NBA Trade Deadline Report Cards
DeMarcus Cousins goes to NOLA
Pelicans: DeMarcus Cousins, Omri Casspi
Kings: Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, a 2017 first-round pick (top-three protected) and a 2017 second-round pick
This trade made a shitty All-Star weekend great. The Pelicans put the two best big men in the game together for the small price of a few bench players and a 1st round draft pick. I understand the Kings could not handle Cousins’ antics anymore, but they could have gotten much more for him. The only thing that can save this trade for the Kings is if Buddy Hield evolves into the star player that he was in college. Odds are that Hield will NOT become a star in the NBA and this will go down as one of the worst trades of all time.
Pelicans: A+
Kings: D
Serge Plays for His Third team in less than a Year
Raptors: Serge Ibaka
Magic: Terrence Ross and a 2017 first-round pick
The Orlando Magic shipping Serge Ibaka proves how messed up the organization has been ever since Dwight Howard was traded. The Magic basically traded Victor Oladipo for Terrence Ross. There is a huge difference between those two. The Raptors gave up an inconsistent shooter for a forward that can do everything for them. The addition of Ibaka gives the Raptors one of the best starting lineups in the NBA. The Magic, on the other hand, have absolutely no idea what direction they want to go and this trade proves it.
Raptors: A
Magic: C-
Lou Teams up with Gordon
Rockets: Lou Williams
Lakers: Corey Brewer and a 2017 first-round pick
The Houston Rockets absolutely killed this trade! They put the two best 6th men together in Eric Gordon and Lou Williams, and gave up nothing. The Rockets just gave up Corey Brewer, who was doing nothing for them, and a first round draft pick (that will not benefit them anyway). The Los Angeles Lakers secured themselves a first round pick. Magic Johnson’s first transaction as GM was needed, but it was nothing special. Honestly, the Lakers could have gotten more for Williams and Magic jumped the gun.
Rockets: A+
Lakers: B
A Piece of the “Process” is Broken
Mavericks: Nerlens Noel
76ers: Andrew Bogut, Justin Anderson and a 2017 first-round pick (top-18 protected)
This trade was a head scratcher for the Philadelphia 76ers. They basically traded away Nerlens Noel for Justin Anderson. Andrew Bogut and a first round draft pick are worth nothing. The draft pick is a “top 18 protected pick”. The Dallas Mavericks are definitely not making it to the playoffs, meaning they will get to keep the pick. Also, they are in the process of buying Andrew Bogut out. There is a ton of upside to the Mavericks, but the downside to this trade is they will either be forced to pay him a lot over this offseason, or let him walk to free agency.
Mavericks: B+
76ers: C
Wizards Bolster their Bench
Wizards: Bojan Bogdanovic and Chris McCollough
Nets: Marcus Thornton, Andrew Nicholson and a 2017 first-round pick (lottery protected)
This trade was great for both teams. The Brooklyn Nets got themselves a first round draft pick and the Washington Wizards added bench depth which they need desperately. The only problem about the trade is that Bogdanovic is a free agent after this season and the Wizards will be focusing on resigning Otto Porter Jr.
Wizards: B+
Nets: A-
The Thunder gain Depth
Thunder: Doug McDermott, Taj Gibson and a 2018 second-round pick
Bulls: Cameron Payne, Anthony Morrow and Joffrey Lauvergne
I may be the only OKC fan that does not love this trade. The Oklahoma City Thunder gained a 3 point shooter (Doug McDermott) and a good forward (Taj Gibson), but they gave up Cameron Payne who has a lot of potential. Gibson is a one year rental because he is an unrestricted free agent after the season and the odds of the Thunder resigning him are slim. The Chicago Bulls did not lose much. Gibson would have walked away in the off-season and McDermott was not fitting the system. Payne can either be a boom or bust for them but it is definitely worth it to see if he can reach his potential. Other than Payne the Bulls did not get much and it could bite them in the ass if Payne doesn’t become they player they think he will be.
Thunder: B+
Bulls: B
Raptors add a Defensive Specialist
The Toronto Raptors received P.J. Tucker for Jared Sullinger and two second-round picks
This is another trade the Raptors did extremely well. Last year in the Conference Finals, they had difficulty guarding LeBron James . P.J. Tucker provides them with that “tough man” mentality. Tucker also provides them with bench depth. For the Phoenix Suns they got rid of unneeded cap and got some picks out of it. They may be 2nd round picks but they are only for the price of a player that does not do much for them anyways.
Raptors: A
Suns: B+
Small Transactions:
Hawks: Ersan Ilyasova
76ers: Tiago Splitter, a 2017 second-round pick and a 2017 second-round pick swap
Nets: K.J. McDaniels
Rockets: Cap Space
Nuggets: Roy Hibbert
Bucks: Second-round pick
Lakers: Tyler Ennis
Rockets: Marcelo Huertas
Suns: Mike Scott
Hawks: Cash
