Fansided

Pre-Christmas trades to shake up the NBA

By Brandon Jefferson

NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 11: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans boxes out against Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards on December 11, 2015 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/NBAE via Getty Images
NEW ORLEANS, LA - DECEMBER 11: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans boxes out against Otto Porter Jr. #22 of the Washington Wizards on December 11, 2015 at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/NBAE via Getty Images /
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MIAMI, FL – APRIL 9: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat hug after the game on April 9, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – APRIL 9: Carmelo Anthony #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat hug after the game on April 9, 2018 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Wayne Ellington to the Rockets for Marquese Chriss, James Ennis III, and Carmelo Anthony

WHEN I SAY “BANANA” YOU SAY “BOAT”.

“BANANA…”

“BOAT!”

“BANANA…”

“BOAT!”

In all seriousness, the Houston Rockets are desperate for outside shooting. Letting Trevor Ariza walk away — even if $15 million for a year was an overpay — has taken a huge toll on this team that was a healthy Chris Paul away from the NBA Finals last year. Eric Gordon is currently in a prolonged slump, clocking in at 29 percent on 3-pointers. In order for Mike D’Antoni’s team to return to the heights of last season, they need more perimeter threats.

Enter Wayne Ellington. The Miami Heat took a calculated risk when they brought back a bunch of mid-tier players on above market contracts. So far, it has not paid dividends. Dion Waiters has yet to see the floor this season. Tyler Johnson’s salary looks worse and worse. Kelly Olynyk has been well, Kelly Olynyk. The Heat are sitting at ninth in the Eastern Conference, just a game back of eighth, but is just making it into the playoffs again really what this Heat team needs?

Why not double down on the nostalgia? Dwayne Wade has already said that this year is his last in the NBA, let’s bring Anthony into the fold and really spice things up on South Beach. With the news that Goran Dragic will be out for at least two months, watching Anthony and Wade team up in their collective twilights is more likely than Miami making another late playoff push.

Prodigal son, James Ennis III, makes his return to the Heat in this deal as well and don’t discount Marquese Chriss’ ability to finally push Hassan Whiteside out of the rotation (or out of Miami altogether).

Daryl Morey is a known tinkerer. Last year was the first time in years that Morey didn’t make a move in-season. Ellington is the type of piece that Morey usually zeroes in on and brings home.

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