Grading Every NBA Trade Deadline Move

(Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Pistons Trade Delon Wright to the Kings for Cory Joseph & 2 2nd Round Picks

Detroit: B-

(John Minchillo/AP)

The first deal of the deadline happened early Thursday morning. The Pistons and the Kings decided to swap bench scorers. For Detroit, they unload Delon Wright who was probably playing too good for them. It’s weird to say but the Pistons are trying to lose games and Wright was having his best year yet. They unload Wright for assets before having to pay him or let him walk in the offseason. Joseph will help their bench and can mentor Rookie Killian Hayes when he’s back from injury. Also picks never hurt when you’re trying to be bad. Not a major boost, but financially smart and Joseph still has some left in the tank.

Sacramento: B+

(Jeff Chiu/AP)

The Kings decided to bolster their bench and add scoring for a Play-In run. Sacramento is only 2 games back of the 10th and final spot in the Playoffs. Wright will help a bench that is already Top 10 in scoring this year. His shooting and playmaking ability will provide relief for Buddy Hield and De’Aaron Fox. Its usually good when you get the best player in the deal. I’m surprised the Kings are actually trying to win.

Cleveland Trades Javale McGee to Denver for Isaiah Hartenstein & 2 2nd Round Picks

Cleveland: B-

(David Zalubowski/AP)

The Cavs had way too many big men on their roster. McGee was the easiest one to ship out due to his contract, age, and interest around the league. After starting his career in a very goofy way, McGee has turned himself into a 3-time NBA Champion. I thought he would end up in Brooklyn, Denver snags him. The Cavs really did this for the picks. They still have Larry Nance Jr., Kevin Love, and Jarrett Allen to eat up time at the center position. Isaiah Hartenstein could see spot minutes and get a chance to grow, but will most likely be buried on the bench.

Denver: A-

(cavaliersnation.com)

Javale is actually going to help this team. Denver gave up a guy that averages 9 minutes a game for an experienced, veteran back up center. McGee is going to provide relief for Jokic and will not be out of place deep into the Playoffs. Denver is a small team and got even smaller when they lost Mason Plumlee in the offseason. McGee will find his way onto the court in big moments and will automatically be the best rim protector on the team.

Orlando Trades Nikola Vucevic & Al Farouq Aminu to Chicago for Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr., & 2 1st Round Picks

Orlando: C+

(Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

Orlando had an absolute fire sale during Thursday’s deadline. Their biggest trade, and the biggest trade of the day, was shipping 2-Time All-Star and longtime Center Nikola Vucevic to the Bulls. Orlando will take on young prospect Wendell Carter Jr and Veteran swingman Otto Porter Jr. I found it hard to believe this is all Orlando could get for Vuc. Carter Jr. is a solid player, but has not been able to find consistency on offense since entering the league. Maybe he will find his way with the opportunity he gets with the Magic. It remains unseen if Porter Jr. will be a buyout candidate or if he’ll play there. Either way, he doesn’t make a massive impact on winning. Just ask the Wizards and Bulls. The picks will be interesting. If the Bulls get better, like they should, then those picks won’t be that good. Also they are top 4 protected, meaning if they land in the top 4, Chicago gets them. It’s hard to give a team a good grade when they are blowing it up, but Orlando is actually making the right move trading Vuc. I’m just surprised that’s all they got.

Chicago: A+

(Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP)

In my opinion, this deal made the Bulls a lock to at least reach the Play-In game. Vuc will pair up with Zach LaVine to give the Bulls two All-Stars for the first time in almost 10 years. Chicago is trying to win now and advance themselves up the ladder in the hierarchy of the East. Wendell Carter Jr. wasn’t working out with the Bulls and Otto Porter Jr. was on one of the worst contacts in the league. He still is actually, its just Orlando’s problem now. The Bulls came away with the best player in the deal and the best player moved at the deadline. They have all the talent in the world to begin a climb up the rankings and reestablish themselves as a large market team. I love this move for Chicago and think it makes them a much, much better squad.

