HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors

As expected, the 2011 NBA Draft included a flurry of player trades as executives tried to improve their team in the offseason.  Some of these decisions caught us off guard, some made great sense and some…well, let’s just say we’re anxious to see how it pans out.  HOOPSWORLD takes a look at the bigger trades with more attention given to those trades affecting established players.  With our schoolteacher’s hat firmly in place, we will issue trade grades to the affected team.

End Result of Trade Transaction:
• The Portland Trail Blazers get Raymond Felton
• The Denver Nuggets get Andre Miller, rights to #26 (Jordan Hamilton), and a future first-round pick
• The Dallas Mavericks get Rudy Fernandez and rights to 2007 draftee Petteri Koponen

Why the Blazers did it: Landing a younger, solid floor general to grow with the team was the motivation, and the Blazers accomplished that with Felton, a player they targeted for some time.  Miller, at age 35, doesn’t fit in with their long-range goals.  Fernandez’s displeasure with his role in Portland is well-documented, so that change was long overdue.
Grade: A

Why the Nuggets did it: Denver needed a veteran leader and mentor for the younger guys, and Miller fits the bill.  Plus he won’t mind coming off the bench.  Coach George Karl adores him.  The contract swaps make sense as both Miller and Felton have one year left earning mid-$7M.
Grade: A-

Why the Mavericks did it: Dallas, while obviously thrilled with their ring, are not content.  Fernandez makes them even deeper.
Grade: A+

End Result of Trade Transaction:
• Indiana Pacers get George Hill
• The San Antonio Spurs get the 15th pick (Kawhi Leonard), rights to #42 (Davis Bertans) and rights to Erazem Lorbek (#46-2005)

Why the Pacers did it: They wanted a scoring guard badly.  Larry Bird revealed that 6’2″ Hill has been on the Pacers’ radar for two years.  They like his proven experience on a contending team and the new-look backcourt.  It sure doesn’t hurt that Hill, an Indianapolis native, becomes an instant fan favorite.
Grade: B

Why the Spurs did it: San Antonio’s defensive shortcomings were exposed in last season’s playoffs.  They couldn’t pass up the promising Leonard, who some peg as the steal of the draft.  He gives them size, grit and athletic defense.  Payroll also played a part here with Hill entering free agency next year.  Bertans may turn into something special in a few years.
Grade: B+

End Result of Trade Transaction:
• The Houston Rockets get Jonny Flynn, rights to #20 (Donatas Matiejunas) and #38 (Chandler Parsons)
• The Minnesota Timberwolves get Brad Miller and rights to #43 (Malcolm Lee)  and #57 (from Dallas-Tanguy Ngombo) and a future first-round pick
• The Chicago Bulls get draft rights to #23 (Nikola Mirotic)

Why the Rockets did it: Houston really wanted Donatas Motiejunas, and it worked with the Miller trade.  It’s a classic low-risk/high-reward scenario.  Thirteen-year veteran Miller, 35, is out until January after having microfracture surgery in May, and the two new youngsters could pay off.  Nobody is happier to leave their team than Flynn, even with two guards ahead of him (Lowry and Dragic) and even if the Rockets deal him.
Grade: A

{AUTHOR_BOX}Why the Timberwolves did it:  The ever-growing tension between the Timberwolves and Flynn is no secret, and with Ricky Rubio coming in, now was the time to pull the trigger.  In the end, with all the wheeling and dealing they did on draft night, money was saved.
Grade: B-

Why the Chicago Bulls did it: In effect, they forfeited their #28 and #43 picks for #23 to land a player that won’t likely join the NBA for years.
Grade: C-

End Result of Trade Transaction:
• The Milwaukee Bucks get Beno Udrih, Stephen Jackson, Shaun Livingston, and rights to #19 (Tobias Harris)
• The Sacramento Kings get John Salmons and rights to #10 (Jimmer Fredette)
• The Charlotte Bobcats get Corey Maggette and rights to #7 (Bismack Biyombo)

Why the Bucks did it:  Milwaukee sought change, and change is what they got by successfully overhauling its backcourt.  They were dead last in points scored per game last season (Charlotte was second to last).  Jackson is still really talented and a true leader; he’s settled down just slightly, but still provides fire.  Plus, all tallied, Milwaukee saved dollars.
Grade: A

Why the Kings did it:  The Kings went down three spots in the draft to get Fredette.  Expect a lot of scoring with him in the backcourt with Evans.  Many questioned the deal; not only the pick, but the reacquisition of Salmons.  However, the clear benefit is the draw and potential earnings to many of big-name Jimmer in this unsettled market.  Remember Sacramento has one year to get this arena thing sorted out.
Grade: C

Why the Bobcats did it:  One must figure amassing salary cap space in the rebuilding process is the primary motivation.  Charlotte wants a return to defense, and they got their man in Biyombo, despite unresolved contract issues with his previous team.  The new on-scene veteran is now Maggette whose contract was similar to Jackson’s.  With all the roster holes, they may not be done with moves.
Grade: B