As the time before the NBA trade deadline diminished Thursday, there was little in the way of true excitement, unless second-round picks make you lose control. There were some interesting moments, but not many.
Then the most excitement came last when Indiana, already one of the best teams, got even better, landing Evan Turner from the Sixers in a deadline-beating deal that sent Danny Granger to Philadelphia.
“Indiana really got better. With what they’re building there and the success they’ve had over the last several years, they’re going to get a really good player who will help them,” one Eastern Conference executive said.
By Thursday’s end, and including a couple of deals made Wednesday, the last count had 17 teams involved in 11 trades that contained 27 players and eight second-round picks — six of them headed to Philadelphia. The Knicks stood pat while the Nets, always willing to spend a few million extra rubles, acquired Marcus Thornton Wednesday.
A recap of the moves, most of which, including the Turner-Granger deal, still await league approval:
- The Pacers got Turner, a 17.4 scorer, and 6-foot-9 Lavoy Allen for Granger, whose career has been sideswiped by injuries. Granger, headed for free agency, simply wasn’t fitting with the Pacers who are Finals quality even without him. Granger very possibly will be waived by the Sixers, who also got a second-rounder, and $14 million would come off the books. Indiana, however, gets in Turner a versatile sixth man who will be better on a winning team. Allen is a decent rebounder and shooter who will search for minutes. But he is a playoff experienced big.
- In a three-team deal, Washington got Andre Miller from the Nuggets and sent center Jan Vesely to Denver and point guard Eric Maynor to the Sixers who also got a pair of second-round picks. The disgruntled Miller is the key. Washington desperately sought point guard help behind John Wall. Maynor was not the answer. Washington also got to unload former No. 6 pick Vesely whose biggest claim is he is a former No. 6 pick.
- Denver traded forward Jordan Hamilton to Houston for point guard Aaron Brooks. The Nuggets needed someone to replace Miller and got a guy who has had some good seasons. The Rockets got a live body, who rebounds, defends.
- Toronto sent forward Austin Daye to San Antonio for guard Nando de Colo. We’ll let the Eastern exec give his take: “This was, ‘We’ll take your guy, you take our guy.’”
- The Clippers lessened their luxury tax by sending Antawn Jamison to Atlanta for cash and the rights to someone nobody ever heard of. Then, in a separate move, traded forward Byron Mullens and a second-rounder to Philly for a “conditional” second-rounder. If Jamison stays, he can help the Hawks’ injury-ravaged frontcourt. If he is bought out, there will be suitors.
- The Heat opened a roster spot and got a protected second-round pick from the Kings for Roger Mason Jr. and cash. Mason was expected to be waived. Quickly.
- The Bobcats got two guys who likely will be in their rotation, guards Gary Neal, a shooter, and Luke Ridnour, a veteran, low-mistake guy, from Milwaukee for guard Ramon Sessions and forward Jeff Adrien. Charlotte took a bit of a financial hit, but gets two guys who will play their butts off thankful to get out of Milwaukee.
- The Cavs acquired center Spencer Hawes from the Sixers for center Henry Sims, forward Earl Clark and two second-round picks. The Sixers are loading up on picks and weren’t likely to resign Hawes who will help with the continuing Anderson Varejao injury saga. So the Cavs, hoping for the playoffs, get a 7-footer with perimeter skills. Philly has the rest of the season to find out what it got.
- The Warriors made one of the most significant moves Wednesday when they acquired Steve Blake from the Lakers for forward Kent Bazemore and ex-Net MarShon Brooks, now with his fourth team in eight months. Blake is a proven veteran who will relieve some of the enormous pressure on Stephen Curry. He can play the point or shooting guard and will help solidify the Warriors’ playoff push.
- The Nets got Thornton for Reggie Evans and Jason Terry Wednesday. Thornton scores in bunches and the cost was Terry, who doesn’t play much, and Evans, who doesn’t play well.