Gutsiest NBA Preseason Decisions

SI Staff | Oct 24, 2012

Gutsiest NBA Preseason Decisions /

Gutsiest NBA Preseason Decisions

It was one of the biggest trades in NBA history, with 12 players from four different teams switching squads. The headline-grabber, of course, was Dwight Howard, who, after months of trade demands, was finally on his way to Los Angeles. In order to make the deal happen, L.A. had to part ways with Andrew Bynum, a 24-year-old who averaged 18.7 points per game last season.

'Linsanity' swept through New York in February 2012, as a largely unknown Harvard grad turned into a household name nearly overnight. Five months later, though, Lin was gone. The Houston Rockets offered him a three-year deal that the Knicks opted not to match. A week after the move, Lin told SI.com that he had wanted to stay with the Knicks. "What New York did for me was unbelievable. I wanted to play in front of those fans for the rest of my career," he said.

When Brandon Roy retired in December 2011 at the age of 27, it appeared to be the end of a once-promising career for the chronically injured Trail Blazer. Seven months after his retirement, the Timberwolves announced that they would give Roy another chance in the NBA. Roy said he thinks his knees will be ready for this season. Minnesota is hoping he is right.

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Bynum was long considered the future of the Lakers, but he now assumes a different role in Philadelphia: leader. The seven-year veteran is still only 24 and averaged a career-high 18.7 points per game last season. In order to get Bynum -- and Jason Richardson -- in the deal, the Sixers parted ways with Andre Iguodala, Moe Harkless and Nikola Vucevic.

The Nets did not give up any big names for the former Hawks' star, but they sure dealt away a lot of players. Jordan Farmar, Anthony Morrow, Johan Petro, DeShawn Stevenson, Jordan Williams and two draft picks all got sent Atlanta's way in exchange for Johnson.

Coming into the draft, nobody knew where Royce White would be picked. His projections ranged from late lottery pick to early second-round selection. The reason for that range? White suffers from an anxiety disorder triggered by, among other things, a strong fear of flying. Despite the risk, Houston took a gamble, picking him 16th.

Beasley was the second overall pick of the 2008 draft but has yet to materialize into a star. He had an impressive 2010-11 season, but last year averaged just 11.5 points and 4.4 rebounds per game coming off the T'wolves bench. The Suns, who signed him to a three-year $18 million contract, are hoping the 23-year-old still has the potential to be the dominant force he was at Kansas St.

Mike Dunlap has not held a head coaching position since he manned the helm at Metro State University in 2006. Since then he has held assistant coaching positions in the NBA with the Denver Nuggets and in the NCAA at Arizona, Oregon and -- most recently -- St. John's. Dunlap has a tough task ahead of him, as the Bobcats held an embarrassing 7-59 record last year.

Dwight Howard wanted out. With rumors of Howard's imminent departure swirling for more than a year, the Magic traded the face of their franchise. In return, Orlando acquired six players from three teams, including Arron Afflalo, Nikola Vucevic, Al Harrington, Moe Harkless, Josh McRoberts and Christian Eyenga.

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Landry Fields did not exactly 'wow' the Madison Square Garden crowd like Jeremy Lin did, but he still managed to leave the Knicks with a hefty pay increase. Despite averaging just 8.8 points and 2.6 assists per game, the 24-year-old guard will be earning $20 million over the next three years with the Raptors.

Published Oct 24, 2012

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