With the calendar now firmly into 2023 and the NBA Trade Deadline of February 9th fast approaching, it's time to create another transaction tracker! This will be a one stop shop listing every in-season NBA trade, when it happened, who first reported it (as far as I know), and who/what was involved to look back on like last year's. The format will be like the offseason tracker where I add each new deal to the top to make it easy to see any updates, and the color code as usual is player option, team option, and not fully guaranteed along with estimates. Otherwise, these cap numbers are courtesy of Keith Smith at Spotrac.com.
2/10 Update:
Now that I can breath a little bit after the deadline has passed, I wanted to put together a final results list for each team. I'll just keep it simple here at the top since all of the details are below, and command+F is definitely a friend on this page to compare salaries and the actual draft picks involved. The teams are in order of their championship odds on DraftKings Sportsbook as of today.
Celtics +350
Traded for: Mike Muscala and a protected 2nd round pick
Traded away: Justin Jackson, Noah Vonleh, two 2nd round picks, and $1,500,000
Suns +425
Traded for: Kevin Durant, TJ Warren, and Darius Bazley
Traded away: Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Jae Crowder, Dario Saric, four 1st round picks, one 1st round pick swap, one 2nd round pick, and cash considerations
Bucks +600
Traded for: Jae Crowder
Traded away: Jordan Nwora, George Hill, Serge Ibaka, and five 2nd round picks
Nuggets +800
Traded for: Thomas Bryant
Traded for: Thomas Bryant
Traded away: Bones Hyland, Davon Reed, and one 2nd round pick
Clippers +950
Traded for: Bones Hyland, Eric Gordon, Mason Plumlee, and three 2nd round picks
Traded away: Luke Kennard, John Wall, Reggie Jackson, three 2nd round picks, and two pick swaps (one 1st and one 2nd)
76ers +950
Traded for: Jalen McDaniels and two 2nd round picks
Traded away: Matisse Thybulle and one 2nd round pick
Grizzlies +1500
Traded for: Luke Kennard and one 2nd round pick swap
Traded away: Danny Green and three 2nd round picks
Warriors +1500
Traded for: Gary Payton II and two 2nd round picks
Traded away: James Wiseman and two 2nd round picks (one protected)
Mavericks +1600
Traded for: Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris
Traded away: Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, one 1st round pick, and two 2nd round picks
Cavaliers +2200
No trades
Pelicans +3000
Traded for: Josh Richardson
Traded away: Devonte' Graham and four 2nd round picks
Heat +4000
Traded for: $110,000
Traded away: Dewayne Dedmon and a 2nd round pick
Lakers +5000
Traded for: D'Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, Rui Hachimura, Mo Bamba, Davon Reed, and two 2nd round picks
Traded away: Russell Westbrook, Thomas Bryant, Kendrick Nunn, Patrick Beverley, Damian Jones, Juan Toscano-Anderson, one protected 1st round pick, four 2nd round picks, and cash considerations
Hawks +6500
Traded for: Saddiq Bey, Garrison Mathews, and Bruno Fernando
Traded away: Justin Holiday, Frank Kaminsky, and seven 2nd round picks (three protected)
Kings +7000
Traded for: Kessler Edwards and $2,580,000
Traded away: Draft rights to David Michineau
Nets +8000
Traded for: Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith, five 1st round picks, one 1st round pick swap, four 2nd round picks, and the draft rights to Juan Pablo Vaulet and David Michineau
Traded away: Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, TJ Warren, Markieff Morris, Kessler Edwards, and cash considerations
Knicks +15000
Traded for: Josh Hart and the draft rights to Daniel Diez and Bojan Dubljevic
Traded away: Cameron Reddish, Ryan Arcidiacono, Svi Mykhailiuk, and a protected 1st round pick
Raptors +15000
Traded for: Jakob Poeltl
Traded away: Khem Birch, one protected 1st round pick, and two 2nd round picks
Trail Blazers +15000
Traded for: Matisse Thybulle, Cam Reddish, Ryan Arcidiacono, Kevin Knox, one protected 1st round pick, five 2nd round picks (four protected), and the draft rights to Ante Tomic
Traded away: Josh Hart, Gary Payton II, two 2nd round picks, and the draft rights to Daniel Diez and Bojan Dubljevic
Timberwolves +20000
Traded away: D'Angelo Russell
Wizards +35000
Traded for: Kendrick Nunn and three 2nd round picks
Traded away: Rui Hachimura
Bulls +40000
No trades
Pacers +50000
Traded for: Jordan Nwora, George Hill, Serge Ibaka (waived), three 2nd round picks, and cash considerations
Traded away: Draft rights to Juan Pablo Vaulet
Jazz +50000
Traded for: Russell Westbrook (buyout), Damian Jones, Juan Toscano-Anderson, and a protected 1st round pick
Traded away: Mike Conley, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt, and two 2nd round picks
Thunder +70000
Traded for: Dario Saric, Justin Jackson, three 2nd round picks, and cash considerations
Traded for: Dario Saric, Justin Jackson, three 2nd round picks, and cash considerations
