Off Season Trade Reviews

[Newcastle]

The 2005 off-season has got off to a hectic start with numerous trades being made including a few blockbuster trades. Here we are going to take a closer look at a few of these and give out my grades for the teams involved. First we start with the trade between the Los Angeles Lakers and Vancouver Grizzlies.

Vancouver Grizzlies Trade
Rick Barry
Charokee Parks
Festus Ezeli
Mel Daniels
Jazz 05 1st (22nd Overall)

Los Angeles Lakers Trade
Kristaps Porzingis
George Mikan
Brian Taylor
Lakers 05 1st (14th Overall)
Mikawa 07 1st

It is a little unusual to see a big trade like this taking place from two teams in the same division but that is what we have here. The Lakers have been getting a bit of criticism in certain circles for giving up a lot for the second overall pick of last years draft Rick Barry and to a certain degree I agree but he is the best player in the deal in my mind. Rick Barry had a decent rookie campaign averaging 18.7PPG, 5.2RPG, 3.7APG and 2.2SPG and will give the Lakers a great building block to build around. What I don't really like in the deal for the Lakers is the addition of Mel Daniels coming back and George Mikan going the other way, I think Mikan is a top player and although Mel Daniels has been a great player in previous years he has a big three year contract and is clearly on a decline which is far from ideal, while Mikan is still putting up great numbers. Kristaps Porzingis is a great talent also, although I prefer Rick Barry as a prospect Porzingis still has a great potential upside and although this draft class isn't the strongest that 14th pick still is a good asset to have.

Verdict: Overall I have to say I prefer this deal for the Vancouver Grizzlies, I don't dislike it as much as others for the Lakers but I think the biggest thing in the deal that swings it is the Mikan/Daniels swap. Like I've said though I do think the Grizzlies are giving up the best player in the deal, a potential franchise player so there's no runaway winner here in my mind.

Vancouver Grizzlies grade: A-
Los Angeles Lakers grade: B-
Winner: Vancouver Grizzlies

San Antonio Spurs Trade
Joel Embiid
Jeff Trepagnier
Richaun Holmes

Boston Celtics Trade
Patrick Ewing

Next up is a trade between the Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs. The Celtics new General Manager and previous Southern Tigers GM Seer didn't waste much time in making a move in his new role, dealing away star big man Patrick Ewing in a move which saw Joel Embiid heading back the other way. Joel Embiid is only 23 compared to 29 year old Patrick Ewing, but with the team in win now mode I'm not sure if hanging onto Ewing would of been the better move. Saying that though, with only two years left on his contract and hitting 30 this season, now is the best time to move him to get good value back in return. Although Embiid isn't the scoring option that Ewing is, he is a great defensive center and adding him to the core of Alonzo Mourning and hopefully for them a resigned Chris Paul puts them in good shape for right now and the future. As for the Spurs, I like this move for them, without them having their pick this season they need to stop giving away lottery picks and start winning some games. Pairing Ewing with Radivoj Korac, Jerry Sloan and Sam Jones should at least put them in the playoff hunt which is music to the ears of Spurs fans.

Verdict: Looking at the deal I gotta say I do like it for both teams and see why both teams made the move and it makes sense for them. If I had to pick a winner I'd give the slight edge to the Spurs for adding a difference maker in Patrick Ewing.

San Antonio Spurs grade: A-
Boston Celtics grade: A-
Winner: Even

CSKA Moscow Trade:
Arvydas Sabonis
Doug Christie

Seattle Supersonics Trade:
Mickael Pietrus
Spurs 06 1st

The Seattle Supersonics have been busy this off-season as they look to make their first playoff birth, you will see them again later. First we look at their trade with CSKA Moscow. San Antonio Spurs draft picks have been in demand in the first 4 years in league and rightfully so but their team is looking better heading into the 2006 season. Arvydas Sabonis is 30 years old but he is still an elite center in this league and along with Doug Christie who is a talented defensive talent I like this deal for the Sonics. Sure this trade will be judged where the Spurs pick ends up but right now I'm liking this deal more for the Sonics. Of course this clears alot of cap space for Moscow for this off-season also which will help them in free agency.

Verdict: This will be all about how the Spurs pick pans out, but right now with the Spurs adding the likes of Ewing, Korac, Jones & Paulauskas this off-season it's not looking right now like it will be a high lottery pick, I like the deal for the Sonics.

