Big Trades Usher in NBA Off-Season
Less than two weeks after the Cleveland Cavaliers have been crowned the 2016 NBA champions, several teams have already initiated big trades to usher in the off-season. The 2016 NBA Draft is just around the corner and some teams are gearing up for 2016-17. The New York Knicks have acquired former MVP Derrick Rose from the Chicago Bulls. The Knicks send over center Robin Lopez, Jose Calderon, and Jerian Grant; while Chicago trades Justin Holiday and a 2017 second-round pick as part of the Derrick Rose package.
New York has been aching for a suitable point guard to quarterback their offense for the entirety of the 2015-16 season. Rose fits the bill and will join Carmelo Anthony and Kristaps Porzingis as the core players of the team. After a few knee surgeries, Rose has been a shadow of his former MVP-self, but the Knicks are gambling that he still has something left to offer and is capable of a bounce-back season. The Knicks are not likely done with their off-season moves and will be shoppers in the free agency market. The team is looking to fill their frontcourt with a quality free agent. Options open to them are Dwight Howard, Joakim Noah, or Al Horford.
In a separate transaction, the Indiana Pacers, Atlanta Hawks, and Utah Jazz engaged in a three-team deal. The Pacers receive Jeff Teague from the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks are banking on the growth of Dennis Schroder to take of the starting point guard duties. The Pacers have been after a more prototypical point guard for a few seasons now and Teague could be the missing piece to the puzzle. Utah receives George Hill from the Indiana. The young Jazz squad get a reliable veteran in Hill and he should be able to help out Gordon Hayward with the playmaking duties. The Hawks are rebuilding and take a step in that direction by receiving the No. 12 pick in the upcoming 2016 NBA Draft from the Utah Jazz. Teague had a lackluster 2015-16 season, but has recently divulged that he was playing with a torn patellar tendon and has addressed the injury with surgery. If he can return to his older form, it looks like the Pacers are the winners in this deal.