Hawks, Rockets, Timberwolves, and Nuggets swing massive 12 player deal
Hawks receive:Rockets receive:
Timberwolves receive:
Nuggets receive:
There's a lot to digest here as this is the largest amount of players involved in one trade since 2000. I'll start with Atlanta since they're getting arguably the best player in Capela, who is only 25 and on a fair deal for the next three seasons. The addition of Russell Westbrook has iced him out of Houston's offense, but he's still putting up big rebounding and block totals, averaging a career-high 13.8 boards per game to go with 1.8 blocks. Although the fit with John Collins shifting to more minutes at power forward could get a little clunky, Capela becomes a much stronger defensive anchor while still providing a dangerous dive threat for Trae Young pick and rolls. Turning Turner's expiring contract, an extra 1st, and an extra 2nd all the way in 2024 into a core player was the best addition here in my eyes.
Of course, that meant the Rockes no longer viewed him as a foundational piece since they gave up him and their 1st round pick (with essentially two expiring contracts in Nene and Green, who is out for the year) for Covington as they double down on their new small-ball lineup. A recent 4-0 stretch with the 6'5" P.J. Tucker starting at center while Capela has been nursing a heel issue has seemingly reinforced the idea that spreading the floor and having Westbrook as the only poor shooter is their best pathway to success. The shift to more isolation with James Harden and Westbrook means less pick and rolls for Capela, so if that's what they really want to commit to, it makes sense to add a prototype 3-and-D forward like Covington, who ironically started his career in Houston before former Executive Vice President Sam Hinkie plucked him away. His versatile defense and fearlessness bombing away makes for a great addition to any team, but his 6'7" frame will be especially needed now for the Rockets as both an individual and help defender. I have my concerns about their veteran forwards holding up under the heavy duty of playing so much small-ball, and giving up the draft pick in addition to Capela seems like too high of a price upon initial viewing. In theory Bell could provide some bench minutes as a mobile big that can hold his own as a switch defender, but they already dumped him before he could even unpack as seen below. Maybe they add another big in the buyout market to lighten the load on Tucker or they set the league ablaze with their speed and spacing, but this is a dangerous game they're playing.
As much as I like Covington, this is pretty good business for Minnesota to sell high on him since he is now 29, only has two years left on that bargain contract, and has missed a chunk of time with a knee issue. Interestingly, the initial rumors of this trade had them looking for two 1st round picks in return to flip to the Warriors for D'Angelo Russell, but instead they received a solid pick that should end up in the middle of the 1st and re-routed the lower one to Denver (along with the still intriguing Bates-Diop) for two former 1st round picks who are about to hit restricted free agency and a potential sleeper in Vanderbilt. Beasley has had inconsistent minutes due to the Nuggets' litany of talented guards but is only 23 and can really fill it up. He stepped up when injuries struck last season to average 11.3 points in 23 minutes per game with 15.9 PPG in his 18 starts on 55.1%/50%/93.8% shooting. Although his 40.2% shooting from deep has come back down to 36% this season as he's had his minutes reduced again, he shot 38.2% overall across 676 attempts in Denver and has averaged 2.8 makes per 36 minutes, so he should make for a nice option on the wing in a rotation with Josh Okogie and rookie Jarrett Culver. Hernangomez, 24, can fill in at small forward in a pinch, as well, but he's best as a stretch four next to Karl-Anthony Towns. He has even more drastic shooting splits as a starter with a 45.9%/39.6%/75.3% line over 38 career starts (1,163 minutes) to average 10.8 points and 6.1 rebounds in 30.6 minutes compared to 40.2%/32.5%/74.5% off the bench (1,763 minutes). At just 20 years old, Vanderbilt provides more upside as a combo forward with a lot of length and athleticism leading to strong rebounding, block, and steal rates between college, summer league, and the G League. It's not a very large sample size due to injuries, particularly a broken foot, that contributed to him falling to the 41st pick in 2018, but if he can improve his shooting, Minnesota might have gotten their new Covington.
Giving up those players might sound like a lot for Denver, but I actually like this move for them, as well. Already right up against the luxury tax this season, they were looking at an expensive summer with all of their free agents, especially if Jerami Grant declines his $9.3 million player option. The acquisition of him and emergence of Michael Porter Jr. now that he is healthy made Hernangomez and Vanderbilt expendable, and they're also getting a look at a similar type of forward in Bates-Diop on a non-guaranteed contract for next season. Losing Beasley as an insurance policy behind Gary Harris, Will Barton, and Torrey Craig on the wing could hurt, but getting a 1st round pick to replace the one they gave up for Grant is a solid move instead of losing these players for nothing in free agency.
