Break the Curse

Gradebook: 22 most influential off-sesason moves(Part 2 of 4)

17 Anderson Varejao re-signs with the Cleveland Cavaliers (6-yrs, $50m)
I love the energy and defense that Varejao provide, but I just don’t see worth 50 million dollars.  Varejao whined and cried his way into an absurd contract.  I do think it is necessary for the Cavs to keep Varejao but I am sure he would have settled for less.  Imagine if Lebron leaves Cleveland.  Now they are stuck paying a PF who can’t score for another 5 years.  I do rather have Varejao than Gortat since he can play more minutes during crunch time.

Grade: D+ (Cleveland Cavaliers)

16 Charlotte Bobcats traded Emeka Okafor to the New Orleans Hornets for Tyson Chandler
Saving money is currently in style in the NBA, so the Hornets and Bobcats want in.  On the court, I think Okafor and Chandler are very similar players.  Okafor is a little smaller and might have trouble with tradition big centers (Shaq, D.ho, Perkins).  I believe Chandler’s stats will never approach that of 2007-08 simply because he will never play with Chris Paul again.  Both are good defensive center that can rebound and finish around the basket.

Grade: B- (Charlotte Bobcats), B- (New Orleans Hornets)

15 Trevor Ariza signs with the Houston Rockets (5-yrs, $34m)
Here is Ariza’s number from last season, by far his best: 24 mins, 46% shooting, 32% from 3pt, 4.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.7 steals, 8.9 points.  So over 5 seasons, his highest scoring average is still less than 10.  From this, I am having a hard time seeing how Ariza can make much of a difference.  This is not to mention that he is a terrible three point shooter.  He went on a ridiculous hot streak during last season’s playoff so people forget that he is a career 30% 3pt shooter.  I know the Lakers were really high on him and some even designate him as the Kobe successor, but I really don’t see him as much of a scoring threat.  Sure he can play defense, but he also plays the same position as Shane Battier.  And Battier can shoot the 3.  Ariza is nothing more than a complementary player and no where near the level of Ron Artest.  He cannot be a franchise player type.  I do think the contract is fairly valued, but what are they going to do with Battier’s contract?  So now the Rockets are back to where they were 2 seasons ago, but with Yao and Tmac both two years older.

Grade: B- (Houston Rockets)

14 Charlie Villanueva signs with the Detroit Pistons (5-yrs, $35m)
CV31 had a breakout season in 2008-2009, averaging 16 points and 6.7 rebounds in just 27 minutes of play.  He should be expected to at least reproduce his stats from last season since he is only 24 and will be a full time starter this season.  I think CV31 will get his stats but not sure how well he can help the team.  A starting frontline of Kwame and CV would not really excite me if I was a Pistons fan.  I think this is an extremely good deal for Detroit in monetary terms.  It is a good addition only if you discount the fact that he is replacing Rasheed Wallace.

Grade: B (Detroit Pistons)

13 Ben Gordon signs with the Detroit Pistons (5-yrs, $55m)
Personally, I have always disliked Ben Gordon.  Besides being able to score in bunches, he contributes nothing to the team.  BG is a terrible defender and a lazy one at that.  He not only turns the ball over a ton but also makes terrible decisions with the ball.  The pistons are going to live with his terrible shot selections.  Gordon can carry a team when he is hot but whatever he contributes in the offensive end, he gives it back on defense.  He was a malcontent in Chicago because he had to come off the bench.  He never really embraced the role of coming off the bench, but he will have to live with it now that he signed with the Pistons.  I am not sure how long BG will be content as a 6^th man.  The contract is also quite big for BG.  For that kind of money, the Pistons could’ve gotten someone who can actually defend.  Add to the fact that the Pistons gave up Chauncey for Iverson who now turns into BG.  Joe Dumars is really going down the wrong path.

Grade: D (Detroit Pistons)

12 Paul Millsap re-signs with the Utah Jazz (4-yrs, $32m)
Millsap might be a undersized power forward but he certainly can rebound.  He is the only player in NCAA history to win the rebounding title three consecutive years.  Just that alone shows that he is a very hardworking player and can provide energy to the team.  I really like this deal especially the Jazz allegedly was going to give Millsap five years and $50 million.  Experts say that Millsap cannot replace Boozer as the starting forward.  I disagree.  Although Boozer is an all-star and what not, Millsap is a much better two way player.  Certainly Millsap doesn’t have Boozer’s offensive repertoire yet, but the Jazz still has plenty of firepower sans Boozer.  Guys like AK and Okur will get a few more touches without Boozer.  Boozer averaged 21 points 2 seasons ago when he was healthy.  Given the same playing time, I am confident Millsap can reach 17ppg.  If you count the room for improvement and his defensive hustle, there is really no drop off.  I am not just pulling this out of my ass either.  The Jazz went 26-19 last season when Boozer was out.

As I have already mentioned, the Jazz got Millsap for a good price and Boozer is still with the team.  Now, if they convert Boozer into a decent guard or good backup big, that will really boost the Jazz’s chances this season and in the future.  This is not to mention Carlos Boozer has only played 60% of all the possible games he could’ve played in with the Jazz due to injuries.

I also want to add that Paul Millsap went to Louisiana Tech University.  Guess who else went there?  Karl Malone.

Grade: A (Utah Jazz)

11 Jason Kidd re-signs with the Dallas Mavericks (3-yrs, $25m)
Not much to say here besides the fact that the Mavs had to resign Kidd.  Without Kidd, the Mavs would be utterly horrible.  They traded their future away (Devin Harris) to get Jason Kidd.  They gambled for the title and it didn’t work out.  At this age, Kidd cannot stay in front of anyone on defense, but he can certainly still direct a fast break.  Unfortunately, they have Mr. NO-WIN and well… they won’t win with him.

Grade: C+ (Dallas Mavericks)

10 Golden State Warriors traded Jamal Crawford to the Atlanta Hawks for Acie Law, Speedy Claxton
I see both sides of the argument on this trade for Atlanta.  Surely Crawford will provide enough fire power off the bench.  However, I am not sure Crawford will even be as effective as Flip Murray was last season.  If it works out, Crawford/Bibby/Johnson is a scary offensive backcourt combination.  The Warriors save a lot of money with this trade and gain a possible valuable young PG in Acie.  Whether he plays or not, that’s for Don Nelson to decide.

Grade: C+ (Atlanta Hawks), B+ (Golden State Warriors)