CSKA Moscow grade: B-
Seattle Supersonics grade: A-
Winner: Seattle Supersonics

Maccabi Tel Aviv Trade
Julius Erving

Bamberg Brose Baskets Trade
Bamberg 07 1st

A deal here that makes sense for both teams involved. With key free agents Maccabi Tel Aviv had to do a cap clearing move of some sort and although Julius Erving has done great for them he and his 20+ million dollar contract was the ideal candidate. Bamberg add him to their core of Joe Johnson and Dwyane Wade and with giving up a future first it makes alot of sense. Maccabi Tel Aviv would of probably liked a bit more value for a player of Julius Erving caliber, but a future pick is a future pick and you never know how good that pick will be when it's two years down the line.

Verdict: This deal makes sense for both teams, Tel Aviv needed a cap clearing trade whilst picking up a future first and Bamberg pickup a star player for a future first so it's a win win, I'd give the edge to Bamberg if I had to pick one.

Maccabi Tel Aviv grade: B-
Bamberg Brose Baskets grade: A
Winner: Bamberg Brose Baskets

Barcelona Regal BC Trade:
Kevin McHale

Piraeus Olympiacos BC Trade:
Dale Davis
Willie Greene
Darnell Valentine
Luke Walton
#3 (Vince Carter)
#7 (Vladimir Pistalek)
2006 Piraeus first
2006 Mexico second
2006 Olympia second

This may be the biggest trade of the off-season. Kevin McHale is a top five player in the league and if you are getting him then no doubt it's worth doing. When I first saw the deal I liked it alot for Piraeus but seeing how the draft played out I am liking it more from Barcelona's point of view. Drafting Vince Carter and Vladimir Pistalek are two great pickups when you are looking to rebuild and a nice backcourt going forward. Still when you are talking about Kevin McHale if you are adding him without moving any of your core three guys then your doing something right.

Verdict: Although the return is decent it is always hard moving a guy like Kevin McHale and getting equal value, although I think they got decent value in Vince Carter and Vladimir Pistalek I have to give the edge to Piraeus here.

Piraeus Olympiacos grade: A
FC Barcelona Regal grade: B+
Winner: Piraeus Olympiacos

Barcelona Regal BC Trade:
Michael Jordan
Damon Stoudamire

Seattle Supersonics Trade:
Zoran Slavnic
Doug Christie
Frank Brickowski
#6 (George McGinnis)

Another big trade for both of these teams, Barcelona continue their rebuild with three top 7 picks while the Sonics continue to add talented players to their roster. Although I think George McGinnis is a steal at #6 I really like this trade for the Sonics. Damon Stoudamire is an underrated point guard in this league who averaged 17.4PPG/8.9APG/2SPG last season and we know what Michael Jordan can do. It comes down to the value you can get out of star players once they hit the 30 year old mark and to get George McGinnis at #6 and Doug Christie like I said earlier is a decent piece to have around with his defensive ability, the return wasn't all that bad for Barcelona with the direction they are heading.

Verdict: This deal does make sense for both teams but as much as I think George McGinnis is a great prospect I have to give the edge to the Sonics here, to add Michael Jordan and Damon Stoudamire to your backcourt to go along with Sabonis, Saric and Anthony then your feeling good going into the season.

Barcelona Regal BC grade: B+
Seattle Supersonics grade: A
Winner: Seattle Supersonics

[Swoosh]

I like the premise of the article and I like the analysis (even the parts I disagree with!). Nice work Rio.

[Minnesota]

I wish I had a brother in the league...

[New Orleans]

May 24, 2016 15:47:06 GMT Minnesota said:

I wish I had a brother in the league...

When bad GMs hold onto one minute detail.


Lol... I've lost trades much worse to other teams who weren't complete morons 99% of the time thus I didn't mind dealing with.

[Swoosh]

May 24, 2016 15:56:30 GMT New Orleans said:

May 24, 2016 15:47:06 GMT Minnesota said:

I wish I had a brother in the league...

When bad GMs hold onto one minute detail.


Lol... I've lost trades much worse to other teams who weren't complete morons 99% of the time thus I didn't mind dealing with.

Pfft, you are so egotistical. You have no proof he was talking about you.

[Minnesota]

yep im a moron 99% of the time, you got me good

[Vancouver]

good read, feelin the activity.

[Portland]

Good article

[Chicago]

Great work bros.

Chicago

[Tel Aviv]

Nice job with this!

[Sarawak]

Good stuff

150 x 2 (double bonus time) 300

PP credited