Top 10 Trades of the Offseason

10. Louis Williams to Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks brought in the offensive engine that made the Philadelphia 76ers go last season, as he scored a career-high 14.9 ppg. Williams, 25, can penetrate defenses off the dribble as well as score efficiently from the outside (36.2% from three-point land). Off the bench, he led the Sixers in scoring, and Williams made his share of clutch buckets in the playoffs. Having lost Crawford and Johnson, the Hawks made a good pickup with Williams.

9. Jeremy Lin to Houston Rockets

For his ‘linsane’ market value alone, Lin is a valuable pickup. Lin is an intelligent playmaker and a great team player, but his overall game needs polishing. Maybe, he, too, can hire Hakeem Olajuwon. Last season, Lin was the story of the season and captivated New York City. His 14.6 ppg, 6.2 apg, and 1.6 spg gave new life to the Knicks, who made the playoffs for a second straight season. As his career continues in Houston, Lin will have more opportunity to grow.

8. Gerald Wallace to Brooklyn Nets

“Crash” is a physical player in all aspects. He crashes the boards (6.8 rpg). He drives to the hoop (15.2 ppg) and sometimes crashes into the floor or the cameras. He gets all over people defensively (1.4 spg). To retain the defensive-minded forward, the Nets re-signed him to a 4-year deal worth $40 million.

7. Jamal Crawford to Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers have made some smart moves the last two seasons, getting Kenyon Martin, Chris Paul, and Chauncey Billups, among others, before last season. This off-season, the Clippers added former 6th Man of the Year Crawford, a good shooter, who can deliver clutch buckets. Crawford, 14.0 and 92.7% free throws, bolsters an already strong Clippers’ bench.

6. Jason Terry to Boston Celtics

The Celtics have replaced the great Ray Allen with Jason Terry. While it is almost impossible to replace a future Hall of Fame shooting guard, Terry is not a huge step down for Boston. Terry shoots almost as well from the free throw line (88.3%) and from outside (37.8%) while scoring at about the same rate (15.1 ppg). Terry recently said he had the same feeling about these Celtics as he had with the 2011 NBA champion Dallas Mavericks.

5. Ray Allen to Miami Heat

In the coup’s of the summer, the Heat signed an All-Star guard from the team they just beat in a physical 7 game series, the Celtics. Allen is a lights-out shooter (91.5% free throws), a good locker room guy, and an NBA champion. Undoubtedly, Allen, Dwayne Wade, and LeBron James—all great competitors and champions—will have great chemistry on and off the floor. Allen will spread the floor (45.3% three-point range) and strengthen the Heat offensively (14.2 ppg). Adding Allen and Rashard Lewis, the Heat are reloaded to repeat.

4. Joe Johnson to Brooklyn Nets

At 31, Johnson is a good pickup for the Nets, who were in jeopardy of losing Deron Williams in free agency. With a backcourt of Williams and Johnson, the Nets should have one of the best backcourts in the Eastern Conference. Johnson, 18.8 ppg, is a leader in crunch time, and he spreads the floor with his 38.8% three-point shooting. Williams, a great shooter and passer, and Johnson, a scorer and shooter, will improve the Nets offensively.

3. Steve Nash to Los Angeles Lakers

The combined power of Steve Nash and Dwight Howard makes the Nash acquisition rank just above Johnson to the Nets. Howard is an amazing defensive stopper; Nash is perhaps still the most talented passer in the game. Together, they should make beautiful music for the Lakers. Although Johnson and Williams will also pair up well, the Lakers now have an amazing starting lineup. Nash, 38, has led the league in total assists six times, including last season. Since the Lakers were in need of a solid point guard, Nash (10.7 apg) is a breath of fresh air. Nash is a marksman from the outside, shooting over 40% from three-point range and over 90% from the free throw line for his career. A backcourt of Nash and Kobe Bryant may be the best in the Western Conference, albeit the oldest. After the 2-time MVP and 8-time All-Star spent so long trying to beat the Lakers, Nash will try to win his first championship in L.A.

2. Andrew Bynum to Philadelphia Sixers

After losing Williams, Iguodala, and Meeks in the off-season, the Sixers made a great move adding the 24-year old, 7’0 All-Star center. Although health and focus have been issues, Bynum is probably the most offensively skilled center in the NBA today. If he improves upon the 18.7 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 1.9 bpg he gave the Lakers in 2012, the Sixers will have the best center in the east to build around.

Highlights:

1. Dwight Howard to Los Angeles Lakers

In the biggest splash of the summer, the Los Angeles Lakers traded for Dwight Howard, giving up fellow All-Star center Andrew Bynum in the process. The Lakers now boast of starting lineup that features four All-Stars and two former MVP’s (Bryant and Nash). Howard, a three-time winner of the Defensive Player of the Year Award—only Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace have more—says he now looks forward to playing in L.A. and with Bryant. And attitude is as important as anything else in this game. These Lakers have the promise to do something great, as long as they are all focused in the same direction. Replacing Bynum, who had issues staying healthy, Howard, a standard of health until his recent back problems, should fill his place neatly. Although Bynum put up career-highs last season, Howard also had career-highs in rebounds per game (14.5 rpg) and steals per game (1.5 spg). Howard put up 20.6 ppg, 2.1 bpg, and 57.3% field goal percentage, all close to his career-highs. With a reloaded lineup, the Lakers looked ready for another Finals run.

Howard Highlights:

So far, the Nets, Heat, Celtics, and Sixers have made the biggest splashes in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics reloaded after losing Ray Allen, who will join Rashard Lewis on the NBA champion Heat. The Sixers and Nets have playoff potential. Out west, the Los Angeles Lakers added All-Star power, as the cross-town rival Clippers improved their depth. And, the Suns have revamped their lineup after losing Steve Nash.

Honorable Mention: Rashard Lewis (Heat), Michael Beasley (Suns), Jason Kidd (Knicks), Courtney Lee (Celtics), Grant Hill (Clippers), Luis Scola (Suns), Antawn Jamison (Lakers), Al Harrington (Magic), Jason Richardson (Sixers), and Andre Iguodala (Denver Nuggets)