State of the NBA after a week of Free Agency (and trades)

The landscape of the NBA has changed much like when I’m playing“Association” mode in NBA 2K12. Pre-draft, draft day and post draft trades, as well as free agents staying with their old club or going to new teams highlight this NBA off season.

From high draft picks hopefully changing a team’s fortune, to old players being traded to provide stability and finally All-Stars changing addresses or re-upping with their old teams, all these make us NBA fans excited (well it depends on who you root for) for next season. It has a promise to even surpass the hype the previous lockout shortened season generated.

The point guard position so far has been the most wanted opening for all teams as they either look to acquire young, athletic and scoring hybrids or the classic pass-first, team leader the position was originally meant to be. After the Deron Williams domino fell and resigned with the Brooklyn Nets other teams began to scramble to find the next coveted floor general.

Here are the transactions as of July 5, 2012. Please note that not all these are official (especially the free agent signings) until July 11, when the league allows free agent contracts to be signed.

1. Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza (NO) for Rashard Lewis and second round pick (WAS)

Okafor and Ariza goes to the Wizards

- This trade kicked off the player movement for next season as two established defensive specialists Okafor and Ariza go to the Wizards for often injured shooter Lewis who was never a good fit in Washington. This makes sense for both teams as the Wizards are stockpiling their roster with veterans (starting with Nene last season) to give their team some stability, Lewis likely gets bought out by the Hornets to create cap room and parlayed the second round pick to Kentucky’s Darius Miller.

2. Chase Budinger (HOU) for first round pick (MIN)

Chase Bud will head to Minny

- The Rockets were trying to collect assets for a major trade for Dwight Howard so they got this pick from the Wolves. Their plan failed as Dwight apparently wants to go to the Brooklyn Nets only and specifically stated that if traded to another team, he will explore free agency the following season. Houston nabbed versatile Kentucky forward Terrence Jones with this pick.

3. Corey Magette (CHA) for Ben Gordon (DET) and protected future first rounder

Maggette and Gordon switch teams

- The Pistons and Bobcats swapped players assumingly for need. Detroit needed to get rid of disappointing Gordon and Charlotte dealt the oft-injured Magette. This fills the Bobcats need of adding a scorer off the bench and the Pistons get another player who can play and defend multiple positions.

4. Samuel Dalembert and the 12^thoverall pick (MIL) for Jon Leuer, Shaun Livingston, Jon Brockman and the 14^thoverall pick

Sam now mans the middle for the Bucks

- This trade was another one of Houston’s attempt to land trade assets for Howard but ended up with multiple draft picks. The Rockets get UConn’s Jeremy Lambat #12 and the Bucks nab UNC’s John Henson at #14 to complete this draft day trade.

5. Kevin Garnett ($ 34M) and Andre Miller resigns with old teams for three more years

KG will still have three more years to try to win another ring

- Two battle tested veterans decided to give their mother clubs another shot by re-upping for three more years each. KG and Dre were both rumoured to switch addresses but was the quickest to sign new contracts with old clubs. KG will continue to man the shaded lane for the C’s and Miller will continue mentoring up-and-comer Ty Lawson.

Andre Miller is back for three more years of back-up duty

6. Omer Asik (CHI) signs offer sheet (3 year, $ 25.1M) with the Rockets – Bulls likely not matching

Asik will back up Joakim Noah no more

- Centers are a hot commodity nowadays because there are just a few of them who like to bang bodies in the paint and do the dirty work inside. Houston (again?) is another team looking for someone to man the paint with the retirement of Yao Ming last season, possibly letting starting center Marcus Camby look for a new team and trading Samuel Dalembert. Asik is someone they took as consolation after quitting the pursue of Dwight Howard and hopes that coach Kevin McHale can transform the relatively young big man into an effective one that Houston can rely on for years to come.

7. Lamar Odom (DAL) to LAC, Mo Williams (LAC) to Jazz in a four team trade

LO is back where he started, with the Clips

- In a deal that Dallas (or Odom’s agent) initiated, they finally get rid of troubled forward Lamar Odom. In a four team trade, the Clippers sent guard Mo Williams to the Utah Jazz. Utah will use the trade exception it created in the Mehmet Okur deal with New Jersey this past season to take on Williams' contract. Dallas will create anew trade exception worth $8.9 million by shedding Odom's contract(which they initially lost to the Lakers for the Lamar Odom trade) without taking any salary back. The Mavs also received the draft rights to forward Tadija Dragicevic from Utah and cash considerations from the Houston Rockets. The Clippers sent the draft rights to second-round pick Furkan Aldemir to Houston. Utah also received the draft rights to Shan Fosterfrom the Mavericks.

