Spurs, Hawks, and Raptors All Improve Before the NBA Trading Deadline

The NBA trade deadline has come in gone. Teams have made their last efforts to improve themselves to make runs deep into the playoffs. Let's assess three deals that did not involve the big name, but will make a big difference come playoff time.

1) Spurs Acquiring Kurt Thomas from the Super Sonics

The deal between the Spurs in Sonics was as follows: the Spurs acquire Kurt Thomas and the Sonics acquire Francisco Elson, Brent Barry, and the '09 first round draft pick.

The Spurs were in desperate need of adding depth to their frontcourt. While, they have two-time league MVP Tim Duncan, who is averaging 11.3 rebounds per game (according to spurs.com), the Spurs do not have anyone else on the team averaging more than 5.3 rebounds per game. Fabricio Oberto is the player who is recording that stat, and he is currently the Spurs starting center. However, during the 2007-08 season Thomas is averaging 7.5 points and 8.8 rebounds in 25.2 minutes while shooting .513 (139-271) from the field. He has earned 39 starts in 42 games while with Seattle. Thomas is a great addition to the Spurs as he provides an important low post presence to couple with Duncan. Watch out for the Spurs in the Western Conference for the rest of the season.

On a side note, it is nice to see the Sonics acquiring an extra first round pick and the veteran Barry. He provides leadership and a threat from downtown while the pick allows the Sonics to continue their rebuilding phase.

2) Hawks Acquiring Mike Bibby from Sacramento

In a previous article, "Atlanta Hawks Trading Deadline Report" (http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/592305/atlanta_hawks_trading_deadline_report.html), I noted that the Hawks needed to acquire a point guard that could should three pointers. The article breaks down that teams with higher three point shooting percentages are often more successful than teams that don't. The Hawks needed to replace the efficient but poor outside shooter Anthony Johnson, for another point guard that could shoot threes without giving up any of their key starters. Somehow, they were able to do just that. The deal was:

Hawks Get: Mike Bibby

Kings Get: Anthony Johnson, Tyronn Lue, Shelden Williams, Lorenzen Wright, and a 2^nd round draft pick in this years draft.

Bibby has seen limited action this year, only 17 games, but has made 28 three pointers, good enough for 1.68 per game. In his career, Bibby is a .371% shooter from behind the arc--very solid for the amount of threes he attempts.

The Hawks are becoming a scary team with this huge addition; they are going to wreak some havoc in the Eastern Conference.

3) Raptors Acquiring Primoz Brezec from Detroit

Raptors Get: Primoz Brezec

Pistons Get: Juan Dixon

Brezec has been a big non-factor both this year and last year. It is interesting to see the Raptors go after the big man. However, the move makes perfect sense. The Raptors have plenty of depth in their backcourt while Chris Bosh is their only true presence down low. Bosh is averaging just under 10 rebounds per game; second on the team is Jamario Moon with 6.2. According to NBA.com, this statistic is almost identical to the two year average Brezec put forward when starting in Charlotte in the '04-'05 and '05-'06 seasons. The big man is capable of putting up those numbers again if he gets considerable time, and he can help take some of the pressure off of Bosh.

Toronto currently sits at the number four spot in the Eastern Conference. This deal could help the team make a run to face the Celtics or Pistons in the Conference Finals.

All of the deals have been made now for the 2007-2008 season. The three that have just been analyzed seemed miniscule to the 11 player, 3 team blockbuster deal that went down just before the deadline--Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden will now call Chicago home while Ben Wallace and Joe Smith were acquired by the Cavs in case you were wondering. But, these little ones are usually the types of trades that make a big difference when a team makes a deep playoff run. Teams were looking to fix weaknesses and add depth. All we can do now is sit back, and enjoy the last two months of the regular season.

More information:

www.nba.com/sonics/
www.nba.com/pistons/
www.nba.com/raptors/
www.nba.com/kings/
www.nba.com/spurs/
www.nba.com/hawks/