<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Top 10 small moves that matter mostMost of the offseason headlines are made when players like Ben Wallace and Peja Stojakovic switch uniforms, of course.But when it comes to wins and losses, small, smart moves can make a big difference, too.Here are the 10 moves that should have the largest impact at the lowest cost.1. Mavericks sign Devean GeorgeDallas, fresh off its first appearance in the NBA Finals, bolstered its roster by adding the former Laker. The Mavericks had to spend only $4.2 million over two seasons to sign George.George, who won three NBA championships with Los Angeles, will provide the Mavericks with another playoff-tested perimeter defender to complement Dallas' potent offensive weapons: Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry. George has the ability to slide into the starting lineup, if needed, and defend at the shooting guard and small forward positions.George can make 3-pointers and stretch the opposing defense, though the Mavericks do not need a lot of scoring from him. George's energy and enthusiasm should also come in handy for the Mavericks.2. Nuggets acquire J.R. SmithDenver picked up Smith from Chicago and had to part only with a player it did not intend to keep in Howard Eisley and two second-round picks. Smith proved early last season that when given playing time he can score in the NBA. He played 26.5 minutes per game for the New Orleans Hornets in November and December last season, scoring 11.5 points. Smith has the athleticism and scoring ability the Nuggets have lacked from the shooting guard position for the last two seasons. Smith also wants to prove that the Hornets made a mistake by not playing him. After the strong start last season, he played in just 30 games the rest of the season and averaged just 11 minutes per game. He was traded to Chicago in July, then promptly shipped to Denver. Smith has the potential to develop into one of the better young scorers in the NBA. If coach George Karl can find a way to channel Smith's energies on defense, the Nuggets might have found, at a cheap price, the shooting-guard that will help take some of the burden off Carmelo Anthony. Smith still plays on his rookie contract. 3. Pacers acquire Marquis DanielsIn their efforts to gain more youth and athleticism, the Pacers traded for the multitalented Daniels, while giving up only a player who did not fit into their plans: Austin Croshere. Injuries and decreased playing time have hindered Daniels the last two seasons. The Pacers will give Daniels the chance to return to his form of the 2003-04 season, when he displayed his versatility on both sides of the ball. Daniels has the ability to penetrate and score, and he can give the Pacers significant minutes at both guard positions as well as small forward.4. Pistons sign Ronald Murray After losing to the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference finals and losing Wallace to Chicago in free agency, the Pistons had to make some changes to both their roster and team philosophy. Flip Murray will fit right into the more up-tempo offensive game that head coach Flip Saunders will employ this year. Acquiring Murray at the relatively cheap price of a two-year, $3.6 million contract will provide Detroit with the scoring combo guard it needs off the bench. Murray has the ability to score in bunches and will provide much-needed relief for both Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton. 5. Mavericks acquire Anthony JohnsonIn trading Darrell Armstrong, Rawle Marshall and Josh Powell to the Indiana Pacers for Johnson, Dallas picked up a very solid point guard and had to part only with Armstrong's leadership and two young players who were buried on the bench. Johnson plays as a true point guard, which will complement the scoring skills of Jason Terry and Devin Harris on the Mavericks' roster. Johnson's extensive playoff experience with New Jersey and Indiana can only help a Dallas team with championship aspirations. As the starter in place of the injured Jamaal Tinsley in last spring's playoffs, Johnson averaged 20 points and 5.2 assists per game for Indiana. Johnson also will help Dallas defensively.6. Wizards sign DeShawn StevensonFor the second consecutive season, the Wizards had to replace a player who got a significant offer from another team. Last offseason, the Wizards did not enter into a bidding war with Cleveland for Larry Hughes and rebounded nicely by adding Caron Butler. This offseason, instead of matching the five-year, $30 million offer Jared Jeffries received from the Knicks, Washington signed Stevenson at a fraction of the cost. Stevenson has great athleticism and penetrating ability -- he should fit right into the Washington's up-tempo motion attack. He will provide the Wizards with a defender off the bench at the shooting guard position, allowing Antonio Daniels to play more minutes as the backup point guard.7. Raptors sign Fred JonesAfter John Salmons backed out of an agreement with the team, the Raptors recovered nicely by adding Jones. At three years and $11 million, Jones comes cheaper than the deal Salmons nearly signed. The former slam-dunk champion has the explosiveness and athleticism that could enable him to flourish in the up-tempo system GM Bryan Colangelo wants to incorporate in Toronto. Like a great number of players, Jones has shown he can produce in the NBA when given significant minutes. Jones had a good stretch for the Pacers during the 2004-05 season, when he played extensively due to the suspensions related to the infamous brawl in Detroit. In Jones, the Raptors could have an electrifying scorer to pair with new point guard T.J. Ford in the backcourt. 