2012 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
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Wizards-Hornets Trade Analysis - June 21



Washington Wizards Get: C-Emeka Okafor, SF-Trevor Ariza
New Orleans Hornets Get: F-Rashard Lewis, 2nd-round pick (46th overall)


Why this makes sense for Washington:

The Wizards pretty much give up next to nothing for a pair of veterans who can step in right away and contribute on a young team. This process of adding experience began prior to the trade deadline with the acquisition of Nene and continues with this deal. The biggest concern from Washington's perspective is having to pay Okafor more than $28 million the next two seasons while the team is already giving Nene $13 million per year. That's a ton of money to cough up on two guys who play the same position unless the Wizards are confident the duo can be affective on the floor at the same time. Even paying Ariza nearly $15 million for the next two seasons is a tough pill for me to swallow.

What is interesting is how this deal will factor into Washington's draft decision. With Ariza and Chris Singleton at small forward, the trade suggests that the team will pass on Kentucky's Michael Kidd-Gilchrist since it would create quite the logjam at the three. I would expect the Wizards to now be targeting Florida shooting guard Bradley Beal since Jordan Crawford is their only two under contract for next season.




Why this makes sense for New Orleans:

The team continues the re-building effort that began last offseason when it traded Chris Paul and also saves the franchise more than $22 million in cap space for next season. Reports say Lewis and his outrageous $23.8 million salary will be waived before July 1 which will save the Hornets about $10 in cap space this season. In other words, this was purely a salary dump for New Orleans, which will look to build for the future with a core of Anthony Davis, whoever it takes with the 10th pick, and hopefully Eric Gordon assuming he re-signs a long-term extension.

Speaking of that 10th pick; I had been assuming that the Hornets were targeting either point guard Damian Lillard or Kendall Marshall, but by trading Okafor, there is now a hole in the middle alongside Davis. Therefore, you can expect the team to switch its attention to adding some size at No. 10 with Tyler Zeller, Meyers Leonard, Jared Sullinger and Arnett Moultire all possibilities.







Recent NBA Draft and Offseason Blog Entries:

James Harden Trade Analysis - 10/29
What Will the USA Basketball Team Look Like at 2016 Summer Olympics? - 8/15
Dwight Howard Trade Analysis - 8/10
Restricted 2013 NBA Free Agents - 7/29
Unrestricted 2013 NBA Free Agents - 7/28
2012 NBA Offseason Winners - 7/23
2012 NBA Offseason Losers - 7/21
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/13
Outstanding 2013 NBA Draft Trades - 7/12
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/10
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/6
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/4
Atlanta Hawks' Trades Recap - 7/3
2012 NBA Free Agent Recap - 7/2
2012 NBA Draft Winners - 6/30
2012 NBA Draft Losers - 6/30
NBA Trade Analysis - 6/28
NBA Trade Analysis - 6/27
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Perry Jones - More Risk or Reward? - 6/26
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: John Henson One of NBA Draft's Most Overrated Players - 6/25
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Vanderbilt to See Three Commodores Taken in NBA Draft - 6/22
Wizards-Hornets Trade Analysis - 6/21
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Doron Lamb: Stepping out of Kentucky Shadows into NBA Draft - 6/20
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Memphis' Will Barton Sneak into 1st round of 2012 NBA Draft? - 6/19
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Baylor's Quincy Miller Made a Mistake by Entering NBA Draft - 6/16
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Duke's Austin Rivers live up to the hype in the NBA? - 6/15
2012 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Can Kansas' Tyshawn Taylor Be a True NBA Point Guard? - 6/14
2012 NBA Draft Lottery Odds Breakdown - 5/30
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Winners - 3/19
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Losers - 3/18
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: Five Players Likely to Be Traded - 3/8
2012 NBA Draft Outstanding Trades - 12/25
NBA Offseason and Draft Blog - Home

