Big Winner: The Association

As in the National Basketball Association. What a crazy trade day it's been. Guys moved, in some cases multiple times, and others didn't. I felt that this would be an inopportune time for me break down each one. You know, give you the "real" insight on who screwed the pooch and who didn't. This will be an overall synopsis of the players each team has received, as well as those lost. Hold on to your seats because it's gonna be a wild oooone!

Knicks receive: T-Mac(from Rockets), Sergio Rodriguez(from Kings, who will take Duhon's job), and Brian Cardinal (from Wolves for Darko)

Knicks lose: Larry Highes (to Kings), Jared Jeffires (FINALLY!!!!!! to Rockets), rookie Jordan Hill (to Rockets), two future first round picks (Rockets have option to swap first round picks with Knicks in '11 and '12).

The latter part of this is what bothers me the most. Yes, the picks are top 1 and top 5 protected respectively, but what if you get pick number 2 and number 6? Now you lose two higher first round picks in two crucial years that will follow the assembling of your new team. All, mind you, for a player that will arguably be out of the league in three seasons. Yeah the other players movement was imperative to clearing cap space, but T-Mac hasn't played a healthy season, since when, ever!? I just feel that they could have kept at least one of those picks. They gave up too much. Plus they still have Duhon. Here's to T-Mac not playing even a full half season.

Kings receive: Carl Landry & Joey Dorsey(from Rockets), Larry Hughes(from Knicks)

Rockets also received: Kevin Martin(from Kings, HUGE! pickup) & Hilton Armstrong


Cavs receive: Antawn Jamison(from Wiz) and Sebastian Telfair(from Clippers)

Wiz receive: Big Z(from Cavs), Josh Howard(Mavs)

Clippers receive: Drew Gooden(from Wiz via Mavs; who got traded a second time in a day, ha ha he sucks), Outlaw(from Blazers), Steve Blake(from Blazers)

Mavs receive: Caron Butler, Brendan Haywood, & DeShawn Stevenson(from Wiz)

Blazers receive: Camby(from Clippers)

This Cavs trade is big because of a few reasons. First, Jamison is a beast. He'll play dead to play with Shaq and LBJ. This is a guy who has performed his whole career, gets put with Agent Psycho, and now finally has a chance to go deep into the playoffs, if not win a championship. Great for him and an excellent piece to complement. I have to say they are now my favorites in the East. Secondly, Stoudemire would have clashed with Shaq. It was a definite. But, kudos to the Mavs for replacing Josh Howard with a cornucopia of talent. I mean that seriously. I like Butler, Haywood is a serviceable big man, and Stevenson can cheer his pants off. Bollocks to the Wiz for only getting an old Z and Howard. I guess they'll be major players this summer as well.

Here's a few more quality moves.

Bulls receive: Hakim Warrick & Joe Alexander(from Bucks)-obviously, to replace Tyrus Thomas with, by my guesstimating, an even swap of Warrick. I assume the Bucks realized that they shat on themselves by drafting Alexander.

Bobcats receive: Tyrus Thomas(from Bulls)-this is great for their Eastern playoff run. Good pickup to shore up inside presence.

Bucks receive: John Salmons(from Bulls) and two second round picks (Another scorer to defer to Jennings)

I'll end it with the dumbest move of the day. So if you are watching the league this season you'll know the Grizzles(no "i" needed) are blowing away expectations and contending in an even-more-than-thought-of competitive West. So answer me why then would they trade a first round draft pick for Corey Brewer! He's a great defender, but he's a fourth tier Gay, or Mayo at best. They could have used that pick as better trade bait or for a young power Center in the draft. Someone they could develop. I just do not understand this trade.

So there you are. I officially have carpel tunnel and Stoudemire is still a Sun. And House is still a Celtic, meaning Nate Robinson is still a Knick. Can't wait til the summer.