As much as you will question the acquisition of Antoine Walker and the role he’ll play alongside Shaq and Dwyane Wade, you have to remember that they only gave up one player of significance, Eddie Jones, to get three guys who are all better than Jones in themselves. Antoine is the biggest question mark, having struggled before in a similarly lesser role in Dallas a few years ago. If he sticks to the things that Miami needs him to do, rebound, hit open shots, handle the ball from time to time, then he’s worth every penny. The biggest asset the Heat got from this deal is James Posey, who could fill and defend the small forward position a lot better than Jones last year with his size and, barring a setback from an earlier injury, mobility. Jason Williams replaces Damon Jones in the starting lineup. Williams is a great passer and could blossom alongside Wade if he keeps his head in check.
Sacramento Kings: Gained: PF Shareef Abdur-Rahim, G/F Bonzi Wells, PG Jason Hart Lost: PG Bobby Jackson, SG Cuttino Mobley
The Kings traded away a position they were strong at, point guard, for one which they are known to be thin at, shooting guard. Losing Mobley left a big hole and Wells could fill that in nicely. He doesn’t have as long a shooting range as Mobley, but he’s at least as good a scorer and a better defender. Wells is worth the departure of perennial sixth-man Bobby Jackson, who doesn’t get to play as much as he should anyway as long as Mike Bibby is a King. The biggest catch for the Kings though is PF Shareef Abdur-Rahim, who many thought would be a New Jersey Net until complications with his physical prompted the Nets to rescind the trade with Portland. After the fallout, Sacramento acted immediately and inked Reef to a deal. He isn’t as talented as Chris Webber, but he’s worlds better than incumbent starting forward Kenny Thomas, who moves to the bench.
Los Angeles Clippers: Gained: SG Cuttino Mobley, PG Sam Cassell
Lost: PG Marko Jaric, PG Lionel Chalmers, SF Bobby Simmons
Getting two players who are past their prime normally doesn’t make a team a winner. There are, however, exceptions. The Clippers needed to fill the void left by Sixth-man of the Year Bobby Simmons and did a nice job by getting Cuttino Mobley. Mobley is still a better player than Simmons, even at his age, and adds experience and three-point shooting. Sam Cassell, for me, is the key acquisition for this team. With Jaric gone and Shaun Livingston still developing, Cassell could be that stop-gap for a couple of years until Livingston is ready to take over. Not many teams can brag that their placeholder was an All-Star two years ago. Sam I Am is probably expected to mentor Livingston and provide playoff experience to that point guard spot. He still has a couple of years left in him and he can very well lead the Clippers to a playoff spot.
Cleveland Cavaliers: Gained: SG Larry Hughes, PF Donyell Marshall
Lost: PG Jeff McInnis
Adding one of the league’s premier multi-faceted swingmen to play alongside LeBron James could be the difference in making the playoffs. Hughes and James combine to form a formidable ball-hawking backcourt that could give opposing guards problems with their length and quickness. The weakness of this combo, though, is on the perimeter. Neither of them is a great shooter and combined with PG Eric Snow, it will be hard for the Cavs to hit shots from the perimeter unless they replace Snow with a guy like Damon Jones. The acquisition of Marshall helps the Cavaliers shooting problems. He’s a player who can extend the defense and hit open shots. He will help compensate for the Cavs’ perimeter players’ shooting weakness.