This years trades all seem to be Luxury Tax related, as teams traded players to increase cap room next season for the, LEBRON SWEEPSTAKES!!( you have to sound like Don Pardo when you say it). Teams such as the Bulls,Knicks, Mavs, Clippers, Nets, Miami, Houston, and even long shots such as Lakers are cap ready. It’s a shame that such a high percentage of NBA trades are about contracts first, talent and skills of the players second. Lets breakdown the winners and losers.
WINNERS
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Clevelend Cavaliers: Acquired Antawn Jamison, Sebastian Telfair. The Cavs add the 20 points, 9 rebounds a game performance, of Antwan Jamison to their league best 43-11 record. The Cavs needed someone to defend Rashard Lewis of Orlando and make him play defense on the other end. Not only is Jamison one of the best teammates LeBron has ever played with, he also acts as a bargaining chip for the Cavs to convince LeBron to stay come this summer. The way the Cavs are playing its not surprising to think that Jamison could come off the bench and play. This is by far the best team that Jamison has played for, and his 11 year pedigree will be enjoyed by the Cavs as they head to the Finals…at least the Eastern Conference Finals. The Cavs traded Zydrunas Ilgauskas, rights to Emir Preldzic, and a 2010 first-round draft pick. The Wizards are expected to buy out Ilgauskas’ contract giving him 30 days to re-sign with the Cavs. Cavs traded a draft pick for Jamison.
Dallas Mavricks: Acquired Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood, DeShawn Stevenson for the disgruntle Josh Howard, Drew Gooden, James Singleton, and Quinton Ross. The Mavs had to do something. The NBA was in town celebretaing themselves, and all the world was watching. The Mavs were soft and slowly sliding down the Western Conference totem pole. Brining in Caron Butler, and the Rebound Machine-Brendan Haywood have made the Mavs at least the 3rd best team in the West. The trade cost Dallas some $30 million in fees. Wonder how much All-Star money they got sent their way?
SO LONG TOUGH-ACTING T-MACTIN"
Houston Rockets: Acquired Kevin Martin and Hilton Armstrong , Jordan Hill, Jared Jeffries, the Knicks 2011 1st Rd. pick, and the Knicks 2012 1st Rd. pick. The Rockets gave up Tracy McGrady, Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey. Everyone makes this trade a TMac for Martin trade, but I beg to differ. This trade is Landry for Martin. Tracy Mcgrady was on the verge of staying a Rocket and waiting for a buyout from the Rockets. Then at the last moment Daryl “The Wizard” Morey convinced the Kings to take Landry for Martin. He then ran into Madison Square Garden and stole everything not tied down. The Knicks covet McGrady’s $22 million off the payroll, giving them the loot to get LeBron and one of his Super-Friends. The Rockets are trying to win NOW. The addition of Martin adds a confident scorer, to a team of 3 point shooters. The Rockets will miss Landry who takes his 16 points off the bench with him. Landry was shot and had his teeth knocked out three times while in Houston. He will be the scariest person in Sacramento not named Arnold!
Other Winners:
Sacremento Kings: Carl Landry
Portland Trailblazers: Marcus Camby
Charlotte Bobcats: Tyrus Tohmas
