Trade Watch: Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, and the Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz have about as good of a "problem" as you can have in the NBA. With Al Jefferson, Paul Millsap, Derrick Favors, and Enes Kanter on their roster, the Jazz have the most frontcourt talent in the league. Not surprisingly, this leaves them thin in a few other areas, most notably at the point guard and small forward positions. With this in mind, the Jazz may look to move Millsap or Jefferson, their most expensive (but still valuable) assets, in return for depth in other areas.

Trade Watch: Josh Smith and the Atlanta Hawks

If any one big name player is going to be dealt before Thursday’s trade deadline, it has to be Josh Smith of the Atlanta Hawks. Smith is a a highly talented power forward, but I’m not sure he’s worth the max deal he’s seeking in the offseason. He’s the type of player a professor of mine would politely refer to as a “knucklehead". Smith’s been involved in several altercations with other players and makes really bad decisions in times. He’s an awful jump shooter but continues to take ill-advised deep two’s and threes when he has no business doing so (link thoroughly proves this assertion). He’s similar to Rajon Rondo in that he has a ton of talent (superior athleticism, good defender, great at getting to the basket), but his troubling personality issues and stubbornness detract from his potential. It seems the Hawks think the same, leaving them in a tough spot. If they don’t want to pay him, they can’t let him leave in the summer for nothing in return. This means there is high degree of likelihood that Smith will be traded in the next day or two.

Further Reading: February 6-13, 2013

1. The Corner Three - Really nice break down on the efficiency of the corner three point shot and why it's so effective.
2. Behind the screen: Inside the defensive mind of Andre Iguodala - Breakdown of what makes Andre Iguodala such a fantastic one-on-one defender. 
3. The White Album - Very interesting interview with Rockets rookie Royce White on his thoughts about mental illness and basketball. 
4. Avery Bradley provides a jolt for Celtics as Rajon Rondo recovers  - Why Avery Bradley holds the key to the Celtics' continued success without Rajon Rondo.
5. The Height of Wonkery: An In-Depth Look at the NBA With the Most Innovative Technology - Overview of new trackable data that records every movement that occurs on the court during an NBA Game. Information on amount of drives to the basket, shot vs. pass frequency from the post, shot location, and more.  

NBA Rooks Videos

I only just discovered these today, and it’s safe to say I spent most of my afternoon enjoying them. If you like behind-the-scenes sports shows like Hard Knocks, 24/7 or The Association, these short videos are for you. They’re not extensive or super revealing, but they’re still entertaining and insightful. Here are a few of my favorites:

Damian Lillard loves Jamba Juice

Austin Rivers has fun at a grocery store

Andrew Nicholson, aka “Feets,” takes barbs from Big Baby

Others:

• Thomas Robinson – Manimal Lover
• Jared Sullinger – Room Service
• Terrence Jones and others – Backpacks and Dance Competition

Trade Watch: J.J. Redick and the Orlando Magic

After trading Dwight Howard this past offseason, the Orlando Magic have been in full rebuilding mode. The team has several promising rookies and young players that they hope will eventually turn into major contributors. But right now, they’re easily one of the five worst teams in the league (currently on an 11-game losing streak). Injuries have hurt them for sure, as Glen “Big Baby” Davis is out for the year and Al Harrington has yet to play a game because of an ailing knee injury. Those are two of Orlando’s best veterans, making the teams they’re putting on the floor even younger.

Rudy Gay Exit Sparks Beginning of NBA Trade Season

Even though James Harden was traded back in October, the recent trade of Rudy Gay to the Toronto Raptors is the first big move of NBA trade season. In the month leading up to the February 21, 2013 trade deadline, front offices are searching to make moves to make their teams better now, set themselves up for the future, or both. The active Grizzles have already made 2 moves, unloading a large chunk of their bench to get under the luxury tax and then trading the underperforming Gay to get out of paying the remaining three years on his max contract. Here's who they've acquired and lost within the past two weeks.

Received	Traded
Tayshaun Prince (from Pistons)	Rudy Gay (to Raptors)
Ed Davis (from Raptors)	Marreese Speights (to Cavaliers)
Austin Daye (from Pistons)	Wayne Ellington (to Cavaliers)
Jon Leuer (from Cavaliers)	Josh Selby (to Cavaliers)

Speights, Ellington, and Selby were traded in a cap-saving effort to get under the luxury tax for this season. Unfortunately, this cut into their already thin bench, something the Grizzlies mitigated with the Gay trade. As noted in the new collective bargaining agreement, teams will be met with much higher penalties for being over the luxury tax. I think other teams may that Memphis' cue and make similar preemptive moves before the deadline to comply so they end up paying big fines. Gay is a very interesting player, and this trade was one of the more polarizing ones among fans in recent memory.  

DIKEMBE SAYS NO!!!

Enigma, Thy Name is Rondo

BackPageLead

Rajon Rondo is a fantastic basketball player. Since coming into the league, he's helped lead the Celtics to a championship and assumed a leadership role on a team full of experienced veterans. He is arguably the best passer in the NBA. Like all the greats, he predicts what his teammates and defenders will do and where they'll be before they get there. He finds the right angles and executes highly difficult passes to give teammates easy scoring oppurtunites. He has been a great off-ball defender, reading passing lanes and coming up with clutch steals. For these reasons alone, he has the ability to be one of the best players in the NBA.