NBA Trade Deadline Dominated by Financial Moves

In a season where four elite teams are dominating Championship talk and the economy is in turmoil, it’s no wonder that the majority of trades, both large and small, were made primarily for financial reasons. Teams were either preparing for the impending drop in the salary cap or the much ballyhooed 2010 draft class.

New York Knicks Trade Tim Thomas and Malik Rose in Separate Deals

The Knicks made two trades that had the following net impact:

New York received guard Larry Hughes and Forward Chris Wilcox

Chicago received forward Tim Thomas, guard Anthony Robertson, and center Jerome James

Oklahoma City received forward Malik Rose

The last remaining players from the Isiah Thomas era are now gone. The Chicago deal which saw Larry Hughes arrive for Tim Thomas, Anthony Robertson, and Jerome James had minimal impact on the Knick’s 2010 flexibility, but did free up two roster spots – roster flexibility seems to be the predominant theme in New York.

Malik Rose’s expiring contract for a good solid power forward in Chris Wilcox is a nice pick up for the Knicks. That Wilcox’s contract is up in time for the 2010 free agency is probably just a coincidence, right?

Deal Analysis

The Knicks got what they wanted by freeing up roster spots, maintaining their 2010 flexibility, while wiping out any remnants of Isiah Thomas. Not a bad outing.

Oklahoma City Thunder traded a solid player for an unusable expiring contract. On the plus side, they freed up about $900k in 2009 cap space. I certainly hope the nominal gain is worth putting an even weaker line up on the floor for your fans.

Is Chicago really this desperate for big men? On the other hand, with guards like Derrick Rose, Kirk Heinrich, and Ben Gordan, the Bulls were short on minutes for the perennially underachieving Hughes.

Kings Cut Costs by Dealing Miller and Salmons

Sacramento receives forward Andres Nocioni, foward Drew Gooden, forward Michael Ruffin, and forward Cedric Simmons

Chicago receives center Brad Miller and forward John Salmons

Portland receives forward Michael Ruffin and forward Ike Diogu

The Kings save $12.3 million in next year by dealing away Brad Miller and another John Salmons and another $11.3 million over the next two years since Salmon’s contract extends into 2010. In return they get the front loaded contract of solid forward Andres Nocioni and the expiring contracts of Drew Gooden, Michael Ruffin, and Cedric Simmons.

Deal Analysis

Sacramento loses two major contributors to ensure they stay far from the luxury tax next season. On the plus side, there’s more room for the up and coming Spencer Hawes. Unfortunately, even with the addition of Nocioni, it seems the Kings are going to get worse before they ever get better.

Chicago finally has a solid center with an insurance policy – 2010 cap space. Even better, they get a steal of a player in John Salmons. The Bulls are definitely the winners of this deal.

Portland was obviously the third wheel required to make this deal happen, unless of course someone still thinks Ike Diogu is going to reach his “potential” soon.

Raptors Trade O’Neal for Marion to Buy More Time

Toronto received forward Shawn Marion, guard Marcus Banks, and cash considerations

Miami received center Jermaine O’Neal, forward Jamario Moon, and a lottery-protected future first round draft pick

Long discussed, the Raptors finally relented on the draft pick and pulled the trigger. With the experiment between Chris Bosh and Jermaine O’Neal a decided failure, the Raptors couldn’t keep O’Neal and risk yet another year of a team with no chemistry especially since Bosh is one of the most coveted 2010 free agents.

The deal gives the Raptors one more season to show Bosh that they can build a winner while the Heat get the post-presence they’ve been missing since the previous O’Neal was dealt to Phoenix.

Deal Analysis

The winner of this deal is up in the air. If the Heat can keep O’Neal healthy, they’ll most likely come away with the edge. Unfortunately a healthy O’Neal is about as likely as Shawn Marion being the antidote to all the Raptor’s ailments this season.

Other Trades

There were also a number of smaller deals that were made primarily for financial reasons:

Boston Celtics trade backup center Patrick O’Bryant to the Raptors and guard Sam Cassell to the Kings for future draft picks. The Raptors send guard Will Solomon to the Kings.

Los Angeles Lakers trade backup center Chris Mihm to Grizzlies for a future draft pick.

Detroit Pistons trade Alex Acker to the Los Angeles Clippers for two future second round picks.

In a season where such a small number of teams are legitimately in the running to win it all, it isn’t surprising to see that the majority of trades were made for financial reasons rather than to get better in the present. That being said, with all this positioning and cap room play, there are going to be a number of very disappointed teams and fans when the 2010 free agency separates the haves from the have-nots.

Image by Keith Allison.