Trade Restrictions for Recently Traded Players

No Reacquiring:
Teams cannot reacquire a player that they traded during a given season (July 1- June 30) unless the player has been waived.

This rule was put in place to block teams from trading a player to make the salaries work with the understanding that the team would then release that player, so he could be resigned by his original team.

However, if a team waits thirty days, then they are able to reacquire that recently traded player. For instance, in the current proposed trade between the Nets and Mavericks, Jerry Stackhouse will immediately be bought out by the Nets, then will sit out for thirty days, and then will resign with the Mavericks.

On February 24, 2005, Alan Henderson was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks along with Calvin Booth for Keith Van Horn. The Bucks then waived Henderson the following day. On March 1, 2005, he re-signed with the Mavericks.

This also occured in a situation with Gary Payton. Like Henderson, Payton was also traded on February 24, 2005 to the Atlanta Hawks in a deal that brought former Celtic Antoine Walker back to Boston. The Hawks then waived Payton immediately following the trade, and he returned a week later to Boston as a free agent. Payton started all 77 games he played for the Celtics and they won the Atlantic Division before losing in the first round to the Indiana Pacers.

Trade/Claim:
If a team is over the cap and receives a player in a trade or claims a player off of waivers, they cannot trade the player in combination with other players for 2 months. The player can be traded by himself.

Some current examples of this include: Pau Gasol, Shaquille O'Neal, Kwame Brown, Shawn Marion, Marcus Banks, Stromile Swift, Jason Collins, Javaris Crittenton.

Philadelphia Moving Andre Miller?

Andre Miller is one of the most steady point guards in the NBA, averaging at least 13 points per game and 6 assists per game for every season since his second year in the league. Miller is stuck on a team that lacks talent and experience and most likely will not be participating in the playoffs this season. The 76ers have a handful of nice, young players, but are not ready to win yet.

With that in mind, it appears like Philadelphia will be looking to trade him before this years deadline. Miller is scheduled to make $9,366,666 in 2007-08 and $9,999,000 in 2008-09.

Here are a few teams that would be interested in him and have the assets to get him:

Orlando
Pat Garrity ($3,818,750, 1)
Carlos Arroyo ($4,000,000, 1
James Augustine ($687,456, 1)

Atlanta
Tyronn Lue ($3,500,000, 1)
Anthony Johnson ($2,860,000, 1)
Josh Childress ($3,631,449, 1)

Lakers
Trevor Ariza ($3,100,000, 1)
Javaris Crittenton ($1,285,200, 2)
Sasha Vujacic ($1,656,951, 1)
2008 first round pick

Denver
Anthony Carter ($770,610, 1)
Eduardo Najera ($4,952,380, 1)
J.R. Smith ($2,134,067, 1)
2008 first round pick

Cleveland
Miller & Louis Amundson ($687,456, 1)
for
Ira Newble ($3,441,900, 1)
Eric Snow ($6,703,125, 2)
Shannon Brown ($1,044,120, 1)

Each one of these trades would allow the 76ers to make a splash next season on the trade front of free agent market. Among the bigger names who will become restricted free agents next summer are Emeka Okafor, Luol Deng, Josh Smith, Andre Iguodala and Ben Gordon. Gilbert Arenas, Ron Artest, Corey Maggette, Shawn Marion, Jermaine O'Neal, Baron Davis, and Elton Brand are all eligible to opt out of their contracts as well to become free agents.

With a season that looks like it could be a wash and Willie Green and Louis Williams currently in the fold and needing a legitimate look to be the point guard of the future, the 76ers should look to trade Andre Miller.

Observations on Rockets @ Lakers - 10/30/07

Last night, I watched the Houston Rockets open their season in Los Angeles against the Lakers. All week, there has been discussion around Kobe Bryant and whether or not he will continue to force a trade out of Los Angeles.

Here is the boxscore from last night's game:
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/boxscore;_ylt=AhLqHhTyqnNLGQi8kUst.sU5nYcB?gid=2007103013

My observations:
-Hiring Rick Adelman as the head coach of the Rockets was a great move. He will bring more innovation to Houston's offense and they will take advantage of the team's personnel. Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady are in the prime of their career and it would be a waste for them to continue to play in a slow-down, pull-the-ball-out type of offense.

