Trade Deadline Has Passed

Sure, the big names weren't moved, but that doesn't mean there was no excitement on Deadline Day 2013.  Between the Rockets kicking things off with a steal, the Bucks getting their shooter and Boston getting a scorer, there's plenty to break down from the day's trade wire. 

   

Kings Bizarrely Trade Robinson

   The most poorly-run team in the NBA made by far the worst trade of the season, sending out Thomas Robinson, the fifth pick in last year's draft, for the combo of Patrick Patterson, Toney Douglas and Cole Aldrich. Why would a bad team give up on a highly-drafted rookie so soon? Only the Maloof brothers can know. 

   This deal is great for the Rockets as well as Robinson. He will benefit from the fast-pace of Houston, and should be able to develop a post game, since his coach had some of the best post footwork of all-time. Houston gets a talented athlete in Robinson and his relatively cheap rookie deal will not hurt their declared summer pursuit of Dwight Howard. 

   For Sacramento, only Patterson figures to play meaningful minutes. His departure from Houston may leave a bit of a hole that Robinson's game is yet unable to fill. Toney Douglas will be just another point guard in a very crowded Sac-town backcourt. And Cole Aldrich probably won't play, which is consistent with his career. 

   Deals like this are why the Maloofs should sell their team to Seattle. Because if the Kings management wasn't already a joke. Surely they are now. 

Bucks Nab J.J. Redick

   Josh Smith may have been the best player with the most trade talk, but Redick was the best player who was a virtual lock to get dealt. A shooter who can play decent defense on an expiring contract who plays for a lottery team will always be mentioned in trade rumors, and Redick is exactly that. He now moves to the in-playoff position Bucks where his points will mean something.               

   In exchange, the Magic get two young guys in Tobias Harris and Doron Lamb, as well as Beno Udrih. But they don't get the first-round pick that they reportedly wanted. Redick may wind up as merely a two-month rental for Milwaukee, but this trade makes them better and also increases their chances to sign him this summer.   

   How will Redick fit in with Monta Ellis and Brandon Jennings? That looks to be an up-and-down scenario. It's no secret that Ellis and Jennings enjoy shooting the ball, but Redick will need his shots too. After all, that's why they got him. Expect the transitional speed from the shot-taking tandem to get Redick open looks and, if nothing else, he provides floor spacing.                                   

Celtics Get Jordan Crawford

   The other Celtic to tear his ACL, aka Leandro Barbosa, has been moved. He and Jason Collins are off to Washington in exchange for occasional volume scorer Jordan Crawford. How will this impact both teams?

   It's likely that Barbosa will never play a game as a Wizard. He's hurt for the season and is on an expiring contract, so really, he brings Washington some cap relief. Collins will take his backup center role with him to the Wizards, who have been markedly better (especially defensively), since John Wall returned. His return definitely plays into this trade. With Wall and Bradley Beal as must-starts in the backcourt, there was little room for Crawford and his questionable shots. 

   In Boston, Crawford may struggle to find shots and playing time on a bench with Jason Terry and Courtney Lee. While many of the issues Crawford had in Washington will go away on the veteran Celtics, this trade still leaves Boston with a thin frontcourt. Collins played good defense when KG needed rest, and now that duty falls to someone else. 

   In the end, the Celtics will still grind their way into the playoffs and the Wiz will still be playing the lottery.