NBA Trade Deadline Recap
Dallas Mavericks send Andrew Bogut, Justin Anderson and a protected 1st round pick to the Philadelphia 76ers for Nerlens Noel
Why? Clearly Dallas is intent on making the playoffs after their weak attempt at tanking did not go as planned. The first round pick is protected 1–18 so they aren’t really giving up anything valuable here. They receive Nerlens Noel, who is not only a player who could help push them towards the post-season this year but he is also only 22 years old. Noel has been horribly misused in Philly and could become a defensive cornerstone for Dallas to build around.
The 76ers clear their front-court of a poor fit to open up more playing time for players they clearly value higher than they did Noel. Andrew Bogut will be bought-out. Expect him to return to Golden State or join the Cavaliers. Justin Anderson is a young wing who is worth taking a look at. If they end up with a first round pick that would just be icing on the cake for them.
Winner: Dallas, barely
The Brooklyn Nets traded for KJ McDaniels from the Houston Rockets for a future 2nd round pick
Why? Brooklyn gets a talented young wing who should finally get some minutes and could be beneficial down the line for a team with no assets. Much like Noel, he has been horribly misused and should prove to be more valuable than the price it took to get him. Houston clears up cap space.
Winner-Brooklyn
The Denver Nuggets traded a future protected 2nd round pick to the Milwaukee Bucks for Roy Hibbert
Why? The Nuggets hit the cap floor is all I can make out here. The Bucks give up someone they don’t particularly value for something (useless protected 2nd round pick). Hibbert may still be bought-out and end up elsewhere.
Winner-Denver, barely
The Chicago Bulls traded Doug McDermott, Taj Gibson and a 2018 2nd round pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Anthony Morrow, Cameron Payne, and Joffrey Lauvergne
Why? I don’t understand this from Chicago’s point of view. They gave up the two best players in this trade. McDermott may be mediocre and Gibson may be falling apart but they are still rotation players at worst. Gibson is a starting caliber 4 who will bring toughness, rebounding, defense and experience to an OKC team that could use some of it. McDermott should fit in perfectly next to Westbrook where he can live off of open three point attempts.
Cameron Payne never became the next Reggie Jackson (not saying much) and does not fit it well as another score-first guard. He is young but has not shown he is worth what Chicago gave up. Anthony Morrow and Joffrey Lauvergne are known commodities, unfortunately they are both low-level backups. OKC also ended up with a 2nd round pick in this deal.
Winner: Oklahoma City by a mile
The Houston Rockets traded Tyler Ennis to the Los Angeles Lakers for Marcelo Huertas
Why? The Lakers give a look to a young point guard who could potentially be a quality backup behind Russell. They gave up nothing of value. Houston waived Marcelo Heurtas and created even more cap space. I’m curious as to what their plan is.
Winner: Houston, barely
The Atlanta Hawks traded Mike Scott to the Phoenix Suns for a protected 2nd round pick and cash considerations
Why? The Hawks clears some cap. Scott has fallen off tremendously this year and wasn’t making an impact. The Suns take a shot on a big who can stretch the floor.
Winner: Atlanta
The Phoenix Suns traded PJ Tucker to the Toronto Raptors for Jared Sullinger, 2017 2nd round pick and 2018 2nd round pick
Why? The Raptors are clearly in win-now mode. They go after Tucker, one of the league’s toughest player and better defenders. He gives them more wing depth to compete with Cleveland and hopefully push them over the top. They didn’t have to give up too much for him and he should provide immediate help defensively.
The Suns aren’t going anywhere so dealing Tucker for a few picks and a young rotation player isn’t that worst thing that could happen. Phoenix continues to gather more assets.
Winner: Toronto, by a lot
