Jarrett Jack to Golden State, Dorell Wright to Philadelphia
Golden State, Philadelphia, and New Orleans complicated 3 team deal involving several players, but the gist of the deal is that the Warriors end up with Jarrett Jack and the Sixers get Dorell Wright. For New Orleans, they're simply clearing up money to sign Eric Gordon as well as playing time in the backcourt for some of their younger players.
I love this move for Golden State, who really needed a dependable back up for Stephen Curry, who has struggled to stay healthy with recurring ankle injuries. Jack is solid both offensively and defensively; not spectacular, but solid. Jack is actually better defending shooting guards, so he can play there as well and can take the departed Brandon Rush's minutes while Curry is healthy. With Jack and second year combo guard Charles Jenkins, Golden State is much more secure in the backcourt. Perhaps equally as important, by trading Wright, Golden State has cleared playing time for Harrison Barnes at small forward, where he'll likely start with Richard Jefferson as the back up.
As for Philadelphia, I'm not really sure what they're doing. Dorell Wright is a good player, but I'm not sure when he'll play. Philadelphia now has Wright, Andre Igoudala, Nick Young, Evan Turner, and Moe Harkless on the wing, as well as combo forward Thaddeus Young. Unless a trade is coming, and you have to think that one is, how are they going to find minutes for all these players? Add that to the fact that Philadelphia has no back up point guard and no proven commodity at power forward, you have to think they're trading either Igoudala or Turner. As far as the fit on the team, I like Wright in Philadelphia: Wright has shot 37% from 3 the last three seasons and they really need shooting now that Jodie Meeks and Lou Williams are gone. Wright is also a solid defender when motivated, and Doug Collins is the kind of coach who can get the most out of him on that end. What he doesn't do, however, is cure the Sixers lack of shots at the rim, because Wright struggles to create his own shot. Wright is also an expiring contract, which gives Philadelphia some flexibility next summer. Still, you have to think this is the precursor to a big trade.
Ryan Anderson to the Hornets
The Hornets continue to rebuild their roster, having acquired former Magic forward Ryan Anderson in a sign-and-trade with Orlando. Anderson is receiving a 4 year, $36 million deal while the Magic receive forward Gustavo Ayon. Anderson is a nice add for New Orleans, who need to add talent to their frontcourt, and while they may have overpaid a little, Anderson has value because he can shoot (38% career 3 point shooter) and rebound. Presumably, New Orleans believes that Anthony Davis can play center, the position he played in college, or else they wouldn't have paid a power forward starting money. On the floor, New Orleans will lack a low post presence until Davis develops more, so I wouldn't be surprised if they brought back Carl Landry to play that role. However, the Hornets will also really be able to shoot, with Anderson, Eric Gordon, Austin Rivers, Xavier Henry and Darius Miller all being average to above-average shooters. Anderson is also young enough (24) to fit into the Hornets rebuilding plan. For the Magic, they lose out on re-signing Anderson, who was probably out of their price range, and get a valuable big in Ayon who is big, athletic, and has a really good motor. Ayon, along with Glen Davis, Andrew Nicholson, and Kyle O'Quinn will form the core of the Magic frontcourt after Dwight Howard is either traded or leaves via free agency. Those four players are a good mix of abilities and should be a solid, and perhaps more importantly cheap, rotation.
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