Kings send Dedmon back to the Hawks
Hawks receive:
Kings receive:
And there goes yet another failed Sacramento free agent signing. Needing to attach draft assets to a good player you just signed isn't the best look, but apparently that's how bad things are there right now with him already requesting a trade. They do cut some salary for next season to provide plenty of breathing room (over $37 million before accounting for their 1st round pick) below the luxury tax to retain restricted free-agent Bogdan Bogdanovic at least. They also get a look at a younger big man from Atlanta that has been productive at times in Len, who hasn't hit as many 3's this season but is back to rebounding at his usual rate, and it's actually pretty fitting that Parker would end up there given his history as a score first, score only player.
It was surprising that Atlanta, who have been one of the better run teams under Travis Schlenk, gave that much guaranteed money to Parker (on a player option no less!), but this fixes that by getting draft compensation to pay more for Dedmon, who had the best years of his career there. It almost seems like they let him go to let Collins be featured more at center, had plans derailed by Collins' 25 game PED suspension, and now have decided that he doesn't have the defensive chops to be a full time center. Doubling up with Capela and Dedmon combining for nearly $30 million next season might be a bit much, but the latter only has $15 million guaranteed over the next two years and could be in demand by a playoff contender if he gets back on track. They were already swimming in cap space with nearly $77 million in room before these trades, so they're still well positioned with around $55 million sans their 1st rounder's salary.
Heat add Iguodala and clear 2020-2021 salary in three-teamer
Grizzlies receive:
Timberwolves receive:
On the other side of the spectrum, Memphis punted on having cap room between these additions and the (fair) extension they gave to Dillon Brooks. Even if they weren't planning on making any big signings, that's a little surprising considering they did so well last summer to rent our their space to accumulate assets like how they added Iguodala with a future 1st in the first place. They did get a potential long-term piece in Winslow, who should fit into their culture well with his defense, passing, and unselfishness. He can slot right into the small forward spot as a better version of Crowder, and if he can prove that the 37.7% he hit on 3's in the two seasons before this is legit, this could be a dangerous team down the line. And while Dieng is overpaid, he is a solid backup center if they want to keep Jaren Jackson Jr. and Brandon Clarke more at power forward. He's even hit 35.2% of his career 3 pointers to help out spacing in those big lineups. Meanwhile, Minnesota gets to save a little money here, which looms large after their other trades put them into the luxury tax, and now have a different kind of big than what they had on the roster. Perhaps a change in scenery will reinvigorate Johnson like his first season in Miami when he looked like Draymond Green-lite and garnered Sixth Man of the Year votes, but at the very least, he will cost less if they want to waive or stretch his expiring contract next year.
76ers add bench reinforcements
76ers receive:Warriors receive:
Mavericks 2020 2nd round pick
Nuggets 2021 2nd round pick
Raptors 2022 2nd round pick
After Willie Cauley-Stein went for a late 2nd, there was some thought that Burks might go for the same while Robinson could possibly garner an early 2nd based on how he's played as a 3-and-D wing. Instead, Golden State packaged together both wings to get three picks that could all end up late, but spreading them over three years increases the chance at upside and is especially useful since they only have one of their own 2nds over the next seven years due to past trades. While I thought Robinson might stick around as a very solid option in the old Harrison Barnes role now that he's rediscovered his outside shot, only having Non-Bird rights limited the chances of simply re-signing either of them this summer after both have outplayed their minimum contracts. They likely would have cost part or all of the Taxpayer MLE, which is still an option to bring them back, but for now the veteran wings get to join a playoff contender as some desperately needed shooters.
Both Robinson and Burks have already set career-highs in made 3's for a season, so now Philly doesn't have to rely solely on Furkan Korkmaz as the only reliable floor-spacer to give their reserve units some punch. I love this move even more for them when you consider that they still own a bevy of extra 2nd rounders even after this. They did need to waive Trey Burke to create a roster spot, although that at least spares everyone the confusion of having Burks and Burke on the same team again. Meanwhile, the Dubs started the week about $3.7 million over the luxury tax line in their first year facing the draconian repeater penalty, and this deal goes a long way towards getting out of it.
