Trade season is everybody's favorite time of year. Here is a look at a few trades that I'm hoping Santa brings this Christmas.
by Austin Peters
Christmas is the most wonderful time of year. It truly is, and for more reasons than people probably even realize. Just like everybody in the world scrambling from store to store, trying to get their last minute shopping done, NBA executives are on their phones trying to make the blockbuster deal that will bring some Christmas magic to their team.
Several teams seem as though they are going to stand pat through the trade deadline. Continuity and chemistry are two huge variables that don't show up on paper, but are valued by many franchises league wide. Take for example, Portland. I wrote extensively this summer about how Portland didn't do much this last offseason, in part because they realized that the 2015 summer is probably their only opportunity to have cap space before they have to give Lillard his max extension. A big thing for the Blazers, however, is they really put a premium on continuity; not changing a whole lot of things and believing in the core they have built. Zach Lowe of Grantland and ESPN has touched on it several times that Portland has kept the same defensive scheme from last year's 16th rank defense. This year, the Blazers are rank 3rd in defensive efficiency. They made a bet on continuity, and it is working so far.
With that in mind, don't expect San Antonio, Golden State, Washington, or Atlanta to make a move. Those teams are on a roll and have great chemistry. I would be surprised if Portland made a move, but with Robin Lopez and Nic Batum missing significant time due to injury, it isn't out of the realm of possibility. In the same position as Portland is Toronto, who has been without All-Star DeMar DeRozan. Unlike Portland, however, they have great depth at just about every position and have been ripping through the East.
There are still plenty teams that are scouring the market for that one player that could possibly swing the title chase. Without further ado, here a few key trades that I would love to see happen this Christmas...
JOE JOHNSON MAKES RAPTORS A CONTENDER
Toronto Receives:
Joe Johnson
Cory Jefferson
Jakarr Sampson
2015 Golden State 2nd
Brooklyn Receives:
Landry Fields
Chuck Hayes
Tyler Hansbrough
2015 Toronto 1st (top 20 protected 2015, top 10 protected 2016, unprotected 2017)
Philadelphia 76ers:
Lucas Noguiera
2017 Toronto 2nd (top 55 protected)
(I should've made a note above: any trade involving a third team is probably going to include Philly because, well, just about any three team trade nowadays involves Philly.)
After Brooklyn's victory over Toronto in the first round of last year's playoffs, there was a lot of noise in Toronto about the Rap's inability to contain Joe Johnson because of JJ's size. The Raptors solved that problem by going out and signing James Johnson in free agency, but Johnson doesn't provide the extra floor spacing the Raptors might need. They currently rank 11th in three point percentage while hoisting the 7th most attempts. Johnson is shooting a scorching 41.5% from three this season, ranking 26th in the league for players averaging at least two attempts per game (according to NBA.com). With James Johnson in the starting lineup, their three point attempts drop by more than two (according to basketball-reference.com).
This might be a bit of a pipe dream, and Johnson might have to expensive of a contract for the Raptors to take on. Nevertheless, Toronto is a sneaky team to watch out for at the deadline. They have a few mid sized expirings with Fields, Hayes, and Hansbrough along with two decent sized Traded Player Exceptions they can absorb salary into. If they were really looking for a homerun like Joe Johnson, they also have New York's 2016 1st round pick that is the less favorable pick between the Knicks and Nuggets. Neither team looks like they are going to turn things around any time soon, meaning the Raptors could almost have a guaranteed 2016 lottery pick on their hands. Joe Johnson in Toronto would be fun. He would boost their three point shooting and wouldn't hurt their defense at all, seeing as he is almost about even on that end.
OKLAHOMA CITY GOES ALL IN
Oklahoma City receives:
Wilson Chandler
Timofey Mozgov
Denver recieves:
Kendrick Perkins
Perry Jones III
2015 OKC 1st and 2nd (both unprotected)
This is it for Oklahoma City. They have two more years to make something happen before Kevin Durant hits the free agent market. They have the assets right now to make a deal that could edge them closer to dominance. Perkins' deal is expiring and Perry Jones III's stock is probably about as high as it possibly could be. Their 1st round pick could be in a decent position seeing as the Thunder dropped tons of games due to the Westbrook and Durant injuries.
Mozgov isn't necessarily an upgrade over Adams, but would provide depth for them in their frontcourt. Wilson Chandler is the real prize the Thunder are after. Other contending teams in addition to Oklahoma City have expressed interest in Chandler. His three point shooting is about league average, but it is a lot better than their current starting wing, Andre Roberson. Jeremy Lamb's three point shooting is too inconsistent and Chandler's positional versatility would allow the Thunder to thrive even more in small ball lineups.
In all honestly, whether its Wilson Chandler or somebody else, the Thunder absolutely have to make a move now. No more waiting. No more rolling dice with who you've got. It's time to make a move.
TY LAWSON MAKES HOUSTON SCARY GOOD
Houston receives:
Ty Lawson
Denver receives:
Jason Terry
Donatas Montiejunas
2015 New Orleans 1st (protected 1-3, 20-30)
2017 Houston 1st (lottery protected)
In order to complete this trade, Houston has to trade Alexey Shved and get a Traded Player Exception in return that would allow them to match salaries with Denver on a deal for Lawson.
I floated this trade idea in the summer and I love it even more now with the way Houston is playing and how Denver is absolutely imploding. Imagine Ty Lawson and James Harden running the break? Lawson/Howard Pick and Rolls? Small ball lineups of Patrick Beverley/Lawson/Harden/Ariza/Howard, with Beverley and Lawson absolutely destroying opposing ball handlers? Lawson would almost certainly help upgrade Houston's 19th ranked offense. Denver's offensive rating drops by a whopping 10.5 when Lawson leaves the floor. Lawson is currently averaging the most assists per game (10.4) he has in his career, showing that he would be more than willing to defer to Harden and Howard. Again, this quite possibly could be a pipe dream of mine, but the thought of Lawson in Houston is very intriguing.
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