-Shane Battier is a perfect fit in Adelman's offense. When Houston plays Battier at power forward, he brings a great deal of versatility that fits very well with the rest of the team. His ability to pass the ball - ala Chris Webber - could be the key to their offense running smoothly.

-The fact that Yao Ming's scoring average has improved every year of his five-year career is something that probably does not get enough attention. The key for him this year will be to stay healthy for the majority of the season. The last two regular seasons he has missed a combined 61 games.

-It may take Adelman awhile to figure out who will fit best at point guard with the team's new offensive philosophy. Rafer Alston is currently the starting point guard, but he makes too many bad plays and struggles to properly run his team's offense in the half court game. Mike James is much more of a shooting guard and Luther Head has never shown the ability to play any position beyond shooting guard.

-Mike James could end up fitting in perfectly with Adelman's team as long as its at the off guard spot. Like Bobby Jackson did in the past with his Kings teams, James can come off the bench and score in bunches. As an undersized shooting guard, he takes advantage of his speed and quickness and can be instant offense.

-It wouldn't suprise me if by the end of the season, neither Alston or James is the teams' starting point guard. Adelman may give Aaron Brooks a chance at some point during the year. Trading for a point guard may be the end solution for the Rockets to take the next step.

-Bonzi Wells looked noticeably thinner and ready to play this season for his former coach. If he can get back to the way he played in the 2005-06 season, it would be a real boost for Houston. He provides a great deal of versatility by being able to post up smaller defenders and rebound terrifically.

-Bryant certainly seemed to want to silence his critics lsat night as he score 53 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and had eight assists, two steals, and a block. As they showed last night on the broadcast, in games where Bryant scored at least 40 points last season, the Lakers went 13-5. Perhaps Bryant scoring almost a half of his teams' points may be the key to the Lakers success this season.

-The Lakers roster is severly flawed by my account. They have too many hustle-type guys and not enough talent. Guys like Ronny Turiaf, Jordan Farmar, and Cobe Karl work hard, but should not be playing on a nightly basis. However, some may put Luke Walton into that category, but I really like what he does for the team. He is a terrific passer, works hard on defense, and can even post up a bit.

-I think Phil Jackson should consider getting Javaris Crittenton some playing time. I recognize this was only the first game of the season, but Crittenton is a big guard who I think would look great next to Bryant. Ideally, I think you would have Crittenton starting the game and playing significant minutes and finishing the game with Derek Fisher in his spot on the floor. Fisher obviously has been there before and can hit big shots, but at this point in his career, should not be playing 30+ minutes per night.

-That game winning shot by Shane Battier took a lot of guts and was taken very deap. It would have been great to have seen this game gone into overtime and watch what Bryant would have done then. I'm guessing he would have finished with 60 points or so and the Lakers would have won on opening night. Hats off to Battier for playing great all night and hitting a really tough shot to win the game.

Western Conference X-Factors

After looking at the Eastern Conference X-Factors, the Western Conference has a handful of players that are equally important to their team. An X-factor is a player on a team who will largely help a team towards success or failure.

Dallas Mavericks: Devin Harris
For the Mavericks to get back to the NBA Finals, Harris needs to move up a step in the league's group of point guards. The Mavericks are at their best when Harris is distributing the ball and Jason Terry slides over to the shooting guard spot.

Denver Nuggets: Kenyon Martin
Martin is coming of a loss year due to injury, and the Nuggets could use a consistent scorer next to Anthony and Iverson. A big year from Martin could mean a long run in the playoffs for the Nuggets.

Golden State Warriors: Stephen Jackson
Jackson played his best late last season and the Warriors need him to do the same all year in 2007-08. With Jason Richardson being traded during the offseason, the Warriors will certainly look to Jackson to pickup the lost production.

Houston Rockets: Mike James
The Rockets will look for James to push Rafer Alston at the starting point guard spot. James' ability to score from the perimeter will also benefit the Rockets off the bench, which is something they struggled to get last season.

Los Angeles Clippers: Al Thornton
With Elton Brand lost for a majority of the season, the focus will be on the 2008-09 season. Thornton's progress in his rookie season will be vital to the Clippers success in the years to come.

