Massive trade Shakes up the NBA
This trade involved 5 teams and 14 players moving to new locations. It involved 4 all-star players, 4 players who were first rounders in recent draft, and several other starting NBA players. We'll provide the break down first and then get into it:
Cavs trade: Irving Love and Shumpert
Cavs get: Aaron Affalo Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul
Knicks trade: Carmelo Anthony Robin Lopez Jerian Grant and Aaron Affalo
Knicks get: Kyrie Irving, Marcus Smart, CJ Wilcox, and Mike Scott
Hawks trade: Jeff Teague
Hawks get: Robin Lopez and Iman Shumpert
Clippers trade: Chris Paul
Clippers get: Brandon Ingram, Jeff Teague, RJ Hunter, Jerian Grant
Celtics trade: Marcus Smart, Brandon Ingram, RJ Hunter
Celtics get: Kevin Love
With so many parts it is easier to break it down team by team. We will start with the simplest team: the Hawks. They had a down year last year and are ready to give Schroder the PG job. With limited options for free agents wiling to come they fill holes at the SG and C spots with solid players on reasonable contracts.
For the Celtics they have been connected to Love for a long time. They made steps forward last year, but they are still star hunting. They cashed a few of their chips in for Love without losing any of their core guys. Smart and Ingram will hurt, but they have Crowder and Bradley at those spots and options with young guys behind them. They finally get their guy and adding Love to their lineup should move them well up the East.
For the Clippers, this had to hurt. They have a really good team, but have never been able to get over OKC, Golden State, and the Spurs in the west. Chris Paul has been longing for a title and made it known to Clipper management that he was likely to leave next year to go get one. The Clippers decided that it was best to recoup some value, since it was unlikely they could move up the standings in the West. They get Ingram who could be a franchise guy for them at the three, Jeff Teague a very solid PG who will help keep them in the mix in the West, and two first round picks from last year in Grant and Hunter who will play big bench roles and have the upside to turn into more. The Clippers maximized their return, sent Paul where he wanted to go and now will try to build around the frontcourt of Ingram/Griffin/Jordan
For the Knicks it was time to move on from the Melo era. The team has been on a downturn and their plans to build around them were ruined by poor decisions. With KP in the fold it would be more ideal to build around younger guys anyway. Melo liked NY and wasn't set on waiving his NTC, but the chance to play with two of his best friends in Lebron and CP3, get traded with his good friend Affalo and the chance to win a title was too much to turn down. Kyrie Irving comes home to the local area and gives the Knicks the PG they have long needed. He gets out of Lebron's shadow and him and KP have the chance to take over New York. Marcus Smart gives them a good complement to Irving due to his defensive abilities and growing offense. This also opened up the money for the Knicks to pursue further upgrades in free agency. It wasn't Melo's fault, but his time in New York didn't work out, this gives both him and the team positive changes that should help them both.
Finally the Cavs. They had an awful year for them getting a 3 seed and losing to the Hornets in round one. Lebron had a great year and Irving was good, but the team around them let him down. He used this as his power play. He wanted to play with his friends in Melo and CP3 who he believes give him a great chance for a title. The Cavs were able to take advantage of the situations and worked hard to make it work for all parties. They get Melo and Paul and a good fit to be a 4th option in the starting lineup in Affalo. This was enough to make Lebron finally commit to returning to the Cavs on a long term deal. The Cavs have bet on Lebron and his wants. Will it be enough to finally best the Warriors? That remains to be seen, but a happy Lebron, and the new big three should give them a much better chance.
This move started off the free agency period with a bang and should have a major impact on the moves to come and the NBA season next year.
Next up: Team by Team Offseason recap/season preview