Orlando Trades Evan Fournier to Boston for 2 2nd Round Picks

Boston: A-

(bostonglobe.com)

The Celtics got the bench scorer and shooter they desperately needed. Fournier is having a career year, averaging 19.7 PPG with Orlando. Those numbers will drop a bit when he arrives in Boston, but his skill set is perfect. He will likely be the 6th man and immediately adds depth that was badly needed on the Celtics' bench. He will be able to play with the starters and take a load off of Tatum, Brown, and Kemba’s shoulders. Boston had to use 17 million of their 28 million dollar trade exception to get Fournier without giving up players, but I think it is worth it. Acquiring Fournier now gives the Celtics his Bird Rights, which will allow them to resign Evan while also looking to use the remaining 11 million dollars of the trade exception this offseason. Boston not having to give up a first round pick is a massive win for them. Hopefully they continue to look for a bigman on the buyout market, but for now, their 2nd biggest need is filled.

Orlando: D+

(bostonglobe.com)

I know the Magic were almost forced to trade Fournier, but they really couldn’t get a first from somebody? Fournier is a 20 PPG scorer off the bench and a consistent bucket in the league. Orlando is starting a massive rebuild and needs good picks. Boston’s 2nd round picks are not going to be high if the Celtics continue to be a decent team. This seems like another steal from Trader Danny.

Orlando Trades Aaron Gordon & Gary Clark to Denver for Gary Harris, RJ Hampton, & a 1st Round Pick

Orlando: B-

(Aaron Ontiveroz/Denver Post)

Aaron Gordon was the most likely person in the entire league to be traded at the deadline. He publicly criticized the winning culture of the organization and asked for a trade last week. Apparently he didn’t need to even ask as Orlando was already gaging interest in Gordon around the league. It almost seemed like a sure thing that Aaron was going to Boston, until Denver swooped and snatched the high-flying wing. Denver’s package centered around Gary Harris enticed the Magic more than Boston’s package centered around Aaron Nesmith and Picks. Gary Harris is a solid wing defender and shooter. His inconsistency played him out of the rotation in Denver as young players began to become more reliable than Harris. He has shown flashes over his 6 year run with Denver. I’m sure his numbers will go up with the Magic and he could even play himself into a solid next contract. Other than Harris, R.J. Hampton has shown potential to be a craft guard in the league. The rookie has serious bounce and a good basketball IQ. The 1st round pick is most important to the Magic, but they actually came away with two decent players. Its now up to Harris and Hampton to capitalize.

Denver: A-

(Brian Fluharty/USA Today Sports)

The Nuggets officially found their Jerami Grant replacement. Aaron Gordon will be asked to do less in Denver than he was in Orlando, which is good for Denver and Gordon. The big downfall to Gordon’s game has been his inconsistency on offense. Some nights he is a sharpshooter and some nights he’s a bricklayer. With that being said, if Gordon can accept being the 3rd or 4th option for Denver, this team just got a lot scarier. Aaron should be able to seamlessly jump into Denver’s free flowing, cutting based offense. His drives to the hoop will be a joy for MVP candidate Nikola Jokic. Harris was barely playing for Denver and they flipped him for a potential needle mover in the Western Conference. Kinda like Gary Harris, if Gordon is fine with his new role in Denver, I think we’ll see one of the best years of his career. This has the potential to be the best trade of the day, and it’s going strongly in Denver’s favor.

Miami Trades Mo Harkless & Chris Silva to Sacramento for Nemanja Bjelica

Miami: B

This one is pretty simple. Miami lost Kelly Olynyk in a different trade and quickly replaced him with Bjelica. Bjelica is a stretch power forward who has had moments with the Kings. He will be asked to be a backup big for Miami and shoot the ball when he gets it. He is a 38% 3 point shooter in his career and will be able to knock them down with relative consistency. Mo Harkless was barely playing for Miami, and Chris Silva was playing less than Mo. The Heat lost a stretch big and immediately replaced him. That’s it. He may be a bit of a downgrade from Olynyk, but not enough for Pat Riley to worry about it.

