Here's my breakdown:
Washington
Do you remember the day Cleveland traded the Larry Hughes contract? We drank, we danced, we didn't even know if Ben Wallace had any game left. This is how you feel as a fan when the worst contract in the league gets moved out of town. Wall and that young Washington core of Blatche, McGee, Young and Thornton need solid veteran leadership around them to detoxify the Arenas era. Hinrich and Rashard Lewis are overpaid for their production, but they are solid starting NBA players who immediately change the culture of Washington's lock room. Plus, it seems they didn't have to give up a significant pick. Great move, considering Arenas's value just a few months ago.
Phoenix and Orlando
It is hard for me to defend acquiring Wince Carter in any way, shape or form. I think his vaginal secretions are powerful enough to ruin any team's hopes for a successful playoff run. However, Jason Richardson has been very Wince-esque throughout his career without as much fanfare. Did you know J-Rich is in a contract year and having the best start to a season since... his last contract year? Richardson gets to showcase his talent on a very big stage against the Eastern Conference, who might have forgotten how forgettable he was in Charlotte. Wince is also in a contract year, but will probably move to a supporting veteran role rather than a third banana. This might work for Phoenix or might not... but financially they couldn't keep J-Rich past this season anyways. In the meantime, Dragic will see a more prominent role at shooting guard as well as backup point guard. Along with George Hill, he is one of the most intriguing young combo guards in the league right now. It is his chance to shine along with Jared Dudley.
In Pietrus, they might have found Grant Hill's eventual replacement at small forward. Hill is a free agent after this season and is obviously near the end of the road. If Pietrus is not the answer, there is a team option at the end of the season. Phoenix really hopes J-Chills takes the small forward spot with authority, but that hasn't happened yet. Childress's contract and poor play is just one reason Phoenix needed the financial flexibility of this trade.
The real prize here is, of course, Martin Gortat. I just picked him up in the RCF fantasy league, and predict great production going forward. Phoenix now has two tough guys in the middle (Lopez, Gortat) and two finesse guys at power forward (Frye, Warrick). That is a very intriguing young combination of big men to build around. Gortat has been a starting caliber center behind the best in the business. His attitude has been souring for the past two seasons, and it was just time for him to take the next step on the court. Clark will be the "Young Gortat," the guy who will develop his game by going against Howard in practice and gladly take 15 minutes of playing time.
Hedo... well, there seems to be only two coaches who could get production out of his unorthodox game: Van Gundy and Adelman. If he is used properly in a pick-and-roll offense he can be productive. Phoenix and Toronto tried to make him fit in more of a motion/flex offense. They tried to make him a stretch four. Chalk Hedo up to being an old dog who isn't about to learn any new tricks. Orlando has KILLED their financial flexibility with these trades, hoping the superior offensive talent coming in will produce a championship run this season. It's a brave "all in" move, but if I was running a club in Florida, I would have had more faith in my ability to sign free agents. I guess they think Miami will not be this susceptible in the playoffs in the following few seasons.