Los Angeles Lakers: Javaris Crittenton
The Lakers hope that Crittenton can be ready to start at point guard by mid-season. Crittenton is a big point guard, who can do things that no other point guard that the Lakers have.

Memphis Grizzlies: Darko Milicic
The Grizzlies have a number of good, young players in Mike Conley, Rudy Gay, and Keith Lowry. However, they are thin in post players that can score outside of Pau Gasol. If Milicic can provide consistent post scoring, then the Grizzlies rebuilding process will be a big success.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Gerald Green
Although still young, Green has now played two seasons in the NBA. Now with Minnesota, Green needs to have a strong season in order to remain as one of their core, young players. Minnesota knows what they will get in Randy Foye and Al Jefferson, but Green may be the wildcard here.

New Orleans Hornets: Rasual Butler
Butler will compete with Morris Peterson for time at shooting guard. Butler is the taller of the two and provides greater upside than Peterson. With a strong core of players in Tyson Chandler, Peja Stojakovic, Chris Paul, and David West, Butler would be a strong, versatile player if he can play at a high level this season.

Phoenix Suns: Boris Diaw
Coming off a disappointing season, Diaw needs to rebound with a year similar to 2005-06. The Suns are in need of Diaw to provide the offensive versatility and rebounding that he once brought them. If Diaw can play at a high level, then the Suns can afford to play Marion, Diaw, and Stoudamire at the same time. If not, Grant Hill will have to fill Diaw's role and the Suns will have to play smaller.

Portland Trail Blazers: Travis Outlaw
With Oden and Randolph off the team this year, Outlaw needs to provide the scoring that Portland will be missing. Outlaw played well at the end of last season, but needs to do that all season in 2007-08.

Sacramento Kings: Francisco Garcia
Garcia needs to have a strong year similar to what Kevin Martin had last season. Garcia played his best at the end of last season, but needs to continue to develop his all around game. As a long-armed, tall guard who can play three positions, he has the ability to become a very versatilite piece for the Kings.

San Antonio Spurs: Ime Udoka
A player in the mold of Bowen, Udoka will be expected to defend the opponent's top scorer. As the Spurs only significant addition from last year, Udoka will most likely play an important role in the playoffs this season.

Seattle Supersonics: Robert Swift
In his third season, Swift will get every opportunity to win the starting spot for Seattle. Swift has struggled to avoid injuries during his career, but Seattle will rely on Swift to provide defense and rebounding. Swift will compete with Chris Wilcox, Nick Collison, and Kurt Thomas for minutes - all of whom are proven commodities.

Utah Jazz: Andrei Kirilenko
With Kirilenko playing at his best, the Jazz have one of the most talented starting five's in the league. Kirilenko brings great versatility and arguably the best defensive player in the league. However, when he plays like he did towards the end of last season, Kirilenko is the most overpaid player in the NBA. A good year from Kirilenko means that Utah will compete for the championship.

College Basketball's Super Freshman

Last college basketball season, thirteen true freshmen in the BCS conferences averaged more than ten points per game with a minimum of 22 games played.

1.) Kevin Durant, Texas, 25.8
2.) Greg Oden, Ohio State, 15.7
3.) Spencer Hawes, Washington, 14.9
4.) Brandan Wright, North Carolina, 14.7
5.) Deonta Vaughn, Cincinnati, 14.5
6.) Javaris Crittenton, Georgia Tech, 14.4
7.) D.J. Augustin, Texas, 14.4
8.) Thaddeus Young, Georgia Tech, 14.4
9.) Wayne Ellington, North Carolina, 11.7
10.) Edgar Sosa, Louisville, 11.4
11.) Mike Conley, Ohio State, 11.3
12.) Ty Lawson, North Carolina, 10.2
13.) Ryan Anderson, Nebraska, 10.1

Of the thirteen players listed above, the top four players plus Crittenton, Young, and Conley all entered the draft this year and were picked in the first round. The other six players will surely be counted on for even more scoring this year for their respective teams.

