NBA Trade Deadline Winners and Losers
The NBA trade deadline has passed and after a flurry of late moves, it’s clear several franchises got much better, while others failed to do so.
Here’s a look at the winners and losers from this year’s deadline:
Winner: Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks have the best record in the NBA (40-13) and added a piece that will make them even better. They landed Nikola Mirotic from the Pelicans in exchange for Jason Smith, Stanley Johnson and four second-round picks. The Pistons also got Thon Maker as part of the deal.
Mirotic is a 6’10” forward who can stretch the floor. He’s hitting 36.8 percent from 3-point range this season, is scoring 16.7 points while grabbing a career-high 8.3 rebounds in 28.9 minutes per game.
Mirotic is a great fit for the Bucks, as he can play inside-out, fits in well with Giannis Antetokounmpo and has the skill to put the ball on the floor. The Bucks got better by acquiring him.
Losers: Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers had high hopes for the trade deadline and tried to land Anthony Davis or another star to put next to LeBron James. Unfortunately, they failed.
The Lakers did acquire Mike Muscala and Reggie Bullock who can both stretch the floor, something the team desperately needs. But LA had to give up Svi Mykhailiuk and Ivica Zubac to do so. Both of those guys are young and could potentially have solid futures, but the Lakers want to make the playoffs and desperately needed shooting help.
The Lakers could still find a piece on the buyout market to help a playoff run, but they didn’t land a star to pair with James long-term. Meanwhile, all the trade rumors may have destroyed any semblance of team chemistry that had been developing.
This summer’s free agent market will be huge for Magic Johnson and company.
Winner: Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers gave up a lot to get Tobias Harris, but they made themselves better by doing so. The Sixers now have four players who can attack, as Harris fits in alongside Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons and Jimmy Butler. In fact, that is now the East’s most dangerous foursome.
The Sixers gave up Landry Shamet, Wilson Chandler, Mike Muscala, two future first-round picks and two second-round picks to get Harris, Boban Marjanovic and Mike Scott from the Clippers.
The first-rounders they gave up likely won’t be too valuable given that they’ll be competing for the postseason (one is Miami’s from 2021), and they wound up recouping value by getting a first- and second-round pick (and Johnathon Simmons) from the Magic in exchange for Markelle Fultz (more on that later).
Yes, the Sixers gave up a lot, but they got far more dangerous this season.
Loser: Mike Conley
Marc Gasol was shipped to Toronto, but Mike Conley is still stuck with the Grizzlies. Conley is set to make $32.5 million next season and has a 34.5 million player option for 2020-21. Those are big numbers for a 31-year-old point guard who is having a decent but not mind-blowing season.
There should be a a trade market for Conley this summer but it won’t be terribly robust with that contract. The Grizzlies will almost certainly have to take on a significant salary to dump him. It will be a fascinating story to watch in the offseason.
Conley is a hard-working pro who has had a solid career. It would have been nice to see him making a playoff run somewhere else this season. Instead he’ll be playing out the string in Memphis.
Winner: Markelle Fultz
Let’s face it, Markelle Fultz’s time with the Sixers was a disaster. He was easily the best player in his draft class but has had terrible luck during his brief NBA career due to shoulder problems. He needed a change of scenery as things in Philadelphia had become untenable.
The Sixers got a win in this trade as well. They landed a first-round pick, a second-rounder and Johnathon Simmons in exchange for Fultz, who they needed to move on from.
Fultz is still just 20 years old and under team control through 2021 and would then enter restricted free agency. If he can get healthy and rediscover his form, this could be an absolute steal for the Magic and give Fultz a second-chance at an NBA career.
Loser: Rich Paul
Super-agent Rich Paul tried to manipulate the Pelicans and Lakers into getting his two big clients — Anthony Davis and LeBron James — on the same team. Unfortunately, his machinations may have made such a marriage impossible long-term. The Pelicans seem completely unwilling to deal with the Lakers now after Paul’s attempt to force their hand.
The Lakers and several other teams will likely make offers for Davis this summer, but as of right now the Pelicans hold all the cards. Rich Paul does not.
Paul tried to make a big boy move and wound up potentially screwing things up for both of his marquee clients.
Winner: Dallas Mavericks
In the span of a few days, the Dallas Mavericks went all-in on Luka Doncic.
The Mavericks moved DeAndre Jordan, Wes Matthews’ expiring deal and a disgruntled Dennis Smith Jr. to land Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr.. They also dumped Harrison Barnes’ expiring contract on the Kings. With those moves they managed to open up $30 million in cap space and now have the upside of what could be a devastating pick-and-roll/pick-and-pop combo of Doncic and Porzingis.
Yes, Porzingis’ health is an issue, and Hardaway’s two-year, $37 million deal is worrisome, but this is fully Doncic’s team now. If Porzingis can return to full health, Dallas’ moves over the last week will look brilliant.