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CW21's 2023 NBA Trade Deadline Grades


CWood21

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There was one several year ago, and it was a good read, so let's try and do one now.

San Antonio Spurs | Toronto Raptors
San Antonio Spurs Receive:
PF Khem Birch
2024 FRP (Top 6 Protected)
2023 SRP
2025 SRP

Toronto Raptors Receive:
C Jakob Poeltl

For the Spurs, they had been reportedly been shopping Jakob Poeltl looking for 2 FRPs in exchange for him.  And given his future contract status as an expiring contract, it was gonna be hard to see a team giving up 2 FRPs for an expiring contract.  And with most of the picks at the end of the first round have already exchanged hands and going to teams who are rebuilding it seemed that the 2 FRPs demand wasn't going to happen.  Instead, the Spurs focused on a high-upside pick from the Raptors which is currently slotted at 9th.  Unfortunately for the Spurs, the Raptors are currently slotted for the play-in and only 4.5 GB of the 6th seed.  Given the current state of the Eastern Conference, you're probably going to see Brooklyn fall out of the top 6 opening up a potential top 6 seed.  If Toronto can get going, this pick value drops drastically but overall it's a solid gamble even if the pick conveying from Toronto ends up in the 12-18 range instead of the 7-12 range like they were hoping.  They also added a couple of SRPs plus a fringe backup big man in Birch.

The Raptors were one of the most watched teams at the deadline with the direction they'd go.  And surprisingly, the Raptors were relatively quiet outside of the Poeltl deal.  They entertained offers on OG and opted to hang onto FVV and GTJ instead gearing up for a playoff run.  The one issue is Poeltl's looming FA, which is probably safe to assume that the Spurs weren't willing to go past 4 years, $65M to retain him.  Will Toronto?  And if they're not willing/able to, they probably gave up a decent pick a rental.  I don't hate this deal, but it doesn't come without it's fair share of risks.  But from a fit perspective, it's hard to hate it.  The Raptors needed a rim protecting big man, and Poeltl does exactly that.

Spurs Grade: B+
Raptors Grade: C

 

Los Angeles Lakers | Minnesota Timberwolves | Utah Jazz
Los Angeles Lakers Get:
PG D'Angelo Russell
SG Malik Beasley
PF Jarred Vanderbilt

Minnesota Timberwolves Get:
PG Mike Conley Jr.
SG Nickeil Alexander-Walker
2024 SRP (least favorable of Washington and Memphis)
2025 SRP (via Utah)
2026 SRP (via Utah)

Utah Jazz Get:
PG Russell Westbrook
SF Juan Toscano-Anderson
C Damion James
2027 FRP (via LAL, Top 4 protected otherwise 2027 SRP)

For the Lakers, the fit is obvious. They took a non-shooter in Russell Westbrook (career 30% from beyond the 3PT arc, and sub-30% shooter as a Laker), and swap him out for 2 shooters and a high quality backup big man. D'Angelo Russell returns to LA as the big ticket trade piece and he's a career 36% shooter from beyond the arc. Defensively, he's not going to offer much but he looked decent if you try and hide him against the weakest opposing player, but that'd require LBJ to focus more on the defensive side of the ball. I'd imagine he'll see quite a bit of burn alongside Patrick Beverley. The looks he should get playing off of LeBron will almost assuredly help his shooting percentages. I'd imagine they'll look to extend him on a reasonable 2-3 year deal around $20M-$25M/year this offseason. Malik Beasley is probably the second most important player in this deal and he's a career 38% shooter. He doesn't really offer much outside of his shooting, and he's on a reasonable $16.5M team option for next season. Finally, the Lakers get another quality backup big. Personally, I think he's a bit on the overrated side, but he's another big that the Lakers can add to the mix. The only thing of note the Lakers gave up was their FRP in 2027, but Rob Pelinka did a GREAT job getting some protection on the pick, but more importantly getting the obligation to disappear after 2027 if it doesn't convey which allows them to move their '29 FRP in a separate deal.

For Minnesota, I get it. I don't like it for them, but I get it. They weren't gonna sign D'Angelo Russell to a long-term deal, and they needed to mix things up since what they currently were doing isn't working. I do like Mike Conley's fit next to ANT, KAT, and Gobert moreso than I did D'Angelo Russell. I don't really see NAW as a real valuable piece, but he'll add to the rotation. They got a few SRPs, but I would have liked them to either have gotten Sixers' pick or get some protections(s) on their future picks over those SRPs.