Mo Will is back to start for the Jazz as well

8. Roy Hibbert offer sheet (4 year, $ 58M) from Portland

Hibbert's big play last year translated to a big contract offer

- A deal that is reported that the Pacers is thinking twice to match, another big dude is getting a huge payday after being offered a max deal by the Portland Trail Blazers. The Blazers are pretty much looking to move on after the Greg Odenera (their latest big man bust) did not pan out. The Pacers are actually in talks with UFAs Chris Kaman and Ian Mahimni as possible replacements for Hibbert.

9. Team Option on Vince Carter exercised ($ 3.1M for 2012-2013) by Dallas

Vince returns for another tour of duty with the Mavs

- The Dallas Mavericks exercise their team option on veteran Vince Carter for the 2012-2013 season to fill their vacant off-the-bench scorer role left by Jason Terry (story on this later)

10. Blake Griffin accepts extension for 5 year $ 95M from Clips, Chris Paul doesn’t

CP3 and Blake may not be wearing the same unis after next season

- As expected the Clippers offered extensions to their two biggest stars. As expected, Griffin accepts the extension and Paul does not. It was wise for Paul to do so as he would like to wait and see the full potential of this young Clippers team in a full season before committing himself to Lob City long term.

11. Eric Gordon accepts offer sheet from Hornets worth $ 58M for four years

Rising star Gordon wants to play for the Valley of the Sun

- RFA Eric Gordon has expressed his interest to play for the Phoenix Suns and even said that he feels that Phoenix is where his heart wants to stay. It has been reported that the Hornets will be matching any offer for their young superstar in order to pair him with top draft picks Anthony Davis(1^st overall) and Austin Rivers (10^thoverall).

12. Gerald Wallace re-ups for $ 40M for four years

Wallace will remain a Net for four more years

- After losing the 6^th overall pick in this year’s draft because of the Gerald Wallace trade last season, the Nets have successfully resigned the defensive specialist they need to stop the elite scorers in the NBA.

13. Joe Johnson (ATL) traded to the Brooklyn Nets for expiring contracts and a first round pick

Joe J will be heading to Brooklyn next season and beyond

- The Nets traded Anthony Morrow, Jordan Farmar, DeShawn Stevenson, Johan Petro, Jordan Williams and the Houston Rockets 2013 first-round pick, which is lottery-protected, to acquire Joe Johnson from the Atlanta Hawks. This move actually solidified the Nets stance to make it back to the East’s elite. Related D-Will story below

14. Marvin Williams (ATL) and Devin Harris (UTA) trade

Williams and Harris switch teams for next season

- In another deal that new Hawks GM Danny Ferry was doing to clear cap space to eventually make a run at Dwight Howard next year and make incumbent superstar Josh Smith happy, they traded two bad years of Marvin Williams (an underachieving player for most of his career) to the Utah Jazz for one bad year of Devin Harris. Oh, and Harris gets traded for another Williams again.

15. Mirza Teletović agrees to a three-year, $15.675 million deal with the Nets

Introducing Mirza Teletovic, power forward for the BKN

- Bosnian forward Mirza Teletović is a 26-year-old power forward who averaged 17 points and 6.2 rebounds for Caja Laboral in the Spanish League. Teletović won the Spanish King's Cup MVP in 2009 and figures to be a major contributor for the Nets. This move could signal the end for Kris Humphries, as Humphries will either be let go or dealt in a sign-and-trade deal.

16. Deron Williams stays at Brooklyn for 5 year, $ 98M

D-Will stays in Brooklyn to usher the start of a new era in Nets basketball

- As stated earlier, DWill was the prime block in free agency that when his domino fell the player movement started like crazy. He spurned the Dallas Mavericks offer to play in his hometown and team up with superstar Dirk Nowitzki. I guess he did the right thing as the Nets are primed to get back to the East elite after obtaining Teletovic, Wallace and Johnson.

17. Landry Fields (NYK) to Raptors in a 3 year, 20M deal

Fields goes to the Raptors

- In their attempt to strip down New York of its trade assets forSteve Nash, the Raptors decided to give Fields a deal he cannot refuse and the Knicks will not match. Too bad Nashy spurned Canada’s team for Hollywood (story below)

18. Jason Terry (DAL) to the Celtics for 3 years, 15M

From Big D to Beantown. The Jet will land in another runway next season

- Boston needed to get someone to come off the bench and back-up promising combo guard Avery Bradley, the C’s sign Jason Terry and ensure they have a scorer off the bench since Ray Allen is likely leaning towards taking his talents elsewhere (update below). This marks the end of JET’s 8-year run in Dallas with Dirk Nowitzki.

