2022 NBA Trade Deadline Grades

Jun 8, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons (25) dribbles the ball against the Atlanta Hawks during the first quarter in game two of the second round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Deal: Nets traded James Harden and Paul Millsap to Sixers for Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two future first-round picks.

Sixers: A-

Nets: A

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski had it first. The blockbuster nobody was sure was going to happen late Thursday morning actually happened and there are many layers to this trade considering the moods of the two stars headlining this massive deadline deal. Let’s all just rejoice that the drama in Brooklyn and Philly is finally OVER. As for the trade itself, the James Harden for Ben Simmons swap is close to an even trade...but the Nets are the clear winners in my book since they acquired another shooter in Seth Curry, picked up some highly necessary future first-round picks, Simmons is absolutely a great fit alongside Kevin Durant and (part-time) Kyrie Irving, and Brooklyn no longer has to deal with a brooding Harden and his lackadaisical commitment. The only thing that kept this deal from being an A+ for me was the Nets was not being able to snag either Tyrese Maxey or Matisse Thybulle. For the Sixers, we all know what Harden brings to the table when he actually gives a shit and he’s in shape. Glad to see the Sixers actually didn’t completely punt on Joel Embiid’s career-season by giving him some serious firepower for the postseason, but Daryl Morey’s going to get clowned for giving up future firsts for Harden when he was reportedly requesting multiple picks for Simmons. 

Deal: Mavericks traded Kristaps Porzingis and a second-round pick to Wizards for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans

Mavericks Grade: C-

Wizards Grade: B

I get that Dallas wanted to upgrade its backcourt, especially after losing Tim Hardaway Jr. recently to a broken foot. Spencer Dinwiddie has talent, but was a disappointment in Washington and you wonder if he’ll take too many touches away from Luka Doncic. Not a deal I would’ve done from the Mavs’ perspective, but it’s not the worst move. Kristaps Porzingis never really worked in Dallas the way management envisioned and the big knock here is the Mavericks ultimately do not have much to show for the trade it orchestrated for KP a few seasons ago. While we all know he misses way too much time, I can’t bang the Wizards for going after the talented seven-footer. When Porzingis is healthy, he’s a difference maker. I guess Davis Bertans addresses some of the lost 3-point shooting from Hardaway’s absence, but he’s expensive and incredibly inconsistent. Ultimately, a bit of a puzzling deal for the Mavericks and reasonable one for the Wizards—especially since they got off the bad money of Bertans. That being said, we continue to have no idea what the hell Washington’s building toward with its roster.

Deal: Wizards traded Montrezl Harrell to Hornets for Vernon Carey, Ish Smith, and a second-round pick

Wizards Grade: C-

Hornets Grade: B

The Hornets needed additional size and Harrell fits that bill. But is actually a good defensive player (as the analytics peg him as this season) or the Harrell we’re all used to who can’t stay on the floor in the postseason when he’s no longer forced to guard second-units? That being said, it’s not like the Hornets gave up much to get him. So I can’t really knock the acquisition.  Washington had a glut of big men and decided to ship out Montrezl Harrell once it set its sights on Kristaps Porzingis, but that return? Is C- being too nice?  

Deal: Pistons acquire Marvin Bagley III; Bucks acquire Serge Ibaka, two future second-round picks, and cash; Kings acquire Donte DiVincenzo, Trey Lyles, and Josh Jackson; Clippers acquire Rodney Hood and Semi Ojele

Detroit Grade: B-

Sacramento Grade: C+

Los Angeles Grade: C

Milwaukee Grade: B+

The first big one Thursday. Details via Woj. Marvin Bagley III is the headliner since he was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 draft, although his tenure in Sacramento will largely be forgotten and considered a disappointment. The Kings were clearly selling low on Bagley and I get why Detroit would take a flyer on the restricted free agent this summer because his ceiling remains high and maybe believe they can get something out of Bagley (who had long been rumored to want out of Sacramento) the Kings couldn’t. Trey Lyles has been way out-performing his reasonable contract (one-year left at $2.6 million) so that’s a good get for Sacramento, although they still remain loaded at power forward following the Domantas Sabonis for Tyrese Hailburton swap earlier this week. Milwaukee acquiring Serge Ibaka makes sense since the defending champs have been without the services of Brook Lopez and the Bucks are hopeful their 3-point shooting big will return later in the regular-season. While Ibaka’s numbers and minutes per game have dipped noticeably this season, he’s still hitting his shots. And if he’s vintage Serge, he’ll make an impact in Milwaukee for sure. As for the Clippers, Rodney Hood and Semi Ojele are on expiring deals so the acquisitions were all about roster flexibility this summer.