Traded away: Mike Muscala and Darius Bazley
Magic +100000
Traded for: Patrick Beverley (buyout), one 2nd round pick, and cash considerations
Traded away: Mo Bamba
Hornets +100000
Traded for: Reggie Jackson, Svi Mykhailiuk, three 2nd round picks
Traded away: Jalen McDaniels, Mason Plumlee, one 2nd round pick
Pistons +100000
Traded for: James Wiseman
Traded away: Saddiq Bey and Kevin Knox
Rockets +100000
Traded for: Justin Holiday, Frank Kaminsky, Danny Green (potential buyout), John Wall (waived), two 2nd round picks, one pick swap
Traded away: Eric Gordon, Garrison Mathews, and Bruno Fernando
Spurs +100000
Traded for: Devonte' Graham, Khem Birch, Noah Vonleh (waived), Dewayne Dedmon (waived), one protected 1st round pick, seven 2nd round picks, and $1,500,000
Traded away: Jakob Poeltl, Josh Richardson, protected 2nd round pick, and $110,000
Clippers finally add a backup center (Feb. 9, Woj)
Clippers receive:
Hornets receive:
2028 2nd round pick
This is a much more straightforward move for Charlotte than their three-way trade below. Plumlee is averaging career-highs of 12.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, but he turns 33 next month, is a pending free agent, and obviously is not a key piece on a young team that is 15-41. You get a pick now and let him play for a playoff contender while likely opening up a roster spot after buying out Jackson. Good deal.
This fills a big hole on LA's roster as they were relying on small-ball and players on two-way contracts behind workhorse Ivica Zubac. Jackson had a nice run for them, especially in the 2021 playoffs, but they have been looking for a change at point guard and benched him last month. With the moves they made not returning a point guard target like VanVleet, they're either really committed to having Paul George run the offense next to Terance Mann and new addition Hyland, or they're confident they'll get someone in the buyout market. There's already talk that George is recruiting former Thunder teammate Westbrook to stay home in LA.
Pelicans shed salary and add size on the perimeter (Feb. 9, Shams)
Pelicans receive:
Spurs receive:
2024 2nd round pick (More favorable of Bulls or Pelicans)
2026 2nd round pick (Less favorable of Pelicans or Trail Blazers)
2028 2nd round pick
2029 2nd round pick
I never understood New Orleans' logic in letting Lonzo Ball go in a sign-and-trade for just a 2nd and then give up a 1st to sign-and-trade for Graham after their ill-fated attempt at Kyle Lowry. The CJ McCollum trade and emergence of Jose Alvarado helped make up for that mistake, but now they're giving up even more draft capital to get off of the $12,100,000 due to him next season and the $2,850,000 guarantee he has for the following year.
At least they're getting a useful 3+D wing back in Richardson, who is a 36.4% career shooter and has much more length than their other guards. This a really nice return on a pending free agent for San Antonio since they have a ton of cap space again next season and can eat Graham's salary since they're not going to be contenders anytime soon. They also could use a veteran guard to help organize all of their young wings, so this helps balances their lineups, as well.
Lakers and Magic trade from positional strengths (Feb. 9, Shams)
Lakers receive:
Magic receive:
The emergence of Bol Bol behind Wendell Carter Jr. took Bamba out of the rotation after he only signed essentially a one-year deal over the summer, so adding a pick here works.
After LA added Russell and Beasley at guard yesterday, they move off of Beverley to reduce their tax bill a little bit and replace Bryant with one of the picks from that deal. Solid work.
Update: The Magic's full press release reveals that it's the 2024 Denver pick that Orlando is receiving along with cash considerations, and it ended up being a four-team trade officially. So you can combine this with the Lakers-Nuggets and Clippers-Nuggets deals for the following summary:
Clippers receive:
Nuggets receive:
Lakers receive:
Magic receive:
Grizz and Clippers add shooting in 3-teamer (Feb. 9, Shams; Woj with the Memphis aspect)
Grizzlies receive:
Clippers receive:
Rockets receive:
Just add Gordon and Wall to the running list of players back to former teams (though I'd guess Wall will be bought out by Houston again). Dinwiddie, Dedmon, Russell, Poeltl, Warren, Hill, Fernando, these two, and now Payton that I added in an update below; everyone’s getting back with exes before Valentine’s day.
Although all of these players were rumored to be dealt, the overall result surprises me a bit. There was buzz that Memphis wanted to keep Green around for his locker-room presence, but this opportunity to add an elite shooter who is only 26 and on a solid contract for just three extra 2nd rounders was too good to pass up. It's not the big move like OG Anunoby would've been, but this provides some insurance behind Desmond Bane, who has dealt with injuries, without taking away from their core.
