National Basketball Association

Reviewing the big offseason moves this year

Published Jul. 12, 2009 8:34 p.m. ET

foxsports

With the dust barely settled on the 2008-09 season, teams are already preparing for the next campaign. Here's a run-down on the major trades and free-agent signings that have been reported thus far.

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Rasheed Wallace to the Celtics

PROS: Wallace's immense physical talents can conceivably cover every aspect of the game — rebounding, scoring from the pivot and the outlands, defending, blocking shots, passing and playing with intelligence. You name it and he can do it. He certainly adds incredible variety to the totality of Boston's game. Indeed, Rasheed and KG can play high-low, in-out and whatever combinations Doc Rivers can devise. A big-time addition for a big-time team.

CONS: Because of his volatile history, there's always a significant chance that Rasheed will poison the Celtics' team chemistry. In fact, several Hall-of-Famers have used the same term to describe Wallace's effect on his previous teams: "a cancer." And then there's Rasheed's unfortunate habit of playing hard only when the spirit moves him. On a more tactical level, Wallace's presence will undoubtedly mean reduced minutes for Kendrick Perkins, which will greatly inhibit the young big man's development. Even worse, Glen Davis now becomes the fourth big in a three-big rotation, so it's reasonable to assume that Big Baby will try to find a new home where his own playing time will befit his rapidly improving game. Ultimately, all of these changes translate into a much diminished physical presence in the paint for the Celtics.

PROGNOSIS: Expect that KG's manic energy will serve to keep Wallace from sleepwalking through too many games. Also expect that the very real opportunity to compete for the championship will keep a lid on at least the most outrageous of Wallace's on-court behavior. If Rasheed can buy into the Celtic way of doing things, then Boston will eventually trump the Cavs' Shaq-advantage.

Ron Artest to the Lakers

PROS: Although he's lost a half-step, Artest can still play ferocious defense against most shooting guards, small forwards and power forwards. In-your-face belligerence is his modus operandi, and he has the strength, the skills and the willpower to back up his sometimes over-the-top trash talking. On offense, Ron-Ron can score from far and near and can also create his own shots. He can also rebound at both ends and when he's in a passing mode, can make excellent decisions with the ball.