Wednesday, February 7, 2018

2017-18 NBA Bric-a-Brac (Week 16)

(Just one day before the trade deadline)

Trades
Pelicans get SF Nikola Mirotic, 2018 2nd round pick, 2021 2nd round pick swap; Bulls get C Omer Asik, SG Tony Allen, PG Jameer Nelson, 2018 1st round pick
The Pelicans have desperately needed wing scoring ever since they got Anthony Davis and Mirotic will be a step up for now, the two more years on his contract are very reasonable; and two 2nd round picks (50/50 they ever get either of them) are a nice bonus for getting off of Omer Asik's contract (worst in the NBA?). As for the Bulls, getting rid of Mirotic was an internal need and a 1st round pick (only top 5 protected) is probably all they needed to pull the trigger. As for Asik, well, he did have his best years in a Bulls uniform, maybe he could get some of that magic back (though I'm not betting on it). I would assume they could waive Nelson and Allen, who could go on to be bench-depth for playoff teams (Cavs seem to love guys like this).

Bucks get C Tyler Zeller; Nets get SG Rashad Vaughn, 2018 2nd round pick
I kinda like Tyler Zeller, gives the Bucks good big man depth. Whereas Vaughn never developed into a worthwhile shooting guard, though he'll get another chance in Brooklyn. As for the pick, the Nets still need every lottery ticket they can get (especially since they're still smarting from missing out on Kyle Kuzma).

Hornets get C Willy Hernangomez; Knicks get C Johnny O'Bryant, 2020 2nd round pick, 2021 2nd round pick
I like Hernangomez, who became expendable when the Knicks received Enes Kanter last summer. I admired O'Bryant when he was at LSU but he's never been much more than a pair of long legs on the bench in the NBA. The Knicks seem to have acquired the Sam Hinkie fetish for 2nd round picks (though I can't help thinking they could've done better for Hernangomez). Low cost flyer for the Hornets.

Tyreke Evans (Grizzlies), Avery Bradley (Clippers), Marcus Smart (Celtics) and Marco Belineli (Hawks) still expected to be traded in the next 12 hours or so. 


Signings/Waivings
Jarrell Eddie (Celtics), Deandre Liggins (Pelicans), Nigel Hayes (Lakers), Quincy Pondexter (Bulls), Greg Monroe (Suns), Larry Drew (Sixers) all got waived.
Expected Greg Monroe to sign with the Celtics by now (I suppose they're waiting til after the trade deadline?).

Josh Gray (Suns), Emeka Okafor (Pelicans) signed to 10-day contracts.
NBA's latest rookie and a former Rookie of the Year.

Clippers sign SG Lou Williams to 3yr/$24m extension.
This was a surprise, they were expected to trade Williams, flip the script by signing him long term instead. Lou is getting up in age but he's showing he can stay play and I think its a reasonable deal for the Clippers going forward. (And he's still tradeable, right?)


Injuries
Isiah Canaan (Suns) out for the rest of the year with a broken ankle. (Really gnarly injury and they just signed him, too)

John Wall (Wizards) out 6-8 weeks after knee surgery. (Ouch! That's a tough loss for the Wizards. At their best they're a top 4 team, without Wall it's going to be really tough to get home court advantage in the playoffs; but he should be back in time to give them a late push into the playoffs)

Malcolm Brogden (Bucks) out 6-8 weeks with torn quadriceps. (Bucks will struggle with lack of depth without Brogden but it appears he'll be back by the post-season)

Kristaps Porzingis (Knicks) out for the year with a torn ACL. (Damn. Well Knicks went from potential buyers to definite sellers at the trade deadline)


Debuts
3 new debuts this week to bring the total of new rookies to 101: Josh Gray (Suns), Reggie Hearn (Pistons), Erik McCree (Jazz)

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