Cavs land Gooden and Snow in separate deals

The Cleveland Cavaliers got Drew Gooden, Steven Hunter, and Anderson Varejao from the Orlando Magic in exchange for Tony Battie and two future first-round picks. The trade fills the void left by Carlos Boozer at the four-spot... Cleveland traded Kedrick Brown and J.R. Bremer to Philadelphia in exchange for starting point guard Eric Snow.

Methinks:

One is a good trade. The other is a questionable one.

Getting Gooden gives the Cavs a power forward to replace Boozer, who "Boozerized" (vb to ditch despite reaching a verbal agreement) them for Utah. It's really a good move for the Cavs, if they can control Gooden's partying--an endemic problem that caused him his starting job with the Magic last year. If they can do this (a big if), they are back in the playoff hunt. The fact is, Gooden is more talented than Boozer. Or at least he has more upside. Gooden was picked #4 overall while Boozer was a second- rounder. If Paul Silas can somehow instill some commendable work ethic to Gooden, Boozer's departure could be a blessing in disguise. They also got a shot-blocking presence in Steven Hunter and a young big man in Anderson Varejao. I'm really intrigued by Varejao, who was touted to be a lottery pick 2 years ago. I've seen him play, and it is evident that his offensive game isn't fully developed. But he's got good footwork, good athleticism, and hustles well. He has a lot of upside and can be a solid player in a year or two. The trade also means that the "Diop project" might be over. Four years into the league, Diop hasn't shown any shades of greatness that made him a lottery pick and the rep as one of the Baby Shaqs (also includes, most notably, the Bulls' Eddy Curry, who was drafted the same year as Diop, but has become a presence inside during the second half of the season for the past 2 years).

But getting Eric Snow is a questionable move. They already have a starter in Jeff McInnis, and unless Silas plans to put them on the court together, I don't think they could possibly co-exist. And the fact is, Silas can't, or at least shouldn't, put them on the floor together because neither is really an offensive threat. McInnis can score, but he is neither a 3-point threat nor an athletic slasher. As for Eric Snow, he has a decent jump shot, but all he can really do is give Iverson the ball. The fact is, they didn't need 2 starting point guards. If they wanted a point guard, they should've went for Seattle's Antonio Daniels, who has the athleticism and scoring ability to run the court with another point guard. I say this move was unnecessary-- unless their planning to trade one of them.

Portland trades Davis and Dickau for Van Exel

  The Golden State Warriors traded point guard Nick Van Exel to the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday for forward Dale Davis and guard Dan Dickau.

Methinks:

  I really thought the Blazers were cleaning up. After ridding themselves of Bonzi Wells and Rasheed Wallace last year, you think that they'll be bringing in the "good guys." Now, they add Van Exel to their roster--who is definitely not a coach's guy and a known troublemaker--in exchange for Dale Davis, who did not complain about his minutes when the team was making a run for a playoff berth last season. I'm a Blazers fan (though much less so with the departure of Pippen and 'Sheed), but this is one of the things that makes me think if I should still be. They could've brought in better guys in the Davis package--maybe Erick Dampier or Jamal Crawford or somebody not named Van Exel. This is not the same Blazers that I supported ever since Pippen arrived there in 1999--yeah, that Blazers team that blew a 19-point 4th quarter lead to the Lakers in Game 7 of the 2000 Western Conference Finals (which was the de facto Finals). They still have Shareef though, so I guess I'll still be routing for them, somehow.

*****

Divac rejoins Lakers

 Vlade Divac returned to the Los Angeles Lakers after agreeing to a two-year deal, the team announced at a news conference Tuesday. The 36-year-old spent the past six seasons with the Sacramento Kings after a seven-year spell with the Lakers. He was drafted by Los Angeles in 1989 with the 26th overall pick.

Methinks:

This one's a different story from the Boozer incident. Sacramento could've offered Divac more but they didn't (much like what happened to Pippen last offseason with Portland). Vlade Daddé was crucial to Sacramento's success for the past 5 years or so. Last season, even with the addition of Brad Miller, Vlade made Sac'to a better team by his passing and consistent scoring. He was averaging a 10-7-7 in one stretch after the All-Star break. Although he can no longer run the floor with the other Sac'to players, he brings leadership and passion on the court--and comic relief off it. He stood as the surrogate brother of the best Euro baller, Peja Stojakovic, since Peja's rookie season. This just tells you that he's a great locker room influence. Even though, they still have Brad Miller, they'll sorely miss the little of everything that Vlade brings on and off the court. It's really disappointing that the Kings organization didn't want to shell out a little more cash to keep him--because they could have. Well, the Kings will probably remain as one of the top 4 teams in the West, but unless they make some commendable moves in the offseason, I don't think they'll get past the 2nd round next playoffs (even as a Kings fan). As for the Lakers, they got themselves a center, but definitely not one who's as dominating Shaq (to be fair, no one is). But Vlade is aging and no longer has the quicknessof his prime. Plus, Vlade's game fits well into Sacramento's style, I don't know if it'll be the same in LA. I really liked Vlade Daddé, but he's going to the Lakers--and the Lakers will always be the Lakers, and I think they suck.

Martin goes to Denver

Kenyon Martin was traded Thursday from the New Jersey Nets to the Denver Nuggets for three future first-round draft picks, a deal that strengthens Denver's frontcourt and weakens New Jersey's chances to stay among the elite teams in the Eastern Conference.