I'm not sure I like LA's side of this as much since their former #7 pick in 2008 is now 34. Kennard has recently fallen out of the rotation, though, and perhaps Gordon being tougher on defense appealed to them. I was really hoping things would work out with Wall as their point guard solution, but they seemed determined that he was out of the picture now. With Gordon's contract only guaranteed if his team wins a title, perhaps this was more of a deal to shed salary after they've taken on so much money in other deals over the years while also recouping picks after their other deals.
For Houston, this is an underwhelming return after they've been shopping Gordon for years now. With both incoming players likely to be bought out, at least they save some money and open up roster spots on their young team. Milwaukee is currently 8 games ahead of LA in the standings, so they likely could move up a decent bit in the draft thanks to this.
Atlanta sheds salary with Houston (Feb. 9, Woj)
Hawks receive:
Rockets receive:
Atlanta seems to be giving out 2nd rounders like candy today, but after acquiring Bey in the move below, they needed to get back under the luxury tax threshold. Matthews has shown to be a useful shooter at times in his career to maybe give them something, and they know Fernando well after first drafting him as this yet another reunion.
This is a solid job by Houston to add a couple more picks for players whose non-guaranteed contracts they might've waived anyway as they face an eventual roster crunch with all of their upcoming 1st rounders.
Golden State, Detroit, Atlanta, and Portland make a big swap (Feb. 9, Woj)
Hawks receive:
Warriors receive:
Pistons receive:
Trail Blazers receive:
2023 2nd round pick (Second best of Hawks, Hornets, and Nets, via Hawks per RealGM)
2024 Hawks 2nd round pick (was previously protected 31-55)
2025 Hawks 2nd round pick (protected 41-60)
2026 Grizzlies 2nd round pick (protected 31-42, via Warriors)
2028 Warriors 2nd round pick
The Pistons have long been known to have loved Wiseman in that same draft and to have oddly soured on Bey, but I'm surprised they pulled the trigger since they already have good, young bigs in Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart along with a fellow lefty in Mavin Bagley III. That being said, Wiseman obviously has the talent worth betting on, and Detroit can provide the kind of opportunity he needs to develop in a low stakes environment for now.
Atlanta is likely taking Bey into the Kevin Huerter Trade Exception, and while he's not coming cheap, I've always loved his shooting and versatility on the wing.
Update: Knox is the added salary needed that I mentioned above, though Woj reports he could be re-routed elsewhere. That would make it only $40 million off of the tax bill if he's kept.
Second update: After some chatter around Portland adding Wiseman, they're taking Knox and the picks instead as Payton returns to the Bay after they added Thybulle. A little surprising since they have a dearth of big men, especially with Nurkic currently hurt, but adding both Wiseman and Knox would put them in the tax. I also seems they could've just taken Bey's cheap contract instead of the Atlanta picks, and I would've liked that better for them. Instead, they add Knox through the Alexander-Walker Trade Exception and create a new TE worth Payton's salary.
I believe this has to be one big four-team deal instead of two separate ones due to the salaries involved, and I'm just listing them together since it's obviously connected. It looks like the Warriors will end up cutting a little over $8 million off of their tax bill this year and a ton next year, no matter which of their free agents they keep. And for housekeeping, they sent out a protected Grizzlies 2nd that they owned along with their own 2028 2nd and received 2026 and 2028 Hawks 2nds that are unprotected at least. The funny thing is that Atlanta owns Golden State's 2026 2nd, but they didn't send that one back.
The optics of this aren't great since they could've just re-signed Payton over the summer, but it was understandable at the time to let him go due to their historic salary outlay and wanting to see what their young players could do. After Wiseman was limited to just a few G League rehab games for all of last season, they had to find out what they had in him. He's shown flashes of his immense talent but isn't a fit for this team, resulting in a ton of DNPs and another G League stint. Now, it's admirable in a sense that they're not holding onto a sunk cost and instead re-acquiring a proven fit in Payton to make another run with this veteran group. It may not have been the best process, especially now that they have such a guard-heavy rotation, but it's a forward thinking move. They still have an open roster spot to play the buyout market for center depth to replace Wiseman.
Phoenix and OKC swap versatile forwards (Feb. 9, Shams)
Thunder receive:
Suns receive:
This cuts Phoenix's luxury tax bill by over $19 million, but it's surprising that they would go younger and cheaper with this deal after going all-in last night, especially since Saric has had a recent resurgence. Over his last 19 games, he went up from just 10 minutes per game to 18 with averages of 8.1 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.2 assists on 46.6%/42.9%/82.4% shooting. Conversely, Bazley is down to 15.4 minutes in just 36 games this season after being a regular starter the last two years. At least he does have more defensive upside and is heading for restricted free agency as he turns 23 this summer compared to Saric turning 29 and being unrestricted. The veteran hasn't been as consistent since tearing his ACL in Game 1 of the 2021 Finals, which was an underrated absence for Phoenix in that loss.