19. Rudy Fernandez (DEN) back to Real Madrid for 3 years

Rudy gets to wear his first name at the back of his jersey while playing for Real Madrid

- The Spanish League is happy once more as their prodigal son Rudy Fernandez returns to play for his home country professionally. Terms were not disclosed but it was believed that Fernandez is the current highest paid player in the Spanish League after a so-so NBA career in Portland and Denver.

20. Michael Beasley (MIN) to the Suns in a 3 year, $ 18M deal

Talented but troubled forward Beasley goes to Phoenix

- Talented but inconsistent Beasley was not offered a qualifying offer by the Wolves. The Suns wasted no time in nabbing this dude from the UFA market in order to add scoring and athleticism to the aging Suns.

21. Spencer Hawes stays a Sixer with a 2-year, 13.1M deal

Hawes will remain the man in the middle for Philly

- Philly keeps their starting center after a good playoff run last season.

22. George Hill re-ups with hometown team Indiana

George Hill remains with hometown Indiana

- A 5-year deal with no figures yet is being finalized by Pacers management for homegrown talent Hill.

23. Hasheem Thabeet (POR) to Thunder in a 2-year deal

OKC will try to remove Thabeet's bust label

- OKC looks to try the Thabeet experiment. I would consider the Thunder management the best one in the NBA should they be able to turn the former 2^nd pick from bust to baller.

24. Steve Nash (PHO) traded to Lakers for trade exception and picks

Foes no more, Kobe and Nash will now team up in Tinseltown

- The Lakers and Suns agreed on a sign-and-trade sending Steve Nash to Los Angeles, where he will be given a three-year deal worth an estimated $27 million. The Lakers, well over the salary and luxury tax levels, can absorb Nash into the trade exception created when they dealt Lamar Odom to Dallas last December. Phoenix will receive four draft picks from the Lakers -- a pair of each in the first (2013, 2015) and second (2013, 2014) rounds. I still can’t believe that the Suns let him go to a conference rival.

25. Goran Dragic (HOU) to the Suns for 4 years, $ 30M deal

Dragic is back to run the Sun's offense in a starting role

- Dragic was the third point guard to come off the market after the DWill and Nash recruitment plans were deemed unsuccessful. Ironic that Goran gets signed by the team that traded him last two seasons ago for Aaron Brooks.

26. Jeremy Lin (NYK) mulling Rockets offer (4 year $ 30M, 4^th year player option)

Where will Lin land? We will find out soon

- The “poison pill”contract everyone is talking about, but it seems that the New York Knicks will match any offer for their prized point-guard/ media darling. Especially now that they have someone to back him up and teach him the ropes (related story below).

27. Jameer Nelson re-ups with the Magic, terms of deal not disclosed

Jameer will still run the Magic offense

- With or without the assurance of playing alongside his friend Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson decides to stay with the Magic.

28. Jamal Crawford (POR) to LAC with a 4 year $ 25M deal, Chauncey resigns for one more year

Crawford solves the Blazers shooting woes

- Jamal Crawford fills a void at starting shooting guard for the Clippers. He opted out of his contract with the Blazers to do so. Chauncey resigns for one more to probably back up Chris Paul now and preserve his aging body and avoid injuries.

Billups is B-B-Back

29. Brandon Bass accepts 3 year deal from Boston

Bass will be back in Boston

- Boston fans have a reason to be happy as one of their more consistent players decided to re-up with the team. He will still probably start at the power forward slot until rookie Jared Sullinger is ready for big minutes.

30. Kyle Lowry (HOU) traded to Raptors for Gary Forbes and a future 1^st round pick

Lowry will now run Dwayne Casey's offense in Toronto

- Lowry who has had issues with head coach Kevin McHale was finally let go by the Rockets in order to chase another high profile point guard (Lin to be exact). In Forbes, the Rockets get an NBA veteran who knows how to play both ends of the court. Lowry is the answer to Toronto’s point guard dilemma since they struck out on Nash and will probably waive Jose Calderon.

31. Jason Kidd (DAL) signs with Knicks for $ 9M, three years. Spurns Mavs similar offer

If Lin is retained by NYK, Kidd will mentor and back him up

- In what seems to be the final blow to all the Mavs hard luck in this year’s free agency, their long time point guard and champion floor general decides to play in the Big Apple. Kidd who recently purchased a home in the Hamptons said that he asked for Dirk Nowitzki’s blessings before he signed the Knicks contract. He said that the big talent disparity between the two teams made him choose NYC over Big D.

