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As the clock struck 3 am as per Eastern Time in USA on 20th February we witnessed the end of one of the busiest mid-season trade windows in the history of the NBA. There was very little notable activity by any title contending team as compared to the teams at the bottom end of the league and teams in the middle of the pack.
However from the title it is quite evident that we are more interested in the events that took place approximately a week after the trade deadline. Two big name veteran players, Caron Butler and Danny Granger, agreed to a buyout with their respective teams in order to join a team where they have the best chance of not only getting their careers back on track but also stand a great chance of winning some jewelry in June.
Both players came to an agreement with their respective teams on the buyout well before the March 1 deadline, Granger on 26th February and Butler on the 27th, which makes them eligible to contribute in the post-season with another team.
From the teams they agreed to a buyout with to the teams they later signed with for the rest of the season, the similarities are more than a few. After a slight analysis you will be surprised to hear that even the overall effect they will have on their new teams is very similar.
Caron Butler-Milwaukee Bucks to Oklahoma City Thunder
As the March 1st deadline drew close many predicted Butler to be a buyout option for the Bucks even before talks had officially begun and his buyout was made official two full days before Butler officially announced his signing with the Thunder amidst rumors of him possibly joining the team that drafted him, the Miami Heat.
Despite his emotional connect with the Heat, Butler will be offered the chance of giving back to the team more with the Thunder. With the Thunder he would receive more minutes on the floor than any of the other teams he was considering, which had to be a key aspect basis which he made his decision.
Also for the Thunder, Butler’s style of play fits their needs perfectly. In a young team, the Thunder won’t sweat to give a veteran some playing time, a veteran who can provide stability on offense while on the floor with the second unit, space the floor and lock down on the opponent’s wings with his defense.
With Russell Westbrook back from injury the Thunder can, very rightfully so, claim to be among the Top 3 starting line-ups in the league but in games against the top teams in the league their bench is often the weak link. Couple this with the fact that Butler plays the Small Forward position and it would certainly ease the minutes load on Kevin Durant.
Meanwhile for the Bucks other than some financial benefit for the coming post-season this move makes no difference either to the team chemistry or the record.
Danny Granger-Philadelphia 76ers to Los Angeles Clippers
Danny Granger
Many basketball fans were shocked to hear the news of Danny Granger being traded from the Indiana Pacers along with a second round draft pick to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Lavoy Allen and Evan Turner. However once the trade was official, it didn’t take long for the buyout rumors to start surfacing.
So just a week after being traded to the 76ers, the franchise and Granger had agreed on a buyout however, unlike Butler the options weren’t so easy to pick for him being a player who was still finding his mark after returning from knee injury.
The Clippers jumped at the opportunity once it was official that Granger was a free agent but how does a player not in his best shape or form help a championship contender? That’s the first question which comes to mind but for an answer it’s a move which benefits both parties.
Jared Dudley’s poor play, J.J. Reddick and Jamal Crawford battling injuries has left the Clippers searching for offense on their roster. Signing Granger gives them a player on their roster that can shoot the long ball at a respectable percentage of 38.2.
Despite returning from an injury, Granger’s knees don’t seem to be affecting his rating. On defensive efficiency he was rated 90.1, which seems to better than Paul George and Roy Hibbert. His potential on both ends of the floor could see him receiving starter’s minutes off the bench.
At the same time, for Granger a stint with a title contending team gives him a role with lowered expectations but one which is more favorable at this point in his career.
For the Philadelphia 76ers, a team stacking up draft picks and trying to clear as much cap space as they can, this move only means more cap space for the post-season.
Guess the Lakers players!