Sacramento: B+

(David Santiago/Miami Herald)

I actually think both teams are winners here. Bjelica is having one of his worst shooting years of his career and wasn’t playing much with the Kings loaded in the frontcourt. He was behind Marvin Bagley III, Richaun Holmes, and Hassan Whiteside in the rotation. By adding Mo Harkless, they get a wing defender who has been there and done that in the Playoffs. Harkless was also falling far down Miami’s rotation and needed a change of scenery. If I’m being honest, Chris Silva didn’t play much with the Heat and he probably won’t with the Kings either. This trade was basically two teams saying “Hey, you want this guy.”

Portland Trades Gary Trent Jr. & Rodney Hood to Toronto for Norman Powell

Portland: B

(Raj Mehta/USA Today Sports)

Portland’s grade in this trade could increase depending on Powell’s Playoff performance this year. Norm was a fan favorite and an effective bench scorer for the Raptors. He was a crucial piece to their Championship run and other deep playoff runs of the past few years. He now goes to Portland to be a flamethrower alongside Dame and CJ. Powell has the chance to really be a needle mover for the TrailBlazers. If he can average 17-20 points off the bench for them, it could sway a Playoff series. Toronto is going the other direction as a franchise and weren’t going to be able to pay Powell in the summertime. This may turn out to be a rental for Portland, but if Norm plays well this grade will go up. It would also go up even more in they can resign him this offseason.

Toronto: B+

(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

This is another trade without a loser. Toronto is entering a rebuild, whether their fans want to admit it or not. Their Championship core is dwindling with Kyle Lowry being the only one remaining. Like I eluded to earlier, Norman is expected to get a raise this summer that Toronto simply couldn’t afford. Instead of seeing Norm walk away for nothing, they flipped him for 2 solid players. Gary Trent Jr. is the gem of the package for the Raptors. He has shown himself to be one of the better young shooters in the league. He is averaging 15 PPG this season while shooting 40% from deep. He is also 5 years younger than Norm and still on his rookie contract. As for Hood, he has been inconsistent at times. He has shown up big in the playoffs, but also had some stinkers along the way. With that being said, I like his new role in Toronto. He will be a bench scorer and veteran leader for a team getting younger by the day. This deal started off financial, but turned into a positive for both franchises.

3 Team Deal:

Philadelphia Acquires: George Hill

New York Acquires: Terrance Ferguson

Oklahoma City Acquires: Austin Rivers, Tony Bradley, & 2 2nd Round Picks

Philadelphia: A

(cbssports.com)

Philly is the big winner of this confusing trade. After missing out on the Kyle Lowry sweepstakes, Philly rebounded by picking up veteran point guard George Hill. Hill will be a welcome addition to the 76ers bench. The Sixers were desperately looking for help at the guard position and Hill provides that, as well as veteran leadership. He has been in the league over a decade and has made the Playoffs almost every year of his career. He is a beloved teammate everywhere he goes and should be a great mentor for Rookie Tyrese Maxey.

New York: B

(Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

I won’t draw this one out for too long. Something happened in New York with Coach Thibs and Austin Rivers. He started the year as the first guard off the bench for the Knicks and played well. But slowly, Rivers lost playing time to newly acquired Derrick Rose and rookie Immanuel Quickley. The Knicks were able to flip a guy who literally wasn’t playing for an athletic, young wing who will most likely contribute. Not a bad day to jump into a 3 team trade.

