Christmas is a season of giving and receiving, marked by get-togethers with family and friends, maybe co-workers. Maybe it's just me, but this sounds like NBA GMs making moves to me. While these trades are unlikely now, as the deadline is not until February, keep an eye on similar moves as the deadline gets closer and a greater number of teams are established as contenders or pretenders.
Milwaukee Gets: Rodney Stuckey, Jonas Jerebko
Detroit Gets: Monta Ellis
Ellis and Jennings have not fit well as a tandem. Stuckey is not an ideal fit next to Jennings, but a change of scenery, coupled with a full time transition to the 2, could help Stuckey realize some of the potential that Detroit saw in him. At 6'5" he has better size to play the 2 than the 6'3" Ellis. In Detroit, Ellis could be a perimeter scorer that Detroit needs, and take some pressure off of the developing Brandon Knight by handling the ball some. Its not an ideal fit, but he fills a role better than Stuckey has. Jerebko gives Milwaukee yet another combo forward in the mold of Ilyasova, but he is the type of player John Hammond might like to see in a rotation.
Boston Gets: Dorell Wright, Royal Ivey
Philadelphia Gets: Courtney Lee
Boston and Philadelphia should make the playoffs, but they are on the outside looking in at this point. Boston could use outside shooting that Lee has been unable to give. They miss Ray Allen a lot. Wright is a solid outside shooter and decent defender. Ivey gives them an additional ball-handler if Rondo has issues. In Lee Philadelphia gets a perimeter defender that is desperately needed. Holiday and Turner are both better on the offensive end, and Lee in the starting unit would fit better than either Richardson or Young provide. Maybe starting would boost Lee's confidence to the point where he can score efficiently again too.
Toronto Gets: Pau Gasol, Steve Blake, Antwan Jamison, future rd.1 (lottery protected)
Lakers Get: Andrea Bargnani, Jose Calderon, Ed Davis, Linas Kleiza
This trade just makes too much sense for both teams. Toronto has desperately needed a post scorer since Bosh left. Valanciunas could still become the guy, but he is still 2 or 3 years away. Gasol has 2 years and 39 million left on his large contract, but he is still one of the best scorers down low, as evidenced by his solid play in the Olympics for Spain. Being a go-to guy for Toronto would help Gasol return to stats similar to 18-10. Blake and Jamison would give them needed veteran role players. In D'Antoni's system, 3 point shooters are needed, and they get 3 in Bargnani, Calderon and Kleiza. Bargnani would also leave the paint open for Dwight Howard to play his game. Calderon is a massive upgrade over Blake, and gives the Lakers some insurance in case Nash has a setback. Ed Davis has improved a lot in Toronto, and gives the Lakers a better big man off the bench than Hill can offer.
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