NBA Trade Deadline 2009

Well, the NBA Trade Deadline came and went and there were no big deals. Here are the highlights:

Best trade for a contender
Orlando gets PG Rafer Alston, Houston gets PG Kyle Lowry, Memphis gets a 1st round pick of Orlando's.
I think this was an absolute steal on Orlando's part. Orlando lost PG Jameer Nelson and had been using a bunch of awful PGs... and this had resulted in the Magic losing 4 of their last 7 games. The Magic had to do something, and they miraculously got a bona fide starting PG. But at the cost of a low 1st round pick? And Alston's only due $5 mill this year, and $5 mill next year? This was a major steal and makes me scared for the Cavs playing Orlando again. Yes, Alston isn't as good as Nelson, but it still was amazing the Magic could land such a productive player for basically nothing.

As for Memphis, I'm just so angry at them. They just cut $1.1 mill and $2 mill from next year's salary but they could have at least gotten a player in return. It's almost like they aren't even trying. No wait, we already know they aren't trying. At least they have Marc Gasol, OJ Mayo, and Rudy Gay. You can make fun sentences with those three last names.

Most Confusing Trade
Chicago getting PF Brad Miller, SG John Salmons, Sacramento getting Nocioni and Drew Gooden
I just am having a hard time wrapping my head around this one. The Bulls swapped PFs (Brad Miller and Gooden). Now the Bulls have another SG. Now the Bulls have Hinrich, Salmons, and Ben Gordon to play opposite PG Derrick Rose. I'm just not sure that this is such a big boost. Is Salmons getting minutes over the other guys? I guess so. Is that a big improvement? I have no idea.
As for the Kings, Everyone knows the Kings did this just to save money next year.

Most Comedic Trade
Chicago getting Tim Thomas, Jerome James, and A. Roberson, Knicks getting Larry Hughes -
This was the most comedic move of the night. This was a complete wash salary-wise but was more like two teams just trading parts they don't want. The funniest thing was remembering that when Tim Thomas was last in Chicago, crazy coach Scott Skiles wouldn't let him play and he sat at home for half a season before waiving him in 2006, and then the Suns promptly picked him up. Tim Thomas was then awesome in the playoffs which led Thomas to his current contract ($6 million per year). I wonder if Tim Thomas will be allowed to play this time?

The Premature Celebration Trade
Hornets don't get Wilcox and Joe Smith, Oklahoma City Thundercats don't get Tyson Chandler
The Hornets were dumping Tyson Chandler for two expiring contracts due to financial problems... only thing is, the Chandler failed his physical because of a turf toe condition so the trade never went through.
The funny thing is: The doctor who failed Chandler is the one who performed the surgery on the toe.
And the funnier thing is: Chandler says the doctor told him "I have no doubt you can play on it. I'm just saying it could take a turn for the worse if you come down on somebody's foot or hyperextend it or something".
The sad thing is: As much as I was lamenting the end of Chris Paul and the Hornets having any chance at getting out of the 1st round, I started getting real psyched about the Thundercats' chances of making the playoffs. I even went to youtube.com and watched the theme song for old times sake.

I mean, they would have had Tyson Chandler, Kevin Durant, PG Russell Westbrook, and SF Jeff Green! They would quickly become one of the favorite teams to watch as well as succeed with a bona fide center who could play defense against anyone. Now, I'm just sad that I can't get excited about the Thundercats (but I should be happy for Chris Paul). At least we still have the theme song!