8. Spurs sign Jackie Butler and Francisco ElsonAfter trading the unwanted contract of Rasho Nesterovic and not re-signing Nazr Mohammed, the Spurs needed to replenish the center position behind Tim Duncan. They did so by signing restricted free agents Butler from the Knicks and Elson from the Nuggets. At a combined $13 million, San Antonio will not pay nearly as much for Butler and Elson as they would have for Nesterovic and Mohammed.Both players are younger and more athletic than Nesterovic and Mohammed, and both will work the boards with aggression and do a decent job as shot blockers while Duncan handles the heavy lifting in the post. When given the minutes, Butler and Elson have shown they can play as serviceable centers in the NBA. 9. Lakers acquire Maurice EvansThe Lakers, in need of more perimeter scoring after their playoff implosion, acquired shooting guard Evans from the Detroit Pistons for the draft rights to 2006 second-round pick Cheick Samb. Though Samb has the potential to develop, he probably will not help the Pistons in the near future, while Evans should pay immediate dividends for the Lakers. Evans did not play much in Detroit this past season, after having a very solid 2004-05 campaign with the Sacramento Kings. Los Angeles will give Evans every chance to provide the Lakers with a viable scoring option off the bench, which the Lakers sorely lacked last season. The physical Evans also plays decent defense, as the Lakers will look to lessen the load on Kobe Bryant next season.10. Magic re-sign Trevor ArizaAriza, acquired from the New York Knicks in the Steve Francis trade-deadline deal last February, plays with great energy, particularly on the defensive end. He has the potential to develop into a defensive stopper in the league.Ariza also has the athleticism that teams love to see in small forwards. He still needs to develop his jump shot and ballhandling as he continues to mature, but Ariza has the chance to develop as part of the young core in Orlando that includes Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson and Darko Milicic.Antonio Williams is an NBA scout with Marty Blake and Associates and a regular contributor to ESPN's Scouts Inc.</div>Link
Nice, 2 moves from the Mavs made this list...I really like what the Mavs did this offseason.No kneejerk, big time roster changes, just a bunch of small moves here and there to make us go from the deepest team in the league, to the deepest team in the league by a good 4 players or so.
J.R. Smith #2???The Nuggets actually think they fixed their problems at the 2 guard with JR Smith? WowOh yeah Fred Jones pickup should be higher on the list..IMO
How is getting Devean George number one? Anyway all these aquisitions are going to be a big help for each team.
I really like the Fred Jones signing and Trevor Ariza really can help in Orlando. He was one of the few bright spots on a otherwise horrible Knicks team. I said it before and I'll say it again: I really like the direction that the Magic is going. A lot of franchises have "young" teams, but the diffferent with those teams and Orlando is: the youngsters actually can play.
I knew getting DeShawn Stevenson was a very good signing..especially at that cheap of a price. I'm glad he's on that list, because he addresses the defense situation a bit and gives us depth at the 2 spot.
I think that Fred Jones should be the first person on that list. Maybe the people arent viewing that as that small of a deal and that is why he isnt that high? idkAnd as for JR Smith, I dont see why he is that high. He hasnt done anything yet in the NBA besides be immature and stupid. For his sake, I hope he turns himself around and has a successful year in Denver.
I think Fred, Deshawn, or JR should definately be up there. All of those guys were signed for relatively small contracts, and I expect them all to make an impact. Fred, and JR especially imo, because they are in positions to either start or get significant minutes. And Fred will thrive in the new Raptors running offense.I dont understand George at #1. He didnt do much for the Lakers, and I dont expect him to do anything for the Mavs. He has to share time now with Van Horn, Howard, and Stackhouse. I doubt he gets more than maybe 5-6 ppg.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CB4AllStar @ Aug 9 2006, 08:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I think Fred, Deshawn, or JR should definately be up there. All of those guys were signed for relatively small contracts, and I expect them all to make an impact. Fred, and JR especially imo, because they are in positions to either start or get significant minutes. And Fred will thrive in the new Raptors running offense.I dont understand George at #1. He didnt do much for the Lakers, and I dont expect him to do anything for the Mavs. He has to share time now with Van Horn, Howard, and Stackhouse. I doubt he gets more than maybe 5-6 ppg.</div>DeShawn is going to be starting for the Wizards, most likely. So he'll get 25 or so minutes at the SG position next to Gil in the backcourt. By the way JR Smith was traded to Denver via Chicago, he wasnt signed to a contract. I dont understand George being at no. 1 of the list, either..
