Making sense of the the 2014 NBA trade deadline saga
The 2014 NBA trade deadline was short on any big name movement but relatively high on activity with Indiana Pacers stealing the show as they acquired Evan Turner & Lavoy Allen for washed out Danny Granger and a future second round pick, more on that later.
Here’s a look at all what happened during the deadline.
The Golden State Warriors received guard Steve Blake from the Los Angeles Lakers for guards Kent Bazemore and MarShon Brooks.
Steve Blake
How it helps the Lakers: It doesn’t much, but they never really wanted to get better? The Lakers save some cap space, which they desperately need by the way. But to trade only him solely for financial savings looks like penny pinching instead of smart manoeuvering, as MarShon Brooks and Kent Bazemore appear unlikely to make an impact.
How it helps Golden State: Blake was the only bright spot in what has been a disastrous season for the Lakers. He proved he can still play at the highest level, also his ability to knock down three’s (40 percent) and a very good ball handler only makes him more valuable even at age 34. Golden State desperately needed a second unit ball handler and Blake would be a perfect fit.
The Brooklyn Nets acquired guard Marcus Thornton from the Sacramento Kings for guard Jason Terry and forward Reggie Evans
Why Brooklyn did it: Jason Terry play has really deteriorated this season and Reggie Evans is a rebounder, nothing more nothing less. With Marcus Thornton, Brooklyn got a true-low buy candidate, although he’s shooting career worst 31.6 percent from threes, he is only 26 and a change of scenery is long overdue. Considering what the Nets gave up for him, this is a really good deal.
Why the Kings did it: Cap Issues. Simple. Although this trade will only save them a tad more than $1 million next season, I’m sure Jason Terry will work out on a buyout considering he wants to be on a contender and the Kings just aren’t that.
The Philadelphia 76ers traded center Spencer Hawes to the Cleveland Cavaliers for forward Earl Clark, center Henry Sims and two second-round picks
How it helps the Cavaliers: They finally got a big who can shoot from 15 feet away!.
How it helps the 76ers: Tanking, Tanking……..
The Miami Heat sent guard Roger Mason Jr. and cash to the Sacramento Kings for a “highly protected” second-round pick
Why Miami did it: Saving money, clearing out roster space.
Why the Kings did it: More cap saving, they really didn’t want the luxury tax next year.
The Washington Wizards received veteran guard Andre Miller from the Denver Nuggets for forward Jan Vesely. A third team, the Philadelphia 76ers, acquired Washington guard Eric Maynor and two second-round picks in the deal
Andre Miller
Why the Wizards did it: They got their backup point (Andre Miller) for Eric Maynor and Jan Vesley so yeah, there’s that.
Why the 76ers did it: More Tanking! HURRAY!
Why Denver did it: They had to deal Miller who made it clear he wasn’t happy there, so they got an expiring low buy talent in Vesley and saved some cap space.
The Houston Rockets picked up forward Jordan Hamilton from the Denver Nuggets for point guard Aaron Brooks
How it helps Denver: With Nate Robinson out for the year, Ty Lawson banged up, Andre Miller dealt away the Nuggets really wanted a point guard and they got themselves one.
How it helps Houston: They really didn’t need Aaron Brooks and Hamilton offers much more potential without requiring an actual investment.
The Milwaukee Bucks shipped guards Gary Neal and Luke Ridnour to the Charlotte Bobcats in return for guard Ramon Sessions and forward Jeff Adrien
How it helps Charlotte: They are primed to make the playoffs this year and you can’t have enough shooting for the post season. With Gary Neal the Bobcats gets some instant offense from the bench and much help in 3 point shooting, they currently rank 27th in 3-pt percentage.
How it helps the Bucks: It helps them save money, both the contracts they took are expiring deals. More importantly, this deal clears playing time for rookie guards Nate Wolters and Giannis Antetokounmpo, which is a good thing as they weren’t winning anything with Luke and Gary.
The Atlanta Hawks received forward Antawn Jamison and cash from the Los Angeles Clippers for the draft rights to Cenk Akoyl (the 59th pick in 2005)
Why the Clippers did it: They really didn’t needed Jamison, he has only logged a mere 248 minutes this season.
Why the Hawks did it: As it’s clear they are planning to waive the forward, I guess they just did it to make money off this transaction.
San Antonio Spurs trade Nando De Colo to Toronto Raptors for Austin Daye
Why the Raptors did it: De Colo has shown flashes of potential, so yeah, maybe that’s why.
Why the Spurs did it: The Spurs have a plethora of point guards, so De Colo wasn’t much of a contributor anyway. With Daye the Spurs are getting a 6-11 forward who can shoot the 3, the kind of stretch forward Gregg Popovich can make something out of.
The Los Angeles Clippers sent forward Byron Mullens and a future second-round pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for a conditional second-round pick
Why the Clippers did it: Mullens wasn’t in the rotation and they needed another roster spot open so yeah why not?
Why the 76ers did it: They just love 2nd round picks, okay.
Philadelphia Trades Evan Turner and Lavoy Allen to Indiana for Danny Granger
Why Phily did it: I don’t know, seriously. With every GM certainly high for Evan Turner, all 76ers could get was second round pick from a very good team and Danny Granger who is most generally slated for a buyout.
Why Indiana did it: Who wouldn’t argue that Danny Granger was given enough chances to get to his old self, but he really couldn’t, so all Indiana did was a trade a former All star who hasn’t been productive for past 2 years for two young guys who could really help them. Lavoy Allen played 20 minutes in a 76ers team that nearly made the conference finals a couple of years ago.