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The Orlando-New York Debacle

Steve Francis for Penny Hardaway and Trevor Ariza

Orlando made out like a bandit in this deadline deal. They dumped a very unhappy Francis on New York, and got rid of his inflated contract as well ? he will still have three years and almost $50 million dollars remaining on his deal after this season. The Magic will be able to wipe Francis?s salary off the books, and the salary of Penny Hardaway whose contract expires at the end of the regular season.

In addition to the incredible financial relief, the Magic also picked up a promising young talent in Ariza. The second year player out of UCLA has seen limited action as a Knick, but should see more consistent time as a member of the Magic.

On the other hand, I feel the Knicks made another Isiah Thomas-led mistake. The arrival of Francis to play alongside Stephon Marbury will give New York one of, if not, the best backcourt in the league. However, it?s also one of the most unstable tandems in the NBA. Francis turned a lot of people in the league off when he demanded to be traded by the Grizzles after they drafted him 2nd overall in the 1999 Draft.

The trade gives the Knicks a great amount of talent to spread among their guard positions. They now have Francis, Marbury, Quentin Richardson, and Jamal Crawford under contract. Add Jalen Rose to that list, as he often prefers to be played as a guard rather a forward. The Knicks may be stacked on the perimeter, but their lone inside presence is Channing Frye.

This trade will have a negative effect on Orlando?s already dismal 19-34 record, but it will help them a great deal next season as they will be able to attack the free agent market heavily this summer.

As for New York, I believe Francis may help them win a few more games, but his arrival won?t give Knick fans any more hope for a playoff berth this April. They are more than ten games out of the Eastern Conference?s final playoff spot, and unless the ?Land of Misfit Guards? can gel immediately, they?ll finish the season somewhere around where they are right now. The cellar.

Grades:
Orlando ? B+, financially sound deal
New York ? D+, Isiah should be counting the days

The New Jersey-New Orleans Swap
Marc Jackson and Linton Johnson for Bostjan Nachbar

The Nets made this move for one reason. In the event that the Chicago Bulls release forward Tim Thomas, New Jersey is now under the tax level and would be able to acquire Thomas without penalty. I don?t expect Nachbar to receive much of a role on a talented New Jersey roster.

However, the Hornets made this move in order to fortify their frontcourt. In Jackson, New Orleans acquired some much needed size and strength to contend in the rough-and-tough Western Conference. This move will pay big dividends to the Hornets if they hold on and surprise people by making the playoffs this spring.

It?s a smart move for both teams, New Jersey didn?t rely heavily on Jackson, or Johnson for that matter, and the Hornets needed some interior presence. Should the Bulls cut Thomas, and the Nets are able to sign him, both teams would get exactly what they wanted out of this deal. New Orleans gets a slightly higher grade, because the Nets still need to get Thomas before they?re entirely satisfied.

Grades:
New Jersey ? B-, can they get Thomas?
New Orleans ? B+, made moves for the postseason

The Four-Way Watson Deal

Seattle gets Earl Watson and Byron Russell from Denver, Portland receives Voshon Lenard from Denver and Brian Skinner from Sacramento, Denver gets Charles Smith and Ruben Patterson from Portland and Reggie Evans from Seattle, and Sacramento gets Sergei Monia from Portland and Vitaly Potapenko from Seattle

Whew.

Watson had been mentioned in trade rumors for what seems like decades, so the fact that he was dealt to Seattle isn?t all that big of a shocker. Seattle adds a defensive minded point guard in Watson, who can share time with young Luke Ridnour. They also receive an expiring contract in Byron Russell, and were able to send Potapenko?s $3.3 million dollar contract to Sacramento in order to take on Watson?s $5 million dollar salary.

Portland picks up a great shooter, that?s unfortunately past his prime, in Voshon Lenard. However, the reason they picked up both Lenard and Skinner was because of their expiring contracts. The best part of this deal for Portland was being able to ship troubled Ruben Patterson and his $6.3 million dollar contract to Denver. This gives them a great amount of financial savings.

Denver gets impact players in Reggie Evans and Ruben Patterson, which can help Carmelo and Co. try to hold on for a playoff spot. Right now they hold the third seed because they are leading the Northwest Division, but if Utah, only 2.5 games back, catches the Nuggets they could fall out of the playoffs altogether.

Sacramento takes on more of a financial burden in acquiring Potapenko and Monia, who each have one year remaining on their contracts, and trading Skinner, whose contract is up at the end of the season. However, the move brings some inside help for center Brad Miller in Potapenko.

Grades:
Seattle ? B, they got who they wanted in Watson
Portland ? B-, another good financial move
Denver ? B+, added nice pieces to insure playoff future
Sacramento ? C-, won?t benefit from this swap

The Six-Team Man Trade

Houston ships Derek Anderson to Miami in exchange for rookie Gerald Fitch

Anderson will suit up for his sixth team when he makes his Heat debut within the next few days. The Rockets, who have been trying to trade Anderson ever since they acquired Keith Bogans from Charlotte last week, receive rookie Fitch who will fill the back-up point guard role behind Rafer Alston.

Miami makes out better in this deal, getting an experienced shooter in Anderson who averaged 10.8 points per game for Houston in twenty appearances following several injures. They add yet another weapon to their already loaded roster, and only had to give up a seldom-used rookie in return.

The deal must also involve exceptions from both teams, because when I ran it through RealGM.com?s Trade Checker, it was denied due to Miami being over the cap.

Grades:
Miami ? B+, adds a proven scorer
Houston ? C, the season?s over either way

The Welcome Back Nailon Trade

Philadelphia trades Lee Nailon and a 2006 second-round pick to Cleveland for a conditional second-round pick

Nailon, who has been rather disappointing for the Sixers this season, hasn?t played in over a month after being arrested following a domestic dispute. He played a short time for the Cavaliers during the 2003-2004 season, and averaged almost eight points a game in 22 appearances.  

The Sixers basically are cutting their losses after signing Nailon. He hasn?t worked out at all in Philly, and sending him to Cleveland gets rid of the bad karma and negative energy following his arrest.

Grades:
Philadelphia ? B-, maybe moving towards improving the team image
Cleveland ? B+, they get a decent role player and a pick for virtually nothing

Cleveland Flips Out

Seattle sends Ronald ?Flip? Murray to Cleveland for Mike Wilks, a second-round pick, and $500,000

Cleveland is making it known that they feel they can contend in the Eastern Conference right now. After adding Lee Nailon they add Murray, a nice complementary scorer. Flip was averaging almost ten points a game for the Supersonics, and will be expected to provide energy and scoring off of Cleveland?s bench.

In exchange Seattle received bench-warmer Mike Wilks, a second-round draft pick, and $500,000 in cash. The move is a good one for Seattle which has had a disappointing season thus far. They receive another body, a draft pick, and everyone?s favorite asset ? cash.

Grades:
Cleveland ? A-, they get help off the bench to contend in the East
Seattle ? B+, gets good value for Murray in this deal

Andrew.Perna@RealGM.com