NBA Trade Deadline: Everything You Need to Know

What a day for trades in the NBA! The Score had a line set on the over and under of number trades on the trade deadline set at 5.5. Well, clearly the over hit as some big names will dawn new teams and I will breakdown them all including buyouts and big names that stayed put!

Significant Trades

First up is that the Pelicans trade JJ Redick to the Mavericks along with Melli for Iwundu, Johnson and a second round pick. Although not truly significant in and of itself, the most most notable part of the trade was the emission of Lonzo Ball who name was being thrown around heavily as several teams wanted the talented point guard to bolster their playoff run. As for now, Lonzo Ball will finish out the season with the Pelicans.

The Celtics are parting ways with defensive minded Theis for Mo Wagner which the Bulls acquired in another trade which I will elude to later. The Bulls made an excellent swap for Theis as the Bulls lack defense which Theis will provide.

The first blockbuster trade I will discuss is Victor Oladipo getting traded from Houston to the Miami Heat in his second trade of the season as he started out with the Pacers. The Heat vastly improved today by acquiring the injury riddled talented veteran guard who will bring a lot more scoring to the already stacked Heat roster. The Heat gave up little in return as they send Olynyk, and scandal riddled Myers Leonard along with a second round swap. The Heat made out like bandits in this trade and will look to get back to the Finals by keeping their young pieces in Robinson and Herro who will now make up their bench. Watch out, the Heat will be deadly. The Rockets on the other hand, will clearly go for a full rebuild given their recent luck in the regular season that included a 20 game losing streak.

Lou Williams days as a Clipper are over as they opt for the Hawks Rondo, two second round picks and some cash considerations. I have to say, I’m not sure why the Clippers would execute this trade. I will leave it at that.

Norman Powell name was floating around as a potential trade target by several teams hoping to make the playoffs. Well, the Trailblazers win one of the bigger names in the trade market as the Raptors send Powell to Portland for Gary Trent Jr and Rodney Hood. The upside on Powell speaks for itself as he can throw up 20 points with the best of them but fans in Portland were confused due to the high ceiling of Gary Trent Jr who has shown some major strides during McCollums absence. Gary Trent Jr will certainly have a great career with the Raptors as the Blazers bolster their bench with Powell, who is averaging over 19 PPG, as they hope he will give them a greater chance of making a deep playoff run.

In a three team trade, the center piece of the deal was veteran point guard George Hill moving from a non-contender Thunder to a Finals hopeful 76ers. The 76ers also get Brazdeikis from the Knicks. In return, the Thunder get Austin Rivers, Bradley and two second round picks while the Knicks get Terrence Ferguson.

The Magic opt for a rebuild as they deal one of their two stars. The first one traded away Aaron Gordon to the Denver Nuggets along with Gary Clark. Gordon’s name was not heavily discussed as a potential target but that didn’t stop Nugget’s front office. This vastly improves the Nuggets starting five that will feature Jokic and Gordon down low. If Gordon, who is normally riddled with injuries, can stay healthy then the Nuggets should be feared. In return the Magic get Gary Harris, Hampton, and a first-round pick. With Harris having a bad season, this trade seems fair on both sides.

The next trade that the Magic make is Evan Fournier to the Celtics for two second-round picks. In my opinion, the Celtics easily win this trade as Fournier has a high ceiling to perform and will come off the bench for the Celtics. The chemistry was never right for him with the Magic and its obvious by the Magic only wanting two second-round picks in return even though he is averaging a career-best 19.7 PPG.

The third trade that the Magic made to complete their intentions of a rebuild is superstar center Nikola Vucevic. The Magic have moved their two top scorers and their main centerpiece with Aminu coming along for the ride to Chicago. The price was steep but manageable for the Bulls who now stand to make the playoffs and provide relief for Zach Lavine. The Bulls will send the Magic Wendall Carter Jr, Otto Porter, and two first-round picks. A decent haul in return but Carter Jr is injury prone but still an effective player when healthy. The Bulls are finally serious and hopeful about their playoff run. This team has become solidified and can do some serious damage with the Vucevic having an absolutely stellar season. The Bulls are certainly a better team.

Although notable buyouts have occurred, their futures are still up in the air. Veteran Aldridge has been bought out and it’s unclear where he might go. Some chatter has him going to the Miami Heat which would make the Heat overpowered given they also acquired star Oladipo. Aldridge is a far cry from his former self but will likely choose a team that is likely to make it to the Finals.

Drummond is the other big name on the buyout market. This confuses me as Drummond was having a great season with the Cavaliers. The only reason for a buyout was to save money in the future as the chances of the Cavs making the playoffs are slim. The big man will instantly provide relief to any contender. A name I have been hearing a lot is Drummond going to the big apple to play alongside Randle for the Knicks.

Perhaps the biggest name on the market that had the league abuz was veteran Kyle Lowry. Lowry was one of the best Raptors in history and every team put in their offer for the former NBA champion. However, nothing materialized and Kyle Lowry will finish out the season with the Raptors who are recently on a slide. Although the Raptors aren’t out of playoff contention, they will need to dig deep to make it.

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