After Willie Cauley-Stein went for a late 2nd, there was some thought that Burks might go for the same while Robinson could possibly garner an early 2nd based on how he's played as a 3-and-D wing. Instead, Golden State packaged together both wings to get three picks that could all end up late, but spreading them over three years increases the chance at upside and is especially useful since they only have one of their own 2nds over the next seven years due to past trades. While I thought Robinson might stick around as a very solid option in the old Harrison Barnes role now that he's rediscovered his outside shot, only having Non-Bird rights limited the chances of simply re-signing either of them this summer after both have outplayed their minimum contracts. They likely would have cost part or all of the Taxpayer MLE, which is still an option to bring them back, but for now the veteran wings get to join a playoff contender as some desperately needed shooters.
Both Robinson and Burks have already set career-highs in made 3's for a season, so now Philly doesn't have to rely solely on Furkan Korkmaz as the only reliable floor-spacer to give their reserve units some punch. I love this move even more for them when you consider that they still own a bevy of extra 2nd rounders even after this. They did need to waive Trey Burke to create a roster spot, although that at least spares everyone the confusion of having Burks and Burke on the same team again. Meanwhile, the Dubs started the week about $3.7 million over the luxury tax line in their first year facing the draconian repeater penalty, and this deal goes a long way towards getting out of it.
And getting the picks over three years does well to restock the coverts after past trades to maneuver salary left them barren.— David Giovanazzi (@SF_DavidGio) February 6, 2020
Also leaves the team <$500k above the repeater tax. Would expect guys like Chriss/Bowman to get new contracts to fill out roster by year’s end.
Wolves finally land Russell
Timberwolves receive:Warriors receive:
2021 2nd round pick
And this deal gets Golden State completely out of the tax to crucially reset the clock on the repeater penalty until the 2021-2022 season. Conversely, Minnesota went from $10 million under the threshold before all of their moves to about $600K over it now, so they could be looking to buyout some of their veterans like Tuner or Allen Crabbe to slide back under. Gersson Rosas and Towns finally got their guy, though, and the hope is that Russell will provide the balance between scoring and passing that Ricky Rubio and Jeff Teague lacked. More importantly than appeasing KAT by acquiring one of his good friends, the two of them should make for a devastating pick and roll duo with their shooting and craftiness, and their rebuilt roster is likely to have premium spacing the majority of the time playing five out. Evans and Spellman could fit into that as well with the potential to be a 3-and-D wing and stretch big, respectively, with the latter even garnering a few starts over the past month. Although they were likely included moreso to get the Warriors under the tax, they are worth a look going into next year as late 2018 first rounders on rookie scale contracts. The most important thing for all of this to work, however, is Towns focusing in on defense like he's capable of because as much fun as his pairing with Russell is offensively, it could be even more dangerous defensively. They're currently on track for one of the five worst records, and unless they make a better effort on defense going forward, they could end up sending a top-5 draft pick in 2021 or 2022 and a pick in the 30's next year.
The Dubs are betting against their chances of turning things around and now have potentially one of the best draft assets in the league to go along with their own 1st that will likely be in the top-5. They're also counting on fit, coaching, and their overall culture to get the most out of a former #1 overall pick with almost the same contract as Russell's. I've always been something of a Wiggins apologist because I've believed in his talent since the 2012 Nike Hoop Summit, and he's still only turning 25 this month (coincidentally exactly one year older than DLo). There have certainly been inconsistencies in showing his ability as a legitimate two-way player as he's gone through four coaching regimes in five and a half years (five if you count his initial summer in Cleveland), but in Golden State he won't have to do too much and can focus on his strengths. Already good at moving without the ball, he can fit in well with strong cuts to the rim and as a catch and shoot player, and emphasizing those type of shots will be important. He has shot a respectable 36.1% on 1,059 career catch and shoot 3's compared to 27.7% on 477 pull up 3's according to NBA.com's tracking data, and per Basketball Reference, he's a career 40.2% shooter on corner 3's yet only 15.7% of his attempts are from there. Eventually slotting in between Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green, Wiggins will be getting a lot more 3's of the catch and shoot and corner variety than pull ups as he will only need to be a secondary creator. He has really improved as a playmaker to the tune of a career-high 3.7 assists per game, serving as Minnesota's de facto point guard at times this season, and while he won't need to run as many pick and rolls with the Warriors, that development as a passer will be important within the scheme next to those stars.
