Can Danny?

With the recession hitting the NBA hard and attendance dwindling, David Stern needs to hope for some teams to shake things up this offseason. The draft doesn't really offer any sure-fire stars and most teams are probably going to sit out this offseason, hoping to save their cap space for the 2010 shopping spree so trades are probably the only thing that could save the day. That and some lottery "luck" that could bring some big names to the right places.

For starters, the lottery goes: New York Knicks #1, Oklahoma City #2, Toronto Raptors #3. The Knicks hold up a Rubio shirt as Mike D'Antoni can't wait to get the young Spaniard into his run-and-gun system. But that's hardly the biggest news of the day.

Soon after the lottery unfolds, an league changing 13 team trade is annoued. It won't formally go through for a week or so after the draft (so that many players involved are no longer on BYC status) but it get people talking about hoops in the offseason and shake up the league.

Some minor players might need to be added for the deal to work but the basic breakdown of the deal is... 

The Atlanta Hawks acquire Monta Ellis for Josh Smith

With Mike Bibby being a free agent and possibly gone, the Hawks reload by adding Monta Ellis for the resident problem child Josh Smith. They also mend fences with Josh Childress and bring him back, giving them a starting lineup of: Ellis, Joe Johnson, Josh Childress, Marvin Williams, and Al Horford.

The Denver Nuggets acquire Josh Smith and Caron Butler for Carmelo Anthony, Renaldo Balkman and their own first round pick & Charlotte's protected 2009 first rounder

The Nuggets seems stuck in a rut but they shake things up by sending 'Melo back to the D.C. area. Butler and Smith should make up for the lack of scoring and Smith should help out their defense. It gives them a lineup of: Chauncey Billups, J.R. Smith, Butler, Josh Smith, and Nene.

The Washington Wizards land Carmelo Anthony along with Brandan Wright and Denver's first rounder for Caron Butler, Antawn Jamison, and their 2009 #1 draft pick

Some might argue that this is a lot for 'Melo and the unproven Wright but the trade helps them cut salary and in this draft, the later draft prospects might turn out to be just as good as some of the lotto picks. Also, the Jamison/Butler duo clearly isn't cutting it so it's hard to argue that the two guys who are leading the Wizards to the worst record in the league are a fair deal for 'Melo and Wright.

The Golden State Warriors acquire Antawn Jamison, Deshawn Stevenson, and the Wizards' #1 pick for Monta Ellis, Kelenna Azubuike and Brandan Wright

The Warriors take on another aging star with a big contract but get a top pick in exchange for two guys who seem to be in Nellie's doghouse. Still, Jamison seems like a perfect fit for Nellie's system and the pick should be able to land someone who might be able to replace Ellis.

The Philadelphia 76ers acquire Chris Bosh, Brian Cardinal, and Kelenna Azubuike for Elton Brand, Andre Iguodala

The Sixers reshape their roster by adding the superstar Bosh and handing the small forward position over to Thad Young. Cardinal's contract is expiring while 'Buike should fit in nicely at the starting shooting guard. While it might seem like a lot to give up, imagine if before the season the Sixers dealt Iggy and some cap space for Bosh. I think Philly fans would have been pleased. Their lineup heading into 2009-10 will be: Lou Williams, Kelenna Azubuike, Thad Young, Chris Bosh, Mareese Speights.

The Toronto Raptors acquire Andre Iguodala, Ty Thomas, Chris Kaman for Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani, and Kris Humphries

When Bosh tells the world that he wants to opt out and leave, the Raptors scramble to find a deal. They end up dealing Bosh for a bunch of young talent. It's not exactly proven talent but once the word gets out that Bosh wants out, they can't expect to get someone of equal value.

The Clippers acquire Vince Carter, Andrea Bargnani, Kris Humphries, New Jersey's #11 pick and Charlotte's condition first rounder for Chris Kaman, Marcus Camby, Eric Gordon, and their first round pick.

The Clippers dump Kaman's long term deal while getting a big man who might actually complement Z-Bo on offense. The Baron/Vince/Thornton/Z-Bo/Bargnani lineup should put up a ton of points. Granted, it'll give up a lot of points but it should, at least, get people in the stands.

Charlotte aquires Luol Deng for Gerald Wallace

Deng seems like a guy who would fit in well alongside Boris Diaw and will fit in with Larry Brown's system. The Bobcats have been trying to get rid of Wallace all year.

Chicago acquires Gerald Wallace, Amare Stoudemire, and Jason Richardson for Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich, Brad Miller, Ty Thomas, and the #1 draft pick

Finally, John Paxson pulls it off. Granted, it's not the KG deal but he's able to swing Deng for Wallace, Brad Miller, a first round pick, and Ty Thomas for Amare Stoudemire, and also swing Kirk Hinrich's more reasonable deal for Jason Richardson. Should be fun to watch Derrick Rose run with these guys and John Salmons. 

Minnesota get Brand and Hinrich for Kevin Love, Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal, and their #1 pick

The Wolves also swoop in with top picks and expiring contracts. Brand could be a nice complement to Big Al Jefferson while Hinrich should be able to help Randy Foye be less of a liability.   

Phoenix acquires Brad Miller, Marcus Camby, Bobby Simmons, Mike Miller, Kevin Love, and Chicago, Minnesota, and the Clippers' #1 picks for Shaq, Amare Stoudemire and Jason Richardson:

The cost cutting Suns get a bunch of expiring deals in Camby, Simmons, and the Millers' while also adding Kevin Love and three first round picks. They'll have young talent and loads of cap space come 2010.

New Jersey gets Jermaine O'Neal, Eric Gordon, and Phoenix's #18 pick for Vince Carter, Bobby Simmons, and the #11 pick

JO is about done but he's an expiring deal and Gordon for Carter could turn out to be like Devin Harris for Jason Kidd. The Nets also move down in the draft but that shouldn't be too bad in this draft.   

Miami gets Shaq for Jermaine O'Neal

Shaq and Wade back together again with a younger supporting cast in Beasley, Chalmers, and Moon.