One down, what's next?

Sometimes the NBA doesn't make sense and right now I am still trying to come up with how the Magic trade really made them that much better. They give up Vince Carter (to Phoenix) and Rashard Lewis (to Washington) and a few others and netted Gilbert Arenas and a few spare parts.

Gilbert Arenas won't be wearing a
Wizards Jersey anymore after today's
trade to the Orlando Magic.

I question this because Vince Carter was the highest on the Magics +/- with 153 and nobody else is really close. I'd compare it to Arenas' but it's the Wizards and I don't think that is fair. When you look at two player combinations Carter is a part of almost all of the top duo's on the team. And Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis are #4 on the team with +85.

Seems like a complete panic move and really doesn't put the team in that much better of a position and locks them up with a lot of huge contracts.

And man do I feel sorry for Steve Nash, so close to the Finals last year and now they've dismantled the team.

So what happens the rest of the way? I don't think the Suns are done. Not by a long shot. I expect to see Nash traded by the deadline. I also think we'll see Detroit make a move and trade either Tayshon Prince and/or Rip Hamilton.

Oh and let's not forget about 'Melo.

So let's start with the obvious. How does New York get Carmelo Anthony?

First they need to get another first round pick. Rumor has it that they can get one for Anthony Randolph. Done. Whatever team it is. Done.

Next the team graciously takes 'Melo from Denver, giving up three first rounders (two 2011 and one 2012) and giving up Eddy Curry's expiring deal and Timofey Mozgov for Carmelo. Works with the ESPN Trade Machine. I think Denver would do something as small as this, because they realize that Melo is gone and they are quietly moving into panic mode and would want to get anything as opposed to nothing out of their franchise player. I don't see the Nets staying in the Melo game if they aren't 100% sure that he will sign a long term deal to stay with New Jersey.

Will Steve Nash end the season playing
for the Suns?

Next I think we'll see Steve Nash be dealt. Where? Once the Knicks have went out and gotten Melo I think their next move is to go out and land Nash. I don't think the trade would take too much, Raymond Felton and Roger Mason and a second rounder or two and I think we'll have another "Big Three." ESPN Trade Machine.

Seems like a legit New York move and something that would not only bring them back into the basketball world, i.e. the Amar'e signing, this might actually give them a shot at the Title.

This next trade is a bit out there, but don't ever put anything past Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. The ESPN Trade Machine shows us something as simple as Andre Iguodala for Caron Butler. The 76ers need to make more playing time for Evan Turner and Butler has an attractive expiring contract. This would give the Mavs a play maker and would allow Dirk to play as more of a secondary option and be the recipient of many open shots because of the attention that AI2 attracts. Otherwise if that deal is not to Cuban's liking we could see a trade with Charlotte who is rumored to be shopping Gerald Wallace, the Trade Machine shows this deal works with Butler as well. The Mavs would likely have to add draft choices to get Wallace. Either of these trades make Dallas a much better team and might give them the chance to beat out LA.

Next up there has been a lot of speculation about my Utah Jazz and Andrei Kirilenko. While I feel that AK47 will end up being with Utah through the end of the year, I think that Utah would make a trade if they felt it helped their team. Tayshaun Prince and Rip Hamilton have been linked with potential trades and this one works out and saves Detroit money, although this would require Utah to step up with the check book. ESPN Trade Machine.

With such big names on the market and many teams looking to either improve or cut spending this winter will be unpredictable and exciting.

Millsap takes his talents to South Beach

You might all remember when King James declared he'd be "Taking his talents to South Beach" on the ESPN Special "The Decision".

Tonight LeBron did just that, his first Triple-Double as a member of the Miami Heat and 29th of his career. Unfortunately for the Heat LeBron's 20 points, 11 rebounds and 14 dimes and Wade's 39 points and 6 rebounds was not enough.

Tonight it was Paul Millsap who brought his talents to South Beach, with a career-high 46 points and 9 rebounds Millsap lead the Jazz to a huge second half comeback and 22 point deficit to beat the Big Three. Millsap had 11 points in the last 30 seconds, including three three pointers and a last second put back to force overtime.

Jazz PG Deron Williams was 9-15 with 21 points and 14 dimes, but missed overtime after fouling out.

A big motivator for the Jazz's improbable second half come back was SG Raja Bell's halftime speech where he reminded the Jazz what was at stake, Utah was getting embarrassed in a game many predicted them to lose. source

While Millsap may have made more three pointers tonight then he has in his entire career (2-20 before tonight) he has been draining 3's during summer workouts, leading Star PG Williams to ask Paul to take them during games.

Al Jefferson, Utah's big get this summer after losing All-Star Carlos Boozer this summer, did not play well tonight and was not played much in overtime. One wonders if he is not meshing well with the team? Or if some of his losing habits in Minnesota have not allowed him to reach his potential with the team.

The Heats three losses have come to teams with elite PGs, New Orleans, Boston Celtics and tonight the Utah Jazz.

Regardless, this was a huge win for the Jazz who have struggled early in the season. Jerry Sloan is a great coach and I am looking forward to seeing the Jazz play twice this week on ESPN.

Get your Paul Millsap jersey's here.

I remember playing NCAA 06, Louisiana Tech - National Champs. Thanks Paul!