For Utah, they consolidated all their older veterans and got back one high-variance pick from the Lakers. The collection of the 3 probably would have fetched a ~top 20 protected FRP together. I had Malik Beasley as a neutral contract, maybe slightly positive. Vanderbilt was a slightly positive value but Conley was definitely negative. I think that package is close to neutral value, maybe slightly positive value. The notion that the Jazz should have gotten one, let alone 2 unprotected FRPs is absolutely crazy talk and those that are adamant about that are living with their heads in the sand. Ainge did well to get the protections as low as he did, and he's probably running the risk that that it doesn't convey. I'd imagine that if he wanted rolling picks, that the protections would have been stronger on that pick. Overall, it's a really solid trade for the Jazz.

Lakers Grade: B+
Wolves Grade: C
Jazz Grade: B+

 

Denver Nuggets | Los Angeles Clippers | Los Angeles Lakers | Orlando Magic
Denver Nuggets Receive:
C Thomas Bryant

Los Angeles Clippers Receive:
PG Bones Hyland

Los Angeles Lakers Recieve:
SG Davon Reed
C Mo Bamba
2024 SRP (via LAC)
2025 SRP (via LAC)

Orlando Magic Receive:
PG Patrick Beverley
Cash Consideration (via LAL)

The Nuggets opted to looking to improve their backup situation behind Nikola Jokic, but the cost was a bit higher than I would have paid especially for a player whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season.  While Bones Hyland wasn't able to get much run, he's a former FRP and they gave up a SRP in 2024 to improve their backup C situation.  That seems like a hefty price to pay.  Don't get me wrong, Thomas Bryant offers a valuable skillset with his ability to knock down shots from range and block shots, but he's not a good enough defender to really want him on the court for an extended period of time.

For the Clippers, they continue to rebuild their depth but this time buying low on Bones Hyland.  I'm not sure he offers much besides shooting, but for the cost of a couple of SRPs this is a pretty cheap price to pay especially since those SRPs probably are going to be in the latter half of the second round.  Asking Hyland to do anything other than shoot is probably going to be a disaster, but it's a solid cheap buy to rebuild some depth.

The Lakers managed to trade one center meant to play next to Anthony Davis for another one who is signed beyond this season and probably has a bit more upside.  While Mo Bamba hasn't lived up to the pre-draft hype that he had coming out of Texas, he's still got upside as a Myles Turner-lite.  And the Lakers got a couple of SRPs to help refill their draft capital.  This look a good buy-low candidate with Bamba's ability to shoot from range and block shots.  They'll probably miss Beverley's veteran leadership, and he was their best wing defender but he was being played out of position at the 3.

Honestly, not totally sure what the Magic are doing with this deal aside from getting Mo Bamba's contracts off the books.  They're almost assuredly going to release Patrick Beverley, and the cash is probably to offset the difference in salaries between the two.  After seeing Thomas Bryant initially fetch 3 SRPs, I'm not sure why Bamba only fetched one.  This deal doesn't make sense from a value perspective or a direction perspective either.

Nuggets Grade: C-
LA Clippers Grade: B+
LA Lakers Grade: B+
Magic Grade: D+

 

Atlanta Hawks | Houston Rockets
Atlanta Hawks Receive:
SG Garrison Mathews
C Bruno Fernando

Houston Rockets Receive:
PG Justin Holiday
C Frank Kaminsky
2024 SRP
2025 SRP (via OKC)

For a team that seemed to be pushing for more of a win-now approach, this deal seems more concerned about luxury tax implications rather than fielding a competitive squad.  Not that I think Justin Holiday or Frank Kaminsky are going to be playng major minutes for the Hawks, they gave up the best player in the deal (Holiday) and gave up 2 SRPs to save about $3.4M and the subsequent luxury tax savings.

Houston's theme the last few years is to absorb unwanted salary and accumulate draft capital and this deal is no different.  While it's not a substantial amount of salary or notable draft capital it still adds to the Rockets chest of picks as they continue to rebuild the roster.  I'm not sure either ends up on the roster at the end of the season.

