Helping the needy

Now the first quarter of the season has over, there are several teams right now hoping and searching for some helps to fill the needs of their teams via trade. Here are some teams badly needed for help.


1. Detroit Pistons
Words around the league that a trade rumor involving Rip Hamilton for Carlos Boozer swap is on the rise. Recently the Pistons try to go small as Wallace plays the five, Prince moves to the four, Hamilton at the three, Iverson at the two guard and Stuckey at the point. The result? Well, they are now currently at number five at the standing in the East and 9 games behind their Central Division rival, the Cleveland Cavaliers.
If this deal will go, it answers the problem for Detroit at the four position. They will put back Rasheed at the center position and bring back Prince at the three. For the Pistons, they will end up at the summer of 2009 with lots of millions to offer for some coveted free agents thanks to the expiring contracts of Rasheed Wallace, Allen Iverson and Carlos Boozer. For sure they will resign Boozer.

For the Jazz, Paul Millsap overshadowed Boozer as a replacement when he goes down with an injury. Millsap numbers are now close to Boozer’s. Hamilton can create shots for him and able to free Deron Williams to score. They could make Brewer a sixth man to provide more firepower from the bench.

2. Toronto Raptors
The trade for Jermaine O’neal could have been solved the puzzle, but turns out to be out of shape to fit in to become a contender. Rank number three in the east last season, now they are fighting to get out on the eleventh place with a 12-17 record. The Raptors needs to shake up the three (small forward position). Rumors pointed out for a Jason Kapono-J.R. Smith swap, but the Nuggets immediately turned down the offer. Sources reported that the Raptors were talking to the Warriors for a possible deal. Of course, Maggette is the one the Warriors want to trade, they also have lots of wing players and Don Nelson loves European Big Men. He could help Bargnani to become a premier NBA player.

3. Golden State Warriors
Once Maggette is back from injury, everyone knows he is on the trading block and other sources told that Stephen Jackson also wants out. But the best move is to keep Jackson and be the leader for this young Warriors team. The Dallas Mavericks were one of the team desperate to land Maggette to help their wing position. It is now on the part of Warriors who they wanted in return from the Mavs.

4. Chicago Bulls
They landed Derrick Rose as the top draft pick to help the point guard situation. Hinrich, their former point guard is out with an injury and Rose playing like a veteran. They have lots of forwards playing at the five and no true center at sight. What they are needed is a veteran center that can help Rose. The availability of Brad Miller could benefit the young Bulls. The Sacramento Kings are actively shopping Brad Miller, but adding Kenny Thomas contract makes the proposed deal too long to get it done. The Bulls could offer Drew Gooden primarily with his expiring contract and together with Tyrus Thomas or Joakim Noah.

5. Denver Nuggets
The loss of Marcus Camby made the Nuggets who will take his spot. But with the emergence of Nene, and the acquisition of Chauncey Billups for Iverson, they become a force to be reckoned with. But what the Nuggets need is a consistent power forward. Kenyon Martin’s game is declining every season. Now, the search for a premier power forward is going on for the Nuggets. When a right deal comes, no wonder they will pull the trigger and dominate the Western Conference next with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Bad Free Agent Signings?

Free agency is the most awaited time during offseasons in the NBA. All teams are eyeing to improve and fill the needs of their teams by signing free agent players. As one source reported, when signing goes down in the offseason, all we can do is analyze it and predict how we think it will be play out. No matter how great something can look on the surface until we see it done on the court, there's still a chance that it could not work out. With contracts being guaranteed in the NBA there's very little room for error. One bad contract can spell disaster for a franchise for many years to come.

This first quarter of the 2008-2009 season, here are the four major free agent signings that able team owners to scratch their heads of.

Monta Ellis, six-year $66 million deal (GSW)
Just in his third season, he became one of the NBA’s efficient scorers last season averaging 20 points per game. At first, it was a good signing that the Warriors needed. When Baron Davis left the Warriors for the Clippers, they decided to hold on to Ellis and extending his contract.

However, before the training camp started this season, Monta injured his ankle in a moped accident, a violation to his newly signed contract. The Warriors could have voided his contract and take back the $66 million contract extension. Instead of voiding it, they suspended him for 30 games realizing that he could get back where he left last season when he returned from injury. Now with Jamal Crawford is in town, after acquiring him from the Knicks for Harrington, the need for Ellis is now diminished compared what many expected from him this off-season. One contract signing the Warriors are regretting this summer.

