NBA Trade Machine

After spending more time over the last couple of days on ESPN's NBA Trade Machine than a typical Charlie Sheen marriage, I have come to a few conclusions. First, the NBA Trade Machine is one of the absolute best inventions of all time and almost makes up for ESPN hiring and continuing to keep Colin Cowherd on the air (almost). Second, you know NBA GM's use this all the time and it has to make an "NBA Capologist" the most out-dated job since being Jessica Simpson's agent. Third, the new wave of fantasy leagues for all sports is going to be keepers with a cap, this adds an entire new element to everything beginning with the draft. It reminds me of when Hi-def was introduced and how it totally changed the sports viewing experience or how the Challenge changed reality TV. Fourth, the NHL needs their own Trade Machine immediately. Fifth, and probably most importantly, I need a new hobby. Anytime you are actively looking forward to spending hours, not minutes, on making fake NBA trades you have a serious problem. Below are seven trades accepted through the Trade Machine that would be more than intriguing before the February 24th trade deadline.

1) Denver trades C. Anthony to New York for W. Chandler, D. Gallinari, Eddie Curry's expiring contract and a first round pick the Knicks acquire for A. Randolph.

Denver: The Knicks are still the most obvious trading partner for Denver, who can't afford to lose their star player for nothing as the Cavs have shown. At least with this move they get a future All-Star to build around in Gallinari, and a solid rotation guy in Chandler. The addition of Curry's expiring contract will put them well under the luxury tax and cap and allow for other moves. A second first round pick in the '11 draft will give Denver two picks in the middle of a deep, but not spectacular draft.

New York: The Knicks first need to move Randolph for a first round pick or they risk having to include rookie Landry Fields in the deal for Anthony. Even if Fields needs to be included it is still a move that the Knicks need to make. As a Knicks fan I have made a complete 180 on this deal. At first I was reluctant for the Knicks to include Gallo, Chandler, or Fields in a deal for Anthony, assuming Anthony would come to NY as a free agent this summer. As the Knicks have swooned latley I have realized they need a major upgrade to compete in the top heavy Eastern conference as they currently would face either Chicago or Miami in the first round of the playoffs. Anthony would give the Knicks another legit star to team with an already wearing down Amare and as much as I like Gallo, Chandler, and Fields available stars are a lot harder to find than even top flight role players.

2) Denver trades Nene and JR Smith to Golden State for Monta Ellis and A. Biedrins.

Denver: After trading Anthony and most likely Billups in a smaller deal, Denver can use their cap savings to trade free agent to be Nene and Smith for a dynamic scorer in Ellis and a serviceable replacement for Nene. Ellis can be had for a big man and he comes relatively inexpensive (4 yrs 11 million per) and could be counted on to replace Anthony's points. In Biedrins (4 yrs 9 million per) Denver would get a high energy big man who can run and doesn't need the basketball offensively. After these moves a Lawson, Affalo, Gallo, and Ellis core is a good start for a franchise who is being held hostage by their star player.

Golden State: Ellis has been great for the Warriors, but he is an odd fit with the inexpensive, younger, and also undersized Curry at the point. In return for Ellis the Warriors would get the big man they have been after for years in Nene. Golden State's new ownership would have to be willing to pay Nene, but that shouldnt' be a problem with the money heading out the door with Ellis and Biedrins. JR Smith is a bigger two guard who would compliment Curry much more effectively for the rest of the season than Ellis and with the Nene and Smith additions the Warriors would go from an awful defensive team to mediocre.

3) LA Lakers trade Gasol to Atlanta for J. Smith, M. Williams, and J. Teague.

LA: Definitely the most unlikely of my possible trades, but hear me out. The Lakers management thinks too highly of Andrew Bynum's potential that they will not trade him, leaving Gasol as the only trade-able piece the Lakers have. Gasol was part of back to back title teams and was the reason LA won game 7 last year vs. the Celtics, but he seems to be wearing down this season like the Lakers as a whole. In Phil Jackson's final season the Lakers need to get younger and more athletic and with Smith (3 yrs 11.7 million per), Williams (4 yrs 7.2 million per), and Teague (1 yr 1.4 million) LA becomes a team with potential. If anyone and any situation can bring the best out of Smith and Williams you would think it has to be Kobe and the Lakers. I for one can see Kobe's final years as the veteran leader to a lineup with these three additions and Bynum at center.

