Professional sports have so much in common, even if the objective isn't always the same. Each league has their own draft, all-star game, and deadlines (trades, contract extensions, etc.) but none generate excitement quite like the NBA when it comes to these 'checkpoint events.' Although teams are mostly free to trade whenever they want, the trade deadline combines sample size with pressure'almost forcing some to choose a clear cut path to tank, win now, or hang in no man's land. It's interesting that the overall buzz nearly parallels that of any other time in the season. Now let's take a closer look and evaluate the moves that were made at the trade deadline…
Atlanta, Denver, Houston, Minnesota Four-Team Trade:
Atlanta Receives: Clint Capela and Nene Hilario (waived)
Denver Receives: Gerald Green, Keita Bates-Diop, Noah Vonleh, Shabazz Napier, 2020 First-Round Pick (from HOU)
Houston Receives: Jordan Bell, Robert Covington, 2026 Second-Round Pick (from GS via ATL)
Minnesota: Evan Turner, Jarred Vanderbilt, Jauncho Hernangomez, Malik Beasley, 2020 Second-Round Pick (from BRK via ATL)
The deal to kick off the trade deadline was certainly an interesting one. Houston has been motivated to part ways with Capela for quite some time, even though he once fit like a glove as a rim-diver in their system. Unfortunately for the big man, his role went from being a perfect pick-and-roll partner to just a rebounder. Had Houston continued to utilize him, Capela could've been exchanged for even more assets.
However, Atlanta secures their center of the future (only 25 years-old), waived Nene, and really didn't need to give up anything of value. Even after acquiring Capela's salary, the Hawks will have a ton of money to play with this summer. They'll have to set aside some coin for the upcoming extensions of Collins and Young but have flexibility nonetheless. Capela and Young should be a match made in heaven, but how will the Capela/Collins pairing work' Collins has grown as a perimeter shooter but still displays the highest comfort level as a strong, bouncy interior force.
Houston was so desperate to play permanent small-ball that they've gone all-in on Covington as the missing piece. He will add some shooting and defensive versatility but it's unclear if he really moves the needle that much. Bell would've been a great, high-motor big man for this group with the flexibility to coexist alongside various player types but they dealt him mere hours later.
Minnesota appears to be taking a shot in the dark, giving up useful pieces in Bell and Covington to try and retain Beasley and Hernangomez'who are both free agents this summer (and Minnesota has zero track record of being a desirable free-agent destination). There is some potential value in Vanderbilt, who is intriguing and has yet to get a real chance to prove himself.
Like Minnesota, Denver's direction is somewhat cloudy because they almost have too many quality players. They weren't going to have the money (or even playing time) to retain their outgoing pieces but still found a way to get relatively cheap, waive-friendly contracts on top of a first-round pick. It feels like Atlanta is the winner of this deal and Minnesota is the loser–unless they re-sign one or both of Beasley and Hernangomez.
Memphis, Miami, and Minnesota Three-Team Trade:
Memphis Receives: Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters, Gorgui Deing
Miami Receives: Jae Crowder, Solomon Hill, Andre Iguodala
Minnesota Receives: James Johnson
This was arguably the most interesting trade of the deadline, especially since so many people walked away talking about how Miami was the clear winner. It's implied and understood that Iguodala is a vital piece for a contending team and can move the needle for a team trying to get over the hump. Are we sure that team was Miami' They flipped a 23 year-old building block (who has continually improved) in Winslow for the final two and a half years of Iguodala's career. It just seems like a knee-jerk move, especially to then hand him a two-year/$30 million extension upon his arrival. Crowder has value, even if he's declining and shooting career-lows across the board. Hill hasn't had a relevant moment since being overpaid by New Orleans nearly five seasons ago.
Poor Minnesota. They gave up a solid piece in Deing for someone on the rapid decline in Johnson. The writing was on the wall that they probably weren't planning to resign Deing next summer, but that's no fault of his. He's taken a hit in playing time as Karl Anthony-Towns has solidified himself as their leader, not because of his on-court ability. It wouldn't be surprising if Deing cracked the rotation early in Memphis, especially given his career-highs in three-point attempts (2.6) and percentage (38%). Johnson likely won't be much of a contributor for the Timberwolves, but he'll certainly pick up his player-option ($16 million) for next season.
It just feels like Memphis is the obvious winners here. They already received a first-round pick simply to take on Iguodala and then flipped him for a young asset, useful big man with floor-spacing ability, and Waiters, who is capable of surprises. Even if Deing and Waiters give them absolutely nothing, Winslow has more value than anyone else involved in the trade.
Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves:
Golden State Receives: Andrew Wiggins, 2021 First-Round Pick (from MIN; top-three protected in 2021, unprotected in 2022), 2021 Second-Round Pick (from MIN)
Minnesota Receives: D'Angelo Russell, Jacob Evans, Omari Spellman
There were multiple trades that had the basketball community buzzing but none quite like the exchange between these two teams. It's easy to say that this deal has been somewhat controversial for both sides. Minnesota has been absolutely dying to get Russell, and Golden State clearly signed him as a trade piece, making for a perfect marriage to get this deal done. That being said, why does this make any sense for Minnesota'
People seem so excited about Russell's crafty southpaw game that they forget how atrocious he is defensively. Same goes for their current star in Towns. Regardless of how sexy Towns and Russell sounds on paper, having your point guard and center as the two worst defense players in your lineup is a recipe for absolute disaster. There was definitely a move to be made, it's just unclear if Russell was the right move for their future.
