NBA's Offseason Moves - NBA Basketball News

NBA's Offseason Moves
By Mike Rothman
Posted 6:00 am PDT 2006-07-12

There has been a lot of movement in the NBA this offseason (although much of it can't be official until Wednesday), and some teams are clearly on the rise, while other teams are seeing their title hopes slip away. The Bulls may have stolen away Detroits mojo, and the Hornets, of all teams, are making big strides to be a playoff contender. With all the trades and free-agency signings already, there are a few definite early winners and losers.

Early Winners

Chicago Bulls

Last years top statistical defense in the NBA added last years top defensive player. Detroit's Ben Wallace reportedly has agreed to a four-year, $60 million deal with the Bulls. This gives the Baby Bulls just what they wanted, a cornerstone for their defense and their team. While Wallace is happy to join an up-and-coming team, he still feels remorse for leaving the team that made him great.

"I appreciate everything Detroit did for me and my family," Wallace said. "They gave me an opportunity to make a name for myself, and we had an opportunity to win a championship together."

Wallace was last seasons Defensive Player of the Year while averaging 11.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game, and now has four such awards for being the NBAs top defensive star. Wallace is tied with Dikembe Mutombo for the most seasons winning the award.

This is just one of those things. When you get a chance to sign a deal of a lifetime, it's tough to let it go, Wallace said.

Along with the acquisition of Wallace, the Bulls got LSU forward Tyrus Thomas in the 2006 NBA Draft. Many scouts call Thomas the best prospect in the draft, and it will help that he will now be schooled by Wallace. A few years of tutoring under Wallace, and this kid could be a star.

The Bulls didnt stop there. Chicago has reportedly agreed to deal center Tyson Chandler to the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for veteran forward P.J. Brown and shooting guard J.R. Smith. This move will leave the Bulls with type of cap room needed to sign some of their young stars to extensions. Chandler had five years and $54 million left on his contract, while averaging only 5.3 points per game for the Bulls in 2005-2006. Chandler was obviously not very surprised by the move.

It was just a matter of when and where, Chandler said.

Look for the Bulls to become top contenders to win the Eastern Conference in 2006-2007. They will be a popular play on futures bets at www.wagerweb.com.

New Orleans Hornets

Aside from getting Chandler, a player who could well blossom in New Orleans, in a trade from the Bulls, the Hornets have agreed to terms with three-time all-star Peja Stojakovic. The deal, reportedly five years, $64 million, will bring one of the most prolific three-point shooters to the Hornets. Stojakovic has hit more than 40 percent of his shots from behind the arc in his eight-year career.

"The Hornets are setting their cap room aside for Peja, and Peja is taking himself off the market," said David Bauman, Stojakovics agent.

Stojakovic averaged 18.2 points and 5.8 rebounds per game last season with the Kings and Pacers and will be a nice addition to a young Hornets team. Look to place a preseason wager to see the combination of Stojakovic and point guard Chris Paul in the 2007 playoffs.

Atlanta Hawks

I cant believe I am calling a floundering franchise like Atlanta a winner so far in this offseason, but I am. First, the Hawks drafted Duke star Shelden Williams with their fifth overall pick in the draft. Williams is a solid pick and will add interior presence to a team that desperately needs it. This is a safe pick. Williams might not be a star in the NBA, but he will add points and rebounds while not being a project, either.

Next, The Hawks filled another need by agreeing to terms with point guard Speedy Claxton. The Hawks will be giving Claxton, who averaged 12.3 points and 4.8 assists last season, a deal for four years worth about $25 million. The youth of this team will be a good match for the five-year veteran.

"I think it's a good fit," Claxton's agent, Bill Duffy, said. "Speedy likes the fact you have a bunch of young legs, and they need leadership. This is a team that's definitely on the rise."

Losers

Detroit Pistons

The Pistons obviously took a big hit by losing their key defensive player in Wallace, but they were already on the decline. They did add San Antonio center Nazr Mohammed, but he wasn't even on the floor for the Spurs much against Dallas because of his lack of speed and quickness.

Furthermore, the Pistons arent getting any younger and lost Wallace to a Central Division rival. Their three top stars, Rasheed Wallace, Rip Hamilton and Chauncey Billups average almost 30 years of age. The team was already beginning to doubt the leadership of coach Flip Saunders after last years disappointing loss to the Heat in the playoffs, and now it loses its defensive captain. Look for a down year for the Pistons as they look to find a new identity.

New York Knicks

I had to throw the Knicks into the equation. The first mistake they made was not getting rid of new head coach Isiah Thomas. This man has singlehandedly ruined their roster. Now the Knicks are stuck with both Steve Francis and Stephon Marbury in their overpriced backcourt. The smart man in all this mess was former coach Larry Brown, who gets to walk away with likely a ton of money and not have the ulcer that comes from coaching this bunch of underachievers.

"I'm not getting into any of that. I'm just trying to move on with my life," Brown said.

Move on Larry, move on.

Next, Thomas used the Knicks' first first-round pick on South Carolinas Renaldo Balkman, who has already shown signs of not being fit for the NBA. Balkman, who wasn't expected to go until late in the draft's second round if at all, has already sprained his knee and ankle with New York. Balkman averaged just 9.6 points per game last year for the Gamecocks. Bet on the Knicks to have much of the same success in 2007 as they had in 2006: none.

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