Another NBA off-season has given us plenty to take in as many big names across the league have moved or are close to moving.
A portion of this year’s sign and trades have been some of the elder statesmen of the game searching for championships.
A great example of this is the move that Steve Nash has made from Phoenix to the Lakers. Most people believe that Nash’s move to L.A means that the Lakers will be able to once again make the playoffs and possibly even match it with the Thunder.
The championship-winning Miami Heat have also done very well for themselves so far, as they have acquired the services of sharpshooters Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis. There is no doubting Allen and Lewis are looking to finish off their careers with a championship or two and going to Miami will give them a great chance.
Another big mover so far this off-season has been the Brooklyn Nets. Having re-signed star point guard Deron Williams, the Nets have signed Hawks star Joe Johnson and they are chasing the signature of Dwight Howard.
Knicks guard Jeremy Lin, who burst on to the scene this season, has reportedly signed a deal with the Houston Rockets.
To counter this loss, the New York Knicks made the huge move to get Jason Kidd and the move payed off as Kidd left his championship-winning team mates in Dallas.
Along with the done trades, there are still some key signatures up for grabs.
The focus of all attention this off-season has been Dwight Howard. First there was interest from the Lakers, but now it seems that the Nets are the new front-runners. There are reports of a four team trade on the table that will see them get Howard and the Magic clear up some salary cap room.
Also Phoenix veteran Grant Hill looks be on the move, with a move to the Lakers to be with team mate Steve Nash the most likely. But it is reported that the Heat and Thunder are also in contention as Hill chases championship glory.
What do you think the biggest trade has been Roarers?
Woops
Guest
Well as a Lakers fan, Dwights behavior has made me NOT want him on our team. Sure Andrew also has character issues, but I would rather the evil you know then an unknown coming in and disrupting things. I don't think vets like kobe and nash would appreciate dwight coming in all 'superman' and acting like the pre-madonna he has been for a year or two. No need to change this roster, just add a few bench pieces. I've seen talk of Grant Hill maybe following Nash, and SF really is the spot to fill. On the topic of the blog, I believe the Joe Johnson trade is the biggest. A max contract being traded is always pretty significant, and after the way Kidd seemingly declined last year, he's like only a back-up at best for the Knicks (Who by the way will have Lin back - contrary to the article - they've matched his offer sheet from Houston)
mushi
Roar Guru
I read that the problem is salary pressure. The Bynum offer just gives them a guy who is: - a decent facsimile offensively - miles off defensively - has history of injuries and -off contract next year The rest of the roster remains the same. So essentially they would either be paying luxury tax for the 6th to 8th seed in the east (otherwise known as the Washington Wizards template) or be in the same situation anyway if he walks. It seems the priorities are to get rid of at least one bad contract (preferably Turk – the greatest Otis move of all time) and get cheap young talent or picks to reshape the roster so they can at least start over.
Aleks Duric
Roar Guru
Agree mushi. The Johnson move had impact on so many other trades/signing. If that doesn't go down maybe D-Will goes to the Mavs, which convinces Kidd to stay. Coupled with a few moves Dallas has made and you're looking at them getting back in the conversation. Also, if Williams bolts from Brooklyn do the Nets still rank highest on Dwight's list? Does he want Gerald Wallace as his number 2, or is he suddenly looking over at LaLa Land and imagining playing pick and roll with Nash? Massive ripple effect. I still can't believe the Bynum for Howard trade hasn't gone down. Is this a no-brainer or what?
mushi
Roar Guru
For me the Johnson trade. It got Atlanta out of NBA purgatory as they now have the ability to re-shape their roster after moving the second worst contract in the NBA. Convinced Williams to stay with the Nets, and in effect meant the Nets no longer had the assets (biggest one being cap space) to give the Magic an offer they could accept for Dwight.
Nicholashugo
Roar Pro
what he said.
Eric George
Roar Rookie
Not all these moves were trades. Kidd, Lewis, and Allen were signed as free agents rather than traded for. Nash is definitely the biggest move so far, although Dwight could change that.