Post by jbrown9 on Sept 7, 2015 18:31:31 GMT -5
TRADE DEADLINE ANALYSIS - EASTERN CONFERENCE
This is part 3 of my trade deadline series, and now is the fun part where I get to speculate on trades that I think could help the buyers in the Eastern conference. Part 4, which will come later today, will feature the deals that could be made by the buyers in the Western conference.
All trades here are purely speculation, I've spoken to no other GMs and are made from the point of view of what I would do if I were the GM of that particular team. The money works in every one of these deals, and I've done my best to make these deals fair for both teams. If I manage to grease some wheels, I'll happily take a finders fee!
Toronto Raptors from Minnesota Timberwolves
PG Vern Fleming for SG Hubert Davis and $100
Two birds with one stone for the Raptors. Vern Fleming is a 6'5 PG who can run a second team offense, defend and score! His size and ability to score means he's also a solid backup SG. He's a perfect fit for a Raptors team with so many holes in it.
Toronto Raptors from Detroit Pistons
SF Scott Wedman and PF Terry Davis for SG Ralph Simpson, C Joe Wolf, C David Harrison, C Loren Woods, C Paul Mokeski and $250
Simpson is a warm body on the roster. He doesn't play and has no value. The Raptors, as has been frequently mentioned, need functioning players to come off their bench! Scott Wedman is just this! He's a SF who can defend, and has scored a little bit in Detroit too. Nothing spectacular, but another player who will help the Raptors more than what they've got now. Why the others? Well you'll see next...
Toronto Raptors from Vancouver Grizzlies
PF Sam Lacey for PG Jay Humphries, SF Steve Hawes, PF Terry Davis, PF LaRue Martin, SF Jim Ard and Raptors 1983 1st Round Pick or $500
This is the big one, and provides the Raptors with a quality big man who can play 3 positions if need be. Sam Lacey has been moved a lot this year, and he needs to move one more time before the deadline. The Grizzlies collect 5 expiring contracts and a pick or free camp for their troubles. It's a high price to pay for the Raptors for a 5 sim rental, but its worth it. This could be the final move for the Raptors, giving them an 8 man rotation in the playoffs. Not great, but a hell of a lot better than what they are running out there right now.
Nets from Magic
SG Gus Williams, PF Curtis Perry and C Chocolate Thunder for PF Mitch Kupchak, C Eddy Curry, SG Mitchell Butler, Nets 1981 and 1983 1st Round Picks
The price is high, but the Nets get 3 players who can help them now, whilst shedding 3 multi-year contracts and clear the space needed for Emeka Okafor in the offseason. This actually puts the Nets in a better position long term as well as short term, and as far as the Magic are concerned, they are in a long term rebuild, why not eat some money in exchange for a few assets? Win-win for both teams here.
Nets from Pistons
PF Dan Issel, SF Scott Wedman and PG Lucius Allen for PF Mitch Kupchak, C Eddy Curry, SG Mitchell Butler, C Matt Geiger, PG Alan Leavell Nets 1981 and 1983 1st Round Picks
Oh but the Magic aren't the only team who can help the Nets out. This does the same thing, but actually clears more money next year. Issel is the best player in either of these deals, but its likely the quality of depth is better in the Magic deal. Still, the Nets can hardly go wrong with either offer, at worst they'll be surrendering the 9th or 10th pick, but they'd be gaining the space to bring back Okafor and giving themselves a shot at making the playoffs this year.
Nets from Hornets
C Melvin Turpin, SF Mark Olberding, PG Sebastian Telfair for PF Mitch Kupchak, C Eddy Curry, SG Mitchell Butler, Nets 1981 and 1983 1st Round Picks
Again, similar to the two above deals, just depends what the Nets are looking for. Turpin has been a looter in a riot all year in Charlotte, but might bring some momentum with him down the stretch. The other 2 are warm bodies who can maybe contribute in a pinch. The main goal of this deal is to dump cap for next year and bring back Okafor.