Hawks Grade: C-
Rockets Grade: B

 

Oklahoma City Thunder | Phoenix Suns
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive:
PF Dario Saric
2029 SRP
Cash Considerations

Phoenix Suns Receive:
PF Darius Bazley

The Thunder have been in the asset accumulation mode, and this deal appears to no different.  They get a SRP in a likely post-KD/CP3 era, which probably will be a relatively high pick.  But they eat an additional $5M in salary even though they gave up a guy who is no longer in the rotation.  From a value perspective, it feels like the Thunder should have gotten more than a very distant SRP for a team to save $5M off their luxury tax bill.

For the Suns, this is a pure luxury tax savings move and quite frankly possibly a disappointing return for a semi-large expiring contract in Dario Saric.  You would have thought Saric along with multiple SRPs would fetch something halfway decent rather than a big who wasn't really in a non-contender's rotation.

Thunder Grade: C-
Suns Grade: C

 

Atlanta Hawks | Detroit Pistons | Golden State Warriors | Portland Trailblazers
Atlanta Hawks Receive:
SF Saddiq Bey

Detroit Pistons Receive:
C James Wiseman

Golden State Warriors Receive:
PG Gary Payton II
2026 SRP (via Atlanta)
2028 SRP (via Atlanta)

Portland Trailblazers Receive:
PF Kevin Knox
2023 SRP (2nd most favorable of Atlanta, Brooklyn, or Charlotte)
2024 SRP (via Atlanta)
2025 SRP (via Atlanta, protected 41-60)
2026 SRP (via Memphis, Top 42 Protected)
2028 SRP (via Golden State)

Last offseason, Atlanta traded Kevin Huerter to the Kings for a future FRP and this deal ends up bringing back another wing back.  The currency of this year's deadline was largely SRPs, and the Hawks traded 5 SRPs to land Saddiq Bey.  While Pistons fans wanted a FRP to move Bey, it was unlikely given his numbers aren't overly impressive especially playing on a bad team.  He's clearly a rotational player, but I'm not sure he's ever more than that.

I'm not surprised there are teams out there that still value James Wiseman, but I didn't think the Pistons would be one of those teams.  He was a former #2 overall pick for a reason, and he's struggled to stay healthy as he's only played in only 50 games over the last 2.75 seasons.  And it's not like he was impressive in limited time.  For me, it's a directional thing.  You felt confident in Jalen Duren to deal a future FRP which has a chance of conveying, and now you're doubling backup and going and getting Wiseman as well.

To me, this was a solid deal for the Warriors.  They manage to cut their luxury tax bill and improve the defense from their guard position.  If Wiseman wasn't set to expire after next year and a former #2 overall pick, we'd be probably be talking about him about as a bad contract.  They save a little over $1M in salary this year plus the subsequent luxury tax savings.

At some point, Portland needs to decide if they're in or they're out.  And that's probably gonna be the reason that Damian Lillard eventually asks out.  For every move that seems to be pushing them to compete, they seem to also have a move that seems to be suggesting that they want to rebuild.  Kevin Knox at this point doesn't really offer anything, so they effectively are turning GP2 into 5 SRPs which is solid value.

Hawks Grade: C+
Pistons Grade: C-
Warriors Grade: A-
Blazers Grade: B

 

New Orleans Pelicans | San Antonio Spurs
New Orleans Pelicans Receive:
SG Josh Richardson

San Antonio Spurs Receive:
PG Devonte' Graham
2024 SRP (more favorable of New Orleans and Chicago)
2026 SRP (least favorable of New Orleans and Portland)
2028 SRP
2029 SRP

I really like this deal for New Orleans if for no other reason than they get out of Graham's contract.  He's an okay shooter, but he doesn't offer much besides that and he's pretty much out of the Pelicans' rotation.  But they got a legitimate 3&D wing to add for their playoff push.  And it only cost them a few SRPs, one of which is probably the only one with real value behind it.

For the Spurs, they're taking on long-term money and hoping that they can rehab Devonte' Graham's value.  And the price was 4 SRPs, one of which is likely to be a decent pick.  Personally, I thought that Josh Richardson was worth an early-ish SRP in the 2023 draft, so this returns is underwhelming.

Pelicans Grade: A
Spurs Grade: D+

 

Boston Celtics | Oklahoma City Thunder
Boston Celtics Receive:
C Mike Muscala

Oklahoma City Thunder Receive:
SF Justin Jackson
2023 SRP (least favorable Dallas, Miami, or Portland OR least favorable of Houston or Portland)
2029 SRP

It seems like every deadline the C's like to tinker with their backup bigs, and this offseason is no different.  They add a solid backup C with range, and give up a relatively low pick package to do so.  I'm not sure it really alters their projection any, but it solidifies their depth chart for them.