Leave a comment Name Comment Verification: click on image to refresh it   Mustafa 09-08-2012 05:32 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.81 (total posts: 1) 13     16 I have watched a few Hoya games the last few years, and have seen Summers play a bit. When wahcnitg him, he looked like he was on an NBA level. He is a poised defender and has a great post up game. I have also seen him get a lot of praise from announcers about his NBA readiness. He should go now, so there is no chance he can ruin it, for example if he got injured next year if he stayed, he would get drafted a lot later. Lisa 09-07-2012 07:13 pm xxx.xxx.xxx2.12 (total posts: 2) 13     13 Why does this have to be the ONLY rleialbe source? Oh well, gj! Ebru 09-07-2012 05:19 pm xxx.xxx.xxx1.28 (total posts: 1) 11     12 I think that this is how it should be done. If you rellay believe you are a great player out of high school then go to the NBA, but if you go to college you have to stay for at least two years. Colleges spend tons of money on recruiting and then there players are one and done. BigBlueFan 08-15-2012 08:49 am xxx.xxx.xxx7.59 (total posts: 2) 17     14 Never Mind somehow I missed him. BigBlueFan 08-15-2012 08:48 am xxx.xxx.xxx7.59 (total posts: 2) 11     12 Hey Walt are you forgeting Anthony Davis??? Logan 08-09-2012 11:34 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.205 (total posts: 1) 11     11 Gonna do one for dwight? Jay 07-28-2012 04:30 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.114 (total posts: 1) 17     20 I know that Ginobili is going back to the spurs but to have him 7th behind Iguodala, Smith and Jefferson is the dumbest thing I've ever seen!!!!!!!!!!!! This the same guy who tore threw the Team USA defense of James, Durant, and Bryant.... Jim Z. 07-23-2012 08:15 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.221 (total posts: 1) 11     12 Mid first round pick? The Sixers are going to be a playoff team next year. Miguel 07-23-2012 12:08 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.236 (total posts: 1) 25     27 How are the lakers not a winner? Steve Nash brings them to at least championship contender which they weren't a year ago. They also picked up Antwan Jamison for the league minimum which will give their front court a legitament reserve. One more good move could make them the favorites over OKC. CJ 07-23-2012 07:44 am xxx.xxx.xxx4.88 (total posts: 1) 45     23 I believe you are the only on one the planet that thinks Dallas didn't completely fail in this offseason. They basically rolled the dice and crapped out. Try mixing in a little reality with your opinions once in a while, but it's your site so we get what we pay for I guess. Geiger 07-21-2012 09:59 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.110 (total posts: 1) 12     13 While Houston did have bad signings and a suspect draft, the team did what it could to set its self up for the free agency period next year..Asik has shown signs of being a solid big Guy(as you fail to mention his MPG) and Lin, while being highly overrated, is a big name that will attract a player like JSmith, Harden, Bynum etc. I don't like their moves as of right now, but with two lottery picks and possibly two Max contracts signing on this might be one of the better offseasons of all time. Love the site, keep it up. Random bypasser 07-19-2012 12:55 pm xxx.xxx.xxx9.60 (total posts: 2) 9     9 Also the nuggets need a star and Howard would be a perfect fit for them and they have shooters around him and they could still use their amnesty on Richardson Random bypasser 07-19-2012 12:52 pm xxx.xxx.xxx9.60 (total posts: 2) 25     8 Wouldnt it make sense 4 the nuggets to trade for dwight howard Nuggets trade Wilson Chandler Andre Miller JaVale McGee 2014 1st round pick 2015 1st round pick 2015 2nd round pick 2017 1st round pick Magic trade Dwight Howard J.J. Redick Jason Richardson This makes sense because the nuggets drafted Evan Fournier(SG/SF) and Quincy Miller(SF) and have Jordan Hamilton(SF/SG) and Julian Stone(PG)(who the team is really high on) waiting in the wings. It also allows the magic to dump bad salary(Richardson,Redick) and still get some great players. Win win situation. eli 07-12-2012 11:03 am xxx.xxx.xxx.133 (total posts: 1) 10     9 dont the wolves own one more 1st rounder from the jazz from the Al Jefferson trade? Mike 07-10-2012 09:58 pm xxx.xxx.xxx.150 (total posts: 1) 15     10 No mention of Ray Ray to the Heat??? Pages: 1 23 4 5 6 7

2013 NBA Mock Draft - May 3

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2013 NBA Draft Prospect Rankings: C | PF | COMBO-F | SF | COMBO-G | SG | PG

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2011 NBA Mock Draft - Walt's (June 21)

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