3 Moves I’d Like To See Before The NBA Trade Deadline

Just because the annual All-Star weekend GM meeting was cancelled this year, doesn’t mean there won’t be a flurry of moves before the 3pm EST deadline. Here are three moves that do not include Carmelo Anthony, Blake Griffin or Kevin Love, that I’d like to see happen today.

1) Dwight Howard to the Raptors
Safe bet you’re thinking one of two things after reading that headline; a) “are you crazy Dunlop? That locker-room cancer would ruin the Raps’ chances of winning in the playoffs. Stick to soccer!” Or, b) “you stupid homer. This is the type of media BS that sets Toronto fans up for disappointment.” But, hear me out.

Dwight Howard is not worth the max money he’ll ask for this summer. The Rockets will expect Jonas Valanciunas in return at the least, and that’s a move Masai has already refused to make. Howard has a $23.3 million player option for next season and, is very unlikely to give Toronto a team-friendly discount and the cap space to “keep the band together.” Yes, Howard’s best days are behind him. And there’s a risk he won’t be any happier north of the border than he is right now in Houston. But, could you really see Dwight Howard losing in the first round after taking a far less talented Rockets team to the Western Conference final last spring?

If his play this month is any indication, his declining athleticism hasn’t made him a complete liability. Averaging 16.5 PPG, 14.5 rebounds with a .651 FG% in four games before the All-Star break, Howard is improving his career-low season totals. If only he could stop getting ejected.

I know it’s an expensive risk. I would imagine the Raptors would have to part with a combination of Bismack Biyombo, Patrick Patterson, maybe Anthony Bennett and one pick? I don’t know what the best package is to keep the locker room balance that has been crucial to the Raptors success these last three years. But if it is about winning right now, Howard has the talent to make a very good team a title contender.

2) Derrick Rose to the Kings for Rudy Gay
Forget Pau to Sac-town. Mid-season blockbusters are rare, and neither team really HAS to do it. But, there’s plenty of upside for both sides.

Let’s start with the easier explanation. DeMarcus Cousins is having a much better year than people expected, and just because Rajon Rondo has seemingly little interest in helping George Karl keep his job, he hasn’t been half bad in Sacramento. Imagine how much better he could be with Derrick Rose next to him? Would be a good way to convince Rondo to stick around this summer. Rose has one year left on his deal, which would leave the Kings around $20 million in cap space to strengthen elsewhere. Vlade Divac was very aggressive in his first off-season in charge. With the Kings moving in to a new building next season, why bet he’s going to slow down?

The Bulls can quickly slip out of a playoff spot with another poor run of games, or more likely another key injury. Rudy Gay would help keep the Horents, Pistons and Wizards in their rearview mirror. Despite the fortune Gay earns, that nobody thinks he deserves, this move would surprisingly save Chicago a ton in luxury tax. It could leave them with $13 million in cap space. Money they would most certainly use to bring back Pau Gasol – who is seems unwilling to be traded today to become a two month rental player.

Michael Reinsdorf and Gar Forman have plenty of options to choose from over the next six months. Shipping away the former face of the franchise wouldn’t be the easiest one, but might be one worth making before it’s too late.

3) Ricky Rubio to the New York Knicks
This is largely to do with the fact that the Minnesota Timberwolves seem rather interested in pairing young stars Karl Anthony-Towns and Andrew Wiggins with a better shooting guard, and the Knicks could really use one right now. Plus, I’m a Knicks fan. Not sure what the T-Wolves would expect in return, but it’s more likely these two wait til the summer to sort out those needs.

Monday Morning Thoughts – Apr. 27

To quote my friend and producer Thomas Dobby, “It’s insane that Toronto FC are the pride of Toronto sports right now.”

NBA PLAYOFFS

I sure don’t envy Masai Ujiri.

