As you take in the NBA's free agent period and try to sort out which players are going to which teams and what is a report as opposed to a rumor, you can't help but think of that cartoon Hall-of-Famer Foghorn Leghorn, who once said: "You're doin' a lot of choppin' but no chips are flyin.'"Sure, there's stuff going on. Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon are going to Detroit. Dallas wants Jason Kidd back, but the Knicks are making a run at him. The Blazers want Hedo Turkoglu big-time, but the Raptors may yet appear.
Ron Artest is out there and so are Mike Bibby and Lamar Odom. Not to mention Trevor Ariza, Andre Miller, Shawn Marion, Allen Iverson and plenty of others. Some of these players are sure to be nice acquisitions for some club, even their own ones.
All this is well and good – not to mention interesting as all get-out – but nothing that's going on right now is going to affect the balance of power in the NBA. If that was done at all, it was done last week.
That's when Richard Jefferson went to San Antonio, Shaquille O'Neal went to Cleveland and Vince Carter went to Orlando. Those three trades, quite frankly, dwarf what's going on right now.
And they're the ones that are likely going to be considered most significant as the 2009-10 postseason approaches.
That's not to say Turkoglu wouldn't form a nice tandem with Brandon Roy, or even Chris Bosh, for that matter. But Turkoglu would only nudge the Blazers in the right direction. And if he ends up in Toronto, what's that really going to do? The Raptors still won't be in the class of Cleveland, Orlando or Boston.
If Kidd winds up in New York, sure it will be a big story. But it won't necessarily even make the Knicks a playoff team. A player such as Artest is usually more intriguing than effective when it comes to what he brings to a team.
The NBA does a wonderful job of keeping itself in the news during the offseason. This week is exciting and fast-paced and it's fascinating to pay attention to. Throw in a vibrant internet and some Twitter and you've got a non-stop fast-break of information.
But don't expect anything to happen this week that will change the landscape of the NBA's power structure. Not until we know where Rasheed Wallace ends up, at least.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
I think we have some big trades yet to come from Detroit. I think it's a sure deal that they lose either Hamilton or Prince and Dumars might be working a trade for a big man such as Chandler, Stoudemire, or even Bosh.
i thought they just resigned rip, but i sure would love to see bosh in detroit!
Does anyone else think Steinmetz is talking about dubs/suns on this post. His day job is broadcasting for GS, and seems to write exclusively about their players/team for this site.
Assuming he is, does this post mean the Amare trade is off? Or is it now contingent on where 'Sheed ends up. Perhaps Dumars will resign Wallace and package him with a now disposable Rip to complete the piston make over? Or is he looking at those two teams as a free agent. Rasheed might actually be a better fit for the Warriors than Amare...damn you Corey Maggette!!!!
I don't think Dumars would be able to convince Sheed to do a sign and trade. It's looking like he will end up either in Boston or San Antonio, right? Well if he goes to Boston, why would he do a trade where he loses a potential teammate and gives the Pistons something to use against him and his Celts in the Playoffs? I think a sign and trade of Sheed is next to impossible now.
I think a package or Rip and a 2nd rounder and maybe some cash for Chandler, Stoudemire, and Bosh would be great. Problem is that those teams would be losing their only big men really. New Orleans wouldn't do it either since they are trying to shed contracts and Rip is a long term, heavy contract. Maybe convince Colangelo that getting something for Bosh is better than losing him to free agency. But then again the problem is that Bosh has already said that he will be where ever Lebron is next season. So it's really a lose lose for us.
And Wallace was just offered the full mid level from Boston in a meeting with the big three, Ainge, Rivers and the owner and is expected to sign with them next week. So there goes that option
Detroit is making a huge mistake in letting Sheed get away. I know they can't afford him now but if he goes to Boston, Cleveland, or Orlando the Pistons will be another 1st round loser. Prince is the only player I think Detroit can trade. Prince and a 2nd round draft pic would be enough to get a seasoned vet player who will help.
You call those winning trades.
Orlando is losing four pieces of the puzzle; Turkoglu, Gortat, Alston, and
Lee. Any contending team needs a strong bench. Vince Carter does not
play defense. These facts say to me Orlando will be worse not better.
As for Cleveland; didn't you watch any games Howard vs Shaq.
Besides the reason Cleveland lost was because of Lewis and Turkoglu.
What about the Lakers. Take out Ariza and Denver may have won that series. So if the Lakers don't sign Ariza it will make them weaker.
If I was a GM these moves wouldn't scarce me at all.