Any one of the top seven teams in the Western Conference has a legitimate chance to win the NBA championship this season and it’s impossible to overlook the Oklahoma City Thunder – a team that’s not even among the aforementioned seven – that that could get in and be a threat. The race for the top seed and whether or not the Thunder get in will keep the playoff picture interesting until the end as teams continue to try to add the right pieces.
A lot of teams started early, not waiting until the trade deadline to fire their shot with the latest being the Memphis Grizzlies and their acquisition of Jeff Green. It’s been a busy season for trades in the NBA and there are sure to be more.
Rajon Rondo – Dallas Mavericks
Grade: A
Many experts considered the Mavericks to be an excellent regular season team that didn’t have what it takes to win in the playoffs. That perception changed when they acquired start point guard Rajon Rondo. Rondo has averaged 11.1 points and 8.2 assists in 11 games with Dallas since he joined the club as the pure point guard the team had previously lacked.
There is no doubt he could help take this team to another level when the postseason rolls around. Dirk Nowitzki, Tyson Chandler, Monta Ellis, and Chandler Parsons all benefit from having Rondo on the floor creating looks for them and playing tough defense. The Mavericks deserve full marks for addressing a need and best of all, they didn’t give up that much to get him. He makes their starting five quite scary and if he’s a fit,
Jeff Green – Memphis Grizzlies
Grade: A-
The Grizzlies are another team that identified a major need and went out and addressed it. Their offense was the weakness on a championship-caliber team and the addition of Jeff Green will hopefully lead to an extended playoff run. The Grizzlies had to part with Tayshaun Prince and Quincy Pondexter, but those aren’t players that will change a series at this point in their careers. However, Green can be a true game changer as the offensive force Memphis has lacked on the wing over the past couple of years. The Grizzlies needed to add offense to a core that already features Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph and Mike Conley, and even though he hasn’t played a game for them yet, the fact they were able to add exactly what they needed without losing any major pieces is nothing short of impressive.
Josh Smith & Corey Brewer – Houston Rockets
Grade: B-
No team has added more new faces this season than Houston, as they have already introduced 10 new pieces that weren’t on the roster last season. Trevor Ariza and Jason Terry have been effective, and you have to appreciate what the Rockets have done adding to their depth by bringing in Smith and Brewer. Neither one of those players will carry Houston come playoff time but their ability to provide Kevin McHale with quality minutes off the bench while serving as insurance in case of injuries makes them smart additions for the Rockets.
Brandan Wright – Phoenix Suns
Grade: D+
The Suns are the eighth seed in the Western Conference right now but holding off the Thunder and New Orleans Pelicans will be difficult. While it’s good for the team’s moral to pick up Wright, it isn’t the type of impact move that will boost their stock. Phoenix expects Wright to help provide depth down low and be a solid defender off the bench, but trading a first round pick for a player that won’t be a game changer down the stretch limits how strong of a move this is. If it was the final piece of the puzzle, then sure. However, this likely doesn’t move the needle for them or change the fact that they’ll either miss the playoffs or very likely lose in the first round.
