Three Trades That Make Sense

Why it works for the Bucks:
They get the big name player they want. Whether or not signing Josh Smith to a long term max deal is a good decision is a discussion for another day, but the Bucks seem intent on doing it. They only give up Ersan Ilyasova, a player they don't seem committed to building around anyway, just after signing him to a long term deal.

Why it works for the Rockets:
Ilyasova doesn't muck up the flexibility Houston this summer and is a perfect player for this team. He can shoot from outside, is a massively underrated rebounder, and doesn't play defense which, well, fits with this team. While Terrence Jones is a really nice prospect, it's unlikely he passes either Marcus Morris or Patrick Patterson on the depth chart and the Rockets have already been floating him out per Adrian Wojnarowski. Ilyasova is better than both of these established players and on an affordable long term deal.

Why it works for the Hawks:
It's pretty much a given at this point that J-Smoove is not going to re-sign in Atlanta so the best they can do is move him for something. Here, they get a really nice young player in Jones and an expiring deal in Samuel Dalembert. They also keep their max cap space this summer. (Side note: oddly enough, if I were to pick a player for Jones' game to mirror it would be Smith's. Athletic tweener, lefty, takes so dumb shots, lots of potential, good on D.)

Why it works for the Rockets: 
Houston is the most iffy team in this deal. While this move doesn't compromise their cap space, it's questionable whether or not the Rockets would want to take on the aging Marion. His contract is expiring next year and they would be able to re-sign him on the cheap, but at that point he would be 36 with plummeting athleticism. Still: he is a perfect fit for this Rockets system (similar in ways to the SSOL era Suns) and they have would have to give up relatively little to acquire him.

Why it works for the Mavericks:
They get Marion's deal off their books and effectively begin the rebuilding process. At this point the playoffs are out of reach and they are better off cutting money and tanking. Hickson is a expiring and while they won't have his Bird Rights it would be better off to let him go anyway. The sweetener is the Blazers 2014 unprotected 1st round pick.

Why it works for the Blazers:
This is a dream deal for Portland. They let go of the already-being-shopped Hickson and get a better player in return. Hayward has been a huge positive impact whenever he has stepped on the floor for the Jazz and he still is on his rookie deal. Tony Douglas is a thrown in to make the money work, but has been a quite solid role player this season and is better than Ronnie Price and Nolan Smith.

Why it works for the Jazz:
They get a poor man's Gordon Hayward in Jae Crowder and a guy with a ton of potential in Donatas Motiejunas. While he hasn't gotten consistent minutes yet, Donuts is one of the most versatile big men you'll find around the NBA.

Why it works for the Suns:
(Waiting for you to stop laughing about Monta Ellis and Michael Beasley on the same team) For whatever reason the Suns are intent on getting Ellis and this is a fairly effective way to do it. They give up the unhappy Marcin Gortat and Jared Dudley who has been shopped like crazy. They give up the Lakers' pick that they get if LA misses the playoffs, but also get back a serviceable center in DeJuan Blair.

Why it works for the Spurs:
They get the ultimate Spurs player in Jared Dudley, and while his defense isn't up to par with Stephen Jackson's, Kevin Durant getting his points is a given at this point. Marcin Gortat, made one of the best pick and roll big men in the league by Steve Nash, should thrive with creative players like Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. While Tiago Splitter has been a much improved player this season Gortat is just better. Not to mention that Splitter's asking price this summer will likely be something only a little cheaper than Gortat's current deal.

Why it works for the Bucks:
They get Monta Ellis off their hands, get a likely mid-first round draft pick, and get a solid young player and his Bird right's in Splitter. They give up a non-factor in Joel Pryzbilla and only have to take on StackJack's expiring deal.

Rookie File: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Damian Lillard

 

Rookie File will come out weekly and take a look at a couple of rookie's performances so far this season.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Bobcats

MKG has lived up to his do-everything reputation thus far averaging 8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2 assists 1.7 steals, and 2 blocks per game.  He's also been incredibly important to his team.  With the Kentucky product on the bench, the Bobcats have a -33.6 net rating per the NBA stats tool.  That means they are outscored by 33.6 points per 100 possessions.  With Kidd-Gilchrist on the court, however, they are outscoring opponents by nearly twelve points, a swing of more than forty points.  In addition, the 'Cats are shooting better from almost everywhere on the court with MKG in.  This guy was touted as a winner who did all the little things to make his team better and that's what he is showing so far.     

Damian Lillard, Trailblazers

Talked about by many as a dark-horse rookie of the year, Lillard has quickly become more than that, leading the race with Anthony Davis injured.  He has asserted himself as the Trailblazer's starting point guard, averaging 37 minutes per game.  In those minutes, he has produced.  Do you want to know how many other players have averaged at least a 19, 3.8, and 8 as a rookie (in the shot clock era)?  Two.  Damon Stoudamire and Oscar Robertson.  37% of Lillard's offense so far has been the pick and roll.  His 0.87 PPP (points per possession) as the pick and roll ball handler is ranked fifth in the league and he's only turning it over 9.7% of the time, surprisingly good for a rookie.  For someone not known as a passing wizard, he has shown great recognition and timing.  Lillard is without a doubt the top rookie so far.  

The Trailblazers' Beautiful First Play

A lot of NBA coaches like to start off the game with a set play.  It can hopefully get an easy look for a player and start a little bit offensive rhythm.  Portland's first play against Los Angeles was drawn up by Terry Stotts and executed to perfection by the players.

LaMarcus Aldridge gets the ball at the high post from Damian Lillard who then cuts and gets a brush screen from Nic Batum.  This initial action is really just to keep the defense guessing and maybe
create a switch.

Next comes a little dribble handoff between Aldridge and Batum.  Again, this is just to create some space and distract from the real action: a back screen by J. J. Hickson and backdoor cut by Wes Mathews.

Batum delivers and absolutely beautiful bounce pass between two defenders to the cutting Mathews.  Blake Griffin was distracted by the strongside action and can't help in time leaving an easy layup: