NBA

Eastern Conference

So, March 25th, 2021 has come and gone, and this NBA Trade Deadline has been very active. Some teams got better, some committed themselves to a rebuild, some made some lateral moves, and some made hilariously awful moves.

Rather than give the ones away on top, how about we go through each individual team and see for ourselves?

Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks overall upgraded with their trading Rajon Rondo to the LA Clippers for a lethal shooter in Lou Williams (along with two 2nd Round Picks). Lou Williams is a veteran who recently played for the Rockets and Clippers, and actually played for the Hawks from 2012 to 2014 (though that was an injury-prone stretch where he missed his first year due to a torn ACL).With so much experience, Williams definitely strengthens Atlanta’s aspirations for the playoffs.

Boston Celtics

Currently 21-23, the Celtics are the 8th seed, are 2-6 in their last 8 games (including embarrassing losses to Sacramento and Cleveland) and are only a half game away from being passed by the Indiana Pacers out of the playoffs. Trading two future 2nd Round Picks and Jeff Teague to the Orlando Magic for Evan Fournier bring in a reliable scorer and shooter. Afterwards, the Celtics also traded away Daniel Theis and JaVonte Green for Mo Wagner and Luke Kornet.

My only problem with this trade is that there were better targets for the Celtics on that same Magic team. Nikola Vucevic and Aaron Gordon could have given the Celtics a strong big man presence, and Vucevic is an all-star caliber player and worth every penny of his deal. That, combined with the trading away of Daniel Theis makes this trade questionable.

Brooklyn Nets

The Nets did nothing notable trade-wise, but they will most likely go for the buyout market to strengthen their team’s title aspirations; keep an eye on Andre Drummond or LaMarcus Aldridge. This team is loaded with NBA Greats like Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving, and they’ve already plunged into the buyout market with Blake Griffin.

Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte did not do anything of note at the trade deadline (other than trading for a bench player in Brad Wanamaker from the Golden State Warriors), but they did not necessarily have to. The Hornets are a young team that is bold, dynamic, and getting better, even after LaMelo Ball’s injury.

Chicago Bulls

This is the type of trade you make if you aspire for a playoff berth.

The Bulls are a pedestrian 4-6 in the last 10 games after being in the thick of a race for their first playoff appearance in 4 years. In response, Chicago traded away Otto Porter, Wendell Carter Jr, and two future 1sts to the Orlando Magic for a two time All-Star center in Nikola Vucevic, who is having another spectacular season, along with Al-Farouq Aminu. In addition, the Bulls traded to the Boston Celtics Mo Wagner and Luke Kornet for Daniel Theis and JaVonte Green.

The key piece here is obviously Vucevic who should compliment all-star Zach LaVine very nicely. This combo should be the answer the Bulls need to at least enter the play-in tournament for a chance at the playoffs.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland did not do anything of note at the trade deadline. Instead, the Cavaliers will be busy shedding unwanted salary through buyout, mainly Andre Drummond, as they continue their rebuild in the second post-LeBron era.

Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks traded away James Johnson, Wes Iwundu, and a 2021 2nd Round Pick to the New Orleans Pelicans for JJ Redick and Nicolò Melli. The obvious upgrade for the Mavericks is JJ Redick. Even though his shooting is down this season from an average of 15.3 (2019-20) to 8.7 pts per game (2020-21), an in-form Redick (even last year’s Redick) should improve Dallas immensely.

Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets traded away rookie RJ Hampton, Gary Harris, and a 1st Round Pick to the Orlando Magic for Gary Clark Jr and none other than the one-time franchise favorite for Orlando, Aaron Gordon, in a blockbuster trade.

Already with an excellent young roster of Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and Michael Porter Jr, the addition of a strong athletic wing defender in Aaron Gordon (also an elite dunker) should make the Denver Nuggets a championship contender.

Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons traded away Delon Wright to the Sacramento Kings for Cory Joseph and two 2nd Round Picks. Overall, the Pistons made moves merely to allow their young core more playing time (Dennis Smith Jr, Saben Lee, and Killian Hayes), as well as to improve their tank to the bottom for a chance at the #1 Pick.

Golden State Warriors

It is hard for me to understand what the Warriors are doing. Golden State traded away Marquese Chriss to the San Antonio Spurs for the rights for Cady Lalanne. This effectively reduced their luxury tax. Likewise, they also traded Brad Wanamaker to the Charlotte Hornets while swapping 2nd Round Picks. However, they didn’t get rid of Kelly Oubre’s contract (though it is an expiring deal). Dealing Oubre could have given them some value back.

The Warriors could use some help for their team, currently 22-23 and on a 3-7 stretch in 10th place. Without Klay Thompson, the Warriors need to do more than jettison an injured player (Marquese Chriss), if they want to return to the postseason and stay competitive enough to keep Steph Curry happy.

Houston Rockets

Oh boy… Where do I even start?

From the James Harden trade back in January to the Brooklyn Nets, the Houston Rockets received Dante Exum, Caris LeVert, and Rodions Kurucs, and that 3-team deal included Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince being sent to Cleveland. Then Houston traded Caris LeVert away for Victor Oladipo from the Pacers. The Rockets did start off 11-10 with a 6-1 stretch towards the end of January/beginning of February… but then came the 20 game losing streak that just a couple nights ago was snapped with a win over the Toronto Raptors. As of today, the Rockets are now an abysmal 12-31, sitting in 14th in the Western Conference, with the only team worse than them in that conference being the Minnesota Timberwolves. But the ultimate dumpster fire is the trade that happened today that sent Victor Oladipo to the Miami Heat: the Rockets received Kelly Olynyk (to be fair, he is a quality player), Avery Bradley (who has had major injury issues this season), and a 2022 1st Round Pick Swap (with Brooklyn’s).

So, in addition to last week’s PJ Tucker trade with Rodions Kurucs to the Milwaukee Bucks for DJ Wilson, DJ Augustin, a 2023 1st Round Pick, and the right to swap a 2021 2nd Round Pick with Milwaukee (provided it’s not 1-9), the Houston Rockets basically traded *James Harden* (one of the best NBA players) for Dante Exum, DJ Wilson, DJ Augustin, Kelly Olynyk, Avery Bradley, and picks that at the moment look like they’ll be in the late 20s (in a best-case scenario, the picks from 2025 onward get good because the Brooklyn Nets end up having to rebuild in 4 years when the Durant/Harden/Irving core gets old).

Just brutal… Especially if you look at what the Oklahoma City Thunder got for Paul George and Russell Westbrook recently. By the way, to make matters worse, if the Rockets aren’t in the top 4 in the lottery, their pick will be swapped with the Thunder as part of that Westbrook trade. So, the Rockets better make sure they get in the top 4 for Cade Cunningham. To clarify, while it is very likely that the Rockets are in the Top 4, starting in 2019 the lottery rules allow the top 3 teams a 14% chance of winning the lottery.

In 2019, the three worst teams were the New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Phoenix Suns; but the lottery allowed the New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies to jump the Knicks and the LA Lakers to jump both the Cavs and the Suns. In 2020, it was a little more stable. The Timberwolves got the #1 pick over the Warriors’ #2, despite the Warriors being the only team finishing below Minnesota. However, the Charlotte Hornets and Chicago Bull, despite having better records, both jumped the Cleveland Cavaliers, Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, and New York Knicks. For the Rockets, while they are likely to get a top-4 pick, it’s far from guaranteed. And if they don’t, the gamble Morey made for Westbrook could backfire badly as the Thunder get a chance for two top prospects.

To be fair, that trade was under Morey, not under new GM Rafael Stone, but the Oladipo trade should concern Rockets fans. If this is the best he can do, the Rockets could be in for a very rough rebuild.

Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers did nothing, but like the Hornets, they’re an improving team that has Caris LeVert back from an injury. The Pacers have struggled early in the season, and are currently 9th in the East, but should surge under LeVert.

Los Angeles Clippers

Gone is Lou Williams who, ever since his trade from Houston 4 years ago in the Chris Paul deal, played very well for the Clippers. Instead, the Clippers get a veteran point guard in Rajon Rondo.

He’s not a piece that will ultimately improve the Clippers’ standings in the West, but if Rondo awakens his notorious playoff form this postseason, this trade could be good for the Clippers, Tyronn Lue, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and company as they traverse a critical season for the team.

Los Angeles Lakers

The Lakers tried to get Kyle Lowry, and failed as Toronto ultimately decided to hold onto him until the offseason. Unfortunately for them, the road does not get any easier with not just Anthony Davis, but LeBron James out for an indefinite amount of time. Expect the Lakers to aggressively enter the buyout market; keep an eye on Andre Drummond or LaMarcus Aldridge.

Memphis Grizzlies

The Grizzlies are like the Warriors to me this deadline; it is hard to see what they are doing. They weren’t even able to trade away Gorgui Dieng’s expiring contract (a buyout is likely). Currently 21-20, 9th in the West, this young team led by Ja Morant could use some help to make their first playoff appearance in 4 years, especially with Jaren Jackson Jr still out.

Miami Heat

This is the second consecutive deadline that Pat Riley made brilliant trades on paper.

So, he first traded away Meyers Leonard to the Oklahoma City Thunder out for the season and caught using an Anti-Semitic slur on a stream while playing Call of Duty: WarZone; Riley got back a useful playoff veteran in Trevor Ariza. He next traded away Chris Silva and Moe Harkless, both players who have rarely seen the court all year, to the Sacramento Kings for a power forward who can shoot effectively in Nemanja Bjelica. Then, he was able to fleece Victor Oladipo from the Houston Rockets in exchange for Kelly Olynyk, Avery Bradley (another player who rarely played all season), and a 2022 1st Round Pick Swap.