On the other side, folks have really come out of the woodwork to express their distaste for Wiggins. It's easy to cherry-pick how he hasn't lived up to expectations but Wiggins is only 25 years old and currently playing the best basketball of his career. Everyone seems so quick to dismiss him because he's been around for a while but he's still a young, extremely durable, 20-point per-game scorer that just got traded to one of the best coaching/training staffs in the league. There's still a lot to be optimistic about with Wiggins, especially upon remembering that Golden State made back-to-back finals with Harrison Barnes instead of Kevin Durant. Can Wiggins be as useful or even better than Barnes' It's definitely possible.
The trade would be somewhat fair but then add in the incredibly valuable first-round pick from Minnesota, and Golden State simply fleeced the Timberwolves. Already bad enough this season to give them a chance at a top-five draft pick, the Warriors just positioned themselves to have another in a year or two while still returning to contending status. Meanwhile, Minnesota is going to be bad again next season, probably netting a top-three pick, and then gift-wrapping Golden State a top-three pick in 2022.
Los Angeles Clippers, New York, and Washington Three-Team Trade:
LAC Receives: Marcus Morris, Isaiah Thomas (waived)
New York Receives: Mo Harkless, 2020 First-Round Pick, 2021 Swap-Option (via LAC), 2021 Second-Round Pick
Washington Receives: Jerome Robinson
After it became clear to both Los Angeles teams that Memphis would fetch more for Iguodala than either team was willing to pay, they each set their sights on Morris. The Clippers ended up winning the negotiation but weren't forced to give up a ton in return. They add Morris, someone who can be inserted directly into the rotation, for Harkless, Robinson (limited playing time), and multiple picks (which will all almost be second-round picks). Morris isn't a perfect fit by any means, but he provides another versatile scorer and dynamic offensive option. He's had trouble in the past trying to do too much on offense but shouldn't have that problem alongside guys like Kwahi Leonard and Paul George. Even though he's small and not great defensively, it's surprising that Thomas wasn't even given a chance to earn a roster spot.
The Knicks honestly might've been able to do a Morris-for-Kyle Kuzma flip but were demanding that the discussions open with Kuzma, Danny Green, and draft considerations. That's a no-brainer for the Lakers, now forcing the Knicks to take on a player with no use to them in Harkless and somewhat mediocre picks for a team that has drafted pretty poorly over the last few decades.
Washington might quietly be the winners of this trade, seeing as they really didn't give up much but still received a young asset in return. The jury is still out on Robinson, who was a lottery-pick last year and has shown solid flashes but has yet to string together anything of value in a real sample size.
Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers:
Detroit Receives: John Henson, Brandon Knight, 2023 Second-Round Pick
Cleveland Receives: Andre Drummond
Once rumors began circulating about a potential Detroit-Cleveland deal with Drummond as the focal point, it would've been natural to think that Kevin Love or even Tristan Thompson might be the target. Instead, the Pistons showed no interest in those two and were more motivated to get Drummond's contract off their books. He has an upcoming player-option for $28.7 million that Detroit didn't want to pick up, preferring the cap space (which will likely attract no one) over a proven 26 year-old entity who has led the league in rebounding for four of the last five seasons (including the current).
Meanwhile, Cleveland at least seems interested in trying new things. Sure, Drummond could leave next summer after picking up his hefty player-option but the Cavs can't really be upset because they didn't give up anything of real value. Drummond and Love will be an interesting pairing that seems to complement each other well on paper, but this type of frontcourt duo is rapidly becoming a thing of the past.
Other Deals:
Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors:
Philly Receives: Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III
Golden State Receives: 2020 Second-Round Pick (via DAL), 2021 Second-Round Pick (via DEN), and 2022 Second-Round Pick (via TOR)
Philadelphia secures some much-needed bench depth from useful players in Burks and Robinson, giving them a pretty well-rounded group. Golden State continues to stockpile assets in exchange for players that have no future with the team.
Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies:
Houston Receives: Bruno Caboclo
Memphis Receives: Jordan Bell and 2023 Second-Round Pick (multiple contingencies)
This was a head-scratcher, because Bell would've fit so well with Houston'even off the bench. Instead, Memphis now secures a useful rotational piece in Bell for someone who is still trying to find his NBA footing in Caboclo.
Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings:
Atlanta Receives: Dewayne Dedmon, 2020 Second-Round Pick (HOU), and 2021 Second-Round Pick (via MIA)
Sacramento Receives: Alex Len and Jabari Parker
Sacramento has been ready to move Dedmon basically since they extended him, which only the Kings could do to themselves. They ship him and two picks to Atlanta for basically nothing in Len and Parker, two guys that have bounced around quite a bit over the last five years.