Thoughts on Two Trades

The Cavs upgraded considerably in two quick and painless moves.  They brought in JR Smith and Iman Shumpert (for Dion Waiters, a 2nd round pick and two expiring contracts) and Timofey Mozgov (for 2 1st round picks that didn't even belong to them).  I like both moves for the Cavs--add in the subtraction (of Waiters) and that's like double positive...or something.  Shumpert will give them more perimeter D than Waiters and he'll score some points without hogging the ball and Smith will do what he does but as long as he hits the 3 or 4 shots they really really need from him in the playoffs, he'll be a success.  Shumpert is a free agent at the end of the year, Smith has one year left at $5m, not a greal deal but not a backbreaker, especially is he scores at all.  The 1st round picks the Cavs gave up came from OKC and Memphis and they still have Miami's 1st rounder this year; embarrassment of riches in Cleveland and they finally got a defensive stopper inside.  I like Mozgov, big body guy that moves well, handles the ball okay, fiery personality, I think he'll fit well with Love and Lebron and Coach Blatt.  Cavs pick up a big guy, a wing defender, and a 3-ball specialist and gave up the Waiters headache, a 2nd round pick and nothing else.  Great deals for the Cavs.

Waiters goes to OKC which is probably a good spot for him.  Waiters' problem is that he's a ballhog; playing with Westbrook and Durant should cure him of that habit; unfortunately that will also inhibit his scoring habit.  As a 2nd string gunner I guess he's better than Roberson or Lamb (I feel like Perry Jones, when healthy, is probably tradeable).  Waiters is a low risk investment and as for the 1st round pick and expiring contracts they gave up, well that's what they're there for.  Good deal for OKC.

The Knicks get rid of Shumpert (wasn't gonna get re-signed anyway) and Smith (not a killer contract but not one the Knicks need) for 3 guys I assume they'll waive and pick up a 2nd round pick as a party favor.  Remember when Jordan became GM of the Wizards?  First thing he did was trade away anybody that made any money at all and cleared the books (he was doing a brilliant job...til we realized he was doing that so he could come back and pad stats for a coupla years; lame).  That's where Phil is at with NYK: Melo is signed, everyone currently on the roster is expendable, every available player in the NBA is available to the Knicks, save money to spend money next year.  Besides Phil might like to have his very own #1 pick to groom from clay, why bother to win games when losses are way more valuable?  Good deal for the Knicks.

The rare win-win-win deal we never see enough of.  *deep breath*  Feels good.