2012 NBA Draft and Offseason Blog

Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank.
Send Paul an e-mail here: paulb05 AT hotmail DOT com.
All other e-mail, including advertising and link proposals, send to: [email protected]




NBA Trade Analysis – June 27



Houston Rockets Get: 18th pick in 2012 NBA Draft
Minnesota Timberwolves Get: G/F Chase Budinger, rights to Lior Eliyahu


Why this makes sense for Houston:

Daryl Morey loves collecting assets and that’s what this deal is all about. Houston now has the 14th, 16th, and 18th picks but obviously won’t be keeping all three. The rumors have them trying to make a run at packaging those picks to move up in the draft, and then make an offer for Dwight Howard that could include picks, Kyle Lowry and Luis Scola. It’s a bold, balsy strategy especially since Howard doesn’t have Houston on his wish list and would likely be a 1-year rental. Josh Smith and Tyreke Evans have also been rumored as potential targets for the Rockets.


Why this makes sense for Minnesota:

It was unlikely that any of the top shooting guards in the draft were going to fall to 18, so Minnesota turns that pick into a proven commodity in Budinger who can provide some scoring punch off the bench. They must not have been in love with anyone who would likely be on the board at 18 and realize their gaping hole on the wing for a scorer. More importantly, as my good friend Peter Christian pointed out, the Timberwolves can now put a whiteout starting five on the floor. That’s exciting.






Charlotte Bobcats Get: SG Ben Gordon, 2013 lottery-protected first-round pick
Detroit Pistons Get: SF-Corey Maggette


Why this makes sense for Charlotte:

The Bobcats sorely need a shooter/scorer on the wing, and that’s Gordon’s biggest asset. Sure, he’s due $25.6 million over the next two seasons, but Charlotte needs help right away and sure as heck isn’t going to be luring any big-name free agents in the near future so cap space isn’t a major priority right now. They also pick up a future draft pick that should assist their re-building project. All that cost them was Corey Maggette? I’m OK with that.


Why this makes sense for Detroit:

With Maggette entering the final year of his deal, this move saves the Pistons almost $15 million in future cap space. Yes, they had to throw in a future first-round pick, but it gives them some needed cap flexibility for the future. Besides, Gordon was nothing more than a bench player in Detroit due to the emergence of rookie point guard Brandon Knight last season which allowed Rodney Stuckey to move over to the two-guard position.







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









Mike Elworth's 2023 NBA Mock Draft

Mike Elworth's 2024 NBA Mock Draft





NFL Picks - Dec. 5


2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 4


NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 3


2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29


Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4