…and the deals continue in the NBA Draft
After a flurry of rumors and trade talks the NBA draft provides excitement and does not disappoint. The speculation of what the Heat would do at #2, they did what everyone thought they should and would do and drafted Michael Beasley. However after the first two picks, the draft picks went not the way most predicted. The 4th pick surprise of Russell Westbrook will provide some more talent to the young core of the Sonics with Kevin Durant and Jeff Green. The trades became a flurry after that.
Kevin Love was sent with Mike Miller, Jason Collins, and Brian Cardinal to the Timberwolves for O.J. Mayo, Marco Jaric, Greg Buckner. The Wolves are starting to form a solid line up with Love, Miller, Jefferson, and McCants, however I don’t like the trade for either team, the Wolves combo with Mayo and Jefferson would have been awesome and provided an inside/outside game for the Wolves. The combination of Mayo and Gay will be good for the Grizzlies but they still need some low post presence. II like the fact that Wolves added a solid player in Mike Miller who does a lot for your team and Kevin Love will be solid but not great, and definitely not a top 5 pick. While the draft improved both teams they will be both be seen in the lottery again next year.
The Blazers made a flurry of trades again on draft day. They added the Point Guard they needed with some solid role players and rookies who could make an impact and help the Blazers take the next step. The Pacers picked up a player with a ton of potential in Brandon Rush to put with newly acquired T.J. Ford and swing man Danny Granger.
There were a lot of smaller deals that went down swapping mostly late first and second round talent./
That said the Nets did a great job adding 3 players who will contribute and be effective day 1. Brook Lopez and Ryan Anderson will add size and scoring. They also make room to shop Nenad Kristic being he is in the last year of his contract and they can get value for him. Chris Douglas-Roberts will give them a guy who can play either 2 or 3 as well as a scorer with a high upside. He was a steal and could be the Gilbert Arenas or Carlos Boozer of the draft. He has first round talent.
The Heat also did well adding Beasley. He can play day one and fit in nicely with D-Wade and Shawn Marion. I also love the pick of Mario Chalmers. He can be a spark of the bench and play either point or two guard.
While the Heat and Nets really improved thier team I think the Kings and Knicks had bad drafts. WHile the Knicks got a great player and will definetly improve the team, the Knicks need a face of the franchise and locker room leader. While this might not come from the draft, Gallanari will not provide either for the Knicks. The should have went with Jerryd Bayless or Eric Gordon to add a leader in the backcourt and some to be a face for the Knicks for a long time. The Kings however had a bad draft because they made poor selections. They reached on a player the might turn out to be a solid role player and a couple of late rounders that wont contribute right away or might not even make the team.
The nba draft always seems to bring about a trade or two. It usually involves some lower tier players or a swapping of picks. After last year when Ray Allen was traded to the Celtics on draft day a new trend could be starting. This year it seems to have only picked up where it left off.
The Nets are sending Richard Jefferson to the Bucks in exchange for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons. This shows the Nets want to rebuild. I think Vince Carter could be the next player to leave New Jersey. This will also improve the Bucks and give them another solid player to go along side Michael Redd.
Jermaine Oneal is heading to Toronto for T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic and the Raptors first round pick number 17 overall. This is a clear sign that Toronto wants to make a serious run towards a title. If they can add a solid scorer to the backcourt they could pose a legitement threat to the east and Boston. This also gives Indiana a point gaurd for the future. This will allow someone like Dj Augustin or Jarryd Bayless to fall farther in the draft and let a team like Sacramento get the point guard they covet.