OKC is likely using their Derrick Favors Trade Exception to facilitate this and thus creating a new TE worth Bazley's salary while Phoenix creates one for the difference between these two salaries, $4,975,371. After not reaching an extension before the season, I guess he was no longer in their plans after adding other young front court options, so now they get a replacement veteran for Muscala.
Denver moves on from Hyland (Feb. 9, Woj)
Clippers receive:
Nuggets receive:
2024 2nd round pick
2025 2nd round pick
I guess this replenishes some of what Denver gave up for Bryant, but this is an absolute steal for LA. Hyland has shown that he can be an impressive bucket getter in his first year and a half and reportedly had multiple teams interested in a trade. Seeing a young player with this much of his rookie contract left be dealt is unusual, but the coaching staff didn't trust his defense and decision making for the #1 team in the West. He's been shoehorned into playing point guard behind Jamal Murray despite being much more of a scorer than passer, so it's funny that of all the teams who were interested, it's the point-guard needy Clippers who land him.
I guess not taking back a player has the benefit of creating a small Trade Exception equal to Hyland's salary and cuts over $4 million off of Denver's tax bill. Just an odd move for the #1 team in a conference to make.
Philly, Portland, and Charlotte work out a 3-teamer (Feb. 9, Haynes first; Woj with Charlotte aspect)
76ers receive:
2024 Knicks 2nd round pick (via Hornets)
2029 Trail Blazers 2nd round pick (per Kyle Neubeck)
Trail Blazers receive:
Hornets receive:
2023 2nd round pick (Most favorable of Hawks, Hornets, or Nets via 76ers)
2027 2nd round pick (More favorable of Pelicans or Trail Blazers, per Marks)
This is quite the pickup for Philadelphia with arguably the best player, a net gain in picks, and while also ducking under the luxury tax line. McDaniels may not be the absolutely elite defender that Thybulle is, but he's very good in his own right with the length (6'8.25" and a 7'0.25" wingspan) and athleticism to guard multiple positions. The key thing is that he's much more skilled on offense with career per-36 minute averages of 13.8 points, 2.4 assists, and 1.5 made threes on 46.3%/34.2%/77.8% shooting.
I really don't love this for Charlotte, but I guess if they were worried about losing McDaniels for nothing this summer, adding an additional pick (likely their own high 2nd returning to them) is better than nothing. It should be the #34 pick at worst, so getting a near 1st rounder now instead of a worse pick down the line has value. I just can't believe that they're sending the NY pick they own to Philly along with a really good player that just turned 25.
Update: Per the PR release, looks like this ended up just getting looped into the Knicks trade that first gave the Blazers Mykhailiuk, and some draft rights where thrown in. Here it is in its entirety:
Knicks receive:
76ers receive:
2024 Knicks 2nd round pick (via Hornets)
2029 Trail Blazers 2nd round pick
Trail Blazers receive:
Hornets receive:
2023 2nd round pick (Most favorable of Hawks, Hornets, or Nets via 76ers)
2027 2nd round pick (More favorable of Pelicans or Trail Blazers)
Denver adds center depth (Feb. 9, Woj)
Nuggets receive:
Lakers receive:
Back to back good value moves for the Lakers. I've always liked Bryant, but I did not expect him to go for this much after settling for a minimum contract over the summer. Denver has consistently gotten killed whenever Nikola Jokic isn't on the floor, though, and they're gearing up for a deep playoff run. It does make the fact that they pounced on DeAndre Jordan so quickly over the summer even funnier.
Milwaukee finally lands Marquette product in multi-teamer (Feb. 9, Shams)
Bucks receive:
Nets receive:
2028 Bucks 2nd round pick
2029 Bucks 2nd round pick
Draft rights to Juan Pablo Vaulet (39th pick in 2015)
Pacers receive:
2023 2nd round pick (Second most favorable of Bucks, Cavaliers, or Warriors, per Eric Nehm)
2024 Bucks 2nd round pick
2025 Pacers 2nd round pick (via Bucks)
Cash considerations (via Nets)
Indiana is also waiving Goga Bitadze, Terry Taylor, and James Johnson to create the roster spot for his move, and Milwaukee still needs to add some salary to match here, possibly George Hill and Serge Ibaka. That being said, this almost made too much sense all around for it not to happen.
Brooklyn has plenty of forwards after their previous trades and don't need the pending free agent's salary on their tax bill, so they added a couple of picks far enough down the line that they have potential upside. Indy still had cap space going unused to easily absorb salaries in order to add picks and a nice, 24 year old shooter with some actual size (6'6", 223 pounds, 6'10" wingspan) that they lack on the wing. Milwaukee has long been connected to Crowder, who went to nearby Marquette, as the tough, defensive forward that they've lacked ever since losing another former Suns and Heat player, PJ Tucker. In theory, this will allow for more lineups with Giannis Antetokounmpo at center with a switchable defense. I am surprised that they gave up FIVE picks after it seemed like they weren't offering Phoenix enough for a deal, but it might've been related to where the outgoing contracts are going. Given that they've won eight in a row ever since Khris Middleton finally returned again and are just 1.5 behind Boston for the #1 seed, this kind of win-now trade can definitely be worth it.
