Tags: Heat, Hornets, Jazz, Lakers, Mavs, NBA, Rockets, Spurs, Suns

I was asked to grade the notable NBA deals as of late by a reader. I thought this to be a grand idea, as it gives me more content, makes me look important, and as well all know anyways, Tsarist Opinion Reigns Supreme…

Breaking it down in chronological order…

Kyle Korver to the Utah Jazz

Disregard the title of this post and the analysis of this deal, as it superseded the Gasol deal. Nonetheless, it is noteworthy and warrants inclusion.

I wonder why Korver gets all the publicity and this isn’t known as the Gordon Giricek trade. Dude is averaging 3 and 1 since joining Philly, people!

Anyways. Yeah… Korver is white and can shoot the ball. With the fall of the Turkish empire (read: Mehmet Okur forgot how to play basketball), another outside threat and 10 PPG was big. Plus they gave up a stiff. Plus did I already mention he’s white? This is Utah… it works.

Grade: A

Pau Gasol to the Los Angeles Lakers

The blockbuster. The steal. The perfect fit. The one that set the bar. The one that struck fear into the hearts of the West. The one that started the chain reaction. The one that I already blogged about the moment it happened.

Grade: A+

Shawn Marion to the Miami Heat
(NOT Shaq to the Suns)

I describe this as the Marion deal and not the Shaq deal, as Marion was the best player involved in this trade.

The deal does make sense for both parties. Shaq gives the Suns championship experience and may or may not get them over the hump. The Suns definitely seem to be in win-now mode. Lets not forget that Steve Nash isn’t getting any younger either, so this may be a roundabout push at the championship. However, Shaq is old, slow, and will likely just drag the team down. As of today, the Suns are off to a 1-2 start in the Shaq era, including an absolute disassembly by the Pistons. It is a championship caliber move, albeit an overly risky and panicky one, obviously countering the championship caliber move the Lakers pulled off.

Miami, meanwhile, has unloaded a monster contract that seemed to be eating away at them. They get one of the most athletic guys in the league and create an interesting young nucleus of Dwayne Wade and Marion. It would take a miracle to salvage Miami’s season at this point, and there is much further revamping of their roster to do, but this is definitely a step in the right direction.

Ultimately, this may pan out, but for the time being…

Grade Suns: C
Grade Heat: A

I’m tired and need a drink. Editing of blunders and Part Deux tomorrow.

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