32. Jeff Green accepts $ 40M for 4 years to play with Celtics again

Green gives Celts another shot

- Jeff Green who was traded for Kendrick Perkinsused to be a talented forward before his heart ailment got the best of him. His condition forced him to sit out all of last season but it was reported that he is ready and rarin’ to play again. He gives Boston depth and an insurance at both forward slots if any of their veterans get injured.

33. Brandon Roy (POR) attempts comeback with Wolves with 2 year, $ 10M deal

- Roy was amnestied by the Blazers last year as he prematurely retired from basketball because of his nagging knee injuries. The good news for Roy fans is that he is back and would be playing for the team that drafted him six years ago.

Roy and Batum will probably play together again or not

34. Nicolas Batum (POR) reportedly offered a 4 year, $ 40-50M deal by Minnesota

- A report states that Minnesota is looking at uber athletic and promising wingman Nicolas Batum to fill their need for a starting small forward. They have let go Michael Beasley and Anthony Randolph by not giving them qualifying offers. Portland can match the offer though.

35. Maurice Speights resigns with Grizzlies

Speights remains a Grizzly

- Speights will back up Zach Randolph anew after resigning with the Grizzlies. Terms of the deal were not disclosed yet.

36. Nick Young (LAC) signs with Sixers ($ 6M, 1 year deal)

Young goes to the Sixers, hopefully the shirt does not

- Nick Young decides to sign with the Sixers on a one year deal after a short stint with the Clippers. He and current Sixer Thaddeus Young provides an explosive “Double Young” combination off the bench.

37. Elton Brand to be amnestied by the Sixers, Lou Williams signing with another team

Williams and Brand will not be in this huddle next season

- In Philadelphia related news, the Sixers are reportedly eyeing to amnesty the remaining one year left on Elton Brand’s contract. They will also not offer Lou Williams (their leading scorer last season) a new contract and let him look for a new team to sign with.

38. Ray Allen (BOS) chooses Heat over Celtics

Ray Ray will now bring his talents to South Beach

- After having some rifts with a teammate (Rajon Rondo)the last season and the management almost trading him to Memphis for O.J. Mayo, Allen decided to leave the team he won his only championship with to chase another one with the defending champions Miami Heat. Good move for Ray as now he will be backing up Dwayne Wade and not Avery Bradley.

39. Dwight Howard still in limbo, where will he land?

Will Dwight for Bynum be enough for Superman to change teams?

- A lot of teams are still interested in the services of the NBA’s best center (who wouldn’t be). His short list includes teams like the powerhouse Los Angeles Lakers, rebuilding Dallas Mavercks and hometown Atlanta Hawks who he has expressed some interest to play in at some point. Other teams like the Warriors and the Rockets are making some moves to acquire the big man but he will likely not land on these teams. The most probable destination for Dwight is emerging East power Brooklyn where he can form another Big Three together with Deron Williams and Joe Johnson. Stay tuned for more Dwight Drama this season.

Where to Dwight?

40. Finally here's a position-by-position look at a handful of free agents still on the free-agent market:

POINT GUARD

Aaron Brooks

Raymond Felton
Randy Foye
Kirk Hinrich
Ramon Sessions
Leandro Barbosa
Derek Fisher
Keyon Dooling
Ronnie Price
Gilbert Arenas

SHOOTING GUARD

J.R. Smith

Gerald Green

Lou Williams

Delonte West
C.J. Miles
O.J. Mayo
Josh Howard
Carlos Delfino
Mickael Pietrus
Marco Belinelli
Michael Redd
Tracy McGrady
Courtney Lee

SMALL FORWARD

Anthony Randolph

Antawn Jamison
Anthony Tolliver
Matt Barnes
Steve Novak
Sam Young
Rasual Butler
Devin Ebanks

Rashard Lewis

POWER FORWARD

Kris Humphries

Ersan lyasova

Boris Diaw
Kenyon Martin
Carl Landry
Ronny Turiaf
Troy Murphy
Louis Amundson
Jordan Hill

Ryan Anderson

CENTER

Chris Kaman

Brook Lopez

Ian Mahimni
Marcus Camby
Aaron Gray
Joel Przybilla
Kyrylo Fesenko
Tony Battie
Hamed Haddadi

(Next post will be my first attempt at making NBA power rankings. Stay tuned)