Again, Oklahoma City adding more assets to their war chest for a player they had no interest in keeping around long term.  I'd expect the Thunder to release Justin Jackson and bring in someone they'd like to develop.

Celtics Grade: C
Thunder Grade: B

 

Houston Rockets | Los Angeles Clippers | Memphis Grizzlies
Houston Rockets Receive:
PG John Wall
SG Danny Green
2023 FRP Pick Swap (Milwaukee with least favorable of Oklahoma City or LA Clippers, Top 6 Protected)

Los Angeles Clippers Receive:
SG Eric Gordon
2024 SRP (via Toronto)
2024 SRP (most favorable of Indianapolis or least favorable of Utah or Cleveland)
2027 SRP (via Memphis)

Memphis Grizzlies Receive:
SG Luke Kennard

For the Rockets, they take on almost $16.5M in dead money this year since both Danny Green and John Wall will almost certainly be bought out in this deal.  They also give up a quality veteran in Eric Gordon for the right to move their FRP from Milwaukee up to most likely the LA Clippers' pick, which is currently 11 pick uptick which is solid value.

The Clippers manage to improve their roster for this year, manage to clear long-term salary with Gordon's unguaranteed contract next year, and manage to get picks back as well.  Personally, I thought Eric Gordon was more valuable than Luke Kennard even if Kennard is clearly the better shooter.  I think he offers more playmaking and better defense than Kennard.

Memphis wanted to add shooting, and they managed to do so by using Danny Green's expiring contract.  They gave up a few SRPs to do so, so the price tag isn't crazy.  But it seems like that's an offseason deal to make, but it should help them in the playoffs.

Rockets Grade: B
Clippers Grade: A-
Grizzlies Grade: C+

 

Charlotte Hornets | New York Knicks | Philadelphia 76ers | Portland Trailblazers
Charlotte Hornets Receive:
SG Svi Mykhailiuk
2023 SRP (most favorable of Charlotte, Atlanta, or Brooklyn)
2027 SRP (most favorable of New Orleans or Portland)

New York Knicks Receive:
SG Josh Hart
Draft rights to Bojan Dubljevic
Draft rights to Daniel Diez

Philadelphia 76ers Receive:
SF Jalen McDaniels
2024 SRP (via New York)
2029 SRP (via Portland)

Portland Trailblazers Receive:
PG Matisse Thybulle
SG Ryan Arcidiacono
2023 FRP (via New York, Top 14 Protected otherwise 4 SRPs)
Draft rights to Ante Tomic
SF Cam Reddish

For the Hornets, they send out Jalen McDaniels to get their SRP back this year effectively.  He was solid for Charlotte, but with his impending FA it made sense to flip him and get something in return for him rather than letting him walk or give him a big payday in FA.  Their current SRP is slotted at 34 so they're getting back an early SRP in return for McDaniels.

The Knicks gave up the most, but they definitely got the best player back in the deal.  And given the protections on the pick, it's hard to hate the deal.  Right now, they're currently 7th in the Eastern Conference which is part of the play-in, so if they get knocked out they give up 4 SRPs instead of a late lottery pick.  But they're only 1.5 games out of the 6th spot. 

Jalen McDaniels is a good buy, but I'm not they really improved their team much giving up Thybulle for him.  They do add a few picks to the mix, but I would have liked to see them keep Thybulle on top of adding McDaniel to round out their roster for the playoffs.

I'll be honest, I'm surprised the Blazers were able to get a FRP for Josh Hart.  And I know Thybulle has been out of the rotation for the 76ers, but the value in this deal for Portland is kinda hard to ignore.  But again, this seem like a half-in, half-out situation with Portland which seems to be a reoccurring issue for them.

Hornets Grade: B+
Knicks Grade: B
76ers Grade: C+
Blazers Grade: B+

 

Charlotte Hornets | Los Angeles Clippers
Charlotte Hornets Receive:
PG Reggie Jackson
2028 SRP

LA Clippers Receive:
C Mason Plumlee

For the Hornets, they weren't going to get anything of real value for Mason Plumlee, but they eat additional salary for a future SRP.  Reggie Jackson likely gets bought out, so you're talking about a future SRP for an additional $2.7M in salary.  I think they could have potentially gotten more if they took back long-term money.

