The theory snow-balled with the trade-deadline deals, where once again small-market teams were left in the dust of superstars heading out. In both the 'Melo and D-Will deals the other team did not get devastated, in fact in Denver's case they may have even gotten better. Nonetheless, the players on those teams are now expendable, which Carmelo Anthony and Deron Williams were not (more info in other posts about these trades).
Even as the trade deadline has passed, there are a few deals that may have just gone before the deadline that could once again make smaller markets weaker. The Oklahoma City Thunder dealt Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic to the Celtics for creepy-looking Kendrick Perkins and his little sidekick Nate Robinson. The only way this deal makes sense is because the Thunder probably thought Green was leaving in free agency this year, despite being a restricted free agent (there will be more insight in another post about this trade).
Another deal that may go through that was recently reported is the OJ Mayo for Josh McRoberts deal. Though there is a first-round draft pick in the mix, this year's draft class is nothing to make deals over. Once again, you take a young talented player from one of the smaller markets and send him to well...another smaller market. Ok the only reason I bring this deal up is because there is no way Indiana is getting kicked out of the league. Indiana is the basketball Mecca of the United States, so the Pacers are sticking around. Having OJ Mayo on there squad suddenly makes them a contender (just found out that this deal isn't going through, but it still would have been BS)
I just found out about this deal...Gerald Wallace to Portland for basically draft picks? Deeper analysis on a different post but this also proves my theory. Portland is another team that is not going anywhere because after Seattle left the NBA needs some coverage in the Northwest, but Charlotte gave up their ONLY young(ish) talented player. This seems like an eerie flashback to when they dealt Emeka Okafor.
The Cleveland Cavaliers made a move today getting rid of Mo Williams for a possible top-ten draft pick and the un-tradeable contract of Baron Davis. Mo Williams was the only guy left on that roster with any value, andddd he's outta there! (There will be more analysis in other posts)
So what is my final conclusion? Teams like Cleveland, Toronto, Charlotte, maybe Memphis and Oklahoma City in the future, are all going to be victims of an NBA contraction. Think about it, out of all the teams, these five are probably the smallest in the NBA. The first three have really no future in store for themselves. They could really eliminate these three teams right after this season.
Now how would that get done? Good question. Honestly, you could set up one team in a major city, how about San Diego? Its the 8th largest city in the US. It would also give the cast of Sportscenter endless Anchorman references during highlights.
Then just have an expansion draft from those three teams. From three really bad teams you could make one solid team. Andrea Bargnani, Stephen Jackson, Antawn Jamison...ok even with those three teams you cannot even build a great team (those three really suck), but at least they have a chance. And give 'em all the draft picks those three teams should have had. Whatta ya know, I am a San Diego fan already.
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