Sports provides us with suspenseful moments all of the time. In the NBA, usually those moments happen during intense playoff games. However, once a year…NBA junkies get the NBA Trade Deadline. The deadline is like an event in its own. Fans hopes are on the line as their respective teams attempt to make themselves better (Nice job Thunder & Pelicans)…or worse (we see you Lakers!).
The deadline is full of suspense, and usually provides very little bang for its buck. Still, we all stay glued to our phones…refreshing Twitter or Hoops Hype or Bleacher Report (whatever your site is), trying to get notified of the latest deal, even if it’s Ersan Ilyasova getting traded (and of course Ilyasova got traded, he always does).
Our hosts Brandon & Erick breakdown each deal, and, of course, we will grade these trades prematurely and semi-arbitrarily, because there is NO better way to judge them than by judging it immediately, regardless if the players have actually played for their new team. Duh.
You can also listen to the NBA Trade Deadline Podcast below! Enjoy!
Winners & Losers
| Winners: | Losers: |
| • Oklahoma City Thunder • LA Lakers • New Orleans Pelicans • Dallas Mavericks |
• Sacramento Kings • City of Sacramento • Philadelphia 76ers • Boston Celtics |
The Deals
Pelicans trade Buddy for Boogie
Pelicans receive: C – Demarcus Cousins, F – Omri Casspi
Kings receive: G – Buddy Hield, F – Tyreke Evans, G – Langston Galloway, 2017 1st (Top 3), 2017 2nd
The Pelicans were able to acquire enigmatic All-Star Center, Demarcus Cousins just after the All-Star break for Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, two draft picks and a Large Dr. Pepper (with a lot of ice). The Pelicans were able to find the Kings at their low point, at got Boogie without giving up a whole lot (they even got a top-3 protection for the 2017 first rounder!). Boogie is up for an extension soon, so this is a very intriguing move by the Pelicans. The thought of two All-NBA big men playing together should frighten most teams, however this team now needs shooting, badly. The Pelicans are in a great position. If this works out, then they have Anthony Davis & Demarcus Cousins paired together. If it doesn’t, the Pelicans have the option to move Boogie in the summer (Lakers will answer the phone).
Pelicans Grade: A+
Oh the Kings. What in the hell is going on? Not only do they trade their franchise player, but they do it for pennies on the dollar. I like Buddy Hield, but not FOR Boogie. That’s pretty much what this trade was. The 1st round pick is nice, but the Kings gave the Pelicans top three protection…WHAT ARE YOU DOING? At this point, I feel bad for all real Kings fans. This team doesn’t understand how anything works with the CBA and continually treats their players and fans like shit. The Kings better hope the Pelicans make the playoffs, because they stupidly gave the 76ers pick swaps in the Nik Stauskas deal (yay Kings). The Kings also now have tons of players that are unattractive to every other team, but at least they don’t have Rondo!
Kings Grade: D
-Brandon
Raptors are for real, acquire Ibaka
Raptors receive: F/C – Serge Ibaka
Magic receive: G – Terrence Ross, 2017 1st Rd Pick
The Toronto Raptors Traded G Terrence Ross and a 2017 first-round pick (which shouldn’t be that high of a pick based on the Raptors record) to the Orlando Magic for F Serge Ibaka. This is a great deal for the Raptors, and it shows that they’re not bull shitting about challenging the Cavs for the Eastern Conference crown. The Raptors mean business, the power forward position was the weakest link on the team, and they went ahead and did something about it. The projecting starting five of G Kyle Lowry, SG DeMar DeRozan, SF DeMarre Carroll, PF Serge Ibaka, and C Jonas Valanciunas is nothing to laugh at. These are the kind of moves that make a guy like DeRozan glad they re-signed, and show the rest of the team that the organization is serious about building a winner.
Raptors Grade: A
On the other side of the trade we have the Orlando Magic, I actually applaud them for realizing Ibaka didn’t want to be there, and they were better off trying to get something of value for him via trade. Terrence Ross is no Ibaka, but the addition of Ross means that Aaron Gordon can now move to the PF position and Ross can play SF. The magic were not able to land a Super Star before the trade deadline, but they were able to get younger and get a first round pick as well.
Magic Grade: B
-Erick
Mavs Get Their Big, Acquire Noel
Mavericks receive: Nerlens Noel
76ers receive: C – Andrew Bogut (waived), F – Justin Anderson , 2017 1st (top 18 protected)
The 76ers went ahead and traded away Nerlens, but didn’t get much value in return. Justin Anderson is an unproven guy, and Bogut was waived. The 1st round pick they got, is a pick that they most likely won’t end up receiving since the Mavericks are in the playoff picture. Not a lot of things to like about this trade on the 76ers side of the deal, but I sure am glad Nerlens found his way out of that log jam.
