Trade Grades: NBA Trade Deadline Day
By Jim James
Whew! That was one busy deadline day, and there was many deals that took place. Harden to the Sixers, Simmons to the Nets, Kristaps to the Wizards are just a couple of the deals we’ll be looking at today. There is a lot to unpack, so without further ado, let’s begin!
The 4 team blockbuster
The Pistons receive:
Marvin Bagley III
The Clippers receive:
Rodney Hood
Semi Ojeleye
The Kings receive:
Donte Divincenzo
Josh Jackson
Trey Lyles
The Bucks receive:
Serge Ibaka
Two seconds round picks
Cash
Pistons Grade: 7/10
Clippers Grade: 3.5/10
Kings Grade: 5/10
Bucks Grade: 7/10
A lot to unpack in this first trade. The Clippers make a move that I have zero clue how it improves them, trading away former Raptor and arguably their best non-injured player in Serge Ibaka, for another former Raptor but half as good, Rodney Hood. They also get Semi Ojeleye, another bad piece, and they get no picks or cash. Weird.
The Kings do ok, although they traded one of their brightest young stars in a week where they trade their young stars and build the worst win now team in history, adding Donte DiVincenzo and two other players who will just not do… anything really. However, Bagley was failing, so they were essentially throwing him overboard while the getting was good.
Meanwhile, the Pistons have made a killing from this deal. Only trading Josh Jackson, Trey Lyles, and two seconds for a good draft prospect. A failing one at that, but a prospect that could be resurrected, and with the Pistons a team where Bagley can get game time, he could potentially turn around.
Finally, the defending champs. They did pretty well, getting in my opinion, the best player in the trade. They landed Serge, and they got rid of a good shooter, which docks them a couple points, but all in all, a good deal on Milwaukee’s part.
Raptors Rebel leaves
Raptors receive
Thad Young
Drew Eubanks
2022 SAS 2nd rounder
Spurs receive
Goran Dragic
2022 TOR 1st (Lottery Protected)
Raptors Grade: 6.5/10
Spurs Grade: 4/10
The Raptors get rid of Dragic, and it seems like a poor return, but Dragic wasn’t playing anyway. We get a solid player, a benchwarmer, and a second rounder. We also gave up a pick, but if it’s good we’re just gonna keep it.
The Spurs don’t get much after releasing Goran Dragic and getting a pick that will either be nothing or turn into two seconds. It just seems like a bad move for the Spurs.
Bol Bol flipped
Celtics Receive
Future 2nd rounder
Orlando Receive
Bol Bol
PJ Dozier
Future 2nd rounder
Cash
Celtics Grade: 1/10
Orlando Grade: 8.5/10
A money saving move by Boston, trading 2 duds who are out for the season. However, they get just a 2nd rounder and give up a 2nd of their own and cash. The Magic finesse Boston here. Moving on.
The blockbuster of the day
Philadelphia receive
James Harden
Paul Millsap
Brooklyn receive
Ben Simmons
Seth Curry
Andre Drummond
Two First Round Picks
Philadelphia Grade: 7/10
Brooklyn Grade: 5/10
I made a blog post on this trade yesterday, you should go check it out to see my full reaction. In short, if James Harden and Joel Embiid can get along, the Sixers will win this deal. It’ll be interesting to see how the Nets will play with a big 3 of Ben Simmons, Kevin Durant and Kyrie, and how long Ben Simmons’ “Mental Health Issues” will continue now he’s traded.
Switch of starters
Celtics receive
Derrick White
Spurs receive
Josh Richardson
Boston Grade: 4/10
Spurs Grade: 5/10
A nothing trade here. Just a swap of guards, I think the Spurs come better off from this deal but again, not much to talk about here.
Indiana and Phoenix swap bench players
Pacers receive
Jalen Smith
Future 2nd round pick
Suns receive
Torrey Craig
Pacers Grade: 6/10
Suns receive: 5/10
Nothing really to comment on this one. Next.
Wizards start their redo, Hornets get a good center
Hornets receive
Montrezl Harrell
Wizards receive
Vernon Carey
Ish Smith
Hornets Grade: 7/10
Wizards Grade: 3.5/10
I know that Montrezl hasn’t been great, but you could have got a little more than that. The Hornets will be happy with Harrell here.
Wizards sell Holiday
Suns receive: Aaron Holiday
Wizards receive: Cash
Suns Grade: 6/10
Wizards Grade: 4/10
A mneh trade. Moving on.
Kristaps moves on from Dallas
Mavs receive
Spencer Dinwiddie
Davis Bertans
Wizards receive
Kristaps Porzingis
2nd round pick
Mavs Grade: 6/10
Wizards Grade: 6.5/10
Kristaps’ Mavs heck is now over, and he returns to the East. However, he is a shadow of his Knicks self, and perhaps Spencer Dinwiddie is too much. We’ll have to see.
Schroeder leaves Boston and Theis returns
Boston receive
Daniel Theis
Rockets receive
Dennis Schroeder
Enes Freedom
Bruno Fernando
Boston Grade: 4/10
Rockets Grade: 5/10
Boston finally get rid of Enes Kanter, and after half a season, Dennis Schroeder leaves. Daniel Theis returns, and that is the only Positive here. The Rockets win this deal.
That is all, folks! I hope you liked it, this took me a while to make, so I really do hope you liked this! I’m Jim James, until next time.