NBA: 13 Western Conference Trades That Need To Happen Before The Deadline
By Mason McFee
The G.O.A.T. Makes His Return to Dallas
Back when the real Big 3 formed, the Heat made it all the way to the NBA Finals in their first season together.
James averaged 26.7 PPG in his first season in Miami, to go with a 54.1 eFG%, 7.5 TRPG, and 7.0 APG. He was arguably the most integral piece en route to what would be an eventual loss to the Dallas Mavericks in 6 games in the NBA Finals. Wade and Bosh were very jealous of Jones’ basketball skills.
Wait, what?
THAT’S RIGHT LADIES AND GENTS, 3X NBA CHAMP JAMES JONES IS COMING TO DALLAS….. to help. (Seriously)
Alright, I caved. I gave LeBron his playmaker….. at the cost of his best sidekick.
All jokes aside, James Jones is a career 40.2% shooter from 3; and is averaging 58.5%….. on 0.7 3PM this year.
He’s a 13 year veteran (like LeBron), was in Miami when they won titles (COINCIDENCE?! I THINK NOT), and has James in his name.
Okay I lied, I wasn’t done with the jokes. What I am serious about is moving James Jones.
Jones has obviously followed his pal LeBron to Cleveland, and accomplished his goal of winning another championship. While he probably stands a pretty good chance at doing it again, if LeBron the GM had a chance to acquire another playmaker, he’d do it in a heartbeat.
While losing Richard Jefferson would hurt more than you might think (he’s still got it at age 36 people!), the Cavs need a playmaker.
Before you bandwagon Cavs fans say that there is no ‘heir to Jefferson’s throne’, the Cavs just signed Derrick Williams to a 10-day contract (who is way younger); and LeBron said that he wants him around long-term. Boom.
Barea, despite only being 6’0″ and 185 lbs, is averaging 12.2 PPG, 2.9 RPG, and 4.9 APG. He’s also knocking down a very respectable 35.1% of his triple attempts.
The Puerto-Rican guard just balls. All the time. I honestly think he could go for 20 any night off the bench, he just chooses to be a team player. I’m a big J.J. Barea fan. The Cavs would be getting a huge addition to their bench.
The Mavs add not one, but two proven veterans with playoff experience by flipping Barea. They still have Deron Williams, Devin Harris, point god Yogi Ferrell (who took a pass intended for Dirk and shot the 3 himself AND MADE IT), and Seth Curry on their roster. Their depth doesn’t take a hit there, and they add guys that could actually help them make the playoffs.