Atlanta: The definition of a team that is good, but not great and a team that is comfortably in the playoffs, but not a threat to win big. Smith and Williams are talented, but seem to have run their course in Atlanta. Bringing in Gasol would add professionalism and accountability to the Hawks roster along with one of the most skilled big men in the game. Gasol (4 yrs 17.8 per) would combine with Horford to form an intimidating and successful front line and make the Hawks a threat to win big.

4) Phoenix trades Nash and Hill to Dallas for R. Beaubois, D. Jones, C. Butler's expiring contract and Dallas first round pick in '12.

Phoenix: The Suns need to take a serious look at the Raptors to see what their future looks like if they continue to insist on keeping Nash until his contract expires in two years. Nash will still make the Suns a draw, but they are 10th in the Western conference and have little hope of improving on that even with Nash on the roster. The Suns already added a nice piece in Gortat and an expiring contract in Carter and making this trade would give them two more pieces and an another expiring. Beaubois is a future star at the point and rookie Dominique Jones will be a NBA scorer when given the chance. Trading Nash will hurt the Suns this year and next, but in the future this is a good one for the Suns as an organization and if they are unsure all they need to do is to call former exec and current Toronto GM Byan Colangelo.

Dallas: Cuban needs to do everything he can to try to make up for the biggest mistake the Mavs made under his leadership , allowing Nash to walk as a free agent. Adding Hill and Nash to a team with Dirk, Kidd, Terry, and Chandler would be quite a story as those players and this franchise chases that elusive title. It is only a matter of how quickly the Mavs can say "yes" if Phoenix puts this deal on the table.

5) Memphis trades Z. Randolph to Oklahoma City for J. Green, J. Harden, E. Maynor, N. Kristic.

Memphis: I don't understand why Memphis has allowed their most effective player and a guy who must be double teamed on the block every possession to come to the last year of his contract while they sign other not as effective players like Gay, Allen, and Conley. Those moves and their decision to make Gasol a priority have left Randolph as the odd man out in Memphis. With this deal they bring back inexpensive wing guys with potential in Green (restriced FA next year) and Harden and Kristic's expiring contract. Maynor would also fill a big need as a back up point guard that is clearly evident with the Grizzles' recent Jayson Williams signing.

Oklahoma City: Randolph does not address the Thunder's most pressing need at the moment, their inability to defend consistently, but he does give the most effective perimeter offense in the league a post presence that must be accounted for in the half court set. OKC has been reluctant to take on guys with "character issues", but Randolph has been a model citizen lately and would give the Thunder a championship caliber offense.

6) Philadelphia trades Iguodala and Hawes to the LA Clippers for Kaman, Aminu, and '11 1st round pick.

Philadelphia: The 76ers are presently 7th in the East and looking at a first round matchup with the Heat, this move would allow them to shed Iguodala's contract (4 yrs 12.35 million per) for a younger replacement in Aminu and a healthy Kaman is immediately one of the best centers in the Eastern conference. This move would also lead to more playing time for rookie and overall #2 pick Evan Turner and a chance to find out if he is part of the future along with Holiday, Meeks, and Williams. A Kaman/Brand combo is a potent frontourt duo in the East.

LA Clippers: The Clipps have the ability to take on money and have a huge hole in their lineup at the 3 spot. Iguodala fills that need and he showed at last summer's World Championships that he is very effective as a team's 3rd or 4th option. His ability to get to the rim would open things up for Griffin and Gordon and most importantly for the Clipps winning percentage he is a relentless defender. Hawes also gives the Clipps a back up for DeAndre Jordan, who has made Kaman more than replaceable.

7) Charlotte trades S. Jackson to Chicago for T. Gibson, R. Brewer, J. Johnson and a '11 first round pick.

Charlotte: The Bobcats have improved under coach Paul Silas, but still find themselves out of the Eastern conference playoff picture and they need young compliments to DJ Augustin and Gerald Henderson. Captain Jack is their biggest asset and this move would return two young chips in big man Gibson and a wing in Johnson. Sending Gerald Wallace to Portland for Batum would also be a makeover that leaves the Bobcats with hope for the future.

Chicago: I know I personally value Captain Jack higher than any GM in the NBA especially Bulls GM Gar Foreman, but there is no denying that he is a competitor and is not afraid of big shots or big moments. I think he would be a nice fit next to Rose and I can't help but think about him leading the 8th seeded Warriors over the top seeded Mavs in the '07 playoffs. You can't beat his recent quote about looking forward to All-Star weekend so officials can stop judging him and the story about him threatening fans who were heckling him is classic. The fans heckling him immediately stopped and said they have been scared every since. That seems like the kind of player that would be a great addition to a team that is a 2 guard away from contending for a title.