Carmelo Anthony: A Trade Primer

When LeBron James and Chris Bosh took their respective talents to South Beach this offseason, they stripped their former teams of their identity and direction. It’s why the Cleveland Cavaliers, coming off a season in which they posted the best record in the NBA, are likely going to have to fight for a playoff spot this year and why the Toronto Raptors project to be stuck in a state of perpetual mediocrity for the near future. Per NetsDaily.com, in return for LeBron James, the Cavaliers received…

• Two first-round picks, that must be used starting in 2013 and ending by 2017
• 2012 second-round pick Miami received from New Orleans
• A future second-round pick the Heat acquired from Oklahoma City
• The option to swap first round picks with the Heat in 2012
• A $14,500,000 exception that the Cavs must use in trades before July 9, 2011

…while the Raptors got a return of

• Its own 2011 first-round pick (initially sent to Miami in the 2009 Shawn Marion-Jermaine O’Neal trade)
• A $14,500,000 trade exception that the Raptors must use in trades before July 9, 2011.

The Denver Nuggets will probably use these two cases as cautionary tales as they deal with a seemingly inevitable parting with their own superstar.

2010 Draft Preview – Know Your Prospects: DeMarcus Cousins

With the June 24 draft fast approaching, we’ll run a few posts previewing the top prospects in the draft using excerpts from the top scouting sources and quotes from NBA coaching staff running predraft workouts.

DeMarcus Cousins (Freshman) – 19 yrs.
Center, University of Kentucky

2009-2010 Statistics
15.1 points, 9.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.0 steals
55.8% FG, 60.4% FT

Pre-draft measurements
Height (in shoes): 6’11
Weight: 292 lbs.
Wingspan: 7’6
Standing reach: 9’5