Here is a look at each of the six current college players who will surely look to be a future NBA first round pick:

Deonta Vaughn, PG/SG
Vaugn ins a 6'1", 200 pound combo-guard from Indianapolis. The Bearcats guard started slow in his first year, but came on quick after that. With big games against Xavier, North Carolina State, South Florida, Georgetown, Louisville, Notre Dame, and Seton Hall, Vaughn made a nice impression in the conference in his first season. This season, the Bearcats hope to have a better season, which may mean Vaughn's scoring will go down. Vaughn is an outstanding shooter with strong ballhandling skills. His passing ability at the point guard will be important to develop as he looks towards the NBA. For a guard, Vaughn has excellent strength and has shown great competitiveness and toughness.

D.J. Augustin, PG
Augustin is an undersized point guard standing 5'11" and weighing 175 pounds. Augustin, a New Orleans native, played his best in big games last year against Oklahoma State, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, and Kansas. Augustin started every game at point guard for Texas in his first season and was named to the second team All-Big 12 team. Augustin takes care of the ball well and plays at very high speeds. His explosiveness, quick hands, and court awareness allows him to excel at the point gaurd position. As Augustin gets more experience, he will become a better passer and will run his teams offense more effectively. Perimeter shooting is the next big thing that Augustin needs to focus on. Augustin's quickness and explosive first step allows him to beat up on defenders. Playing next to Kevin Durant, Augustin mastered the ability to penetrate into the lane and then pass out to an open teammate.

Wayne Ellington, SG
A natural scorer, Ellington will be relied on to take a bigger role this season with North Carolina. Coach Roy Williams will look for more consistency this season. Ellington had some great games last season (Ohio State, Kentucky, Wake Forest, Maryland, Florida State), but struggled in several critical one's (Gonzaga, Duke, Michigan State, Georgetown). He can score from the perimeter off the dribble, pulling up, or going right to the basket. Ellington has great body control and gets to the foul line at a strong rate. Creating for his teammates to score is another skill Ellington posseses. He doesn't have ideal NBA size, but is talented enough to play in the league. Defense will be an important aspect for Ellington to improve. In order to guard NBA shooting guards, he will need to shore up that aspect of his game. Ellington has good strength and finishes well at the basket in college basketball, but will need to add some for the NBA.

Edgar Sosa, PG/SG
Sosa is a hardworking guard originally from the Dominican Republic and now resides in New York. Sosa stands at 6'1" and 175 pounds and had a strong freshman year finishing second on his team in points per game and assists per game. In Louisville's first six games, Sosa averaged double figures in five of them. Sosa played his best game in his teams tournament game against Texas A&M. In that game, Sosa scored 31 points included fifteen for seventeen from the free throw line. Sosa still has a great deal of work to do to become a first round pick. He needs to become a better distributor and work on his shot selection. Based on his dimensions, Sosa will strictly be a point guard in the NBA. To get to this level, he will need to show that he can lead a team and run an offense.

Ty Lawson, PG
Lawson is an accomplish, undersized point guard who played high school basketball at Oak Hill Academy in Virginia. Lawson stands at 5'11", 193 pound Maryland native, who played in the McDonald's All-American. Lawson is super quick and has a great ability to change speeds. He penetrates well and finishes effectively around the basket. Lawson has good court vision and keeps his turnovers to a minumum. During last season, Lawson made strides in becoming a strong perimeter shooter. Last season, North Carolina really went as Lawson went, which was shown in key losses (Gonzaga, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Georgia Tech, Georgetown) and significant wins (Duke, Boston College, Michigan State). This season, Lawson needs to become a better free throw shooter and develop more of a mid-range game. He needs to become more consistent from the perimeter to make up for his small frame.

Ryan Anderson, SG
Anderson is a 6'4", 195 pound shooting guard who comes from Seattle, Washington. Anderson shoots the ball well from the perimeter, but was overlooked by a handful of teams from the northwest. Anderson started the season strong, but was very inconsistent during Big 12 play. In twelve pre-Big 12 season games Anderson played in, he scored double figures in seven of them, including 19 against Creighton, 17 against Rutgers, 15 against Oregon, and 29 against Hawaii. Anderson needs to look to be more of an effective passer in the upcoming season. He shot a very high percentage, especially from the free throw and three point line, which he will need to maintain. Nebraska will look to improve on their 17-14 record from last season, and Anderson will certainly be a big part of this.