Methinks:

Well, not much can be said of the trade, except for the sheer stupidity of the Nets. They virtually got nothing in exchange for Martin, who is a former no.1 overall pick. Three first-round picks wouldn't make much difference for the Nets, figuring that the Nuggets are no longer a lottery team. The Nuggets initially offered Nikoloz Tskitishvilialong with the three future first rounders, and it surprised me that they didn't take him. Skita's just 20 years old. And he's got such a huge upside. I mean, how stupid could the Nets
be? I bet Jason Kidd is wishing that he signed to San Antonio last season. The Nets are done. The best they could do is fight for a playoff berth, a number 6 seed sounds likely. Or tanking games like the Magic did last season is another possibility... They could've gotten a better deal, they could've... Well, I'm not a Nets fan anyway, so it doesn't matter.

Denver is once again having an active offseason. They upgraded with Martin, without losing any of their key players. But they still don't have a true center. Camby and Nene are undersized to play the position. And with all the talents coming in, it seems very unlikely that they'll ever find playing time for me man Skita. Yeah, he's the only Nugget I like. But they do have a good team of Andre Miller, Melo, Camby, Nene, and Martin. But, like the Jazz and the Lakers, I don't like 'em.

*****

Spurs re-signs Ginobili, signs Brent Barry

The San Antonio Spurs re-signed guard Manu Ginobili on Thursday, taking care of their biggest offseason priority. The team also announced the signing of free agent guard Brent Barry, who reached an agreement with the club last week. Terms of the Ginobili deal were not announced, but media reports had said the contract was expected to be a six-year deal for an estimated $52 million. Barry's four-year deal was believed to be worth between $22 million and $24 million.


Methinks:

Great move for the Spurs. They got Brent Barry, a versatile player who can play both the guard spots and can definitely knock it down from three. They badly needed a backup point guard and a three-point threat
last season, and they got it both in one player--and more. Barry, who played for the Sonics last season, barely missed having 4 straight triple-doubles. This guy can deliver. As for Manu, the Spurs need Manu. He's a creative athletic off-guard that has a complete game--driving inside, mid-range, long-range, and great handles. He's no Kobe Bryant, but he's just what the Spurs need to complement the Big TD.

I just hope that the Spurs will match the Magic's offer on Hedo Turkoglu. I don't think the Spurs can afford to lose him. He was a disappointment last season, but as a 6'10" small forward, you gotta like his game. And I hope they don't sign Malone. They've been talking to him, but I hope he doesn't end up in the Alamo. I like the Spurs, I like TD, but I definitely hate Malone. The Spurs should remember the elbow that Malone gave to David Robinson, which led to the Admiral suffering a concussion.

Shaq Diesel Miami-bound
 

O'Neal had agreed to accept a proposed trade that would send him to Miami in exchange for guard Caron Butler, forwards Lamar Odom and Brian Grant and a future draft pick. The Miami Herald on Saturday night reported that the Lakers will receive a first-rounder in 2006 or later. The deal cannot be completed until Wednesday, when a two-week leaguewide moratorium on trades and free agent signings expires.

Boozer to Utah

Carlos Boozer and the Utah Jazz have agreed to a 6-year, $68M offer sheet Thursday, sending a crushing blow to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who made Boozer an unrestricted free agent with the belief he would re-sign with the team for its mid-level exception.

Methinks:

I'm definitely disappointed with Boozer. The Cavs were almost a playoff team last year, and then he ditches them for the Jazz. What's with that? Boozer was one of the top power forwards in the Eastern Conference last season, but he's just another big body in the West. At 6'9", there's no way he can match up to Tim Duncan at the post, KG at mid-range, and Dirk at the perimeter. If he signed for the money, I doubt that he'll have a successful career. 

Well, it's back to the drawing board for the Cavs. Boozer verbally committed to them, but they got screwed big time. However, remember that they do have LeBron, and as long as he's there, they'll always be in contention for a playoff berth. As for the Jazz, I didn't like them when Stockton and Malone were there, and I still don't like 'em now. But to be honest, they have a pretty solid team. Their frontcourt rotation of Kirilenko, Okur (who signed with them last week), rookie first-rounder Kris Humphries, and Boozer is one most potent  in the league. But they're still the Jazz, and I still hate 'em--there's just no point arguing about that.

  Nash returns to Phoenix

McGrady-Francis deal finalized

The Magic and the Rockets have finalized a seven-player trade that's been brewing for a week. Steve Francis, Cuttino Mobley and Kelvin Cato were sent to Orlando for Magic superstar Tracy McGrady, Juwan Howard, Reece Gaines and Tyronn Lue. The deal is contingent on players passing physicals. An announcement is scheduled for Wednesday at 11a.m. ET.

Methinks:

In all honesty, I'm not a big T-Mac fan. In fact, as much as I dislike Kobe, I'll still pick him over T-Mac... Oh, I'm supposed to talk about the trade. Well, it's a good trade for both teams, but I'll have to say that the Rockets had the upper hand. Aside from McGrady, Houston also got a talented veteran in Juwan Howard, who could either start or come off the bench and add some toughness to the team; they also receive, an experienced backup point guard in Tyronne Lue, and Reece Gaines, a first round pick last year, a 6-6 point guard who has a potential to be a solid player. Obviously, T-Mac wants to emulate the Shaq-Kobe mini-dynasty with Yao Ming, though it remains to be seen if he (T-Mac) can jock up as many shots as he would like with defensive-minded Van Gundy at the helm.

As for the Magic, it was clear that they were ready to part with McGrady when they picked high schooler Dwight Howard on draft night. The trade enabled the Magic to rebuild on an All-Star point guard and versatile power forward--something that Seattle had in the mid-90s with Payton and Kemp. They also landed a much-needed center in Kelvin Cato and a point-getter in Cuttino Mobley. Mobley's acquisition actually gives the Magic some flexibility to make other deals, since Mobley is one of those few quality players without a bad contract.

In all, the trade improves the Magic's chances for a potential playoff berth while it elevates Houston to one of the powers-that-be in the Wild Wild West.--apparently, the Western Conference just got stronger and the Texas Triangle got a lot tougher.