Correy Maggette, five-year $55 million deal (GSW)
After Baron Davis shocked the NBA world in opting-out from his contract to sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, the Warriors had enough amounts to pry a coveted free agent. They courted Gilbert Arenas to play again for the Warriors, but the Wizards were able to offer Arenas the amount he wants. So they signed Maggette to a five-year deal.

At first, he was courted by the Boston Celtics, to fill the void of James Posey, and by the San Antonio Spurs to be the difference maker at the 3 position. While the money the Warriors were offering was too high to match by other teams, Corey pulled the trigger and signed with the Warriors. As of now, Maggette is down with an injury and has not been a major factor for the Warriors at 9-22 (win-loss). Now, not only the Warriors are thinking if they did the right decision this summer, also Maggette. He could have now playing his best season on a winning team and even on a championship-caliber team.

Gilbert Arenas, six-year $111 million deal (WAS)
Arenas accepted a less than maximum deal to remain a Wizard and giving the franchise a little breathing room and flexibility to re-sign Antawn Jamison. This off-season, everyone is excited that the Wizards can compete again for the Southeast Division title and go deeper into the playoffs now that their big three of Butler, Jamison and Arenas are back and healthy. But even their quest has not yet started, Arenas was forced to get his third surgery in two years at his left knee.

He targeted December 1 as a possible comeback date and even expected to be in uniform during a game at Cleveland this Christmas but remains on the shelf. Other sources are saying that Arenas and the team are seriously pondering whether to bring him back at all this season. Now the Washington Wizards are off to their worst start in their franchise history at 4-23. Their quest for this season is almost done and trying to regroup for the next season. Besides, they could end up drafting a promising rookie and help the big three to resurrect their winning ways.

Elton Brand, five-year $82 million deal (PHI)
The Los Angeles Clippers were hoping they will be a contending team by signing Baron Davis to pair with Elton Brand. Brand opts-out from his contract to get a max deal and almost agreed to remain a Clipper. Shockingly, he ended with the Sixers and signed a max deal for five years.

The Sixers were viewed to be the winner in this summer of free agency, able to land the piece they have wanted since Chris Webber was in uniform. They made the most impressive moves in order to compete with the best team in the east with the likes of Boston, Orlando and Cleveland. When the season started, the Sixers were slowly losing their identity they had built last season that got them to the playoffs – their up tempo style of play. With Brand, they become a half court basketball team that led to a 12-17 start. Brand is now out with a dislocated shoulder and could miss many games. Now the Sixers are wondering how Josh Smith could have been fit better with their type of play than Brand.

Next time, the trades that made teams regret this season.

Lots of Rumors

Felton and the Warriors

The Golden State Warriors is shopping for a guard and they have probably found one in Raymond Felton of the Charlotte Bobcats. In exchange, the Bobcats will acquire either Brandon Wright or Anthony Randolph. Both are low-post players, the difference is that Wright is a defensive type of a player while Randolph could be an impact player if paired with Okafor. But the Bobcats want Marcus Williams to be part of the deal, as the Bobcats would be without a back-up for Augustin if they delt away Felton.

Hill - J.J. Redick Swap? Another proposed trade is involving two former Duke spuerstars. Grant Hill played for the Magic before he sign a two year contract with the Suns. While Redick has not yet found his role with the Magic because of playing time. Besides, the two players want out of their respective teams, a source said.





Marbury and the World Champs

The exiled Marbury is now days away from a bought out contract from the New York Knicks according to major sources. Once bought out and clear waivers, he can sign with any team. But it's a playoff, championship caliber team he wants to sign with. Sources said that the World Champions are on the list of suitors of the superstar. Other teams include the Heat and Lakers. Phoenix General Manager Steve Kerr shuts down the speculation that the Suns want Marbury to be the back up point guard for Nash. Kerr said he has "zero" interest for the former Sun.



Dikembee to the Celtics?
Coach Doc Rivers confirmed yesterday the Celtics were interested in free agent center Dikembe Mutombo. But he predicted Mutombo would return to Houston according to the Boston Globe. He could be a back up center for Perkins and can boost the already defensive plays of the Celtics. Just like P.J. Brown, he help the the Champs to win their 17th Championship. They could repeat it again with the help of the defensive specialist.