Update: Shams adds that Ibaka is indeed going to Indiana, and Woj adds that so is Hill for another reunion special this deadline. Eat your heart out, Skylar Grey.
Second update: This was officially rolled into a four-teamer with the Suns as part of the Durant trade that gave Crowder to the Nets in the first place. The Pacers are also receiving cash and sending the draft rights to Vaulet, the 39th pick in 2015 (by the Nets!), back to Brooklyn, but it could be just because Indy had to send something out. Doing it this way allows the Nets to create a larger Trade Exception for Durant that will be over $17 million, though, and not taking back any salary also reduces their tax bill by about $36 million.
Complete four-way summary:
Suns receive:
2023 1st round pick
2025 1st round pick
2027 1st round pick
Right to swap 2028 1st round picks with Suns
2028 Bucks 2nd round pick
2029 1st round pick
2029 Bucks 2nd round pick
Draft rights to Juan Pablo Vaulet (39th pick in 2015)
Bucks receive:
Pacers receive:
2023 2nd round pick (Second most favorable of Bucks, Cavaliers, or Warriors, per Eric Nehm)
2024 Bucks 2nd round pick
2025 Pacers 2nd round pick (via Bucks)
Cash considerations (via Nets)
Boston adds shooter to big man rotation (Feb. 9, Shams)
Celtics receive:
Thunder receive:
Boston can take Muscala into the Dennis Schroder Trade Exception that was set to expire today and generate a new, smaller one for Jackson's salary. Likewise, Oklahoma City can absorb Jackson through the Minimum Exception and create a TE for Muscala's salary.
It's not completely surprising that the Thunder would deal the 31 year old for even more picks, but his shooting at the center position really opened things up for their exciting perimeter players and was key to a lot of their successful lineups. Now he'll bring that outside touch to a Celtics team that could use an extra big given Robert Williams' health history and Al Horford's age. Muscala can compete with Luke Kornet and Blake Griffin for a spot on the second unit next to Grant Williams depending on the matchups, and his cheap team option for next year can help this luxury tax team fill out its depth.
Phoenix pulls off KD stunner (Feb. 8, Woj)
Suns receive:
2023 1st round pick
2025 1st round pick
2027 1st round pick
Right to swap 2028 1st round picks
2029 1st round pick
Welp, it didn't take long for new Suns governor Mat Ishbia to make a splash. Who knows if Phoenix offered this kind of haul over the summer when they were atop Durant's destination list, but it's pretty shocking that Brooklyn pulled the trigger now with the Nets actually having the better record, 32-22 versus 30-26. They did extract about as much as possible here with the draft haul, a great 26 year old two-way wing on a good contract in Bridges, a high-end shooter that can be retained in restricted free agency after turning 27 next month in Johnson, and another useful forward in Crowder who could be flipped now that this team is suddenly full of two-way players. And on a lighter note, we can add Warren to that list of reunions I mentioned below after the Suns drafted him in 2014, and these two clubs just faced each other last night. Now Bridges will be going to the other locker and be closer to his hometown of Philly and his former teammates.
Another funny note is that Brooklyn owes their unprotected 1st round picks to Houston in 2024 and 2026 while these Phoenix's picks are in the odd years in between those, and now they go along with the Philadelphia and Dallas ones I mentioned below. I really thought they were going to be aggressive with those to get more help around Durant, but after everything that happened over the past two years, it's the end of an era of What If for them. Just like last year when the Nets were the #2 seed at 27-15 on January 15th, they were the #2 seed at 27-13 on January 8th at 27-13 when an opponent fell into Durant's knee again to sprain his MCL before teammates' off the court drama ensued. They looked unstoppable with him, Harden and Irving in their brief time together, and even after the latter two got hurt against the Bucks in 2021, Durant STILL was just a toe away from beating the eventual champs. Then Durant signed the extension thinking the other two would also be getting deals done, Irving's refusal to get vaccinated hijacked last season, and the rest is history.
After those wild 2021 postseason games, what if we get a Suns-Bucks Finals rematch now? The Slim Reaper slides in between Chris Paul, Devin Booker, and Deandre Ayton to form a fearsome foursome with Warren, Torrey Craig, Dario Saric, and Landry Shamet among the options for that fifth spot to close games. Giving up a homegrown player that has become arguably the best perimeter defender in the league is tough, but since Crowder was sitting out and Johnson has only played in 17 games due to injury, it's almost like a pure upgrade from Bridges to Durant while picking up Warren. The former MVP has worked with coach Monty Williams back in Oklahoma City and with Team USA, where he also won gold medals with Paul in 2012 and Booker in 2021, and that existing rapport is likely what attracted him. With a different kind of title together now in mind, this group will certainly be an attractive destination in the buyout market to add depth, and after a 9-2 stretch, they currently are tied for 4th in a Western Conference that feels wide open behind Denver. That will add to their luxury tax bill that increased by over $33 million with this move, and after all of the years with Robert Sarver, it's encouraging to see Ishbia open up the wallet here.