The fit with Russell on the wing was always questionable, especially on defense, and that's why his acquisition was viewed by so many, including myself, as a stopgap solution while Thompson is out. He finished with just 74 minutes next to Curry over four games (in which they were -49), and since a deal featuring Wiggins' large contract would likely still be available come draft time, I thought they might wait to see a larger sample size. However, it feels like this might be selling high with such light protections on the 1st in 2021, which looks like a stronger draft than this year's, instead of something around the picks involved in the Covington trade, so this was still a solid asset play instead of losing Kevin Durant for nothing last summer. Since the pick they sent Brooklyn will fall under its top-20 protection, it essentially cost them Iguodala, a lightly protected 2024 1st, a 2025 2nd, and the limits of a hard cap this season for Wiggins, a $17.2 million Trade Exception, and the Minnesota picks in the end. Wiggins needs to improve his awareness as a team defender and rebounder to even approach Iguodala's impact on that end of the floor, but he has shown the ability to get stops one on one and could be coached up to become a good help defender at 6'8" with a 7' wingspan. Having that kind of length and athleticism on the wing has worked for them in the past with Barnes and Durant, so they could be back to their winning ways once they get healthy next season. With room under the tax and some roster spots to fill now, I'd also look for them to sign some young players to cheap, multiyear deals with minimal guarantees using part of the MLE as a way to potentially have contributors who outproduce their contracts going forward like they did with Damion Lee and like Miami did last year when they plucked Kendrick Nunn from the Santa Cruz Warriors on the last day of the season.
If looking the Santa Cruz direction to fill out the roster after Chriss and Bowman, there's a lot of familiarity with Deyonta Davis, Andrew Harrison, and Juan Toscano-Anderson.— David Giovanazzi (@SF_DavidGio) February 6, 2020
Possible sleeper down the line could be Isaiah Reese after trading for his G-League draft rights. https://t.co/cIqsKA7RQf
Clips, Knicks, and Wiz work out three-way trade
Clippers receive:
Knicks receive:
Clippers 2020 1st round pick
Right to swap 2021 1st round picks (protected 1-4)
Pistons 2021 2nd round pick via Clippers
Draft rights to Issuf Sanon
Right to swap 2021 1st round picks (protected 1-4)
Pistons 2021 2nd round pick via Clippers
Draft rights to Issuf Sanon
Wizards receive:
Leading up to the trade deadline, I was a little surprise at just how in demand Morris was, especially for both LA teams, but in the end this was a pretty reasonable price with New York doing well to cash in on one of the free agents they gave one year deals to. The 30 year old forward should be able to get an even bigger contract this summer now that he's hitting 3's at a career-high 43.9% on a higher volume than ever compared to the 36% he has shot in his career, and if he helps the Clips to a title, he will have a ton of leverage. I am a little dubious of how much he will actually move the needle since he's never been a real efficient scorer before this tear he's been on for a 15-36 squad, and he's only about average as a defender with iffy rebounding rates for his career. That being said, neither Harkless nor Robinson have been particularly productive, so it makes sense to go all in while they can since Kawhi Leonard and Paul George can opt out in 2021 and this is the last year they could trade their 1st at the deadline due to the Stepien Rule as Zach Lowe and others have pointed out. Now they have yet another scoring option behind their two stars along with Landry Shamet, Lou Williams, and Montrezl Harrell, and although the Bucks and Lakers have been the most impressive teams, I'd still pick them to win it all.
Their continued success makes it very, very, very unlikely that New York being able to swap 1st round picks next year will have any importance, but still, good for the Knicks to actually squeeze some extra concessions! Even with another high ranking member of the organization, president of basketball operations Steve Mills, being fired during one of the busiest weeks of the year, they did well to add that swap, a 2nd rounder, and the rights to the 44th pick in 2018 instead of just settling for the typical expiring contract and late 1st package. Those add-ons probably won't amount to anything, but getting everything you can for a player you were likely to lose for nothing this summer is something actual competent teams do. Good job, Knicks!
If I were to quibble with their move, I would say that it's surprising they didn't just keep Robinson, the 13th pick in 2018, instead of involving Washington and Sanon's rights, but I suppose they didn't want to take on his guaranteed salary for next season. He could provide another young guard option that in theory could play either backcourt position as a solid shooter and passer, though I've never been particularly high on him. I can't help but think that if LA had just taken Michael Porter Jr. with that pick like many, including me, thought they were going to as an upside selection after just taking Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, then they'd already have their power forward at a much cheaper price than Morris. That being said, it's a nice move by the Wizards to take a chance on a former lottery pick who is just turning 23 this month, especially at this minimal of an investment. If they don't like what they see the rest of this season and/or in training camp, they can just decline his team option and have a $3.7 million expiring contract.
