Yet another great time of year in the NBA season, trade deadline day (week). As usual, we heard some big names being rumored to be on the move, however the impact wasn’t as ‘big’ on deadline day as it was days leading to the actual deadline.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the transactions, along with the winners (deals done leading up to and on deadline day)…
Dallas Mavericks get: Nerlens Noel (F/C)
Philadelphia 76ers get: Andrew Bogut (C), Justin Anderson (F) and a 2017 top-18 protected draft pick
Winner: Dallas! Mavericks get another piece to add their rebuild-on-the-fly team. Noel joins Barnes, Matthews, Curry, Powell, Ferrell and coach Carlisle for what could be a team to watch out for in the near future. Philadelphia will waive Bogut and contending teams will be lining up for his services.
Oklahoma City gets: Taj Gibson (F), Doug McDermott (F) and a 2018 second-round draft pick
Chicago Bulls get: Anthony Morrow (G), Joffrey Lauvergne (C) and Cameron Payne (G)
Winner: OKC! Thunder get some great pieces to add to their team to make a better than expected playoff run. Although, I’m not sure how Russell Westbrook feels about losing his pre-game dance partner in Cameron Payne.
Denver Nuggets get: Roy Hibbert (C)
Milwaukee Bucks get: Protected future second-round pick
Winner: Next.
Brooklyn Nets get: K.J. McDaniels (G)
Houston Rockets get: Cap Space
Winner: Even. McDaniels is a good young piece added to the Nets. Rockets add cap space for the off-season run at free agents.
Los Angeles Lakers get: Tyler Ennis (G)
Houston Rockets get: Cap Space
Winner: Slight edge to the Lakers. Ennis is a good young guard who hasn’t had a chance to develop his game. By all means, he’ll be backing up Russell, however it could be the perfect role for this young team.
Phoenix Suns get: Mike Scott (F)
Atlanta Hawks get: 2017 protected second-round pick and cash
Winner: Even.
Toronto Raptors get: P.J. Tucker (F)
Phoenix Suns get: Jared Sullinger (F/C), a 2017 second-round pick and a 2018 second-round pick
Winner: Toronto! Raptors add a much-needed wing who adds defense and toughness to make their roster well rounded. Coach Casey will shorten his bench and the five on floor at any one time will offer countless combinations.
Washington Wizards get: Bojan Bogdanovic (SG) and Chris McCullough (F)
Brooklyn Nets get: Andrew Nicholson (F), Marcus Thornton (SG) and a 2017 first-round pick (lottery-protected)
Winner: Washington! Wizards add some much-needed depth to their bench.
Atlanta Hawks get: Ersan Ilyasova (F) and a future second-round pick
Philadelphia 76ers get: Tiago Splitter (C) and draft considerations
Winner: Atlanta! Like the Wizards, the Hawks add another piece to their bench.
Los Angeles Lakers get: Corey Brewer (F) and a 2017 first-round pick (unprotected)
Houston Rockets get: Lou Williams (G)
Winner: Houston! Rockets grab the perfect sixth man to compliment James Harden.
New Orleans Pelicans get: DeMarcus Cousins (F/C) and Omri Casspi (F)
Sacramento Kings get: Buddy Hield (G), Tyreke Evans (G), Langston Galloway (G) and a 2017 first-round pick and a future second-round pick
Winner: Hands down Sacramento! Cousins joins New Orleans and forms and new ‘twin towers’ with Anthony Davis. The Kings sure hope Buddy Heid and the first-round pick jump start their future.
Toronto Raptors get: Serge Ibaka (F)
Orlando Magic get: Terrence Ross (G) and a 2017 first-round pick
Winner: Toronto! Ibaka instantly becomes the starting power forward and makes the Raptors a much better team. He’ll compliment Lowry, DeRozan, Valanciunas and make things difficult for opposing teams. A stretch four who can shoot and rebound.
Charlotte Hornets get: Chris Andersen (F) and cash considerations
Cleveland Cavaliers get: a 2017 second-round pick (top-55 protected)
Winner: Cleveland! Frees up a roster spot to sign a potential player being waived by a non-contender.
Denver Nuggets get: Mason Plumlee (C), a 2018 second-round pick and cash considerations
Portland Trail Blazers get: Jusuf Nurkic (C) and a 2017 first-round pick (top-five protected)
Winner: Even. Both teams get potentially good young Center’s.
*Trade information from the Feb. 23rd NBA deadline courtesy of espn.com (unless otherwise cited).