Boston, Golden State and Miami agree to 4-player trade

c/o ESPN

A 4-player, three team trade was approved on Wednesday involving the defending champions Miami Heat, along with the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics. This was first confirmed by Y!'s Woj.

The Warriors, in their search for an upgrade on their backcourt depth, acquired Jordan Crawford and MarShon Brooks from the Celtics. With the recent acquisition of Jerryd Bayless and the impending return of Rondo, who happened to be sent down to Maine for a couple of hours to get some practice work before being recalled, Crawford became a tradeable asset. Brooks is a throw-in to make salaries work and would complement the team's backcourt depth.

In exchange, the Warriors sent Toney Douglas to the Miami Heat. With Mario Chalmers suffering from an Achilles strain, the defending champions would like have some additional cover if in any case Chalmers, or Dwyane Wade, were to miss games. Although they have LeBron James as a more than capable ball-handler, as well as Wade, the only other point guard on the roster is Norris Cole.

The Heat then sent Joel Anthony, their 2016 second round pick, and a conditional first round pick from the 76ers that Miami acquired when they traded Arnett Moultrie, to the Celtics. Boston also received cash from the deal. Anthony gives them size, championship experience, and a trade chip that they can use in swinging a deal later on. The picks also serve as a possible trade asset. The cash is in play just to make the trade work, cap wise.

Jordan averaged 13.7 points, a career-high 5.7 assists (which led the Celtics) and 3.1 rebounds in 39 games. He started 35 times and was named as the Eastern Conference Player of the Week last month.

MarShon averaged 3.1 points and 1.9 rebounds this season, playing a total of 73 minutes in ten games in Boston. His production has dwindled since his rookie year, when he was named 2nd Team All-Rookie.

A free agent signing this past offseason, Toney averaged 3.7 points and a rebound in 24 games for the Warriors.

Joel was a part of the Miami title runs the past couple of seasons, albeit in a limited capacity. He has appeared in just 12 games for the Heat this season, and has recorded a total of six points, seven rebounds and four blocks in 37 minutes of action.

Carnival and Miami Heat follow-up on their Yolanda pledge

Carnival Corporation plc and the Miami HEAT announced a week ago that its pledge to support relief efforts in communities affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines will exceed $1.5 million, more than a $500,000 increase from its original pledge.

They had previously announced that the organization/s will pick and choose which charities the money will be allocated to:

UNICEF is to receive $500,000. Save the Children is to receive $300,000 (that includes a $50,000 donation from P&O Cruises Australia). Direct Relief is to receive $250,000. The International Red Cross is to receive $150,000 (that includes donations from P&O Cruises UK, Princess Cruises and Cunard), while the International Medical Corps is to receive $50,000 (donation from Princess Cruises).

In addition, nearly $350,000 funds (including $100,000 worth of grants from Carnival Cruise Lines and the Costa Group) have been made available to support Filipino employees (and their families) who were affected by the supertyphoon. This is of course, separate from the other local and independent fundraising initiatives being made.

According to Micky Arison, who owns the Heat and serves as the chairman of Carnival Corporation, plc., "The typhoon in the Philippines caused massive destruction, having a tragic impact on people and families there, including those members of our extended Carnival family who reside in the region. We evaluated a number of worthy organizations that are doing fantastic work in the Philippines and elected to go with these special organizations that are doing extraordinary relief work.”

Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra adds, "It is vitally important that we do everything possible to help those impacted by this tragedy. My thanks and appreciation to Carnival, Micky Arison and the entire Miami HEAT organization for their generous support and donations along with everything else they are doing to provide the critical relief that is so badly needed for so many people.”

Miami Heat to donate $1M for Yolanda relief

It is very clear that Super Typhoon Haiyan (known locally as Yolanda) made a major impact in the Visayas. Words could never express how much it has affected those who went through it.

It entails a massive relief effort to be able to address the damage that Haiyan / Yolanda made, and many nations / organizations have stepped up to the plate to help.

That includes those who dabble in sport, of which the NBA is leading the way.

The league, through NBA Cares, has set up a website specific for Haiyan relief. They, along with the players (NBPA) have made a couple of $250,000 donations, one to UNICEF, the other to World Vision.

In addition, the defending NBA champions Miami Heat, in conjunction with sister company Carnival Corporation, Plc (a conglomerate of cruise brands which is owned by Micky Arison, who also owns the Heat) have made a pledge to donate $1 million.

Here is what Mickey Arison said in a statement:

"All of us at Carnival and the Miami HEAT extend our deepest sympathy to the Philippines and its people,” Arison said. “The typhoon in the Philippines has caused massive destruction, and is having a tragic impact on people and families, including those members of our extended Carnival family who reside in the region. We are in the process of evaluating a variety of worthy organizations that are doing fantastic work in the Philippines. In addition to providing financial support for relief efforts, our collective thoughts and prayers are with all of those who have been impacted."

From head coach Erik Spoelstra, who is of Filipino heritage:

"We would like to extend our condolences to the victims in the Philippines, an area I hold close to my heart and have visited four times in the last five years. It is vitally important that we do everything possible to help those impacted by this tragedy. My thanks and appreciation to Carnival, Micky Arison and the entire Miami HEAT organization. We value the many fans that we have over there, and we will keep them in our thoughts and prayers."

On the local sporting end, The Philippine Basketball Association has donated PhP1 million to the Alagang Kapatid Foundation, while the NCAA has donated PhP 100,000, which is the same amount that the Gilas Pilipinas players have collated. Also, the United Football League's ticket sales from the rest of the UFL Cup will be sent towards the relief operation.