NBA Trade Deadline: Why the New York Knicks Should Trade for Ramon Sessions
What ails the New York Knicks? They are missing an elite distributor.
Earlier this week, I wrote that New York should trade for Steve Nash. But Nash would be difficult to acquire for two reasons: It would be nearly impossible to match contracts and the Phoenix Suns are still reluctant to deal their franchise icon.
Ramon Sessions would a surprisingly effective second option for New York. Trading for him would be very easy: He costs only $4 million and the Cleveland Cavaliers would likely part with him for only a future pick and cash.
The Knicks are a pitiful 8-15. They have elite offensive weapons in Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire and a star defensive center in Tyson Chandler. But they have no elite distributor, so there is currently no one on the roster who can take the keys to the car and drive New York to the playoffs.
Few NBA fans know of Ramon Sessions, but he is a young, surprisingly effective point guard.
Many die-hard fans consider him the most underrated guard in basketball. Sessions broke out with Cleveland last year and posted an average of 13.3 points, 5.2 assists and three rebounds per game, with an excellent assist-to-turnover ratio while starting only 38 of 81 games.
In those he did start, Sessions was impressive offensively and showed a knack for both penetration and particularly distribution.
He is exactly what the Knicks need: a gifted young passer who can orchestrate Mike D’Antoni’s offensive system and get the ball to Carmelo Anthony and Amar’e Stoudemire.
Sessions is not perfect. Despite his evident offensive skills, teams remain reluctant to commit because he is an atrocious defender.
But in this case, the positives far outweigh the potential problems.
Sessions is large enough to play both guard positions, which means he can play alongside a healthy Baron Davis and make sure the Knicks have an offensive orchestrator when Davis is (inevitably) injured.
The Knicks have plenty of talent but little on-court direction. Acquiring Sessions will give them an offensively gifted point guard who can solve their distribution issues.
At this point, what do they have to lose?
Read more NBA news on BleacherReport.com
View full post on Bleacher Report – NBA
2012 NBA Trade Deadline: 5 Players the Minnesota Timberwolves Should Target
Despite the Timberwolves’ losing record at 9-11, the vibe in the Twin Cities has been nothing near disappointing.
Led by their All-Star Kevin Love and their rookie sensation Ricky Rubio, the Timberwolves have given fans and the rest of the league reason to believe they are playoff bound this season.
But before jumping the gun, there are still plenty of concerns in various areas of this young Minnesota roster that need to be addressed before achieving such a lofty goal.
Pairing a suitable two-guard next to Rubio in the backcourt, finding a perimeter defender to slow down opposing team’s wing scorers and finding help for Love in the paint are just a few issues that need to be addressed as soon as possible.
The good news for Wolves’ fans is that there are opportunities to address some of these through trade without dealing one of the key players from the team.
Not even halfway through this short season, there are already plenty of players on the trading block that may interest general manager David Kahn and the Wolves in their quest for a trip to the playoffs this season.
Here are some players who have been rumored to be shopped around the league and may fit into Minnesota’s big picture.
Devin Harris
Despite the Jazz’s hot start to the season at 11-7, much of their success cannot be contributed to their starting point guard Harris.
A once key piece in deals for All-Star caliber players such as Jason Kidd and Deron Williams, Harris has never truly lived up to his potential in the league.
As a starter, Harris is averaging career lows this season in points (9.2) and minutes (25.9) for the Jazz. All that being said, Harris could prove to be an interesting acquisition for the Wolves.
Despite his recent inefficiencies as a scorer, Harris has proven to be an above-average perimeter defender because of his quickness, athleticism and intelligence. His 6’3” stature to go along with his ability to get to the rim and create his own shot allows him to play both guard spots.
Pairing Harris and Rubio in the same backcourt could be a very dynamic duo both in transition and in the half court.
Because of Harris’s recent woes with the Jazz, a deal of Luke Ridnour, Martell Webster, Anthony Tolliver and Malcolm Lee for Harris and veteran Raja Bell may be enough to get a deal done.
O.J. Mayo
With extensions to Mike Conley, Rudy Gay, Marc Gasol and Zach Randolph over the past few seasons, Mayo is unlikely to resign with the Grizzlies this offseason.
With that being said, the playoff bound Grizzlies may look to move Mayo in an attempt to restock their already weak bench for another run deep into the playoffs.
Mayo fits Minnesota’s need at shooting guard perfectly. At 6’5”, Mayo’s ability to knock down open shots and create his own scoring opportunities makes him a great compliment to Rubio.
In addition, the Wolves would have enough cap flexibility to resign Mayo to a long-term deal—if he’s willing take a deal around $32 million for four years.
With Memphis’s lack of depth at point guard and in the frontcourt (until Randolph’s return), a deal of Mayo and Quincy Pondexter for Luke Ridnour and Anthony Randolph could be a good starting point for a deal.
