The madness came early in February instead of March as the 2015 NBA Trade Deadline shocked the minds of many sports writers across the globe who just couldn’t keep up with all of the trades. In a trade deadline that featured legends returning home and top-flight players joining contenders, there are many moves to take note of on the 2015 trade deadline. There were some great moves made for some contending teams and some head-scratching moves. Lets take a look at some of the moves that happened yesterday.
Brooklyn Nets: Receive PF Thaddeus Young
Minnesota Timberwolves: Receive PF Kevin Garnett
The Nets scored big with Thaddeus Young. The athletic forward fits better with centers Brook Lopez and Mason Plumlee. Trading Garnett for a better player allows the Nets to stay in contention for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Nets own this deal because Young makes $2.6 million less than Garnett does. Brooklyn won the trade deadline with this move as they saved money on their luxurious tax bill and acquired a better player that fits the Nets system better. For Minnesota, it allows the greatest player in T’Wolves history to return to the Twin Cities to mentor young players like Andrew Wiggins, Ricky Rubio and Anthony Bennett. Minnesota needed to move Young as he was probably going to leave in the offseason anyway.
Garnett has not ruled out coming back after this season, but it’s safe to assume that this season will be his last. Acquiring Garnett could transition him into possibly taking a management position in the future with the Timberwolves franchise.
Grades:
Brooklyn: A
Minnesota: B-
Miami Heat: Receive PG Goran Dragic, SG Zoran Dragic
Phoenix Suns: Receive SF Danny Granger, C Justin Hamilton and two first-round picks
The Heat scored the best player in the trade deadline as they finally have a real point guard. Dragic will almost assuredly help clinch the Heat a playoff spot, and he’s likely to re-sign in the offseason. If star guard Dwyane Wade is healthy, no one will want to see this new and improved Heat team in the first round. For Phoenix, it’s sad that management and Dragic couldn’t compromise their issues as Dragic made that Suns team fun to watch. Acquiring two first-round picks is just about the best the Suns could have done for Dragic.
Grades:
Miami: A-
Phoenix: B
Phoenix Suns: Receive PG Brandon Knight
Milwaukee Bucks: Receive PG Michael Carter-Williams, C Miles Plumlee, PG Tyler Ennis
Philadelphia 76ers: Receive Protected 2015 first-round pick from the Suns via the Los Angeles Lakers
This deal struck down in the final five minutes of the 2 p.m. CT trade deadline. My first question was, “Why would the Bucks trade Brandon Knight?” He’s been the best player on a Bucks team that has won 30 games this season, which is 15 up from last year’s win total.
It remains to be seen if Michael Carter-Williams is more than just a good player on a bad team. Miles Plumlee isn’t a bad backup center as the Bucks were in search of a big after reaching a buyout with Larry Sanders.
Knight is a bigger combo guard capable of playing off the ball, and was nearly an All-Star this year, averaging 17.8 points, 5.4 assists, and 1.6 steals per game. The 76ers gambled on a for sure thing in Carter-Williams for a protected top five pick in 2015 that they may or nay not receive this year. They’ll get the pick eventually, and it seems as if the 76ers have more future draft picks than actual players on their own team.
Grades:
Phoenix: A
Milwaukee: C-
Philadelphia: B
Detroit Pistons: Receive PG Reggie Jackson
Oklahoma City Thunder: Receive C Enes Kanter, SF Steve Novak, PG D.J. Augustin, SF Kyle Singler
Utah Jazz: Receive C Kendrick Perkins, PF Grant Jerrett, rights to Tibor Pleiss, draft picks
The Pistons were in desperate need of a strong point guard after losing Brandon Jennings to an ACL injury for the season. Reggie Jackson provides a scoring lift that will help Detroit now and in the future.
The role players that OKC received may have more of an impact on the team than the disgruntled Enes Kanter, whom many believe is the top player in this trade. Don’t underestimate D.J. Augustin who is a very underrated player that will provide a scoring lift off the bench for the Thunder.
The Jazz wanted to get rid of Kanter, so they could develop talented young center Rudy Gobert. The Jazz received a first round pick in the trade.
Grades:
Detroit: A
Oklahoma City: A
Utah: D
Portland Trailblazers: Receive SG Arron Afflalo, SF Alonzo Gee
Denver Nuggets: Receive PF Thomas Robinson, SG Will Barton, PF Victor Claver, 2016 first-round pick (lottery protected)
For years, Portland has been searching for a scoring weapon off the bench, and yesterday, they finally landed their man. Portland ranks 17th in bench scoring at 25.8 points per game. Afflalo will provide a huge impact on Portland, and this trade makes them a title contender. Denver acquired young assets that will help them in the future.
Grades:
Portland: A-
Denver: B
Boston Celtics: Receive PG Isaiah Thomas, PF Jonas Jerebko, SF Luigi Datome
Phoenix Suns: Receive SG Marcus Thornton and a 2016 first-round pick
Detroit Pistons: Receive SF Tayshaun Prince
The Celtics were in search of a scoring point guard as current point guard Marcus Smart is more of a defensive guard. Isaiah Thomas will help the Celtics now as Boston is only a game and a half out of the eighth seed in the East.
Phoenix got rid of the heavy contract Thomas received over the summer, though he was playing pretty well this season for the Suns averaging 15.2 points per game. Phoenix will receive a pick from Boston that should be a high pick in the future.
Tayshaun Prince returns to the Pistons where he played for 11 seasons to mentor a young Detroit squad that has a chance to compete for a playoff spot this season.
Grades:
Boston: B+
Phoenix: C+
Detroit: B
Browning Stubbs
bbstubbs@go.olemiss.edu