Poeltl heads back to Toronto (Feb. 8, Woj)
Raptors receive:
Spurs receive:
2024 1st round pick (protected 1-6 through 2026, per Mike Scotto)
2023 2nd round pick
2025 2nd round pick
This really is the trade season of reunions, headlined by San Antonio as Poeltl heads back to his former team like Dedmon, Russell, and Dinwiddie. And like Alexander-Walker, he won't have to travel far as these two teams just played each other tonight, coincidentally enough.
Poeltl was the young piece headed to the Spurs along with DeMar DeRozan and a 1st rounder (that became Keldon Johnson) in the monumental Kawhi Leonard trade of 2018 that gave the Raptors their first championship, and he's developed into exactly the type of great rim protector that Toronto needs now, albeit at a high price. This is interesting since they're the team that has some of the best talent teams are calling for this deadline, and Poeltl is a pending free agent like Fred VanVleet and Gary Trent Jr. could be this summer. Perhaps they are preparing for a playoff push after this talented yet disappointing team has won six of nine.
Knicks add Hart (Feb. 8, Woj)
Knicks receive:
Trail Blazers receive:
New York has a handful of picks to choose from, but based on the protection details Woj tweeted out, it looks like they're sending their own. Keeping it lottery protected and then immediately converting is fair since Hart could be just a rental for this season with his opt-out and the unusual non-guaranteed status if he does opt in, making it essentially a mutual option. After the move for Reddish last year didn't work out, this is a really nice pickup for them to secure their playoff seeding as they're currently a half game back of the #6 seed.
At 26-28 and a half game outside of the Play-In at the time of this deal, Portland is rumored to be looking to make upgrades but lacked many trade chips aside from Hart, so this makes sense for them. They also owe a lottery protected pick this year to Chicago from last year's Larry Nance trade, so getting a 1st back allows them a lot more flexibility around the Stepien Rule to make other offers. And they're the next team to take a look at the skills that made Reddish the #10 pick in 2019, with restricted free agency ahead if they like what they see. Mykhailiuk and Arcidiacono were included for NY to match salary and can be taken in through the Minimum Exception, so Portland creates a Trade Exception of the difference between the salaries of Hart and Reddish, $7,005,546. They had an open roster spot, but with this three-for-one structure, they'll need one more. Update: Greg Brown was waived.
Lakers, Jazz, and Timberwolves combine for 3-team blockbuster (Feb. 8, Woj)
Lakers receive:
Timberwolves receive:
Jazz receive:
2027 Lakers 1st round pick (protected 1-4, then becomes 2027 2nd)
Given his history, I'm honestly surprised Danny Ainge didn't hold out for better draft compensation on the Utah side. Only getting one pick (albeit a coveted one) for three really useful players along with sending out 2nds is a bit of an underwhelming return at first blush. Perhaps it signals a meaningful shift to tanking down the stretch as they've gone just 17-25 after a surprising 10-3 start.
As a result, I think this is quite the coup for LA with a versatile defender added in Vanderbilt and much needed shooting between Beasley and the Lakers' prodigal son, Russell, who was taken by them 2nd overall in 2015 and is a much better fit than the Russ going out. We'll see what kind of new contract DLo commands in the summer, but this is quite the upgrade for just their sixth man who hasn't been in their plans for a while. Funnily enough this is a double reunion for Russell since he played with Beasley and Vanderbilt on a good Timberwolves team last season. As the cherry on top, Zach Lowe reports that if they win a top-4 spot in the 2027 Lottery, the pick going to Utah immediately becomes their 2nd round pick that year, which means that they can still trade their 2029 1st in another deal without worrying about the Stepien Rule (can't be without a 1st in back to back years).
That potential new contract was likely a factor in Minnesota after DLo really came on strong to the tune of 20.2 points and 5.9 assists on 48.5%/42.5%/88.8% shooting in the 33 games since Karl-Anthony Towns got hurt on November 28th. It's a bit ironic since the close friendship between those two top picks in the same draft class contributed to Russell's arrival in the first place, but a veteran point guard like Conley should be much better suited to make their illogical two-center lineups run at least a little smoother upon Towns' return. He had a great connection with Rudy Gobert during their Jazz days, and in a scenario where he doesn't play well, only $14,320,000 of his salary next season is guaranteed until 48 hours after 2023 Draft.
And to be thorough, LA creates two small Trade Exceptions equivalent to the salaries of Jones and Toscano-Anderson after they were throw-ins for their roster spots since Westbrook's salary already matches those of the incoming players. Utah also creates two TEs equivalent to the salaries of Alexander-Walker and Vanderbilt since Conley and Beasley were enough to match Westbrook. Lastly, I believe Minnesota's TE is for the difference between the salaries of Russell and Conley plus Alexander-Walker, so $3,688,117. They also need to clear a roster spot before this becomes official. Update: Bryn Forbes was waived.