Chris Kaman
With all the rumors swirling in New Orleans about where Kaman will land, Minnesota could be a perfect fit for the former All-Star center.
With the Timberwolves’ center position currently being occupied by Darko Milicic, Nikola Pekovic and Brad Miller, Kaman would prove to be an obvious upgrade.
At 7’1”, Kaman’s ability to score on the low block with his size and strength opens up more space for Kevin Love and his improved jump shot and three-point shooting range.
Like Mayo, Kaman will also be playing for a new contract for next season and may be worth the Timberwolves’ time and money to resign him if he and Love exhibit chemistry with one another.
Minnesota could offer a package centered around Luke Ridnour along with Martell Webster and center Nikola Pekovic for Kaman that may help fill some roster holes in New Orleans’ rotation.
By drafting rookie point guard Brandon Knight and resigning combo guard Rodney Stuckey this offseason, the Pistons are ready and willing to move the overpaid reserve Gordon.
Minnesota has both the cap flexibility and the need for a player like Gordon. Gordon’s greatest asset could be his ability to be an effective scorer without having the ball in his hands.
Similar to the role he played in Chicago when paired with Derrick Rose, Gordon would be asked to come off screens and knock down open jump shots while allowing the offense to run through Rubio.
Gordon could have great success in a Rick Adelman offense that has proved well for shooters such as Peja Stojakovic and Kevin Martin in the past. Detroit will most likely be interested in acquiring some frontcourt help and some future salary cap relief.
Dealing Ben Gordon and Austin Daye for Martell Webster, Nikola Pekovic and Anthony Randolph addresses both.
Andre Iguodala
Iguodala’s name in Minnesota has been linked to trade rumors for the past few years. With the current make up of the Wolves’ roster, it makes more sense now than ever for Kahn to swing a deal for the high flying Iguodala.
Minnesota has a glaring need at shooting guard and perimeter defense. Iguodala solves both problems. His ability to play the two opens up more time and opportunities to play together with rookie Derrick Williams at the three.
With those two on the wings, Love in the paint, and Rubio running the point, it makes for a very energetic and exciting style of play that has the versatility and athleticism to play in coach Adelman’s different schemes on both ends of the floor.
The only difficult part would be prying away Iguodala, who has already helped the red-hot Sixers win 14 out of 20 games this season.
Sending scorer Michael Beasley with second-year players Wes Johnson and Nikola Pekovic in exchange for Iguodala, Craig Brackins and LaVoy Allen may be enticing enough for the Sixers to bite, but still remains as wishful thinking.
Read more NBA news on BleacherReport.com
View full post on Bleacher Report – NBA
NBA Trade Rumors: 4 Players Most Likely to Be Traded Before Trade Deadline
The NBA trade deadline isn’t until March 15, but trade talks are beginning to heat up surrounding some of the league’s most recognizable players.
Trades can either make or break a team’s chance at making the playoffs, so this year’s trade deadline will be as important as ever.
Here are the four players most likely to be traded before the league’s trade deadline.
View full post on Bleacher Report – NBA
NBA Trade Speculation: Celtics’ Big 3 Should Be Broken Up Before Deadline
Trading pieces from Boston’s “Big Three” needs to happen sooner rather than later. With Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen looking at free agency at the end of the season, Celtics GM Danny Ainge has to trade their big-name players before the trade deadline.
Apparently, Ainge is looking deep into trade offers, according to ESPN.
“But those (types of fruitful trades) aren’t presenting themselves. In today’s day and age with 30 teams in the NBA, 15 teams know they have no chance of winning a championship. They are building with young players. It’s a different era that we live in. It’s easy to say conceptually, but you have to always weigh what are real opportunities.”
Before the season, I wrote about how this needed to be done because of the narrow window of opportunity this season. I never expected that the Celtics would be 5-9 through their first 14 games.
That window is officially closed.
What’s the excuse for their struggles? Is it because of the lengthy offseason and timing issues? Every team has chemistry issues early in the season for that reason, but you would think that the Celtics, who have been together for years now, would be able to handle it better than most teams in the NBA.
That hasn’t been the case. They are losing to teams like the Phoenix Suns at home and the 3-13 New Orleans Hornets. It isn’t acceptable.
Allen is 36, Garnett is 35 and Paul Pierce is 34 years old. I wouldn’t be wary of trading all three players if I had the opportunity. Allen is leading the team in scoring with 15.5 points per contest. Second is Rajon Rondo with 15 points per game, and he’s a guy that isn’t known for his scoring prowess.
Pierce is averaging 14.6 points and Garnett is averaging 13.2.
Allen hasn’t scored this few amount of points per game since his rookie season in 1996-97. The same can be said about Garnett who hasn’t scored this few amount of points since 1995-96.
Pierce has never scored this little per game in his entire 13-year career.
If their window was slightly open before the season it is completely shut now. There is no way they can defeat young, athletic teams like the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls.
