NBA Trades Lurking

The Waiting Game for Dwight Howard and Chris Paul Continue 

While the NBA season was in full throttle last year, two highly ranked players in the league were shipped from the west to the east coast:

Carmelo Anthony started this trend by declaring he wanted to play in New York.  The Knicks completed the blockbuster trade by sending three of their starters in Wilson Chandler, Raymond Felton (now with Portland) and Danilo Gallinari as well as young 7-footer Timofey Mozgov who showed signs of a potential big man playmaker for the future.  The Knickerbockers received their prize along with multiple role players and the aging Mr. Big Shot, Chauncey Billups, whom the Knicks just waived a few days ago. 

Deron Williams was the next to go leaving the Utah Jazz for the New Jersey Nets.  The Nets decided to follow the motto of the 'Big 3' (Boston & Miami) in this new ERA of the NBA.  They pursued a superstar than than having potential superstars by sending 2010 3rd overall pick Derrick Favors, former NBA all-star point guard Devin Harris and two first rounders to Uath.  Williams has become the building block for the Nets still waiting for a second and third superstar to join the party.

A few other bigger names traded during the 2010-11 season including Gerald Wallace (Bobcats) to the Trail Blazers, Kendrick Perkins (Celtics) to the Oklahoma City Thunder, Baron Davis (Clippers) to the struggling Cavaliers and Shane Battier (Rockets) to the Grizzles.  Battier just recently signed with the Miami Heat in the past week. 

After the postseason, commissioner David Stern placed a lockout on the entire league which was finally lifted once the owners and players reached a tentative agreement November 26th.  Talks among players, teams and coaches began on December 9th resulting in a trade and rumor happy league due to the missed off-season. 

The biggest story in the last few weeks is obviously the league's decision to veto not one, but two trades involving Hornet Chris Paul going to either LA team.  Let's not forget about the defending NBA champion Dallas Mavericks who have lost Caron Butler (Clippers), JJ Barea (T'Wolves) and Tyson Chandler (Knicks) who were vital parts of their championship run.  They have added drama queen and king Lamar Odom (and Chloe), who requested a trade after being upset with the Lakers being involved in the first vetoed trade involving Chris Paul.  Mavs have also added the aging Vince Carter.

In addition to Chandler, New York has also added veteran point guard Mike Bibby to likely replace Billups.  The Knicks have arguably the best frontcourt in basketball featuring Amare Stoudamire, Carmelo Anthony and now Chandler.  Big Baby Glen Davis found himself in Orlando, David West leaves the Hornets for the Pacers and Tracy McGrady can't hang them up yet and wound out in Atlanta.  NeNe and DeAndre Jordan received huge contracts to remain at home in Denver and Los Angeles Clippers, respectively.  We're still waiting on 6th man of the year candidate Jamal Crawford to decide where he wants to go.  He turned down the Pacers offer yesterday and wishes to sign with Portland, New York or Sacramento.

What everyone is still waiting on is Chris Paul and Dwight Howard.  CP3 has been rejected twice since the league owns the Hornets, they don't wish to see their superstar leave which casts a very dark and shady shadow on commissioner David Stern once again.  Dwight Howard apparently has made a four team 'wish list'.  Are you kidding me?  You're not a kid Dwight.  The Magic should either keep him or trade him where ever they can receive the most talent from.  The newest report has Howard landing with Deron in New Jersey.  It's a three team trade giving Orlando Gerald Wallace (Portland) and Brook Lopez (New Jersey), Nets receive Howard and Chris Duhon, the Trail Blazers will take on the ugly contract of Hedo Turkolgu and some draft picks as they rebuild after losing all-star Brandon Roy who was led to an early retirement due to injury and possibly the same to Greg Oden.

I see the Dwight Howard trade going down as early as this afternoon as long as the Magic get a little bit more than just Lopez and Wallace.  As for CP3, I doubt the league will allow him to go anywhere.  The Clippers aren't dumb enough to literally give every ounce of their young talent especially with Eric Bledsoe and Eric Gordon are future stars.  The Clips did just claim Chauncey Billups off waivers as well so why bother signing CP3?  Or is this a tactic showing that the Clips will get rid of their young talent to go after CP3?  Blake Griffin says either way, the team will be good so obviously he's fine with signing an extension eventually with or without another big time name beside him.  Watch out LA, very soon it will be a Clippers town and no longer Lakers.  If CP3 goes to the Clippers, the Clippers will be Los Angeles' team with Griffin and Paul, not the Lakers.  If CP3 stays put, he may just wait it out until he can finally join New York, where he's been wanting to go next season.

 Article Written by Kevin Kline