Accomplished
1. Allen Iverson - at Denver
On December 19, Denver received Allen Iverson and Ivan McFarlin from Philadelphia for Andre Miller, Joe Smith and a couple of picks in the first rounds of the draft.
The leadership of the 76s wanted a new life. You cannot explain the decision to refuse the services of one of the most popular basketball players of our time. Iverson did not seem to have publicly quarreled with coaches for a long time, did not miss training and showed decent performance, second only to Carmelo Anthony in the list of scorers of the championship. But general manager Billy King was burdened by a slurred present and he did not hesitate to look into the future. Letting go of Iverson, King started a perestroika, whose goals are not yet clear. Prospects to get hold of sensible youth are too illusory, Andre Igudala cannot fully replace the AI-first, and Andre Miller does not even resemble a club symbol.
“Nuggets", however, also can not begin to collect dividends from joining a pair of the most productive players in the league. Mainly because coach George Karl is unable to assemble the team in full force - too often players miss matches for various reasons.
2. Chris Webber - in Detroit
On January 16, Chris Webber signed a contract with Detroit as a free agent. Ten days earlier, he had been released back home by Philadelphia, which agreed to pay the striker most of the huge salary ($ 16.9 million in the 2006/07 season).
If “Philly” didn’t want to live on with Iverson, then Webber himself quietly sabotaged the game for the team from the City of Brotherly Love. Otherwise, you can’t explain why, by regularly skipping matches for the “76s,” he is now steadily helping the squad from his native Detroit. Now observers even allow themselves to assume that the Pistons look more interesting than last season. C-Webb is quite comfortable with the uncharacteristic position of the “point guard” - someone similar is Chris's ex-teammate for “Sacramento” Brad Miller.
3. “Indiana” and “Golden State” exchanged four for four
January 17, “Indiana” gave away Stephen Jackson, Al Harrington, Sarunas Yasikyavichyusa and Josh Powell “Golden State” for Mike Dunlavy, Troy Murphy, Ike Diogu and Keith Macleod.
If the given “warriors”, possessing decent contracts, did not have authority with the trainer Don Nelson, then Al Harrington and Stephen Jackson only gave Jermain O'Neill the right to be called team leaders. But both of them do not have enough intelligence to fit into the schemes of inventive Rick Carlisle. Nelson is easier for them - the gray-haired mentor “Warriors” does not go too far with difficulties, preferring speed to a viscous “position”.
4. Earl Boykins - at Milwaukee
On January 11, Denver sent Earl Boykins and Julius Hodge to Milwaukee, receiving Steve Blake as compensation.
At first, it seemed that coach George Karl did a noble deed, giving a chance to the lowest NBA player, whose future in the company of Iverson, Anthony and Jay.Ar. Smith did not look bright. Boykins, indeed, began to “light”, taking advantage of the absence of injured Michael Redd and Mo Williams. Earl is now in crisis, but Blake, a rare “clean” point guard for the league, easily took root as an ammunition carrier for Anthony and Iverson.
5. Juan Dixon in exchange for Fred Jones
February 22 - just minutes before the end of the transition period - “Portland” sent to “Toronto” Juan Dixon in exchange for Fred Jones.
Both players are by no means leaders, and are similar in role, being combo guards (a mixture of the first and second numbers). Jones - an incendiary shooter - is more useful to the “black” “Blazers”, and Dixon, who failed to reveal herself in the NBA, the star of student basketball, - “European” “Raptors”.
Worthy of Mention
Costly Eddie Jones was sent by Memphis back home just like Webber by Philadelphia. He took root in the “Miami”, where so far nothing is showing the supernatural. Maybe without Dwayne Wade, he will remember the "all-star" past? Derek Anderson started the season on the list of free agents until Charlotte came in handy. There often goes in the starting lineup and is among the players making the result.
UNFINISHED
1. Kevin Garnett
Talks about his exchange have been going on for many years and Kay-Ji, who is patriotic towards Minnesota, is already starting to react quite sharply to them. "Why, wishing me and the team good, are you not talking about replacing the club leadership?" - Asked a rhetorical question during the All-Star Weekend forward. There were no rumors close to the truth - Kevin simply refused to leave.
2. By Gasol
The Spaniard, on the contrary, did not hide his desire to be stronger in the team. But the most serious of buyers - “Chicago” - refused to PJ. Brown and one of the youths to add Luol Deng or Ben Gordon, and the wise Jerry West is not inclined to give the leader for nothing. In addition, the law-abiding Gasol does not think to go on strike, and low results allow us to hope that it will be possible to get the child prodigy Greg Oden on the draft. There it will be possible to exchange the Spaniard more profitably, or even to persuade them to stay.
3. Vince Carter and Jason Kidd
Refusing a pair of superstars was difficult, but necessary. That's just for the aging Kidd did not want to give anyone sensible - the “Lakers” even little-known, but young and talented Andrew Bynam “clamped”. And no one needs Carter at all: his contract expires in the summer, and Vincenti can simply leave for free ...
4. Mike Bibby
Rolling down the sloping career of a playmaker needed a shake. On the last day before the trade deadline, a trilateral exchange was actively discussed involving Drew Gooden (Cleveland) and Mike James (Minnesota). Bibby was supposed to join LeBron James and Larry Hughes. Not fused.
5. Corey Maggetty
Mike Dunleavy Sr. turned a powerful defender into a “sixth” player and did not hide his intention to get rid of him. It was not possible to get a son from Golden State - Mike Jr. was sent to Indiana - but the clippers did not find anyone more interesting on the transfer market.
Nikolai TSYNKEVICH