run at an NBA crown.

2) Suns:
Did the Suns gamble trading for the likes of Shaquille O'Neal? Of course they did. There is no telling what kind of game this often injured and aging center has in him. They gave up Shawn Marion and Marcus Bank in the process, but if the big guy has a few playoff series still left in him, than the gamble might lead them to a title. It is interesting to note that the Suns lost their first meeting to the Lakers after the trade, but Shaquille seems to have some life still in him, and he is determined to prove the critics wrong. I personally would not bet against the big guy.

3) Nets:
Face it, Jason Kidd was done as far as being a Net. With that in mind they had to move him, and for Kidd and three other lesser players, the Nets got a gem in Devin Harris, the 5th overall pick of the 2004 draft. It might take a few seasons to watch Harris develop into a star and validate this trade for the Nets, but the day will come. Among the five other players that this trade brought in is Keith Van Horn, a former Nets player who is still a good complementary player. They also received two first round draft picks and cash from the Mavericks.

The Losers

1) Mavericks:
Don't get me wrong, I like this team and their outrageous owner Mark Cuban, but they gave up too much in Devin Harris and draft picks to get their hands on the 36 year old Jason Kidd. Kidd who is arguably one of the better guards of his generation, is way past his prime and no longer holds his own against the best point guards in the league. This team should not have mortgage their future just to keep up with other teams in the Western Conference.

2) Timberwolves:
It's bad enough that Kevin McHale let Kevin Garnett go to Boston, but to give away one of the players they got in return, the physically gifted Gerald Green for practically nothing (Snyder, a second round pick in 2010, and cash) is just making matters worse. The explosive Green was developing nicely last year in Boston where he was averaging over 10 points, in 22 minutes of play per game. This kid will end up a much better player than whatever that 2nd round pick yields.

3) Magic:
Not really addressing their needs at guard will not get them far into the playoffs. And while this team made a decent attempt to secure Kurt Thomas (only to lose him to the Spurs), getting Maurice Evans and Brian Cook will not help them much. Though I must confess, the first game I went to see this team live after the trade, Cook scored 18 points off the bench against the Nuggets. Still, that is not enough.

Other nice pick ups:

1) Hawks: Getting point guard Mike Bibby is a step in the right direction for this franchise.

2) Spurs: This team beat out Orlando for the services of Kurt Thomas, a move that will help them in their Conference.

3) Cavaliers: Wallace, West and Wally (Szczerbiak) should lead to a few more W's in Cleveland.

4) Heats: Shawn Marion is an underrated player who was worth clearing out O'Neal's contract for.