Three NBA Trades That Make Sense...At Least To Me

The Lakers trade Pau Gasol and Metta World Peace to the Warriors for Harrison Barnes, Andris Biedrins, Richard Jefferson, Draymond Green, and Charles Jenkins

Lakers Rationale: The Gasol situation has reached the point of no return. It's time to get as much as possible for him, and Barnes - the number seven pick in the 2012 draft - would be a great get.

Warriors Rationale: Golden State has surprisingly jumped out of the gate to a great start. Giving up Barnes hurt, but with Gasol in the mix, this team can make a serious run.


The Pistons trade Tayshaun Prince to the Clippers for Lamar Odom

Pistons Rationale: Detroit needs to identify the players that will help them get back to the promised land. This roster clearly is not built for success, and it's time to build around Greg Monroe, Brandon Knight, and Andre Drummond and basically clear any other long-term obligations and blow up the rest of the roster. They can buy Odom out and save even more money.

Clippers Rationale: Caron Butler should not be getting as much playing time as he is, and Prince does a little bit of everything. They are getting no production from Odom anyway so why not try to do everything possible to make a run this year and convince CP3 to stick around.


The Pistons trade Rodney Stuckey to the Blazers for Luke Babbitt, Elliot Williams, Victor Claver, and Nolan Smith

Pistons Rationale: Rid themselves of Stuckey's $8.5m deal next season and get to work out four former first round picks - all in the last year of their contracts - that aren't seeing any time in Portland. Maybe one of these lotto tickets hits.

Blazers Rationale: Portland's bench is scoring a league worst 15 points per game. Stuckey can lead the second unit, give Damian Lillard some rest so he doesn't hit the rookie wall as soon as expected, and give them some bench scoring. He has shot the ball poorly this year, but his career numbers suggest he is better than this. Seems like a worthwhile risk for a team hoping to sneak into the playoffs.



Tell me why I'm an idiot.