Well that's a new wrinkle to the Jazz-Lakers talks!
— Dave Giovanazzi (@SF_DavidGio) February 8, 2023
Did not expect to be saying cue the Skylar Grey in this case hahah
It's also hilarious how quickly the Wolves guards turned things around once Towns got hurt and the two center lineups were scratched https://t.co/bd0g0vZDiv pic.twitter.com/8qHGFmR9i3
Kings take worthy flier on Edwards (Feb. 7th, Shams)
Kings receive:
Heat send Dedmon back to Spurs for more flexibility (Feb. 7th, Shams)
Spurs receive:
2028 Heat 2nd round pick
Heat receive:
Cash considerations (the minimum $110K)
After Dinwiddie going back to Brooklyn on Sunday, we now have Dedmon back to San Antonio: cue the Skylar Grey!
As far as the reasoning behind the deal, Miami gains a lot more breathing room under the luxury tax line after being less than $200K away from it before this, and now they have two open roster spots for a potential trade. Maybe this isn't a precursor to a deal now and just a move for more flexibility, particularly to convert a two-way player like Orlando Robinson or a buyout signing, but it does also create a useful Trade Exception for the equivalent of Dedmon's salary this season. All for just a 2nd round pick.
For the Spurs, they had an extra roster spot and are still around $22 million under the salary cap, so this is a fine way to add an extra pick. Next year's salary is non-guaranteed, so this is just a way to get to the salary floor this season while maybe keeping a veteran around for their young locker room.
Mavs take the plunge with Kyrie (Feb. 5th, Shams)
Mavericks receive:
(estimates with the trade bonuses)
Nets receive:
There is no imminent extension coming, per Marc Stein, and Brooklyn was apparently able to get the two players they prized most, which makes sense given the solid contracts for each. Finney-Smith's extension was just signed this time a year ago at trade deadline time and is a particularly nice value given his defensive versatility across multiple positions at 6'7" with a 7'0" wingspan. His 35.5% 3-point shooting this year is just below his career 36% mark, but he's really improved in that regard since coming into the league. Shooting 38.3% on five attempts per game since 2019 made him a perfect 3+D compliment to Luka Doncic. Likewise, Dinwiddie became a great fit as a secondary playmaker to Doncic in Dallas after arriving at least year's trade deadline, and now he replaces Irving as the #2 option next to Kevin Durant. Back with the team where he first broke out, he's become better at playing off of the ball and hit 40.4% of threes on 5.9 attempts with the Mavs. He doesn't bring the same unstoppable offensive upside as Irving, but he has more length (6'5" with a 6'8" wingspan) for a team full of switchable defenders and is in the midst of a good year with averages of 17.7 points, 5.3 assists, and just 1.7 turnovers with 45.5%/40.5%/82.1% shooting. They also decrease their luxury tax bill by around $28 million depending on the incentives in Dinwiddie's contract hitting, though they do have to pay a $2 million trade bonus to Irving. Dallas also has to pay a $1.6 million trade bonus to Finney-Smith and is increasing their tax bill by around $28.5 million.
Exchanging an unprotected pick so far down the line is a fascinating risk/reward play since this still allows Dallas to trade a 2027 1st (and potentially a 2025 1st after conveying this year's pick to New York from the deal for Kristaps Porzingis, who was traded for Dinwiddie to bring things full circle) in any future deals. It is also so far into the future that it presents the most possible upside for Brooklyn since Doncic, who could opt out in 2026, may no longer be a Maverick by then. How he and Irving coexist is obviously the crux of all of this, with the risk of the newly acquired guard leaving this summer or even staying long enough to sour Doncic on the prospect of staying. In theory, Irving can be the ideal second option next to a heliocentric offensive force like when he played with LeBron James, and Dallas was in desperate need of juicing up their offense when Doncic sits. You could take this back to the Mavs not giving Jalen Brunson an extension before last year and having to go to this measure to replace him. Now instead Irving provides an upgrade in talent for that role, albeit with the risk of long-term availability. They are likely to take a further step back on defense (currently 24th in defensive rating after a stunning 7th last year) with this exchange, but they do have other defensive wing options like Josh Green and Reggie Bullock that can provide different looks in minutes left behind by DFS. In any case, they're planning on outscoring opponents with Doncic and Irving.