Knicks from Spurs
PG Foots Walker for PG Ron Riley, PG Doug Collins and $100
The Knicks big weakness is at PG, and unfortunately they don't have the contracts needed to go out and get a real difference maker like Calvin Murphy, because they have the cap room necessary and something tells me the Magic won't be looking for much. So they must settle for a cheap guy who can play some, and Foots Walker fits this bill. Recently picked up by the Spurs in a cap dump with the Pistons, Walker will be cheap and could really help NY. Its not a big or flashy deal in any way, but a little deal like this could help the Knicks once the playoffs get started.
Cavaliers from Pistons or Hornets
PF Dan Issel or C Melvin Turpin for PF Christian Laettner, PG Dana Barros, 10 year Free Agent and Cavaliers 1983 1st Round Pick
Whichever guy they go for it is a BIG upgrade on Laettner. This trade creates a new hole at backup PG, but the Cavs have yet to break the soft cap and would have only 11 guys on their roster after this deal (plus a very cuttable Robert Horry), they can sign a bunch of free agents and go after one of the plethora of PGs available at around the MLE with a little bit of their cash. It is also likely that whatever PG they go after will be better than Barros. Guys like Foots Walker, Lucius Allen, Mo Howard and Vern Fleming all come to mind for this second deal. There is also a possibility to go after Sam Lacey here, but it's a little more difficult and would require a few more free agents to get the initial deal done and would likely make them better than either of these two trades.
76ers from Timberwolves
SF Bill Robinzine for PF Dave Robisch and $100
Robisch is awful, Robinzine is not. Robinzine is a little bit small, but he can play PF. This makes him more versatile than Robisch and could have him fill two positions (backup SF/PF). Another simple and small trade, but it helps the 76ers, and gives the TWolves a little bit of cash for their trouble.
As you can see, I'm not predicting any 'Blockbuster' deals. In truth, these rarely happen at the deadline as they take time to build and come together. However, just because we probably won't see any superstars shifting teams this year, doesn't mean that the deadline is boring, and there are a bunch of trades here that could really help some teams down the stretch. Hopefully we see one or two of them come to fruition! Up next is part 4, where I look at the deals that could help some of the contenders out West!
This is part 3 of my trade deadline series, and now is the fun part where I get to speculate on trades that I think could help the buyers in the Eastern conference. Part 4, which will come later today, will feature the deals that could be made by the buyers in the Western conference.
All trades here are purely speculation, I've spoken to no other GMs and are made from the point of view of what I would do if I were the GM of that particular team. The money works in every one of these deals, and I've done my best to make these deals fair for both teams. If I manage to grease some wheels, I'll happily take a finders fee!
Toronto Raptors from Minnesota Timberwolves
PG Vern Fleming for SG Hubert Davis and $100
Two birds with one stone for the Raptors. Vern Fleming is a 6'5 PG who can run a second team offense, defend and score! His size and ability to score means he's also a solid backup SG. He's a perfect fit for a Raptors team with so many holes in it.
Toronto Raptors from Detroit Pistons
SF Scott Wedman and PF Terry Davis for SG Ralph Simpson, C Joe Wolf, C David Harrison, C Loren Woods, C Paul Mokeski and $250
Simpson is a warm body on the roster. He doesn't play and has no value. The Raptors, as has been frequently mentioned, need functioning players to come off their bench! Scott Wedman is just this! He's a SF who can defend, and has scored a little bit in Detroit too. Nothing spectacular, but another player who will help the Raptors more than what they've got now. Why the others? Well you'll see next...
Toronto Raptors from Vancouver Grizzlies
PF Sam Lacey for PG Jay Humphries, SF Steve Hawes, PF Terry Davis, PF LaRue Martin, SF Jim Ard and Raptors 1983 1st Round Pick or $500
This is the big one, and provides the Raptors with a quality big man who can play 3 positions if need be. Sam Lacey has been moved a lot this year, and he needs to move one more time before the deadline. The Grizzlies collect 5 expiring contracts and a pick or free camp for their troubles. It's a high price to pay for the Raptors for a 5 sim rental, but its worth it. This could be the final move for the Raptors, giving them an 8 man rotation in the playoffs. Not great, but a hell of a lot better than what they are running out there right now.