What a difference a couple of weeks makes. The Raptors went from being a team growing into themselves, to one likely going to be torn apart. And rightfully so. Last night’s effort was pathetic. I’m not even a Raps fan and it was painful for me to get through the highlight pack. There was no fight whatsoever. I guess every guy booked their early offseason holiday Saturday at shoot around. I sure hope they’re off to Dubai instead of Miami or Vegas because if they run into parts of We The North, it could get ugly very quickly.

The only part of the team that brought anything to the table last night were the fans standing outside the Air Canada Centre. If they beat the Wizards, as they should’ve, and get swept in the second round by the Bulls, Dwayne Casey is still the coach next season. He must have felt like his players fired him in the second quarter. The coach is always the fall guy. I don’t think it’s the right move, but I don’t know what else Ujiri can do.

If the playoffs started in November, the Cavs would’ve lost in the first round. But they’ve been marinating all season, and this was a perfect first round test. They faced just enough adversity to make them really work for it, even though winning the series was always an eventuality. Wonder how long Kevin Love‘s shoulder will keep him out. Big loss, and I agree with Love, a bush league move by Kelly Olynyk.

But gotta tip your hat to the Boston Celtics. They’ve been bad. They were over-matched countless times this season. But they never stopped fighting. I saw them lose to the New York Knicks at The Garden in December. The Knicks didn’t win again for a month. That was the kick in the ass Boston needed. Finishing the year by being swept by LeBron & Co. is nothing to feel bad about.

Where was this fight and determination by the Mavericks two games ago?

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Slow clap for the Ottawa Senators. What an unbelievable season for a team that no one expected anything from. They were unlucky not to have tied the game last night. But for as frail as the Habs looked at times, they were always going to win the series in the end because Carey Price is the best goaltender in the game right now. Just give him the Vezina and the Hart already.

I’m glad the Minnesota Wild finished the Blues off yesterday. They’re the new San Jose Sharks. Stop wasting everyone’s time with stellar regular seasons only to implode in the playoffs. Figure it out! Give the Wild credit for doing so mid-season and sticking with Mike Yeo after his Phil Brown moment. And someone name a street in Minneapolis after GM Chuck Fletcher already for signing Devin Dubnyk. After this season, he’s going to get quite the raise on his $800,000 salary. I think the Oilers have good reason to invest in a good goalie…

I’d really like to see the New York Islanders beat the Capitals tonight. A Rangers/Isles second round series will be great for the rivalry. And it will be nice to see the Rangers pull the curtain down on the Nassau Coliseum.

The Wings wrap things up tonight in Detroit. And I like em to beat the Habs. In five.

MLB

It’s crazy to think that Alex Rodriguez is just one more homerun away from tying Willie Mays for fourth all-time. Crazy because I thought there was no way he’d play in the Major Leagues again. But good on him. Regardless of his indiscretions and incredibly hate-able personality, it is a truly remarkable feat.

After sweeping the Orioles, the Jays got their asses handed to them in Tampa. But the silver lining is that Baltimore beat the Red Sox 18-7 last night. There’s plenty of parity in the A.L. East. Aaron Sanchez starts against Joe Kelly tonight. Early 6pm starts all week at Fenway.

SOCCER THOUGHTS

For my Premier League take, click here.

Maybe Jozy Altidore really is worth $7 million. Credit to TFC for making me eat my words. I thought they’d come home in two weeks with only the three points from the season opening win to show for it. But they go into the Citrus Bowl and play their best game since Greg Vanney took over. The couldn’t have defended any better. Here’s to hoping they can play the same way in Philly on Saturday.

Bayern Munich clinched thier 25th Bundesliga title, and third straight, with four matches to spare. It was an eventuality they would win the league. Europe is still the measuring stick. Had they not overcome Porto in the quarterfinals, we’d be talking about “Pep‘s wasted season” despite yesterday’s domestic triumph. But now many have Bayern picked as the favourites to beat Barcelona in the semifinals. It’s funny how quickly things change in a short period of time, isn’t it?

Historic win for rarely talked about Torino. Nice to see Fabio Quagliarella score against Juve in the Torino derby. Why is Quags not in MLS? Montreal really that content with their frontline? C’mon Joey.

