How the transactions after the trade deadline affect the playoffs

The savviest general manager’s understand that the trade deadline is not the time to step back and observe your team for the remainder of the season.  In fact, your most important roster adjustment may come after the deadline thru the waiver wire.  Since the deadline we have seen former all-stars join contenders and out-of-work vets come back to the league with the hopes of making one more run at the Larry O’Brien trophy. 

Three very talented players – Brent Barry, Ruben Patterson and Ira Newble – are still lurking on the waiver wire.  Barry has already stated that he will return to San Antonio as soon as the 30-day waiting period is over.  Will Newble do the same with Cleveland?  Will Utah or Toronto add Patterson to solve the holes on their rosters?  The deadline does not mean teams are done fine-tuning their rosters.  Some of the most glaring holes have been addressed by the waiver wire.

Sam Cassell Signs with the Celtics
There’s not much to hate about this move.  Sam has built his career around clutch performances, solid defense and uncanny leadership.  Regarding those attributes, he’s got plenty left in his tank.  The Celtics like how he matches up with Chauncey Billups, who has greatly outplayed Rajon Rondo this season.  Cassell is also familiar with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, both of whom he has made the Conference Finals with.  He knows the tendencies of both, but that does he recognize that they are still in their primes while he is far past his?  Just as important, Cassell brings two championship rings from his time in Houston.  Prior to his arrival, James Posey was the only Celtic to have won an NBA Championship.  If all goes according to plan, Cassell will end his career the same way he began it – as a backup point guard on a championship team.

The problem that we could see is Sam may not be willing to play the back-up role.  He has stated otherwise, but do not be so quick to believe him.  Sam has a dominating personality that may be a burden on the young supporting cast of the Celtics, especially Rondo.  Earlier last month, Cassell was issued a flagrant foul after delivering a hard elbow to the side of Rondo’s head.  If Doc bends to the veteran’s will, which is likely, Sam will start and Rondo’s confidence will be crushed at a crucial point in his career.  Let’s not forget Rondo is 43-11 as the starting point guard this year.  He averages twice as many rebounds and steals, more assists and fewer turnovers.  His defense has been strong and his shot selection has been good.  He has done exactly what Boston has needed him to do – facilitate shots for the big three and be a lock-down defender.  If Doc sits Rondo, the decision should come under fire in Boston.

Prior to the signing, the lack of a back-up point guard on this roster was its biggest weakness.  But now they have brought in a starting point guard and risk breaking up an incredible chemistry.  Would Boston have been better off signing Tyronn Lue?  Probably not.  Danny Ainge continues an unlikely streak of sound management.
Grade:  B+

P.J. Brown signs with the Celtics
Brown was one of the more coveted free agents in the second half of last summer but elected to hold out until last week.  The power forward/center has never won a championship and now joins the best team in the NBA.  This clearly is a one-final-championship-run decision.  Brown should be able to give the Celtics twenty minutes per game of good defense and excellent rebounding.  Rivers may be tempted to push him ahead of Leon Powe and rookie Glen Davis but shouldn’t do so any time before the playoffs.  Both of the young players have been extremely effective on the defensive end and composed on offense.  Center Kendrick Perkins’ job is also safe.  Brown is not capable of starting at center anymore, but could serve as a valuable back-up in spurts. 

This is a great signing for both parties.  Brown has found himself on the championship favorites and will not be overly depended upon.  At the same time, it bolsters Boston’s greatest weakness – depth.  In the playoffs, defenses get tighter and fouls are more common.  Perkins, Powe and Davis have no reason to hold back knowing that a seasoned 6’11” veteran is backing them up.
Grade:  A

New Orleans welcomes back Chris Andersen
Make no mistake about it; Chris Andersen can be a difference maker.  He fills a crucial role for the Hornets – front court depth.  Currently, the Hornets back up Tyson Chandler and David West with the likes of Ryan Bowen, Melvin Ely, Hilton Armstrong and rookie Julian Wright.  Didn’t know those guys played in the NBA, did you?  That’s exactly why Andersen’s comeback is not just a sideshow.  He will be expected to mesh with this team and be a contributor in the playoffs.  He should fit in well because his game is so similar to Chandler’s.  He is a shot-blocker/rebounder first and foremost and only touches the ball on offense within a few feet of the basket.

