2008 NBA Trade Deadline: Gambling Perspective
by Vegas Sports Informer - 02/19/2008
Thursday is the NBA trade deadline and so far we've had some huge NBA blockbuster trades. But for some odd reason I do believe we could see two or three more trades that could affect playoff seeding and gambling trends. Let's face it, I'm looking at all of these trades, NBA rumors, and shop talk and I'm wondering how will this affect my NBA betting and handicapping.
Here are some NBA Trades that have already happened:
Mike Bibby goes from Sacramento to Atlanta for Anthony Johnson, Tyronn Lue, Lorenzen Wright, Shelden Williams and a 2008 second round draft pick. (Gambling Perspective) Bet against this Kings team and they are probably not done unloading players, which is a sure sign they are giving up on this season and looking towards the future. For Atlanta, this is a huge trade for playoff seeding and watch out for the Over/Under they post for this Hawk team. I'm looking to bet the over now for the Hawks.
Shaquille O'Neal goes from Miami to Phoenix for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks (two former UNLV Rebels). (Gambling Perspective) For Miami this trade helps them next year and frees up much-needed cap room. I'm still looking to bet against this Heat team that has trouble on both offense and defense. Phoenix, on the other hand, gets slower but maybe the big guy down low will control the middle. Look to bet the under. Could get some soft numbers on Phoenix as the media thinks the Diesel is empty.
Pau Gasol goes from Memphis to the Los Angeles Lakers for Kwame Brown, Jarvis Crittenton, Aaron McKie, the rights to Marc Gasol, and a 1st round pick in 2008 and 2010. (Gambling Perspective) Look for the Lakers to need the rest of the season to gel and get used to playing with each other. The second half all depends on Kobe's fingers and Bynum legs. Memphis will be a bet against team for the rest of the 2007-08 season and probably next year also.
Here are some Trade Rumors that I'm hearing around the NBA Trade Deadline:
(New Jersey) Jason Kidd to Dallas for Devin Harris, DeSagana Diop, Trenton Hassell, Maurice Ager, and the contract of Keith Van Horn. This trade will probably be finalized by the time this article comes out. (Gambling Perspective) Improves Dallas just a bit but for the Playoffs. I'm looking to bet against the Mavericks because now their bench is weak and they lost a ton of size with DeSagana Diop now gone.
(Philadelphia) Andre Miller to either Denver, Houston or Cleveland. (Gambling Perspective) Houston and Cleveland to me looks like the smart trade. For Houston this would give them another scorer and for someone who bets a lot of totals I would love this trade to Houston. I just don't see Cleveland making any trades to make King James happy or the team better.
(Sacramento) Ron Artest to the Denver Nuggets. (Gambling Perspective) For the Kings it's all about rebuilding and for the Nuggets it's all about competing in the Western Conference. This trade looks good to me on the defensive side of the ball, if the Nuggets play the Lakers or the Spurs you know Artest will be the go-to-guy on defense.
(Chicago) Too many names on this list! Chicago is looking for anybody to take Ben Wallace and his contract off their hands. Ben Gordon and Chris Durhon are now out there as a possible trades and I would be surprised to see no trades for the Chicago Bulls.
(Memphis) Mike Miller to either Cleveland or New Jersey. (Gambling Perspective) This trade would be huge for the Cleveland Cavaliers. This would make Cleveland a top team in the East and I would say this could get them back to the Eastern Conference Finals. This would also help Cleveland in scoring because he would take some pressure off King James. If Cleveland makes this trade happen and they will be a covering machine in the East.
Other names out there that I'm hearing in trade rumors are:
NY Knicks Eddy Curry to anybody who wants him. NY Knicks Zach Randolph to possibly the Denver Nuggets. Indiana Pacer Jermaine O'Neal but not many teams will be interested because of his weak knees. LA Clippers Sam Cassel to Boston, Cleveland or Miami. This Cassel trade makes sense for the Boston Celtics. Golden State's Michael Pietrus to the Miami Heat. Nice trade for the Heat if they can make this happen. This last trade rumor I heard Monday night is a good one. The Lakers trade Lamar Odom to Washington for Caron Butler. The Lakers make this trade and it would give them a free ride to the Western Conference Finals.
Thursday should be a very interesting day in the NBA.