Saturday Morning Thoughts – Apr. 25

May your Saturday be filled with footy, bbq’d meats and enjoyable spring weather. Without the stress of fixing the yard and/or renovating for the in-laws summer visit.

SOCCER THOUGHTS
When was the last time the football gods gave us what we wanted? Every neutral fan won with yesterday’s Champions League semifinal draw. And I’ve got to think Juventus supporters will feel the same way. They were always going to be underdogs, but drew the most vulnerable side left. By the time the first legs roll around, Real Madrid may be over this “crisis” but they certainly don’t look like favourites to win number XI.

The potential for an El Clasico final is there again, and let’s be honest, two matches between Barcelona and Bayern Munich are far better than one. Barca will be out for revenge after being embarrassed by the Germans at this stage two years ago. With Pep at the helm this time, beating Barca the Barcelona way will deserve it’s own Hollywood movie. Though it will be weird to watch Kuno Becker play a gaffer when he’ll always be Santiago Munez in our hearts.

I love that Saints fans have made Mauricio Pochettino‘s return “Ronald Koeman” day. St. Mary’s will be an odd tint of Oranje as Southampton celebrate where they’re going instead of re-living what was.

Man City actually looked a bit like themselves last weekend. I only see as bad news for Timmy Sherwood and Aston Villa today. The high of reaching just their second FA Cup final in my lifetime hopefully provides the confidence to challenge the defending Champions, but Villa will need much more than that to keep their heads above relegation.

I fully expect Leicester to be too much for Burnley. I don’t see how they weather The Foxes high-octane everything.

NBA PLAYOFFS
I don’t know where to start with the Toronto Raptors. Shambolic. Uninspired. Mentally wounded. Actually I think that pretty much sums it all up. They’ve made Marcin Gortat look like Hakeem in his prime! Sorry Raps fans. You’re a great bunch and deserved better. Hopefully you lived in the moment and soaked it all in when your team sat atop the Eastern Conference, before Christmas.

I love that the night after Steph Curry stole all the headlines with his game saving antics, James Harden puts up a playoff career high 42 and puts the Rockets in a position to sweep the Battle of Texas.

San Antonio is a tough place to play, but if you can’t keep it to within 25 points, you got problems. The Clippers got a lot of work to do. Kawhi Leonard is again proving to be a real problem for anyone that tries to guard him. Not to mention go up against him. He makes the Spurs fun to watch! How many times throughout this dynasty have we been able to say that?

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS
Walking into work last night I didn’t think I’d be reporting on the Sens extending their series and the Pens planning their spring golf trips. Ottawa have proven they can play desperation hockey better than anybody and when they needed their under-performers to show up, namely Bobby Ryan, they got it. All of a sudden Ottawa have all the momentum and have Habs fans scared. Understandable. Ottawa play their very best hockey when it’s win or go home.

There’s a reason nearly everybody picked the New York Rangers to reach the final again. They’re better than last season, and they’re overall game is more well rounded than it was when New Jersey ruined their spring three years ago. Shot blocking isn’t the only way to win Torts. But it helps to be good at it. Unless of course you’re taking slappers off the face from your own blueline. Will be a big loss for New York’s secondary scoring if Mats Zuccarello isn’t good to go for the start of Round 2.

The Penguins weren’t awful in these playoffs. They just weren’t what you would expect from the Penguins. Four 2-1 losses for a team with two of the best goalscorers in hockey, is unacceptable. Pittsburgh’s front office has a lot to think about this summer. I think you move Evgeni Malkin and get some good parts for him, before the league realises that he really doesn’t have “it” left. I’d blame Sochi.

Speaking of not being as good as they should be, why is it that the Blues are a completely different team in the playoffs? Sure they’re going up against a Vezina Trophy nominee – I never in a million years would’ve thought Devin effin Dubnyk would ever earn such a nod – but they’re beating themselves with poor goaltending and a Jekyl & Hyde offense. #HitchcockOut