Cavs make surprising addition of Drummond
Cavaliers receive:
Pistons receive:
Of all the teams that could have traded for Drummond, I never would have guessed it would end up being Cleveland, especially since they held onto incumbent big men Kevin Love and Tristan Thompson. It's not like this deal required much to get done, though; all it took was a future 2nd and the opportunity cost this summer. Not counting their 1st round pick, they were set to have over $33 million in room, so now that will pretty much be spent on Drummond if he picks up his player option, which he should considering how little cap space will be available around the league. Based on all Detroit got for him, there didn't appear to be a ton of interest in him, either, so the rebounding machine would probably be better off waiting until next summer, when he'll still only be turning 28, to try for another big contract. Love may not be there much longer, but in theory they could work well as an inside-out duo who dominate the boards. Sure, there is the chance that Drummond leaves if he performs well, but for just a 2nd rounder three years down the road, they're not risking much.
It seems like Detroit didn't feel he's worth that price anymore, either on his player option or a new deal, so they're instead opting for the cap space the Cavs are forfeiting. They jump up from around $11 million in room to over $39 million before accounting for their 1st rounder, and they pick up a future pick for someone they didn't see in their future anymore. Two expiring contracts and a potentially low 2nd (depending on how you feel about the new look Warriors' future chances) does seem like an underwhelming return, but it's an understandable move. Now they have a pretty clean slate going forward aside from Blake Griffin's remaining two years and can probably feel a little more comfortable paying up for pending free agent big man Christian Wood, who has always produced on a per-minute basis and can really take advantage of more opportunities down the stretch.
Rockets flip young bigs
Rockets receive:
Grizzlies receive:
Well, I hope Bell didn't unpack if he even bothered to fly to Houston since they decided to bet on even more length and athleticism with Caboclo, who is actually younger at 24 despite being drafted three years earlier. It's a little surprising since the Brazilian has been an inferior rebounder, and the Rockets already had him in camp and on their G League team last year if they wanted to keep him around. He has shown that he can hit a 3 once in a while, though, so if he can ever become a more consistent offensive threat to go along with his block and steal rates, maybe they'll have something. Meanwhile, this continues a bit of a fall from grace for Bell following just a minimum contract last summer after winning a championship as a rookie. His rebounding rate did improve this season, albeit seemingly at the cost of blocks, and maybe being teammates with his former Oregon teammate Dillon Brooks again will help get him going again since he showed flashes of being a positive contributor in the past.
Nuggets swap out guards
Nuggets receive:
Wizards receive:
Like Bell, Napier's time with this new team didn't last long as Denver instead adds McRae to replace some of the bench scoring they sent out in Beasley. He may be a bit inconsistent, but he's always had offensive skills, averaging 20.4 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.2 made 3's per 36 minutes this season and 18.2, 3.6, and 1.8 for his career, making this a potential steal. Washington, on the other hand, gets a bit more of a positional fit with Napier replacing Thomas as a point guard option along with Ish Smith and possibly Robinson while John Wall remains out this season. That should be an improvement defensively, but in a vacuum, I don't love this swap of talent for them.
Magic take a flier on Ennis, help Sixers clear a roster spot
Magic receive:
76ers receive:
Lakers 2020 2nd round pick
Ennis became a bit superfluous after Philly's deal with Golden State, so getting a late draft pick for him makes sense since he could opt out of his minimum contract this summer anyway. While it was a little surprising that he had to settle for that deal last year, he's good enough that he got the guaranteed money of a player option, which will make this an interesting audition for him. I like the addition of the 29 year old for Orlando as a tough wing to fill out their rotation as they fight to return to the playoffs. He's not the knockdown shooter they really need, but he can hit enough to keep defenses honest and should make good on this minimal cost to acquire him.
Ennis became a bit superfluous after Philly's deal with Golden State, so getting a late draft pick for him makes sense since he could opt out of his minimum contract this summer anyway. While it was a little surprising that he had to settle for that deal last year, he's good enough that he got the guaranteed money of a player option, which will make this an interesting audition for him. I like the addition of the 29 year old for Orlando as a tough wing to fill out their rotation as they fight to return to the playoffs. He's not the knockdown shooter they really need, but he can hit enough to keep defenses honest and should make good on this minimal cost to acquire him.
Hawks add another big as Blazers dump salary
Hawks receive:
Cash considerations
Trail Blazers receive:
Hawks 2024 2nd round pick (protected 31-55)
That draft pick is obviously very unlikely to convey, so this is just a way for Portland to reduce their luxury tax bill by over $4 million in addition to Labissiere's remaining salary, which can be offset for Atlanta by the cash received. He's shown flashes of the skills and athleticism that once made him a highly coveted recruit, so this is a nice lottery ticket for the Hawks to get a look at in the last yea of his contract at essentially no cost.
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