For the Clippers, they strengthen their backup C position and give themselves more length.  But I think Plumlee is likely going to not be in the rotation come playoff time.  They do save a little bit of money which helps their luxury tax bill.

Hornets Grade: C
Clippers Grade: B-

 

Brooklyn Nets | Indiana Pacers | Milwaukee Bucks | Phoenix Suns
Brooklyn Nets Receive:
SF Mikal Bridges
PF Cameron Johnson
Draft rights to Juan Pablo Vaulet
2023 FRP (via Phoenix)
2025 FRP (via Phoenix)
2027 FRP (via Phoenix)
2028 FRP Pick Swap (via Phoenix)
2029 FRP (via Phoenix)
2028 SRP (via Milwaukee)
2029 SRP (via Milwaukee)

Indiana Pacers Receive:
PG George Hill
SG Jordan Nwora
PF Serge Ibaka
2023 SRP (most favorable of Milwaukee or least favorable of Cleveland and Golden State)
2024 SRP (from Milwaukee)
2025 SRP (via Indiana)

Milwaukee Bucks Receive:
SF Jae Crowder

Phoenix Suns Receive:
SF Kevin Durant
SF TJ Warren

After trading Kyrie Irving to the Mavericks 3 days prior, the writing was on the wall that Kevin Durant would eventually get dealt whether it be at the deadline or in the offseason.  Given that scenario, it was likely that the Nets would demand every FRP that was eligible to be traded plus another player or two.  All things considered, I thought Brooklyn did as well as they could have reasonably did given their limited leverage in this scenario.  Brooklyn is banking on those future picks having value given CP3 and Kevin Durant's age respectively.  The Suns' window is probably 2, maybe 3 years tops and that probably is a stretch so the 2027 and 2029 FRPs are the apple of the package.  That's not to say the players that were included are trash, because they got some good players back.  Mikal Bridges is the best of the bunch as an elite 3&D wing.  It'll be interesting to see if his production takes a hit when he's not playing alongside Chris Paul and Devin Booker.  I'm not a huge fan of Cameron Johnson, but that's not to say he's a bad player.  He's a FA at the end of the year, so it stands to reason the Nets will likely try and re-sign him to a long-term deal.

The Pacers did what most thought they would do which was make deals that would get them over the salary cap floor.  The Myles Turner extension was their big ticket move, but his deal adds an additional ~$9M in salary and the Pacers got 3 SRPs in return, one of which was their own from a previous trade.  Ultimately, I think this isn't what the Pacers thought they'd be able to rent out their cap space for.

Milwaukee manages to get a solid veteran without touching their rotation and gave up a few SRPs to do so.  This a pretty solid move for Milwaukee as they gear up for a playoff run.

This was by far the biggest deadline deal this year, and probably in recent memory and the Suns have pushed all-in on their CP3/Booker/Ayton core by adding Kevin Durant.  Most offseason iterations involved a DeAndre Ayton S&T so managing to keep him is a real win for the Suns.  Unfortunately, CP3 is on the older side and they're absolutely gutted from a depth standpoint.  The Suns went in on KD for the next 2 years, maybe 3 if you're optimistic but I think if the Suns fail to win a championship than you're going to see a very black eye on the Suns' organization for a LONG time.  At the end of the day, you don't have a chance to add a top 5 player very often so you have to take that opportunity when you can.

Nets Grade: B+
Pacers Garde: C-
Bucks Grade: B
Suns Grade: A

 

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5 hours ago, 11sanchez11 said:

Raps trade was pretty dumb

It seems like they pivoted to try and really go for the playoffs after the Nets were blown up and they've won a couple games...but they now have 3 starters who are impending FAs and they gave up a 1st and 2 2nds to add another FA to the list.

They turned down multiple offers of 3 1st rounders for OG. A bad deadline for them.

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11 hours ago, 11sanchez11 said:

Magic really didn't get anything for Bamba? That's crazy

They did get a ‘24 2nd rounder from someone in that deal. But yeah seeing what other trash players fetched I’m surprised we could only get one 2nd. He did get outplayed by every single big that’s been on the roster since he’s been drafted tho. Figured the name alone would get a lil something something 

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