The Hornets have overachieved all season long and may start to wear down as the season draws to a close.  The Birdman’s arrival should keep the team fresh and funky.  Expect him to play a significant role for the Hornets come playoff time.
Grade:  A

Dallas signs Jamaal Magloire for depth in the post
Magloire is not the answer.  After being given multiple opportunities to break the starting line-up in New Jersey and Portland he was eventually pushed completely out of the rotations by the likes of Josh Boone, Sean Williams and Joel Pryzbilla.  He is having the worst season of his career and has been a non-factor on both ends of the court.

Still, Dallas need somebody.  Brandon Bass cannot back-up the center position and Dirk Nowitzki is not enough a defensive presence to do so.  That leaves Coach Avery Johnson with a one-man rotation at the position – Erick Dampier.  Dampier is a solid NBA center but not one that can regularly give you 30+ minutes per night either due to foul trouble or conditioning.  Dallas would have been better off digging up the remains of Danny Fortson.  Toughness, not just height, is what they are desperately lacking in the middle.
Grade:  C-

Dumars adds Theo Ratliff to the Pistons
Ratliff can still play, and now he’s playing for a contract.  He joins Rasheed Wallace as the team’s top shot-blocker and I expect to see him play meaningful minutes.  He will have to get comfortable in a hurry on the Pistons but his assignments will be familiar ones; defend the rim and protect the paint.  Look for the free-agent-to-be to rediscover his legs and a healthy back while blocking a couple of shots or more per playoff game.  He will be at his most valuable while obstructing LeBron James’ drives and blocking out Cleveland’s barrage of veteran big men. 
Grade:  B

Detroit signs 16 year vet Dale Davis
Can Davis make any kind of contribution to a championship contender?  Not likely.  Dale has not played meaningful minutes since 2004 and it is unlikely he has picked up any new skills in the past four years.  He is 38 now and brings a slow, heavy body with him to Detroit. 

Why did the GM-extraordinaire, Joe Dumars, make this move?  Hard to tell but there is some logic in it.  They were lacking size and Davis brings plenty of it.  He is also familiar with the Pistons; he played his last two seasons in Detroit.  Will Davis see any minutes?  Not unless there is a significant injury.  Young post players Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell are superior players at this point in their careers.
Grade:  D

Phoenix signs Gordon Giricek for the remainder of the season
The 31 year-old shooting guard joins his third team of the season.  He has shot poorly this year but should improve in Phoenix’s system.  I do not see him playing much behind Raja Bell and Leandro Barbosa, but Coach Mike D’Antoni is always looking for a shooter.  The problem with Giricek is that he is a slow-pace guard.  He does not make the quick passes and often stops the ball observing the defense.  He is an above-average penetrater when given a lane, despite his lack of speed. 

Phoenix would have been better off signing recently waived Ruben Patterson or Ira Newble.  Both are superior defenders with reliable shooting.  Furthermore, those two can play either wing position, while Giricek struggles to play his only position.
Grade:  D

Dallas signs Tyronn Lue
Still playing, Tyronn?  Dallas desperately needs beef in the paint, yet they have gone out and signed the six-footer from Mexico, Missouri.  Lue finds ways to be productive, but I can’t see him meshing with the stars in Dallas.  Jason Terry and Jose Juan Barea should continue to backup the new, old point guard (Jason Kidd), but this signing makes that less certain.  Dallas has made a number of questionable moves since the All-Star break and this is yet another one.
Grade:  C

Clippers sign Nick Fazekas to 10-day contract
This is not a playoff impact move, but is another effective way to use the waiver wire regarding next season’s roster.  Fazekas was waived by the Mavericks in the Jason Kidd trade leaving a smooth-shooting 6-11 forward on the market.  The Clippers picked him up with very little to risk.  Coach Dunleavy is in need of another big man and although Nick won’t see much game time, he should prove himself worthy of a contract.  Given the right opportunity and coaching staff, Fazekas could progress similarly to Luke Walton becoming a valuable role player on a contending team.
Grade:  B