If things don't work out, it wouldn't be a complete disaster if Irving leaves since now they could have over $20 million in cap space this summer, with it being potentially $25 million if they waive Bullock's partially guaranteed contract. I wouldn't want Irving on my team, but currently sitting 28-26 and 6th in the jumbled up Western Conference that is pretty wide open behind Denver, I think this move is worth the risk for the Mavs, even if they overpaid in draft compensation. And with all things considered, it is also a nice move for the Nets to get upside potential with the draft assets along with players that are helpful now for a 31 year old (next month) pending free agent that was done with the franchise after extension talks fell through. Already having ugly exits in Cleveland and Boston, Irving has been a constant distraction in Brooklyn, from going MIA in January of 2021 to help prompt the James Harden trade to hampering last season by refusing to get vaccinated and now this season with his tweeting out a video with Anti-Semitic material and then a refusal to admit his mistake leading to a suspension. The Nets were right not to offer a four-year commitment to a player whose availability is always in question even beyond injuries, which have also limited him, and that led to the trade demand. They still have a top-8 protected 2027 1st from the 76ers in the second Harden trade that they could package with the Mavs now in a follow up move if one arises, and Durant should be making his return from injury soon. He has consistently been the true difference maker among their stars over the past three seasons, and they will go as far as he can take them. Since Irving made his Nets debut in 2019 to this point, the team is 82-61 (.573 winning percentage) with him in the lineup and 77-58 (.570) without. Conversely, they are 85-44 (.659) with Durant since his debut in 2020 and 39-38 (.507) without.
pssst the Nets have been better off w/o Kyrie anyway
— Tom Haberstroh (@tomhaberstroh) February 3, 2023
Brooklyn Nets record
Last 3 seasons, as starters
KD and Kyrie .... 45-26 (.634)
KD, no Kyrie ..... 38-17 (.691)
Kyrie, no KD ..... 29-23 (.557) https://t.co/nkknXrf0HS
Pacers renegotiate-and-extend Turner with their cap space (Jan. 28th, Woj)
This wasn't a trade, but it's a key move ahead of the deadline with one of the best pending free agents. As discussed for a while, this almost made too much sense not to happen given Indiana's salary cap situation, and they still have over $10 million in room after this. The eighth-year player is only turning 26 in March and has thrived after finally not having to share the front court with Domantis Sabonis anymore. I'm a little surprised it's only a two year deal, but this is a nice compromise to get Turner paid and under team control past this season while still allowing flexibility for both sides.
For anyone unfamiliar with my favorite subtle salary cap maneuver, they were able to use their current space to increase Turner's current cap hit for this season as high as possible from $18,000,000 to an estimated $35,096,500 and then have the maximum possible decrease of 40% to $21,057,900 before a more standard 5% decrease to $20,005,005. That way, the player earns over $58 million in new money, but it only counts for $41 million over the next two seasons for the team. Win-win. (I believe my tweet about this kind of possibility that listed a jump to $37,096,500 was a bit off because Turner already has $2,000,000 in possible incentives that I was unaware of).
Wizards trade Hachimura to Lakers ahead of RFA (January 23rd, Woj)
Wizards receive:
This move is no surprise with Washington having a glut of front court players and Hachimura months away from restricted free agency after a rookie extension couldn't be reached before the season. The former 9th overall pick is coming off of a career-high 30 points two days ago and probably had his trade value at its highest right now. He's averaging 14.6 points in just 25.2 minutes with 49.4%/34%/79.3% shooting in the 14 games since returning from an ankle bone bruise that cost him the 16 games prior to that. Availability and consistently has been the main issue for the combo forward who turns 25 in a couple of weeks, but the scoring ability that made him a top-10 pick has been on display more often the past year and a half, albeit in more of a bench role. In 72 games (13 starts) since the start of the 2021-22 season, Hachimura has averaged 18.6 points per-36 minutes on 48.9%/40.1%/72.6% shooting.
Although he is not a pure shooter like Los Angeles desperately needs with 4.6 attempts per-36 minutes in that sample, he is a capable one, and this is a nice value proposition for them overall. Nunn unfortunately never worked out after signing what seemed like a bargain free agent contract for the Room MLE in 2021 as a bone bruise in his knee had a set back that eventually cost him all of last season. He hasn't been nearly the same player this season as he was before with the Miami Heat and Santa Cruz Warriors (where I saw him first hand), so dealing him, a middling 2nd rounder this year, and two other picks that are way down the line to take a chance on Hachimura makes a ton of sense. If it doesn't work out, there's no long term commitment, and if it does, he can be retained as a restricted free agent if they extend a $8,486,620 qualifying offer (though his $18,789,564 cap hold would eat into their theoretical cap space). Likewise, this deal is understandable for Washington to get what they can now rather than potentially losing him for nothing this summer, especially since they'd be staring down the luxury tax if he was on next year's roster along with Kyle Kuzma and Kristaps Porzingis. Since they could absorb Nunn into the Montrezl Harrell Trade Exception from last year's deadline deal, they also create a new TE equivalent to his salary that can be used over the next year. Now Hachimura is another piece of this funny back and forth between Lakers and Wizards players.
Dang it, this was a much funnier way of saying this, @treykerby 😂 https://t.co/BZsyfgjkcE
— Dave Giovanazzi (@SF_DavidGio) January 23, 2023
Celtics shed Vonleh's salary (Jan. 5th, Shams)
Spurs receive:
convey, but the Spurs technically had to send something in this move that added to their pockets.
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