NBA Trade Speculation
If your team is not in the playoffs, they are probably trying to pry players away or hot on the phone, looking for key trades, draft picks, and free agent signings to help their team get better. Here are some good trades, draft pickups, and FA signings that could really boost a team (they may not happen).
Free Agency: Jamal Crawford to Houston
The Rockets do have Kevin Martin playing shooting guard, but he could easily be switched to small forward. Right now, Crawford is a sixth man in a stacked Atlanta roster, and although he earns just under 11 million dollars a year, he barely gets over 30 minutes playing time on a regular basis.
If Crawford goes to Houston, him, Kyle Lowry (who is on the rise), and Kevin Martin could team up and make the Rockets hard to beat. Luis Scola will throw in a lot of points and rebounds, and if Yao comes back, you have a team that is hard to beat. The Rockets already finished 43-39, and Yao and Crawford could easily add to that, and make Houston a contender in the West.
Draft Pickup: Kemba Walker to Cleveland
The Cavaliers will get a high draft pick, and their main point guard, Baron Davis, is getting older. Kemba Walker is a shooting guard, but his ability to drive to the hoop and get past practically anyone, and his shooting ability will convert him into a point guard (if the Cavs are smart). Baron Davis could get switched to SG or traded, because Cleveland's star now is Antawn Jamison.
Walker's shooting skills will help Cleveland pick up more points, and his driving skills will help the Cavs get more free throws, which Walker is great at. Plus, Davis will get the ball a lot as shooting guard, and Walker can get some assists to Davis. This won't immediately turn the Cavs around, but it will help them get better.
Trade: Darrell Arthur to Phoenix, Aaron Brooks to Memphis
The Memphis Grizzles have Zach Randolph, who has overcome a few shaky years and has found a nice home here in Memphis, where he has definitely helped turn the team around. So Darrell Arthur, who averages 9.1 PPG in 20 MPG, could fit in well in Phoenix, who's only power forward is Hakim Warrick. This would help Arthur get more playing time.
As for Aaron Brooks, he would either be a backup to Steve Nash or a shooting guard, but in Memphis, he could easily play the point, which he mastered in 2009-2010. He would have to split some time with Mike Conley, but Brooks does have more skill, so he might be thrust into the point. It would work out well for both sides.
Draft Pickup: Derrick Williams to Toronto
Toronto does have a lot of power forwards, but the primary one, Ed Davis, averages under 8 PPG in over 24 MPG. Derrick Williams can shoot the jumper, shoot the free throw, draw a foul, rebound, block shots, and step up when you need him most. For example; he had the game-ending block against Memphis and the game-winning 3 point play against Texas in the NCAA Tournament.
Williams is also a 75.2% free throw shooter, something that Toronto is good at. He could help work that advantage even more onto the Raptors side, and if he improves his game a little and grabs boards, rejects shots, and scores points like he did in college, the Raptors might forget Chris Bosh and finally start to pick it up. This will require a nice lottery for Toronto, however.
Free Agent Pickup; Caron Butler to Sacramento
Butler is a small forward who will become a free agent, and the Kings are in need of a small forward. Sacramento has Tyreke Evans, who is getting better, and DeMarcus Cousins, who has had a good rookie campaign. Butler is a 45% shooter, and a 43.1% 3 point shooter. He could bring his shooting skills to Sacramento to develop a better team.
Omri Casspi is Sacramento's current small forward, but they could trade him or play him as a backup to Butler or Cousins. Butler, Evans, and Cousins could combine and make the Kings first year in Anaheim (if the events go through) a success. The Kings will need to give up more money than they might have to pick up Butler, however.
Trade; Tim Duncan to Utah-Al Jefferson to San Antonio
This may sound ridiculous, but Duncan is definitely past his prime, and Al Jefferson only averaged 18.6 PPG this year. Duncan's experience could help Utah make a run at it for a year, and Jefferson's rebounding and free throw skills could help the Spurs. Tim Duncan has had his fun with San Antonio, and Al Jefferson doesn't seem to be helping the Jazz.
Sure, Duncan's Spurs went 61-21, but many other players were responsible for that. If Duncan clicks with Utah, the Jazz could feed him the ball, he could score 25 every game, and if he could grab enough boards, it would definitely boost the Spurs. If Jefferson shoots like he did in Utah (49.6%), and if he grabs key boards, San Antonio may have that fresh center they need, and the guy who can help them win key games. Duncan gives Utah experience-Jefferson gives San Antonio athleticism. It's a win-win!