Mavericks Grade: B
It didn’t go to well for the 76ers in the deal, but that wasn’t the case for the Mavericks. They were able to land a young Center in Nerlens Noel that has shown some serious potential when healthy. Dallas was able to get younger, and they didn’t have to give up much to do so. The Mavericks are in the playoff hunt, and this move should only improve their odds of getting in. This was a good move for the short term, but it is also a great player to add along side Harrison Barnes for the future of this franchise.
76ers Grade: C
-Erick
Rockets pick up Sweet Lou
Rockets receive: G – Lou Williams
Lakers receive: F – Corey Brewer, 2017 1st Round Pick
The Rockets did an excellent job here. They bolstered their bench with a prime time scorer, Lou Williams, for a player that was not playing. Lou is under contract for one more season, at a very reasonable $6M clip. Lou will provide instant energy to this Rockets team off the bench, and allow James Harden & Eric Gordon to play less minutes down the stretch. Losing a pick won’t harm them this season. A great move by Daryl Morey, again.
Rockets Grade: A
The Lakers were able to double down on a 2017 first round pick, just in case the top-3 protected pick ends up #4 or lower (goes to Philly in that case). Losing Lou Williams makes the Lakers worse, which is what new President Magic Johnson should want. Corey Brewer is a decent addition to the bench, and can provide some veteran savvy to the lineup. His reputation as a hard worker and a grinder should seep its way onto the youngin’s in LA. The pick will be in the very low 20’s, but a first round pick in a deep draft is always a good thing to have.
Lakers Grade: B+
-Brandon
Thunder/Bulls Exchange Rotation Pieces
Thunder receive: F – Taj Gibson, G – Doug McDermott, 2018 2nd Round Pick
Bulls receive: G – Cameron Payne, F – Joffrey Lauvergne
Sam Presti and the Thunder are always crafty this time of year. Presti likes to shake things up (James Harden trade) and take gambles. This however, is no gamble. This is a great move to bolster a roster that needed some big man help. Taj Gibson will provide toughness on offense and defense, and provide solid depth. Kanter is due back soon, but Taj can easily play with both Adams and Kanter, making this a great decision. Any team that plays the Thunder will be in for a fight. McDermott has a chance to really shine here, and he should get a ton of open looks from teams doubling Westbrook. If McDermott can play better in OKC, players like Roberson or Singler might be gone sooner rather than later. Losing Payne hurts, mainly hurts Russ’s pregame dancing.
Thunder Grade: A
What is Chicago doing here? Rumors were flying all day about Jimmy Butler and the Bulls starting to rebuild. The trade implies a retool, but our eyes tell us this team is nowhere near Championship level. The Bulls traded the longest tenured Bull away, for a solid young Point Guard, and not much else. Now the Bulls have three PG’s on the roster (Carter-Williams, Rondo and Payne), so playing time could be a factor. Not to mention, the Bulls already have Wade and Butler, who need the ball a lot. If Chicago wants to rebuild, then rebuild. Otherwise, these trades only keep them in no-mans land.
Bulls Grade: C
-Brandon
D-Will, D-Waived
Mavs release: G – Deron Williams
The Dallas Mavericks also waived Deron Williams, who is rumored to sign with the Cavaliers if he clears Waivers. This moves is another move that helps the Mavs get younger. By waiving Williams, rookie Yogi Ferrell can now take over the PG position. If Deron Williams is able to find his way to Cleveland this might help them find something close to the playmaker Lebron said the Cavs were lacking.
Mavericks Grade: B
Nuggets/Blazers Exchange Bigs
Blazers receive: C – Jusef Nurkic, 2017 1st Round Pick
Nuggets receive: C – Mason Plumlee, 2018 2nd Round Pick, Cash Considerations
The Trailblazers made a move, where they were able to get a younger player in Nurkic whose production is not far from what they were getting from Plumlee. The Trailblazers were also able to land a first round pick in the process, and with this year’s draft expected to be loaded with talent, that makes that first found pick even sweeter.
Blazers Grade: B
Basically just a center swap, and with the addition of the more seasoned Plumlee the Nuggets should still stay in the playoff race in the West (currently the 8th seed). I like the move because the addition of Plumlee improves the nuggets for both the now, and the future.
Nuggets Grade: B
-Erick
Raptors get PJ Tucker
Raptors receive: F – PJ Tucker
76ers receive: F/C – Jared Sullinger (waived), 2 second round picks
The Raptors kept making moves that show how serious they are about challenging King James and them. The addition of Tucker, after adding Ibaka makes them a better defensive, and overall tougher team. Kudos to Toronto for going all in, I for one can’t wait to see how it goes for them come playoff time. I do expect good things to come, for the fans in “ The 6”.
