While the NBA trade deadline doesn’t get the same build-up north of the border as the NHL Trade deadline, it is clear that bigger trades happen around the hardwood.
Yes, the NHL has a number of trades but they also have larger rosters and minor league systems to play with as well. My point is the sheer number of top-100 players that change locales in the NBA during trade deadline week easily dwarfs the NHL.
Two years ago the Houston Rockets landed Kevin Martin, the Cavaliers added Antawn Jamison while the Mavericks swung a deal for Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood and DeShawn Stevenson — key components in their title run a year ago.
With the impending deadline in mind, here are last year’s deadline deals along with a brief synopsis of each trade.
Feb. 24, 2011
Blazers received: F Gerald Wallace
Bobcats received: F Dante Cunningham, C Joel Przybilla, C Sean Marks, 2011 first-round pick (from Hornets) and 2013 first-round pick, and Cash considerations
Analysis: Unless you consider Bismack Biyombo a star, this was a winner for the Blazers. This deal also kicked off the mighty Tankapalooza taking place in Charlotte as they began a rebuilding process, which saw them also ship out Captain Jack as well.
Celtics received: 2017 second-round pick
Kings received: G/F Marquis Daniels, Cash considerations
Analysis: I would rather have the second-round pick.
Suns received: G Aaron Brooks
Rockets received: G Goran Dragic, Future first-round pick
Analysis: Brooks is now an all-star point guard in China while Goran Dragic is backing up Kyle Lowry in Houston. If Brooks returns to the Suns, this may turn out to be a wash in the end.
Thunder received: C Nazr Mohammed
Bobcats received: F D.J. White, G Morris Peterson
Analysis: Bobcats was able to shed more salary while the Thunder added some needed front-court depth.
Grizzlies received: F Shane Battier, G Ish Smith
Rockets received: C Hasheem Thabeet, Future first-round pick
Analysis: This was actually a smart deal for both sides. After losing Rudy Gay to injury, the Grizzles rented Shane Battier for the playoffs. He helped them advance out of the opening round. The Rockets picked up a first-round pick for an impending free agent who they weren’t planning to keep anyways.
Thunder received: C Kendrick Perkins, G Nate Robinson
Celtics received: F Jeff Green, C Nenad Krstic, Future first-round pick (from Thunder)
Analysis: Celtics GM Danny Ainge made a big error here. The chemistry of their team was never the same after they shipped out Perkins. Unfortunately, Green was forced to take the 2011-12 season off with heart issues as well. Perkins has provided the Thunder with the toughness they were lacking in the paint and allowed them to play a more aggressive style on defence as well.
Cavaliers received: G Baron Davis, 2011 first-round pick (from Clippers)
Clippers received: F Jamario Moon, G Mo Williams
Analysis: Bad trade by the Clippers, especially when you consider the amnesty clause that was rumoured to be coming into effect. They gave up the top pick in the draft in order to shed Baron Davis’ massive contract.
February 23, 2011
Hawks received: G Kirk Hinrich, F Hilton Armstrong
Wizards received: G Mike Bibby, G Jordan Crawford, G Maurice Evans, 2011 first-round pick.
Analysis: Who would’ve thought that Jordan Crawford would turn out to be the best player in this deal. Not only did the Wizards get Crawford but they also added another quality youngster in Chris Singleton as well.
Warriors received: F Troy Murphy, 2012 second-round pick (from Nets)
Nets received: F Brandan Wright, C Dan Gadzuric
Analysis: Meh. Deserves four words.
Hornets received: F Carl Landry
Kings received: Marcus Thornton, Cash considerations
Analysis: Marcus Thornton has had a great year for the Kings while Carl Landry has struggled to stay healthy down by the Bayou.
Nets received: G Deron Williams
Jazz received: F Derrick Favors, G Devin Harris, 2011 first-round pick (Nets), 2012 first-round pick (from Nets, originally owned by Warriors)
Analysis: No one saw this one coming last year. The trade has turned out to be a steal for the Jazz as they cashed out early on D-Will who was going to be a free agent after the 2011-12 season and was likely going to be a long-term headache for them.
February 22, 2011
Knicks received: F Carmelo Anthony, G Chauncey Billups, F Renaldo Blackman, G Anthony Carter, C Shelden Williams
Nuggets received: F Wilson Chandler, G Raymond Felton, F Danilo Gallinari, C Kosta Koufos, C Timofey Mozgov, $3 million in cash, 2014 first-round pick (from Knicks), 2012 & 13 second-round picks (from Knicks, originally owned by Warriors)
Timberwolves received: C Eddy Curry, F Anthony Randolph, 2015 second-round pick (from Nuggets), $3 million in cash
Analysis: We’ll ignore the Timberwolves here and focus on the Nuggets and Knicks. Clearly the Knicks got the best player but what a high price they paid. The Nuggets have already dealt Felton but ended up with four rotation players as well as a solid prospect. They still hold Chandler’s rights as well and have the extra first-rounder to boot.
Bulls received: 2011 first-round pick (from Raptors, originally owned by Heat)
Raptors received: F James Johnson
The Bulls packaged the pick along with their second rounder to Minnesota for the rights to Nikola Mirotic who is currently playing in Europe. Long story short: to be decided.
