After a couple of weeks of speculation, Doc Rivers is finally going to the Clippers in exchange for draft picks. Allegedly, the deal involved Kevin Garnett somehow ending up in Los Angeles together while DeAndre Jordan would be taken in by Boston. Upon the consummated deal involving Doc, it was reported that David Stern warned that any deal involving the Clippers and the Celtics that included Kevin Garnett would be blocks on grounds that it is a part of the Doc trade.
Given this, the Celtics might move forward with Garnett staying on as a Celtic. However, if a one on one trade is not possible, why not involve another team? Or a number of teams who want to improve?
This bored fan deprived of NBA games after such an exciting NBA Finals cooked up a possible massive 6-team trade based on team needs and salary cap (from another website I forgot where) of each team for the next season. Here's a look at who I think should be in that blockbuster trade:
Sacramento Kings
 |
| The crazy kid might do better in a new home |
Parts with: DeMarcus Cousins, Tyreke Evans, Chuck Hayes, Marcus Thornton (2014 Projected Salary at 25.6-M)
Acquires: Andrea Bargnani, Courtney Lee, Marvin Williams (2014 Projected Salary at 22.7M)
The Kings have a clogged backcourt that sees Tyreke Evans playing the 3 in a 3-guard set with Isaiah Thomas and Marcus Thornton. While he was supposed to be the face of the franchise after winning Rookie of the Year honors, he has not been as effective as they hoped over his next few seasons. DeMarcus Cousins was a risky pick by the Kings, but the talent is clearly there.
By getting involved in this trade, they free up some cap room and continue their rebuilding process by dealing away two of their most prominent draft picks. They don't seem to know what to do with Evans anyway, and it seems they won't be able to control DeMarcus.
They get Andrea Bargnani, a former top pick of the Toronto Raptors, which seem to have moved on while he was always injured on the sidelines. With Sacramento's rich history of international guys playing for them, Bargnani might have a resurgent career in Sacramento. Courtney Lee will be a nice SG/SF option for them, and he can contribute on both ends of the court. Marvin Williams will get another shot at being a serviceable offensive spark. If they manage to stay healthy, this team might rain threes.
Possible Starters: Isaiah Thomas, John Salmons, Marvin Williams, Jason Thompson, Andrea Bargnani
Off the Bench: Courtney Lee (SG/SF), Toney Douglas (PG/SG), Patrick Patterson (PF), Travis Outlaw (SF/PF), James Johnson (SF), Jimmer Fredette (SG)
Boston Celtics
 |
| Could KG find his ways back to Doc's arms? |
Parts with: Kevin Garnett, Brandon Bass, Jason Terry, Courtney Lee, Avery Bradley (Projected 2014 Salary at 31.1M)
Acquires: Al Jefferson, Eric Bledsoe, Ramon Sessions (2014 Projected Salary Total at 22.6M)
Since the main reason for this multi-team trade is because the Celtics and the Clippers can't do it alone, then the Celtics need a young big to build around on to pair with Rajon Rondo. Since they're rebuilding, they might as well dispatch some contracts they'd rather not pay for, like Jason Terry and Courtney Lee's, but would have to part ways with some assets, such as Brandon Bass (who will be supplemented by Jared Sullinger anyway) and Avery Bradley (who won't be missed much if they get Eric Bledsoe anyway).
They might be a great chance for the return of Big Al Jefferson to Boston, either as a free agent, or in this case, as a sign and trade player from Utah. In this deal, they get to end up with Eric Bledsoe, who they coveted in the package with DeAndre for KG. Ramon Sessions would be a nice back up point while Rondo recuperates from his injury.
This trade might give them leverage to sign one or two free agents that may play a role in their rotation, or hope to get an NBA-ready rookie off the draft.
Possible Starters: Eric Bledsoe (while Rondo is injured), Jordan Crawford, Paul Pierce, Jeff Green, Al Jefferson
Off the bench: Jared Sullinger (PF), Ramon Sessions (PG), Terrence Williams (SG/SF)
Charlotte Bobcats
 |
| Maybe more of these "nasty" dunks for DeAndre in Charlotte as the marquee big man |
Parts with: Ben Gordon, Bismack Biyombo, Byron Mullens, Gerald Henderson (Projected 2014 Salary at 24.4M)
Acquires: DeAndre Jordan, Landry Fields, Chuck Hayes (Projected 2014 Salary 21.9)
The Bobcats have a lot of tweaking in their lineup to do. With a high lottery pick, they can hope to get a nice wing player to pair with Micheal Kidd-Gilchrist and Kemba Walker. They could let go of the overpriced contract of Ben Gordon, and use the poor man's Ryan Anderson (Byron Mullens) and the expiring contract of Gerald Henderson as assets in the trade.