Raptors Grade: B
P.J. Tucker was on his last year of his contract, so the Suns figured they might as well get something for him before he left. They didn’t get a 1st rounder, but Sullinger, and two 2nd round picks is better than nothing. The Suns are a rebuilding team and they can’t afford to lose assets, without getting anything in return. So props to getting something in return.
Suns Grade: B
-Erick
Wizards Get Bench Help, Acquire Bogdanovic
Wizards receive: F – Bojan Bogdanovic, G – Chris McCollough
Nets receive: G – Marcus Thornton, F – Andrew Nicholson, 2017 First Round pick
The Wizards got much needed bench scoring by acquiring Bojan. Bojan can light it up offensively (44 points in 2016). The Wizards were openly willing to depart with a first round pick for bench help and did just that. Unloading Thornton and Nicolson are win-wins for the Wizards as well. Will Bojan be enough to push this team past Cleveland? No. But at least it will be a high scoring series.
Wizards Grade: B
The Nets get the first round pick they desperately needed. Since Boston owns the Nets 2017 first round pick (which will be a top 5 pick), the Nets had to figure something out. Losing Bojan makes them worse, which is pretty hard to do, they suck already. The Nets are in full tank mode, and will look to move Brook Lopez in the summer. It’s back to square one for the Nets, as they continue to rebuild in Brooklyn.
Nets Grade: B
-Brandon
Hawks/76ers Exchange Bigs
Hawks receive: F – Ersan Ilyasova
76ers receive: C – Tiago Splitter, 2017 2nd Round Pick (via Mia)
The Hawks get a very versatile players in Ersan to come off the bench during the stretch run. Ilyasova is a very quirky player, but can do a lot of positive things on the floor. He is a good fit with Dwight Howard, and should provide the Hawks with plenty of positive things while he is on the floor. Ilyasova is an upgrade over Tiago.
Hawks Grade: B
The 76ers got more for Ilyasova than they did for Nerlens Noel, though the move is a tad bit puzzling. Tiago is a decent big man to back up Joel “The Process” Embiid, but the 76ers still have Jalil Okafor on the team, and they all play the same position. There is definitely something brewing in Philly, and I expect Splitter or Okafor (or both) to be gone by the draft.
76ers Grade: B-
-Brandon
The Smaller Deals
Lakers/Rockets Swap Backup PGs
Lakers receive: G – Tyler Ennis
Rockets receive: G – Marcelo Huertas (to be waived)
The Rockets waived Marcelo Huertas, so it was just a salary dump for the Rockets. The Rockets really had no use for Ennis, but I do hope Marcelo finds a team, because he has the skills to be on an NBA roster.
Rockets Grade: C
Ennis to the Lakers? I say, why not? The Lakers didn’t risk anything by trading Huertas for Ennis, and who knows maybe the 4th team is the charm for Ennis. Ennis isn’t going to challenge any other guards on the team for major minutes, but maybe the change in scenery can help Ennis try and prove one last time he does belong in the NBA. For both guys in this trade, this might be the last season in the NBA for them, but here’s to hoping that it isn’t.
Lakers Grade: C
-Erick
Hibbert’s 3rd Team in 2017
Nuggets receive: C – Roy Hibbert
Hornets receive: Protected 2nd Round Pick
The Nuggets pretty much added Hibbert as depth for their playoff push, but I don’t see Hibbert sticking around on this team much further than this season. Hibbert seems like a nice guy, but his style of play looks medieval compared to today’s NBA. I hope being a 7 footer keeps Hibbert in the league a little bit longer, I just don’t know how much longer that could be.
Nuggets Grade: C
This is a salary dump situation for the Bucks, and the 2nd round pick they traded is heavily protected so they are expected to keep it. Roy Hibbert’s isn’t an exciting player to watch, so I don’t expect many Milwaukee fans to be upset about the move, so I guess that is a positive.
Bucks Grade:
-Erick
Birdman Flies Back to the Hornets
Cavs receive: 2017 2nd Round Pick
Hornets receive: C – Chris Andersen
This is a clear salary dump for Cleveland, as they are looking to clear up space for Deron Williams (potentially) and other players that got bought out or waived.
Cavs Grade: A
The Hornets got a back up big man, who is exciting…when he’s on the court. This is Birdman’s second stint with the Hornets franchise, he played with the New Orleans Hornets from 2004-2006 (appearing in the worst dunk contest ever?)
Hornets Grade: C
-Brandon
McDaniels Gets Time to Shine
Nets receive: KJ McDaniels
Rockets receive: Future 2nd Round Pick
Getting an athletic freak like McDaniels is always good if you’re trying to sell tickets. McDaniels is a project, and will get all the time he needs to play in Brooklyn. The Nets are in full tank mode, so McDaniels should provide plenty of highlights, like this.
Nets Grade: B
The Rockets free up even more cap space for the buyout market. I think they are suitors for Terrence Jones, who just got released by the Pelicans.
Hornets Grade: B
-Brandon
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