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2011 NBA Draft Trade Analysis – June 25
Denver Nuggets Get: PG-Andre Miller, G/F-Jordan Hamilton (26th pick), future Portland 2nd-round pick
Portland Blazers Get: PG-Raymond Felton, 57th pick
Dallas Mavericks Get: G-Rudy Fernandez, rights to G-Petteri Koponen
Why this makes sense for Denver:
I am not sure what the thought was in swapping Felton with Miller. Both guys are in the final years of their contract, but I actually think Felton is a better fit in Denver’s offense. The attraction for Denver must have been adding Jordan Hamilton who perhaps took the most surprising nose-dive of the evening. Hamilton gives them insurance on the wing since J.R. Smith is a free agent, and Wilson Chandler and Aaron Afflalo are both restricted free agents.
Why this makes sense for Portland:
They get a younger point guard in Felton who brings more offensive firepower to the floor than Miller. Giving up Miller and Fernandez is a little expensive for my taste, especially if Portland does not re-sign Felton after this season. The Blazers did draft Nolan Smith in the first round though, and he should be able to replace Fernandez’s minutes.
Why this makes sense for Dallas:
Rather than adding two younger players who likely would have never cracked the Mavs’ veteran rotation, they add an experience, versatile guard in Fernandez who provides insurance on the wing since Caron Butler, DeShawn Stevenson and Peja Stojakovic are all free agents. This was really a smart move on the Mavs’ part.
Indiana Pacers Get: PG-George Hill, rights to PF-Erazem Lorbek
San Antonio Spurs Get: SF-Kawhi Leonard (15th pick), SF-Davis Bertans (42nd pick)
Why this makes sense for Indiana:
The Spurs were rumored to be shopping Tony Parker or George Hill in hopes of moving up in the 2011 NBA Draft and found a partner in the Pacers. Indiana adds one of the top backup point guards in the league to play behind (and possibly at times) alongside Darren Collison. Larry Bird tends to play it safe on draft night and did so here by bringing in a proven young player who can step in right away and be part of the rotation. Plus, it eliminates the need to find a backup point guard in free agency since T.J. Ford was a free agent and A.J. Price not the best option as the No. 2 point guard.
Why this makes sense for San Antonio:
With Parker, Hill and Gary Neal, the Spurs had a plethora of talent at the point. Trading Hill comes as a bit of a surprise, but the Spurs add a versatile, defensive-minded small forward in Leonard who should serve as a backup and potential replacement for Richard Jefferson. Bertans was a guy many thought San Antonio was targeting with the 29th pick, and instead were able to get at No. 42. While he will not come to the NBA for a couple of years, he could be the next in line of foreign players to succeed down the line in San Antonio. Add in Cory Joseph who was a major reach at No. 29, and the Spurs added some needed youth to an aging team.
Houston Rockets Get: PG-Jonny Flynn, PF-Donatas Motiejunas (20th pick)
Minnesota Timberwolves Get: C-Brad Miller, 23rd pick, 2013 first-round pick
Why this makes sense for Houston:
Rockets general manager Daryl Morey has a recent fascination with acquiring young players who have fizzled in their first couple years in the league. First it was Terrence Williams, then Hasheem Thabeet, and now Jonny Flynn. Flynn gives Houston insurance behind Kyle Lowry at the point since Goran Dragic is a restricted free agent. The Rockets were looking for size in the 2011 NBA Draft, and while Motiejunas is a 7-footer, he is more of a strech four than a true big man. Kudos to Morey though for dumping the remaining two years, $9.8 million on Miller’s contract (even though it did cost them a future first-rounder.)
Why this makes sense for Minnesota:
This was the first of six trades that the Timberwolves pulled off on draft night that kept moving them down and eventually out of the first round. We knew Flynn was likely going to be dealt once Ricky Rubio was officially brought in, so dealing him is no surprise though it shows just how disappointing he has been considering he was the sixth-overall pick just two years ago. I am not sure how Miller fits in Minnesota but reportedly less than $1 million of the final year is guaranteed if Miller is waived before June 30, 2012. So I guess that is always an option. If not, he competes for minutes at the five with Darko and Nikola Pekovic, and also brings some experience to a young team. The big asset in this deal is the 2013 first-round pick. We know David Kahn loves assets, unfortunately he rarely makes the right decisions in what to do with those assets.
Recent NBA Draft and Offseason Blog Entries:
2012 NBA Draft Outstanding Trades - 12/25
2011 NBA Offseason Winners - 12/23
2011 NBA Offseason Losers - 12/23
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/22
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/20
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/16
Chris Paul Trade Analysis - 12/15
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/14
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/10
2011 NBA Free Agency Signings Analysis - 12/9
Five Players Likely to Be Traded After NBA Lockout - 7/7
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Southwest Division - 7/6
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Northwest Division - 7/5
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Pacific Division - 7/3
Cavaliers-Kings Trade Recap - 7/1
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Atlantic Division - 6/30
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Central Division - 6/30
2011 NBA Free Agency: Allan Houston Rule - Southeast Division - 6/29
2011 NBA Draft Trade Recaps - 6/25
2011 NBA Draft: Bobcats-Kings-Bucks Three-Way Trade - 6/24
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: How Kyrie Irving Compares to John Wall and Derrick Rose - 6/23
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Is Kyrie Irving Ready to be a Franchise Point Guard - 6/23
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Kemba Walker is the Most Undervalued Player in the Draft - 6/23
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2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Tristan Thompson Benefits from Weak Draft Class - 6/17
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Kawhi Leonard's Versatility is His Biggest Asset - 6/14
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Chris Singleton is a Lottery Sleeper - 6/13
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Where Does JaJuan Johnson Fit in the NBA? - 6/11
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Kentucky's DeAndre Liggins Made Right Decision in Entering NBA Draft - 6/10
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Should a Marijuana Arrest Affect NBA Draft Stock? - 6/9
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2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: John Wall Mentoring Darius Morris - 6/5
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Brandon Knight Worth Third Overall Pick? - 6/2
Rumor: Cavs, T-Wolves, Pistons Discussing 3-Way Trade - 5/29
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Josh Selby Putting Kansas Behind Him - 5/28
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Marshon Brooks Rising Up Draft Boards - 5/26
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Alec Burks Connected to Bobcats - 5/24
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Combine Measurements - 5/21
Thunder Really Likes Kyle Singler? - 5/21
2011 NBA Draft Combine Coverage: Day 1 - 5/20
2011 NBA Draft Lottery Odds Breakdown - 5/16
2011 NBA Free Agents - 5/3
NBA Offseason and Draft Blog - Home
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