Nets from Magic
SG Gus Williams, PF Curtis Perry and C Chocolate Thunder for PF Mitch Kupchak, C Eddy Curry, SG Mitchell Butler, Nets 1981 and 1983 1st Round Picks
The price is high, but the Nets get 3 players who can help them now, whilst shedding 3 multi-year contracts and clear the space needed for Emeka Okafor in the offseason. This actually puts the Nets in a better position long term as well as short term, and as far as the Magic are concerned, they are in a long term rebuild, why not eat some money in exchange for a few assets? Win-win for both teams here.
Nets from Pistons
PF Dan Issel, SF Scott Wedman and PG Lucius Allen for PF Mitch Kupchak, C Eddy Curry, SG Mitchell Butler, C Matt Geiger, PG Alan Leavell Nets 1981 and 1983 1st Round Picks
Oh but the Magic aren't the only team who can help the Nets out. This does the same thing, but actually clears more money next year. Issel is the best player in either of these deals, but its likely the quality of depth is better in the Magic deal. Still, the Nets can hardly go wrong with either offer, at worst they'll be surrendering the 9th or 10th pick, but they'd be gaining the space to bring back Okafor and giving themselves a shot at making the playoffs this year.
Nets from Hornets
C Melvin Turpin, SF Mark Olberding, PG Sebastian Telfair for PF Mitch Kupchak, C Eddy Curry, SG Mitchell Butler, Nets 1981 and 1983 1st Round Picks
Again, similar to the two above deals, just depends what the Nets are looking for. Turpin has been a looter in a riot all year in Charlotte, but might bring some momentum with him down the stretch. The other 2 are warm bodies who can maybe contribute in a pinch. The main goal of this deal is to dump cap for next year and bring back Okafor.
Knicks from Spurs
PG Foots Walker for PG Ron Riley, PG Doug Collins and $100
The Knicks big weakness is at PG, and unfortunately they don't have the contracts needed to go out and get a real difference maker like Calvin Murphy, because they have the cap room necessary and something tells me the Magic won't be looking for much. So they must settle for a cheap guy who can play some, and Foots Walker fits this bill. Recently picked up by the Spurs in a cap dump with the Pistons, Walker will be cheap and could really help NY. Its not a big or flashy deal in any way, but a little deal like this could help the Knicks once the playoffs get started.
Cavaliers from Pistons or Hornets
PF Dan Issel or C Melvin Turpin for PF Christian Laettner, PG Dana Barros, 10 year Free Agent and Cavaliers 1983 1st Round Pick
Whichever guy they go for it is a BIG upgrade on Laettner. This trade creates a new hole at backup PG, but the Cavs have yet to break the soft cap and would have only 11 guys on their roster after this deal (plus a very cuttable Robert Horry), they can sign a bunch of free agents and go after one of the plethora of PGs available at around the MLE with a little bit of their cash. It is also likely that whatever PG they go after will be better than Barros. Guys like Foots Walker, Lucius Allen, Mo Howard and Vern Fleming all come to mind for this second deal. There is also a possibility to go after Sam Lacey here, but it's a little more difficult and would require a few more free agents to get the initial deal done and would likely make them better than either of these two trades.
76ers from Timberwolves
SF Bill Robinzine for PF Dave Robisch and $100
Robisch is awful, Robinzine is not. Robinzine is a little bit small, but he can play PF. This makes him more versatile than Robisch and could have him fill two positions (backup SF/PF). Another simple and small trade, but it helps the 76ers, and gives the TWolves a little bit of cash for their trouble.
As you can see, I'm not predicting any 'Blockbuster' deals. In truth, these rarely happen at the deadline as they take time to build and come together. However, just because we probably won't see any superstars shifting teams this year, doesn't mean that the deadline is boring, and there are a bunch of trades here that could really help some teams down the stretch. Hopefully we see one or two of them come to fruition! Up next is part 4, where I look at the deals that could help some of the contenders out West!