This is an occasional series called the NBA Status Report, sponsored by our good friends at Stan Van Gundy's Used Auto Sales and Collarless Shirt Emporium. In case you're unfamiliar with Stan's work, here's a clip. Mr. Van Gundy, full time Magic coach and part time used car pitchman, will offer his opinions on things in the NBA by relating them to a used car on his lot. Take it away, Stan.
Here we are, folks. We've got the last two days before you've gotta sack up with what ya got and march on down towards the playoffs. "Stan," you may ask yourself, "don't you need to get on the phone lookin' to make deals on more than just automobiles?" First of all, glad ya worked in one of my pitch phrases. Second, that's Otis' job. Third, well, doesn't seem like we're particularly inclined to deal, despite sitting on a huge $7M trade exception. Ya know, from when we dealt away the Turkish Light in the summer.
[Analysis from Iroquois: Stan's right. There's really very little Orlando would be able to do without completely reshaping the team. What can Orlando use? Maybe a better post defender than Brandon Bass. Perhaps could use a steadier backup SG than Redick? Orlando doesn't need much in theory, but certainly acquiring a superstar rental wouldn't be easy in theory. I've yet to find a plausible deal that works out. The closest I actually came:
Orlando sends C Marcin Gortat, PF Brandon Bass, SF Mickael Pietrus and $750k to TOR
Toronto sends PF Chris Bosh to ORL
Seems a bit of a waste to sit on that exception, but Orlando only has albatross contracts and not many pretty assets.]
Anyhow, where was I? Oh yeah. Today, I'll be takin' a look at some trade-ins that already went down and tellin' you about 'em. Tomorrow, if I can, I'll look at trade deadline winners/losers. Just wanna let you folks know, though, everyone's a winner at Stan Van Gundy's Used Auto Sales, so come on down if you're thinkin' of upgrading from the harsh winter that might have torn your engine block in two. Maybe you forgot your winter tires this year. Happened to me once, and boy, was Jeff mad that his Caddy didn't return in two pieces! That's right; I know what I said.
The Seven Player Swap (J. Howard, D. Gooden, Q. Ross, & J. Singleton to WAS and C. Butler, B. Haywood, and D. Stevenson to DAL)
Lemme be honest here. As a salesman, I know when some price is jacked up. The price on this deal...ENORMOUS. Josh Howard and Caron Butler...like buying a top-end Honda and a mid-tier Acura. Virtually the same thing on the inside and outside. Only difference is that Howard can defend better than a turnstile. Hell, I think turnstiles and curtains offer more resistance than Caron Butler! Butler leaves a club with only 1.5 defenders (Haywood and sometimes Jamison) and goes to a club that doesn't emphasize defense as much. Basically, part of this deal is completely even. You swap one SF who can play SG but not so well for another.
You got your useless add-ons--Ross, Singleton, and Stevenson--who are the equivalent of a tachometer in a Lincoln Town Car. What's the point?! They were thrown in to balance salary. Another wash out.
So, we arrive at the heart of the deal. Haywood for Gooden. I'm not seeing a lot of difference here, either. Haywood plays much better defense, but Dallas doesn't focus enough on the defense to make it worth it. Maybe this'll change come playoff time, when Haywood's shot blocking prowess and post D will be needed to take care of Boozer and Millsap (or maybe even Marcus Camby...more in a second). Nonetheless, Haywood's a true C that can team up with Erick Dampier to give Dallas 12 solid fouls, above average defense, and enough prowess to allow the other to get significant rest.
For Washington, it was a chance to get cash for a clunking squad and position themselves to buy a fancy shiny max FA over the summer. For Dallas, it was for...change? I don't actually know. Just doesn't seem like the structure of the team is right to challenge for the title.
Marcus Camby to POR for Travis Outlaw and Steve Blake
Now here's something to get excited about if you're Portland. You're getting Marcus Camby, a guy who steps right in where Greg Oden left off (talk about a guy thinkin' with his dipstick!) [Ed. Note: it's a link to a Castrol Synthetic Oil Youtube video, not...that picture.--IP] Camby's like a 1998 Mercedes E-Class. He's got a lot of mileage and he's over 10 years pro, so he's not gonna be in tip-top condition anymore. And yeah, the routine maintenance will burn ya on it because they both need a lot. But, both give you extremely good value for the cost and they don't look too bad in-house either. Plus, Camby's deal expires at the end of the year, so Oden and Joel Pryzbilla don't get offended. Everybody rides!
They did give up a bit to get Camby, though. Outlaw oughta jump in right away and replace the less efficient models of Rasaul Butler and Al Thornton when they get back. Outlaw's currently on a factory recall, but he'll be back soon enough. This deal also saves money (a Sterling favorite) and gives Blake Griffin an unimpeded chance to be a focal point next year. It's not like Camby or Kaman or even Craig Smith is gonna hold him back, but there's really nobody there anymore.
As for Steve Blake, well, he'll keep the bench nice and warm for when Baron Davis' beard decides to take five. An all-around good deal for the Clips.
That's it for now, folks. Be sure to tune in the next couple of days to get my take on the NBA equivalent of a Chrysler Christmas, Toyotathon, or the Manly Hyundai Used Car Sale. That sounds awesome. I gotta get me a catchy slogan like that.
Remember, here at Stan Van Gundy's Used Auto Sales, we stack 'em deep and sell 'em cheap. If you didn't buy from me, you paid too much, WAAYYYY TOO MUCH. Come on in and drive out today, because Stan Van Gundy's deal-making skills are speedy, not greedy!
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