2012 NBA Trade Deadline Analysis

Holy Cow. Every year, we assume that the NBA trade deadline will pass without too much hubbub. And it seems like every year, a flurry of trades happen. Well, that trend was kept up this year, as there were 7+ moves in the hours before the 3PM deadline. Lets take a look at some of the more interesting ones. (Written at 5:00 PM, March 15th)

After thinking about this a lot, there were a lot of moves that didn't really make a whole lot of difference in this league, but there was one that really did matter. (Written the next day)

The only trade that mattered in the NBA yesterday, from a playoff standpoint, was the Clipper, Wizards, Nuggets trade. Here is what went down:

Clippers receive:

• Nick Young (1 yr, 3.6 Mil)

Wizards receive:

•  Nene (5 yrs, 65 Mil)

Nuggets receive:

• Javale McGee (1 yr, 2.4 Mil, then RFA)
• Ronny Turiaf (1 yr, 4.6 Mil)

Looking at this from a team by team standpoint, we will start with the least interesting. The Clippers have had problems in the backcourt since Chauncey Billups went down with a torn ACL. Young will provide this team with dependable 3 point shooter who can also create his own shot. The good thing is, with Chris Paul running this team, Young won't be allowed to jack up a shot every time he touches the ball, which will be helpful. He won't help this horrible defensive team get any better, but he can't make them much worse.

The Wizards receive a quality big man who curiously got traded in the same season that he signed a monster 5 year extension with the Denver Nuggets. Why would someone trade a player like that? Well, Nene turned 30 this year, and he has struggled to come back from some lingering injuries already this season. The Nuggets could perhaps be worried that he is already on the backside of his career. HOWEVER, the Wizards get an agile big man who can play quality basketball on both sides of the floor. He can shoot, pick and roll, defend, and finish in the paint. If he is healthy, Nene can be a good influence on this young Wizards team.

Finally, the Nuggets. This, as I said, was a puzzling move for the Nuggets. Nene was someone who they were really anxious to sign long term. But, I think there is some logic behind the trade. Nene was already the elder statesman on this young and exciting team. He was playing at a level that did not resemble his best basketball, and the Nuggets were obviously worried about that lasting the entire length of his shiny new contract. With McGee, the Nuggets get even younger and faster than they already were. Javale is a premier shotblocker and rebounder, and can finish an alleyoop with the best of them. The Nuggets are banking on George Karl straightening out this knucklehead. If the Nuggets like what they see, they will probably try to sign McGee in the offseason, to be a part of their young core heading into the future.

Now, the big picture. The Clipper and the Nuggets were both looking like playoff teams before this trade. The Clippers got better in the short-term, but the Nuggets may not have. Their offense got a little more one dimensional without Nene, and they could be in danger of falling out of playoff contention with this trade. It will be interesting to see also what happens with the Wizards and their new Brazilian center.

There were lots of other small trades yesterday, but nothing so exciting and unexpected as this 3 team trade.