The Los Angeles Lakers got an infusion of new blood to help in their post-season aspirations, acquiring Ramon Sessions, Christian Eyenga and Jordan Hill in two separate deals, part of the eight swaps that occurred in the NBA prior to the league's trade deadline.
Looking to upgrade their point guard position, LA acquired Sessions and Eyenga, along with the rights to exchange their 2013 first-round draft pick with the Miami Heat, in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers, giving up Luke Walton, Jason Kapono, and the Lakers' 2012 first-round pick.
The Lakers also parted ways with long-time veteran Derek Fisher, sending him to the Houston Rockets along with another first-round pick for big man Jordan Hill.
The Rockets also figured in another deal, exchanging fringe players Hasheem Thabeet and Jonny Flynn, plus a 2012 second-round draft pick, for center Marcus Camby, from the Portland Trail Blazers.
It was just part of Portland's demolition job, which saw the failing franchise jettison veteran players and fire their head coach, Nate McMillan. Prior to the Rockets deal, the Trail Blazers also sent forward Gerald Wallace to the New Jersey Nets, getting in return center Mehmet Okur, forward Shawne Williams, and a top-three protected first round pick.
Portland is expected to work on a buyout with Williams, and waived former overall number one draft pick Greg Oden and Chris Johnson.
The Golden State Warriors, a team that participated in a five-player deal two days before the deadline with the Milwaukee Bucks, turned around and dealt one of the players they had just acquired, sending Stephen Jackson to the San Antonio Spurs, in exchange for a conditional first-round pick in the upcoming draft, the contract of retiring guard TJ Ford, and forward Richard Jefferson.
Jackson actually spent several seasons with the Spurs in the past, helping them reach an NBA championship in the 2002-2003 season.
The last trade to make the deadline was a three-team transaction among the Washington Wizards, the Los Angeles Clippers and the Denver Nuggets. The Wizards sent guard Nick Young to the Clippers and big men JaVale McGee and Ronny Turiaf to the Nuggets. In exchange, the Nuggets sent them Brazilian center Nene, while the Clippers gave back forward Brian Cook and a future second-round pick.
Two minor deals also went down early, with the Memphis Grizzlies giving up Sam Young to the Philadelphia 76ers for a prospect, and the Indiana Pacers picking up Leandro Barbosa from the Toronto Raptors for a second-round choice.
Fans' hopes for a blockbuster deal were dashed early on when Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard waived his early termination option, ensuring that he would spend at least one more year with his team.
Howard's actions meant that he would not enter free agency this off-season, which would have made the Magic consider trading him early, rather than letting him walk without getting anything back.
Other names that did not see movement include the Lakers' Pau Gasol, Minnesota's Michael Beasley, the Portland backcourt of Raymond Felton and Jamal Crawford, and Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics.
1 comment:
I love the Lakers
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