Oklahoma City: B

(USA Today Sports)

OKC did this trade to continue their draft pick stockpile. After Thursday’s deadline, OKC officially has 34 draft picks over the next 7 drafts. They now posses 17 future first round picks and 17 future second round picks. Austin Rivers is a likely candidate to be waived or bought out, so he doesn’t factor into this trade much for the Thunder. Tony Bradley is a young, promising big man that will likely stick around the Thunder. He should see some time on the floor and is likely to contribute. OKC has been a bit banged up this year and already have one of the worst rosters in the NBA. Bradley should be able to make a bit of a name for himself with the Thunder. OKC is taking the long way to a rebuild, but honestly, I think they are being smart with their patience.

Atlanta Trades Rajon Rondo to the Los Angeles Clippers for Lou Williams

Atlanta: C-

(Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Atlanta screwed up bad signing Rondo to a 2 year, 15 million dollar contract this offseason. Rondo barely played and did zero Trae Young mentoring while with the Hawks. He dogged it in typical regular season Rondo fashion and now finds his way on a contender. Somehow that keeps happening to Rondo. He literally doesn’t try and then someone goes “He was pretty good in Boston.” For Atlanta, they get to get rid of Rondo’s contact and bring in a proven scorer in Lou Williams. I would be much higher on this trade if it happened 4 years ago. Lou Will has slowed down considerably since his 6 Man of the Year days and is averaging the least amount of points in 8 seasons. But, Lou Will is back in his hometown and I heard the Atlanta strip clubs are immaculate.

Clippers: C+

(latimes.com)

Despite all the crap I just talked about Rondo, he is valuable to have in the Playoffs. He was good for the Lakers in the Finals last year and the Clippers are hoping he’ll do the same for them. He already has a good relationship with Head Coach Ty Lue dating back to Lue’s days as an assistant under Doc Rivers in Boston. Rondo probably won’t have a single highlight until the 2nd round of the Playoffs, but that’s the only thing the Clippers are worried about. They are only concerned with winning multiple playoff series. LAC was desperate for more help at the guard position and really wanted Kyle Lowry. They will have to stick with Pat Bev, Reggie Jackson, and now Rondo. The only concern I have for the Clippers is inside the locker room. This team is already filled with weird, combustable characters and they just added a First-Team All-Combustable Member.

Houston Trades Victor Oladipo to Miami for Kelly Olynyk, Avery Bradley, & A 2022 Pick Swap

Houston: D

(Kim Klement/USA Today Sports)

Victor Oladipo never had a future as a Houston Rocket. He declined a 2 year extension within the first week of being traded there. That basically confirmed to the Rockets that he was a one year rental. Instead of letting him walk for nothing, Houston flipped the former All-Star. Typically in the NBA, it is hard to trade a guy who has made it public he wants to be traded. I know that sounds weird cause you’d think it would be easier, but teams will lowball other franchises knowing they are being forced to trade if they don’t want risk their future. Houston was forced to accept one of these lowball offers at the buzzer and unload Oladipo. The package they got is less than stellar. Kelly Olynyk is a solid stretch 5 who played decent for the Heat in the Finals last year. He gets a bad rep because he’s a goofy guy, but he can really shoot the ball. Avery Bradley is a very, very good on-ball defender, but is undoubtably past him prime. It shocks me that Houston was not able to get Duncan Robinson or a First Round Pick from Miami. I guess Pat Riley was really forcing their hand, especially after Oladipo publicly stated his interest in living and playing in Miami. What an evil genius Pat Riley is.

Miami: A

(espn.com)

Miami gave up nothing for a guy that could potentially win them a Playoff series. The Heat got to keep their best young players, Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro, and also add a bonafide scorer on the wing. Oladipo has been up and down since returning from injury, but he is still an uber athletic scorer averaging 20 PPG. He gives them another player who can create for himself and hit timely shots. I expect Oladipo to return to his All-Star form in a situation he wants to be in. If Victor can get back to his early Pacers days, the Heat just firmly placed themselves into the Top 4 in the East. My only concern is that this will likely take time away from Robinson and Herro, but it could be worth it in the short term. Also if it doesn’t work out, Pat Riley and the Heat don’t have to resign Oladipo in the offseason. Oladipo is a genius rental that could turn into much more for the Miami Heat.

