NBA coast to coast: Let’s not make a deal

Thanks to the NBA’s new CBA, the trade deadline was DOA.

The reluctance of teams to assume future salaries or part with increasingly coveted draft picks under the constricting collective bargaining agreement meant that nearly all was quiet on the Western (and Eastern) fronts Thursday.

Dwight Howard remained a Laker. Josh Smith stayed in Atlanta. Eric Bledsoe didn’t have to buy change-of-address cards to denote he was a former Clipper.

There was little movement of note, unless you count part-time starting shooting guard J.J. Redick going from one bad team (Orlando) to a middling playoff contender (Milwaukee) as part of a six-player trade.

Even more so than usual, economics factored into every deal as general managers gird themselves for the more punitive luxury taxes that take effect next season.

The Bucks emerged as winners by acquiring Redick for a trio of reserves while holding on to their draft picks. Oklahoma City sent third-string point guard Eric Maynor to Portland for a $2.4-million trade exception, the fiscally frugal Thunder further ensuring it stays under the tax threshold after already unloading James Harden on the season’s eve.

Orlando’s decision to trade Redick was also largely a money matter. The Magic opted to go cheaper at backup shooting guard with starter Arron Afflalo having three more seasons and $22.5 million left on his contract.

On the plus side, several team executives who couldn’t upgrade their rosters were able to maintain significant salary-cap space with the hope of making a big move during the July free-agency period.

Better luck this summer fellas.

Oh, brother

Not getting their money’s worth from Derrick Rose was bad enough for the Chicago Bulls.

Having his older brother add his two cents didn’t help matters.

“It’s frustrating to see my brother play his heart and soul out for the team and them not put anything around him,” Reggie Rose told ESPNChicago.com after the Bulls failed to fortify their roster at the trade deadline.

“What have you pieced together? Have you made any moves? Have you made any trades to get better? You know all roads to the championship lead through Miami. What pieces have you put together for the physical playoffs? … Joakim Noah is a great player. Luol Deng is a great player. But you need more than that.”

A healthy Derrick Rose would help, though there remains no guarantee that the star point guard sidelined all season after knee surgery will return. Rose did scurry to rebut his brother’s remarks after Bulls executives escorted him into a private room inside the United Center to discuss the issue.

“I have always felt that the Bulls organization’s goals have been the same as mine and that is to bring another championship to this city,” Rose said in a statement released by the team.

Here’s guessing that Reggie Rose won’t be riding atop the championship parade float should the Bulls win it all.

—Ben Bolch