During the free agent signing period, trades are another valuable way of acquiring either that one player or multiple players that may put you over the top. Again, we are not going to focus on deals like the Brooklyn Blockbuster or the Clippers Bledsoe move. We are looking for those decisions that were made from a tactical point of view, knowing full well that the moves could potentially put the teams in a position to compete during May and June.
During this years free agent spending frenzy teams have clearly had a similar game plan. Go BIG. Most teams are copying the Indiana/San Antonio model of going for a larger more physical line up to match Miami's non-traditional small ball line up. In response the champs themselves make a cameo on this list with a decision that may allow them to compete for a third straight championship. Other teams opted to go with depth. Every team in the NBA has the collective of talent they consider their "stars" but the truly great teams all have depth. That additional scoring punch or leadership presence can provide a team with valuable minutes in big time situations, much like Shane Battier and Mike Miller did for the Heat last year.
Below is my list of moves that will either catapult a team to that next level or help them to cement their place in the league as a contender.
1. Indiana: Luis Scola: Scola was acquired in a trade with the lowly Suns for a bloated Gerald Green contract and Miles Plumlee. Scola instantly upgrades a Indiana bench that was starved for talent last season. He also brings grit and experience to a team that already has a reputation for playing hard. Career Avg. 14.2 ppg and 7.5 rebs. 
2. Detroit: Brandon Jennings: Jennings was acquired via a sign and trade with his former team Milwaukee. Initially Jennings was thought to be one of the better options available on the free agent market, however after asking for a max contract many teams went with more affordable players. On the Pistons end, they needed a genuine lead guard to help lead the trio of Josh Smith, Andre Drummond and Greg Monroe. Not only will he provide a shooters touch to a large line up, but if Mo Cheeks can keep him focused he may be in for a All Star caliber season. Final positive, Detroit got him for cheap, 3 years at 24 million is a bargain for a young talent like Jennings. Career Avg. 17.7 ppg, 5.9 ast and 1.5 stl. 
3. Cleveland: Andrew Bynum: The often injured big man with a big ego "should" finally find his way back after a year off. Bynum can be outright dominant when healthy. He has had monster games (16 points, 18 rebounds and 6 blocks against Nuggets in 2011;16 points, 30 rebounds and 2 blocks against Spurs in 2011) and if healthy will be the perfect counterpart to Kyrie Irving. The ego issues should be held in check by the combination of Mike Brown and a contract full of milestones which should challenge Bynum. Bynum can help lead Cleveland back to the post season for the first time in the post LeBron era, if he can overcome his demons and play basketball. Career Avg. 11.7 ppg, 7.8 rebs, 1.8 blk.
4. Memphis: Mike Miller: After spending the last 3 years with the defending champion Miami Heat, Mike Miller is headed back to Memphis. Miller was amnestied this summer by the Heat because of the large tax they would've incurred had he remained on the roster. No worries, Miller is an elite shooter with a pension for showing up at right time (23 points, 7-8 3pts, Game 5, 2012 NBA Finals). He is a great locker room guy, low maintenance and competitor. He will bring a much needed shooters touch, to a team that ran out of options in the playoffs last season. Career Avg. 12.3 ppg and 4.8 rebs. 
5. LA Clippers: Darren Collison: The apprentice returns to the master. Collison spent his rookie year under the tutelage of Chris Paul in New Orleans before Paul's departure. He rejoins Paul in a potential championship run year, with new coach Doc Rivers and the rest of the Lob City family. After a year of failed expectations in Dallas, Collison is taking his talents to the Clippers where he will be a great back up. He should excel as the second point guard, because the pressure will never be on him and he has enough talent to provide both scoring and leadership off the bench. Another year playing with the best point guard in the game won't hurt either. Career Avg. 12.1 ppg and 5.2 ast. 
6. Chicago: Mike Dunleavy: The coaches kid has carved out a nice niche in this league as a high IQ player with a good shot. Dunleavy will not wow with athleticism or impressive stats, but his ability to play the game, shoot the ball and play defense will help. He will serve as the perfect upgrade to the now departed Richard Hamilton and fits in with the culture of the Bulls. Career Avg. 11.9 ppg and 4.5 ast. 
7. Brooklyn: Andrei Kirilenko: Kirilenko is the ultimate utility man. Quite literally a jack of all trades and master of many skills. Lets all be honest right now, this was an absolute steal and a hook up via the Russian connection. He was also signed for one reason and one reason only, to keep the added pressure on the King, Melo, Durant and now Paul George whenever Paul Pierce goes to the bench. Its that depth thing I mentioned above. He will also be a important part of the puzzle the deeper into the season the Nets go, because he can score and rebound. Career Avg. 14.4 ppg, 6.6 rebs, 3.3 ast, 1.7 stl and 2.3 blk. 8. Miami: Greg Oden: Its hard to say what a team needs when they have been so dominant over the last 3 years, but Miami did have one glaring weakness. They absolutely sucked when it came to rebounding and defending against starting front courts. Enter Greg Oden, the player selected before the best scorer in the league Kevin Durant. Oden has played 82 games (full season worth) in 6 years. He was hailed as possibly the new Bill Russell when he left Ohio St. after his freshman season, a year that he dominated and led his team to the National title game.
His knees had different plans and derailed a career potentially destined for greatness. In between the injuries he did show promise (13 points, 20 rebounds and 4 blocks vs Miami, Dec 2009) but he never got his chance. Now things are different, he will get his opportunity after the long road back. Miami is hoping for much of the same they received from Chris Anderson after his time away from the NBA, a slow improvement month by month with a decent role by the playoffs. All he has to do is what he knows, be a big body, rebound, block some shots and dunk the ball. It should help having LeBron and D-Wade pass him the ball and it should also take the pressure off. No matter who you are, fan of the Heat or not; you have to be rooting for Oden to be successful, because it wasn't too long ago many of us were hoping he would become that next "BIG" thing.
The Draft Fanatic.
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