Deal: Spurs traded Thaddeus Young, Drew Eubanks, and a 2022 second-round pick (via Pistons) to Raptors for Goran Dragic and Toronto’s protected 2022 first-round pick   

Raptors Grade: B-

Spurs Grade: A-

There are protections on that pick (protected 1-14 this summer, protected 1-13 in 2023, turning into future seconds if not conveyed, all the details via The Athletic’s Shams Charania) but it seemingly it will convey in June should the Raptors continue to exceed expectations (currently sixth in the East standings). Thad Young (free agent this summer) represents another steady big in the Raptors’ rotation. But he doesn’t come cheap. And you can argue he represents a redundancy up in Toronto, but he helps a team looking to compete now. Goran Dragic is on a big expiring deal (he probably will be bought out by San Antonio) and the Spurs emerge winners in this one because they now have an additional first to fool around with in the draft.  

Deal: Pacers traded Domantas Sabonis, Jeremy Lamb, Justin Holiday and a 2027 second-round pick to Sacramento for Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, and Tristan Thompson.

Sacramento Grade: C-

Indiana Grade: A-

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski had it. Saying goodbye to a two-time All-Star in Domantas Sabonis, the face of the franchise in Indiana, couldn’t have been easy for the Pacers. But as they undertake a full on rebuild, making him the centerpiece of a deal with the perpetually underachieving Kings allowed Indiana to bring back a very nice haul in Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield. I’m surprised Sacramento moved off their previously reported stance of not trading Haliburton and optics will continue to paint the Kings as a franchise that still has no idea what the hell it’s really doing. But when you can get an All-Star caliber player in Sabonis, who is signed for two more seasons at very reasonable money, he’s going to cost something significant. Adding Hield, and his next-level outside shooting with two years left on his deal, is an additional feather in the cap of the Pacers’ front office cap. If I had you to pick a winner, it’s obviously the Pacers. Sabonis isn’t all of the sudden making Sacramento a legit playoff team in the West (even if the Kings are kinda flirting with Play-In contention) and everybody, understandably, loves the 21-year-old Haliburton. 

Deal: Blazers traded CJ McCollum, Tony Snell, and Larry Nance to Pelicans for Josh Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Didi Louzada, a 2022 protected first-round pick, and two future second-round picks.

New Orleans Grade: C+

Portland Grade: A-

As first reported by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski Tuesday. This opinion will be unpopular because there’s a lot to like about CJ McCollum’s game—certainly more than there is to hate—and his veteran presence with the Pelicans will undoubtedly help down the stretch since New Orleans is flirting with qualifying for the Play-in Tournament (like about 80 percent of the West) with a win-now mentality. McCollum directly addressed a need for more consistent shooting in the backcourt and certainly signals New Orleans’ commitment to competing with Zion Williamson, who still has yet to appear in a game this season. But McCollum ain’t cheap (two years, $68 million left on his deal after this season), he’s one-dimensional, and the shrewdest of salary cap evaluators will point to him being overpaid for his production. I can easily argue the Pelicans gave up too much for McCollum (headlined by this year’s first) and the 23-year-old Alexander-Walker (who was later shipped to Utah in a separate deal by Portland). From Portland’s perspective, it’s another move that clears big future money and gives the team way more flexibility than it’s used to enjoying. While he’s a good rotational player that I like more than others, Hart’s remaining two years on his deal aren’t guaranteed. The revamp is officially underway in the Pacific Northwest and the Blazers are going about it full-throttle. 

Deal: Pacers traded Caris LeVert to Cavaliers for Ricky Rubio, a future first-round pick, and two future second-round picks.

Indiana Grade: A-

Cleveland Grade: B+

The Cavs already addressed their need for a backup point guard by acquiring Rajon Rondo earlier in the season. This deal addressed the scoring hole left by Collin Sexton, who is also expected to miss the remainder of the season. While you can knock Caris LeVert for a lot of things—3-point percentage, usage rate—the Cavs did well enough acquiring someone they can slot next to Darius Garland and immediately come in and give you 20 on any given night (if he isn’t infatuated with playing hero-ball). However, the Pacers did extremely well considering Ricky Rubio’s contract expires this summer (he’s done for the season with a torn ACL) and the additional draft capital will certainly help as Indiana officially begins to the franchise’s first (unofficial) rebuild.

Deal: Clippers traded Eric Bledsoe, Keon Johnson, Justise Winslow, a future second-round pick to Blazers for Norman Powell and Robert Covington

Los Angeles Grade: B+

Portland Grade: C

From Portland’s perspective, this move was all about freeing up salary down the road (Norman Powell signed an extension this past summer) and signaled a punting on the season that was officially confirmed a few days later when CJ McCollum was shipped to the Pelicans. From the Clippers standpoint, getting Norman Powell is more about how it sets up Los Angeles for next season when you can reasonably make the case LA’s other team will be the favorites out the West with a healthy Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, another dynamic guard in Powell, and the switch-ability of the roster as a whole (assuming it reasonably resembles what we’re seeing currently). Robert Covington could be a trade chip used before the deadline, although he’d have to be traded individually and not as part of a package, per CBA rules.