NBA Conference Finals: The 4 Trades That Got Us Here

Clearly, the Cavs acquiring Mo Williams has put them as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.

I think I said the same thing in the article. However, I bet Joe Dumars thought the Pistons would still get out of the first round with AI.

None of these teams are where they are today without these excellent moves but I honestly think the most significant one is the Nuggets getting Billups. The Cavs were a top 3 Eastern team without Mo, the Lakers would be good anyways with Kobe, the Magic have a dominant Center in Howard but they all make it out of the first round without Mo, Lewis or Pau. The Nuggets however, wouldn't even make it past the Hornets in the first round without Billups. Yea he doesn't score a lot of points, but he brings tremendous leadership and locker room prescence with him. He makes the big shots that matter and helps facilitate last years turnover prone offense. And most of all he commands a tougher and more disciplined defense. The Nuggets haven't made it out of the first round in so many years and haven't made it to the Conference Finals since 85. Billups was the best pickup, too bad for Dumars and Detroit, they look like they are in trouble.

Gasol to LA is up there with the Billups move. The Lakers were a 5/6/7/8 team in the West when Kobe was on his own.

I agree. People seem to forget how versatile and talented Gasol really is. He's easily as talented as Lamar Odom, without the three point range, but with much more consistency and reliability. The Chauncey trade is just as good.