Free Agency: Jamal Crawford to Houston
The Rockets do have Kevin Martin playing shooting guard, but he could easily be switched to small forward. Right now, Crawford is a sixth man in a stacked Atlanta roster, and although he earns just under 11 million dollars a year, he barely gets over 30 minutes playing time on a regular basis.
If Crawford goes to Houston, him, Kyle Lowry (who is on the rise), and Kevin Martin could team up and make the Rockets hard to beat. Luis Scola will throw in a lot of points and rebounds, and if Yao comes back, you have a team that is hard to beat. The Rockets already finished 43-39, and Yao and Crawford could easily add to that, and make Houston a contender in the West.
Draft Pickup: Kemba Walker to Cleveland
The Cavaliers will get a high draft pick, and their main point guard, Baron Davis, is getting older. Kemba Walker is a shooting guard, but his ability to drive to the hoop and get past practically anyone, and his shooting ability will convert him into a point guard (if the Cavs are smart). Baron Davis could get switched to SG or traded, because Cleveland's star now is Antawn Jamison.
Walker's shooting skills will help Cleveland pick up more points, and his driving skills will help the Cavs get more free throws, which Walker is great at. Plus, Davis will get the ball a lot as shooting guard, and Walker can get some assists to Davis. This won't immediately turn the Cavs around, but it will help them get better.
Trade: Darrell Arthur to Phoenix, Aaron Brooks to Memphis
The Memphis Grizzles have Zach Randolph, who has overcome a few shaky years and has found a nice home here in Memphis, where he has definitely helped turn the team around. So Darrell Arthur, who averages 9.1 PPG in 20 MPG, could fit in well in Phoenix, who's only power forward is Hakim Warrick. This would help Arthur get more playing time.
As for Aaron Brooks, he would either be a backup to Steve Nash or a shooting guard, but in Memphis, he could easily play the point, which he mastered in 2009-2010. He would have to split some time with Mike Conley, but Brooks does have more skill, so he might be thrust into the point. It would work out well for both sides.
Draft Pickup: Derrick Williams to Toronto
Toronto does have a lot of power forwards, but the primary one, Ed Davis, averages under 8 PPG in over 24 MPG. Derrick Williams can shoot the jumper, shoot the free throw, draw a foul, rebound, block shots, and step up when you need him most. For example; he had the game-ending block against Memphis and the game-winning 3 point play against Texas in the NCAA Tournament.
Williams is also a 75.2% free throw shooter, something that Toronto is good at. He could help work that advantage even more onto the Raptors side, and if he improves his game a little and grabs boards, rejects shots, and scores points like he did in college, the Raptors might forget Chris Bosh and finally start to pick it up. This will require a nice lottery for Toronto, however.
Free Agent Pickup; Caron Butler to Sacramento
Butler is a small forward who will become a free agent, and the Kings are in need of a small forward. Sacramento has Tyreke Evans, who is getting better, and DeMarcus Cousins, who has had a good rookie campaign. Butler is a 45% shooter, and a 43.1% 3 point shooter. He could bring his shooting skills to Sacramento to develop a better team.
Omri Casspi is Sacramento's current small forward, but they could trade him or play him as a backup to Butler or Cousins. Butler, Evans, and Cousins could combine and make the Kings first year in Anaheim (if the events go through) a success. The Kings will need to give up more money than they might have to pick up Butler, however.
Trade; Tim Duncan to Utah-Al Jefferson to San Antonio
This may sound ridiculous, but Duncan is definitely past his prime, and Al Jefferson only averaged 18.6 PPG this year. Duncan's experience could help Utah make a run at it for a year, and Jefferson's rebounding and free throw skills could help the Spurs. Tim Duncan has had his fun with San Antonio, and Al Jefferson doesn't seem to be helping the Jazz.
Sure, Duncan's Spurs went 61-21, but many other players were responsible for that. If Duncan clicks with Utah, the Jazz could feed him the ball, he could score 25 every game, and if he could grab enough boards, it would definitely boost the Spurs. If Jefferson shoots like he did in Utah (49.6%), and if he grabs key boards, San Antonio may have that fresh center they need, and the guy who can help them win key games. Duncan gives Utah experience-Jefferson gives San Antonio athleticism. It's a win-win!
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