New Orleans Trades J.J. Redick & Nicolo Melli to Dallas for James Johnson, Wes Iwundu, Cash Considerations, & A 2021 2nd Round Pick

Dallas: C

Dallas is fully leaning into their offense with this trade. They are already ranked 23rd in the NBA in defensive rating and just traded two of their better bench defenders. J.J. Redick is kinda like Rondo and Lou Williams. I would be more hyped about this pickup 4 years ago, or even 2 years ago with Redick. His experiment with the Pelicans did not go as planned. He spent a season and a half there and fell out of the rotation fast. His 3 point percentage has dipped to 36%, the lowest its ever been. His shot is not as consistent as it always was, and Redick was never Bruce Bowen on defense. Melli is a stretch 5 who probably won’t see a ton of time in Dallas. The Mavericks are completely giving up on defense and attempting to outscore their opponents. It may work in the short term, but I believe more talented teams will lock them down. Dallas is moving in a confusing direction with this deal.

New Orleans: B

(Jerome Miron/USA Today Sports)

New Orleans has done the opposite. They traded two offensive minded players for two solid wing defenders. James Johnson is getting up there in age, but can still contribute and play on-ball defense at a high level. Wes Iwundu has bounced around the league, but he is still young and has a chance to slide into a 3 and D role for the Pelicans. New Orleans came away from this trade with the better assets and more of a direction to their plan. It’s not a steal by any means, but New Orleans just found a way to get a little tougher in a packed Western Conference.

3 Team Deal:

Boston Acquires: Mo Wagner, Luke Kornet

Washington Acquires: Daniel Gafford, Chandler Hutchinson

Chicago Acquires: Daniel Theis, Troy Brown Jr., Javonte Green, & Cash Considerations

Boston: C

(theathletic.com)

I almost gave Boston an incomplete grade for this, but I think a C is fair. The Celtics got involved with this move strictly for financial reasons. Daniel Theis had been a solid starting center for the team for the past year. He will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year and will likely get a sizable raise. Boston wasn’t going to be able to afford Theis and also move forward with their offseason plans. They had to trade him now for some sort of return. Mo Wagner will slide into a backup big man role. Wagner is much younger and a better shooter than Theis. He will be a solid piece for the floor spacing and offensive consistency issues plaguing the Celtics this year. Luke Kornet is an unknown and could end up getting waived. If not, he probably won’t see the court much. The success of this trade for Boston comes down to what they will be able to do in the offseason. The sole reason for this deal was to get something out of Theis’ contract and get under the luxury tax. If Boston can flip that new money into a solid upgrade, their C would turn into a better grade.

Washington: B-

(John Raoux/AP)

This move is more minor for the Wizards. They switched their style of big man by trading Wagner and acquiring Daniel Gafford. Gafford is a more traditional big who will be able to add some toughness to the Wizards front line. Chandler Hutchison is a very unproven 2nd year player who will get more playing time and chances with the Wizards than he did in Chicago. The Wizards had to give up former 1st round picks Wagner and Brown Jr., but they now have a chance to develop two under the radar young players.

Chicago: A-

(Jeff Chiu/AP)

The Bulls are the winner of this trade and the winner of the Trade Deadline. They snagged the best player in this trade with Daniel Theis and gave up virtually nothing for him. Hutchison and Gafford were not turning into star players overnight and Theis will be a real help to their playoff push. Daniel was the starting center for the Celtics during their Eastern Conference Finals run last year and has played meaningful minutes in the last 3 playoffs. He will be a perfect backup center to their new All-Star Nikola Vucevic. They also add a former lottery pick with upside in Troy Brown Jr. and a super athletic wing with Javonte Green. The Bulls improved more than anyone else at the deadline and grabbing Theis from the Celtics is secretly one of the best moves of the day.