Out of all the players Miami traded, only one had meaningful minutes (Olynyk.) The fact the Heat kept their young core of Kendrick Nunn, Tyler Herro, and Duncan Robinson intact, while adding Trevor Ariza, Nemanja Bjelica, and Victor Oladipo feels unfair. But, that’s what Pat Riley does.

The Heat did fall short on their quest for Kyle Lowry, as the Raptors chose to keep him until the offseason when he’s a free agent. So, it was not all perfect. However, the Heat overall had a pretty good trade deadline; and this team needed it, losing their last 5 games as of tonight after going on an 11-1 stretch. The buyout market is where it also gets interesting with options such as LaMarcus Aldridge out there.

Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks did not make any major deals today, but they did trade DJ Wilson, DJ Augustin, a 2023 1st Round Pick, and the right to swap a 2021 2nd Round Pick (outside 1-9) to the Houston Rockets for PJ Tucker last week, a player who overall improved the team, as well as Rodions Kurucs.

Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves did nothing, despite various rumors of Jarrett Culver being traded. Overall, the Timberwolves are focused on making sure the #1 Pick is theirs so that they have a good chance to draft Cade Cunningham. The Houston Rockets and Detroit Pistons are right on their tail.

In addition, the Timberwolves have to hope the NBA Lottery doesn’t go against them, as their pick this season is Top-3 protected due to the trade last season that sent Andrew Wiggins to the Warriors for D’Angelo Russell; if the pick falls to #4 or lower, that pick goes to Golden State.

New Orleans Pelicans

New Orleans traded JJ Redick and Nicolò Melli to the Dallas Mavericks for James Johnson, Wes Iwundu, and a 2021 2nd Round Pick. Overall this is a lateral move, bringing back James Johnson who is known for his leadership skills and that can allow the core with Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Lonzo Ball to grow. The trade also kept the Pelicans from having to buy out Redick, where he could have joined Brooklyn (where he lives).

New York Knicks

The New York Knicks did nothing this trade deadline. It would have been nice to find another piece that can help improve their playoff aspirations, but this is still a decent young team with RJ Barrett and a good coach in Tom Thibodeau; a breath of fresh air for Knicks fans who have dealt with ineptitude and incompetence for the last 7 seasons. If anything, the Knicks could be active in the buyout market; a possible target could be Andre Drummond.

Oklahoma City Thunder

Well, the Oklahoma City Thunder added more to their already ridiculous number of draft picks. One week ago, the Thunder got a 2nd Round Pick from the Miami Heat in the exchange of Meyers Leonard (who was just waived) for Trevor Ariza. Then on March 25th, the Thunder assembled a three trade deal with the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks. The Thunder traded George Hill to the Philadelphia 76ers, and got back the Sixers’ Tony Bradley, as well as two 2nd Round Picks from the Sixers, plus Austin Rivers from the Knicks.

OKC now has a total of 34 draft picks in the next 7 years; to clarify, if all those draft picks were in one year, the Thunder would take the entire 1st Round. Not all these picks will bring impactful players to the Thunder’s rebuild, but they will have an array of opportunities to make major moves using these picks, which could help the Thunder enter contention again very soon.

Orlando Magic

March 25th marked the end of an era for the Magic, as the team blew it up, trading 4 of their starters in one day. It feels like the Magic have been in a frustratingly constant cycle of rebuilding since trading away Dwight Howard in 2012, but if they were not in one before, the 2021 Trade Deadline marked the beginning of a new rebuild.

The day started with Al-Farouq Aminu and longtime Magic All-Star Nikola Vucevic, who was a piece involved in the Dwight Howard trade in 2012, being traded to the Chicago Bulls for Otto Porter Jr, Wendell Carter Jr, and two 1st Round Picks in 2021 and 2023.

Then, another key Magic player in Evan Fournier, who the Magic got via trade in 2014, was traded to the Boston Celtics for two 2nd Round Picks and Jeff Teague (to be waived).

And finally, Aaron Gordon, a star who the Magic actually drafted in 2014, was traded to the Denver Nuggets (along with Gary Clark Jr) for Gary Harris, RJ Hampton, and a 2025 Protected 1st Round Pick.

Out of all these, the best haul the Magic got was from Chicago in the Vucevic trade. The Bulls should be a playoff team with Vucevic, but they have a better chance at a valuable pick in 2021 than the Nuggets do (though we will not know until four years from now). Also, Wendell Carter Jr should be a good addition to a young core that includes Jonathan Isaac and Markelle Fultz.

The Denver haul for Aaron Gordon includes a promising young prospect in RJ Hampton that adds to the core (but also a bad contract in Gary Harris). Hampton is an excellent young player, and Harris could get a badly needed restart.

The weakest of these is probably the haul from the Boston trade for Evan Fournier, only getting two 2nd Round Picks and a massive Trade Player Exception that can be used to go above cap, not something likely to occur in the Magic rebuild.

Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers participated in a three team trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New York Knicks. The Sixers got back in return George Hill from the Thunder and Iggy Brazdeikis from the Knicks, while giving away Tony Bradley and two future 2nd Round Picks to the Thunder, and Terrance Ferguson, Vincent Poirier, and Emir Preldzic to the Knicks.

The biggest piece coming back to the Sixers is OKC’s George Hill, a veteran PG who’s played with Paul George, LeBron James, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Overall, the Sixers made a move that was needed for a title contender.

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns did nothing, and like the Hornets, Pacers, and Knicks, they didn’t necessarily have to do anything. Under the core with Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and DeAndre Ayton, the Suns enjoy a 29-14 record at #2 in the West and are well poised to make the playoffs for the first time in 11 years.

Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers traded away Rodney Hood and Gary Trent to the Toronto Raptors for Norman Powell. Overall the Blazers improved, especially with the addition of Norman Powell, who’s having a breakout season. Powell should be an upgrade from Rodney Hood (who isn’t having a strong season), though Gary Trent is a good young player.

One problem I see is that Powell has a player option this offseason; so this might not be the most flexible move with Hood being non-guaranteed and Trent being a restricted free agent this offseason. But, at the moment, Powell should definitely strengthen Portland on paper.

Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings traded away Cory Joseph to the Detroit Pistons (along with two future 2nd Round Picks) for Delon Wright. Later on March 25th, the Kings traded Nemanja Bjelica to the Miami Heat for Chris Silva and Moe Harkless. And then the Kings gave away a 2nd Round Pick to the Toronto Raptors for Terrance Davis.

Overall, the Kings strengthened their young core of Buddy Hield and De’Aaron Fox with the addition of Delon Wright and Chris Silva. Silva and Harkless did struggle to see the court this season, but Harkless can be a useful veteran when healthy.

San Antonio Spurs

The only trades the Spurs did on the trade deadline was getting Marquese Chriss from the Golden State Warriors. The most notable move the Spurs will make is buying out LaMarcus Aldridge’s contract, where he is free to play for other playoff teams.

Toronto Raptors

After rumors and rumors of the departure of Kyle Lowry to teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, and Miami Heat, March 25th came and gone… and Lowry is still on the team.

The Raptors did make some other moves, such as trading away Norman Powell to the Portland Trail Blazers for Gary Trent and Rodney Hood. In addition, the Raptors made some interesting moves as if they intended to create more roster spaces in the event Kyle Lowry should be traded; trading Matt Thomas to the Utah Jazz for a 2nd Round Pick and Terrance Davis to the Sacramento Kings for a 2nd Round Pick. Rumors claim the Raptors failed to trade Lowry because they attempted to push the Lakers for Talen Horton-Tucker and the Heat for Tyler Herro (the Sixers already traded for George Hill at this point, so they had presumably moved on). Neither team budged, so the Raptors held onto Lowry.

So, that leaves the Raptors with an important decision to make next offseason. They have a solid core with Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby, but this failed trade would look short-sighted for Masai Ujiri if Kyle Lowry leaves in the offseason for nothing.

Utah Jazz

The Utah Jazz did nothing in the trade market, but they remain a great team in the West, similar to the Suns. In fact, the Jazz have outperformed expectations and are 32-11 with the #1 record not just in the West but the entire league! Their core of Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert definitely looks like they have a bone to pick with the league. They have excellent defense and shoot lights-out even against good defensive teams. Hard to believe that at this point last year, we were wondering if Mitchell/Gobert would even stay together after a reported fallout between the two following Gobert’s positive Covid test that suspended the NBA season (and Mitchell also got sick).

Looking at this team, the Jazz have the look of what the Warriors were in 2014-15; Utah is a breakout team that can not only make their first NBA Finals since 1997-98 (when the Jazz faced Michael Jordan’s last dance as a Bull), but possibly even win their first championship ever.

Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards traded away Mo Wagner and Troy Brown to the Chicago Bulls for Daniel Gafford and Chandler Hutchison. Overall, a lateral move. But the Wizards have bigger problems with a Bradley Beal/Russell Westbrook team being only 15-28, 13th in the East and far below the expectations Wizards fans had this year. Their priority this offseason should be firing Scott Brooks as they enter a crossroads this summer in regards to Bradley Beal. As Beal is talked about in various trade rumors (like the Heat, Raptors, Celtics, or Knicks), the Wizards must either reassure Beal that they intend to build a contender around him or finally cut bait and trade him for some value. With Beal having a player option next year (2022), the Wizards have some big decisions to make in 2021.