Ainge must get rid of the Big Three in order to salvage the seasons ahead. People tend to forget what happened in the mid-2000s when the Celtics stunk up the floor with Al Jefferson, Gerald Green (who never lived up to the hype), Marcus Banks (who fans thought had little promise) and many, many more who couldn’t make Boston a contender.
Do the Celtics want to go through that again? Do they want to be considered one of the worst teams in the league? They were 57-107 in 2005-06 and 2006-07.
They need to trade their core to limit the amount of years between successful teams. Obviously, they are having issues competing with their roster currently so that won’t change drastically next year if their core is back.
Trading their core would give them quality value in return with possible first-round draft choices in the NBA draft.
Allen, Garnett and Pierce are players that can help winning teams in the NBA; they just can’t compete at a championship level as a group anymore.
It was a great run, but all great things have to come to an end at some point.
Read more NBA news on BleacherReport.com
View full post on Bleacher Report – NBA
Deadline approaching on Love’s extension
MINNEAPOLIS On the same day Russell Westbrook signed a contract extension with the Oklahoma City Thunder for a reported 80 million over five years, Kevin Love discussed his own contract negotiations with the Timberwolves.
Westbrook, who played with Love at UCLA and was chosen fourth, one spot before Love, in the 2008 draft, is the latest member of their class to sign an early extension instead of becoming a restricted free agent. Derrick Rose, 2008′s No. 1 pick, signed a five-year, 94.8 million extension with the Bulls in December.
The deadline for teams to sign these players to early extensions is less than a week away, Jan. 25.
Love said on Thursday that a maximum contract hasn’t been put on the table yet, to his knowledge, but right now his agent is handling things. With six days left to negotiate, Love said the deadline will not pass without something happening.
“Either something will happen positive or something will happen negative,” Love said.
He’d like to get the negotiations out of the way, especially because right now he’s concentrating solely on continuing the team’s second two-game winning streak of the season. To leave things unresolved past next Wednesday, Love said, would not be ideal.
“It’d be nice to work something out. I enjoy it here,” he said. “I enjoy my teammates. I enjoy the coaching staff. I enjoy the Twin Cities, even when it’s cold.”
Love is averaging 25.2 points and 14.5 rebounds per game for the 6-8 Timberwolves, and he’s had a double-double in each of his team’s 14 games. In the end, he said, he needs to look at things on a “grander scale.” If he keeps playing the way he’s playing, everything should take care of itself.
“Hard work pays off,” Love said.
Follow Joan Niesen on Twitter
View full post on Yardbarker: NBA
Celtics Could Be Major Players At Trade Deadline
With news that the Celtics have whiffed at their attempt to trade for David West, many Celtics fans are despondent. You need not be. For one the Celtics still have a damn good team, and for two the Celtics have the flexibility to be major players before this season’s trade deadline. By that time all the guys the Celtics recently signed or traded for are eligible to be traded. This gives the Celtics many more options. At this point the only guys the Celtics can trade are the starting 5 and Avery Bradley. Come February they could trade anyone.
Not only are the Celtics in position to trade anyone, but they’re desirable players and contracts. About the only one who you can pretty much guarantee will be a Celtic by mid March is Paul Pierce. Ideally the Celtics are atop of the East in February and are just looking to add to their roster, but if things have gone south, Danny has the flexibility to change the makeup of the team.
Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett would both be desirable p…
View full post on Yardbarker: NBA
NBA Trade Rumors: Players That Will Be Rumored in Talks Through Deadline
As is the norm in the NBA, trades often take some time to consummate. So many factors go into making an NBA trade successful, most significantly of course, are salaries. As we’ve seen time and time before, that’s not an easy thing to get matched up between two, sometimes three franchises.
With that being said, some big names are on the block now, but if they don’t get dealt, they could stay on the trading block for some time.
Here are a group of guys whose name we will be hearing in trade rumors all the way up through this season’s trade deadline.
View full post on Bleacher Report – NBA
NBA sides meet again day after deadline (AP)
NBA owners and players are meeting again Thursday, hoping to reach a deal to end the lockout and very aware of the consequences if they fail. The sides met for 12 hours Wednesday, passing Commissioner David Stern’s deadline for players to accept the league’s current proposal or face one that would be much worse.
View full post on Yahoo! Sports – NBA News
Past deadline, NBA, union set to meet again Thursday
The NBA and the union went 12 hours Wednesday, past the deadline to reach a deal, and will meet again later Thursday.
View full post on USATODAY.com Nba
Talks to continue after Stern’s deadline (AP)
David Stern’s deadline passed without a deal, though the NBA and its players will talk again Thursday. The NBA commissioner wouldn’t give any hints about what that means for hopes of ending the lockout. “I would not read into this optimism or pessimism,” he said. “We’re not failing.
View full post on Yahoo! Sports – NBA News