Okay. I figured you might go with a lineup like that.ArenasStevensonButlerThats what you mean, right?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (CB4AllStar @ Aug 9 2006, 09:03 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Okay. I figured you might go with a lineup like that.ArenasStevensonButlerThats what you mean, right?</div>Correct.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The Nuggets actually think they fixed their problems at the 2 guard with JR Smith? Wow</div> I think it's on the list because of how they basically got him for nothing. He's better then anything they could have on the market and they got him for nothing. Also, saves their MLE for Reggie Evans and possibly Van Horn. Again the list is for top 10 small moves, and that's up there. It's a bargain. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>I dont understand George at #1. He didnt do much for the Lakers, and I dont expect him to do anything for the Mavs. He has to share time now with Van Horn, Howard, and Stackhouse. I doubt he gets more than maybe 5-6 ppg.</div> Shows how much you know about roster movement on Mavs, Van Horn is not even on the team, he's a free agent whose comtemplating retirement or settling in Denver, his hometown. If he even resigns with Dallas, which is a slim chance, he'll sit on the IR most of the season unless a injury occurs. Also, George should get plenty of time, other then Howard, he's our only legit small forward. You can tell me Stackhouse, Buckner can slide down there, but their both 6'4, I know Stack is listed bigger but he's really smaller then he's listed. That's terrible size behind Howard, and also with Howard's knack for getting banged up, having a LEGIT small forward in George is a bargain for his price. I didn't even state how George could see time in smallball at the pf position. And we don't need more then 6 ppg, he was brought in to defend, rebound and hit open shots. Simple. I like the Spurs small moves in landing Butler and Elson, both were restricted free agents and were able to land both with nice bargain contracts.
Well hey, even if Van Horn doesnt re-sign and Stackhouse plays SG full time then I dont expect him to make a huge impact. Look at the Lakers depth chart at Small Forward. He had a huge chance to shine, but he ended up only going for 21 minutes, and scoring 6 ppg.And btw, Im sorry that I cannot remember ever Free Agent currently. It slipped my mind. Give me a break.Edit: And if you admit that he will only get around 6 ppg, then he shouldnt be #1 over guys like DeShawn, Fred, JR and others who will 1) score quite a bit more than that, 2) play more, and 3)make more of an impact.
You guys shouldnt put so much on the number they are at. The guy who wrote this just said that these were the top 10 small moves and thats it. He didnt say it was in order. Plus if it was, dont you think it would of went counting down from 10 enstead of counting up from 1?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Well hey, even if Van Horn doesnt re-sign and Stackhouse plays SG full time then I dont expect him to make a huge impact.</div> Stackhouse won't be playing sg full time, his minutes will decrease as will others. Still should not interfere with George's minutes behind Howard at sf. Also, it's a 2 year deal, and Stackhouse won't be back the following season. Which opens up more for George. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>And btw, Im sorry that I cannot remember ever Free Agent currently. It slipped my mind. Give me a break.</div> Not many free agents left, also haven't you seen the rumors about Van Horn and Denver by now? And the Croshere deals make Van Horn redundant. <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Edit: And if you admit that he will only get around 6 ppg, then he shouldnt be #1 over guys like DeShawn, Fred, JR and others who will 1) score quite a bit more than that, 2) play more, and 3)make more of an impact.</div> I think someone else already said it that the list isn't in a particular order. I easily rank our acquisition of Anthony Johnson over George.
Sorry but i'm not that high on Trevor Ariza at all...He's not good at much and if his defense was so good you would think he would have gotten more interest.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Lefty @ Aug 9 2006, 01:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>J.R. Smith #2???The Nuggets actually think they fixed their problems at the 2 guard with JR Smith? WowOh yeah Fred Jones pickup should be higher on the list..IMO</div>I don't think the Nuggets think they've solved their shooting guard problem by aquiring Smith, hence their continued interest in Bonzi Wells and other trade possibilities (with Dallas for Stackhouse?).But it was a small move for extremely cheap that could make a big difference or it could be a bust, but it cost the Nuggets almost nothing. Of the players listed Smith is probably the most talented of any of them. He just needs to get his head on straight.