In return, they get a legitimate big man in DeAndre Jordan (albeit a bit overpaid as well), a smart two-way player in Landry Fields, and a veteran in Chuck Hayes. This means they still have to free up cap space, and if they still can't figure out what to do with Tyrus Thomas, they should just use their amnesty clause on him. This will make the Bobcats have some veteran presence in Hayes, and a big man that they can actually develop, now that Patrick Ewing is on board the coaching staff.
Possible Starters: Kemba Walker, Jeffrey Taylor, Micheal Kidd-Gilchrist, Chuck Hayes, DeAndre Jordan
Off the Bench: Landry Fields (SG/SF), Tyrus Thomas(SF/PF), Brendan Haywood (C)
Los Angeles Clippers
 |
| Maybe Thornton could be a guy the Clippers would want back if they part with Bledsoe |
Parts with: DeAndre Jordan, Eric Bledsoe, Caron Butler (2014 Projected Salary 21.6)
Acquires: DeMarcus Cousins, Linas Kleiza, Bismack Biyombo, Marcus Thronton, Kevin Garnett (2014 Projected Salary 32.2)
The Clippers don't have much contracts committed for next season apart from Blake Griffin's monstrous 16M contract. They're still waiting for Chris Paul to sign up with them, and once he's committed, maybe then they'll fill their roster up. They can trade away three important pieces to get a whole lot more in return.
The Clippers would be able to reunite KG with Doc, and CP3 will probably be able to finally commit to the team. They then take the risk of taking in DeMarcus Cousins, as they have CP3, KG, and Doc to tame the beast. Marcus Thornton will take the spot Eric Bledsoe occupied and maybe even more. Linas Kleiza adds a shooter for them. Bismack Biyombo could be a project.
Possible Starters: Chris Paul, Willie Green (SG/SF), Linas Kleiza, Blake Griffin, DeMarcus Cousins
Off the Bench: Kevin Garnett (PF/C), Jamaal Crawford (PG/SG/SF), Marcus Thornton (PG/SG), Bismack Biyombo (C)
Toronto Raptors
 |
| It never really worked out for Toronto and Andrea |
Parts With: Andrea Bargnani, Landry Fields, Terrence Ross, Linas Kleiza (2014 Projected Salary 17.8M)
Acquires: Tyreke Evans, Brandon Bass, Caron Butler (2014 Projected Salary 21.6M)
With the emergence of Jonas Valanciunas, and actually, just having a respectable season without Andrea Bargnani, maybe the Raptors can finally let their number 1 pick go, and clean house. They can let go of Bargs, Landry Fields' contract, and an asset in Terrence Ross. Linas Kleiza's expiring contract might also serve as a nice asset.
They then will be able to acquire Tyreke Evans, a more offensively capable Amir Johnson in Brandon Bass, and a wing player to come off the bench or start alongside Rudy Gay in Caron Butler. This team could potentially own the paint, with players from 1-5 all capable of finding ways to score inside.
Possible Starters: Kyle Lowry, Tyreke Evans, Rudy Gay, Brandon Bass, Jonas Valanciunas
Off the Bench: Caron Butler (SG/SF), DeMar DeRozan (SG/SF), John Lucas (PG), Amir Johnson (PF/C)
Utah Jazz
 |
| Who stays, and who goes? |
Parts with: Al Jefferson, Marvin Williams (Projected 2014 Salary 22.5M)
Acquires: Jason Terry (PG/SG), Ben Gordon (SG), Avery Bradley (PG/SG), Terrence Ross (SG/SF), Gerald Henderson (SG/SF) (Projected 2014 Salary 26.5)
The Jazz don't have too many players left in their roster as they are set to rebuild around their young big man tandem of Derrick Favors and Enes Kanter. Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap will be free agents, and they could choose to keep one or let go of both moving forward. Marvin Williams could be expendable, given the emergence of Gordon Hayward on the wing spot. Randy Foye and Mo Williams are also set to be free agents.
With a roster that needs to be filled up, they can add Jason Terry and Avery Bradley at their position of weakness at the point. Ben Gordon could provide a scoring option for them off the bench, and Terrence Ross and Gerald Henderson could spell for Gordon Hayward at the 3 spot. With the trade, they fill up their roster with capable players that could make them at least two-deep from every position, and they could have the small-ball option by putting Favors at C and three wing players along with a PG.
Possible Starters: Avery Bradley, Alec Burks, Gordon Hayward, Paul Millsap, Enes Kanter
Off the Bench: Derrick Favors, Ben Gordon, Gerald Henderson, Terrence Ross, Jeremy Evans
No comments:
Post a Comment