We’re a while removed from the NBA trade deadline, so it’s probably worth taking a look at some of the moves that were made, the teams that made them, and some of the trends that have been arising recently.
Remember in Inception when they would enter someone’s dream, and then it would become a dream within a dream, then a dream within a dream within a dream, and the further down they went, the more confused you got?
This is how I would describe the Orlando Magic after the trade deadline. After trading their three best players, they have now entered the dreaded rebuild within a rebuild. So, rather than having one of the most boring and uninspiring teams in the league, Magic fans can rejoice at the opportunity to watch their team hopefully finish with the league’s worst record.
These moves came with mixed results. Orlando traded Nikola Vučević, their only All-Star, to Chicago to join Zach LaVine on the Bulls. This was actually a great trade for both teams, as Orlando sold Vučević at peak value, received two solid first round picks and a good young player in Wendell Carter, Jr. in return. Chicago, for their part, could have continued to ride a lottery train, but instead chose to move in on pairing LaVine with another good player and actually attempt to make a competitive team. They are 1-4 since the trade, but it may take some time to build some momentum with this new squad.
Now, compare what the Magic got for Vučević with what they got for Aaron Gordon: Gary Harris (his injuries and bad contract), R.J. Hampton, and a protected first round pick that actually isn’t very good. This is poor return, but it makes sense; it’s the difference between trading a healthy and quiet All-Star and trying to move a player that has just demanded a trade. If you are a Nuggets fan, this trade is good news. Aaron Gordon was a little overhyped in the days leading up to the deadline, but his athleticism and defense is a welcome sight for the Nuggets after losing Jerami Grant and Mason Plumlee in the offseason.
(On a side note, Aaron Gordon choosing 50 for his jersey number is too much. I felt bad for him until he chose to keep bringing it up. Like, it’s the dunk contest, move on. But we share a last name so I’ll still be a fan.)
Lastly for the Magic, they sent Evan Fournier to the Celtics for two second-round picks. Another lukewarm deal for Orlando. Who cares about two second-round picks? This leads to a point about draft picks that I will touch on at the end.
I’ve actually always liked Evan Fournier, and thought that he’s been somewhat underrated over these past few years by nature of playing on a team that is never on national TV. So, while he’s been on a bad team, he’s been playing at a pretty consistent level, and being a near-20 point scorer isn’t nothing. The struggling Celtics could really use him coming off the bench and somewhat filling the Gordon Hayward hole, providing some scoring in those frustrating Celtic stretches where nobody can score the ball with Tatum and Brown on the bench. Boston also had to give up Theis, but maybe it’s for the best. Perhaps it’s time for Brad Stevens to play the Time Lord more than 16 minutes a game.
Portland got a good pickup in Norman Powell, who is a better and more athletic version of the various average wings that the team has been trying out over the previous years, and gives them some more size over Gary Trent, Jr., who had been playing very well. Somehow, however, the Blazers still don’t have a backup point guard after all of their offseason signings, and the defense is continues to be an issue.
The Heat have now won a couple games with Oladipo on the roster, but Oladipo has played terribly so far. He may need time to get adjusted, and it's possible that playing for a contract will motivate him to produce as the season nears an end. Hopefully a still relatively young Oladipo isn’t just done, but if he plays poorly for the Heat, it will be slim pickings for him in free agency.
On the flip side, the Rockets dealt away Oladipo after a few games, which essentially means that they traded James Harden, an all-time scorer, for Kelly Olynyk. Good job, Houston. Why didn’t they want Ben Simmons again?
I wish Lowry had been traded, just because I was curious and felt like he could really help any number of contenders. Well, the best Raptor to ever play will stay up North in… Tampa. It’s been a really tough season for the Raptors, but they still have that 2019 Championship ring and Kyle Lowry’s future Hall of Fame induction ceremony to look forward to (this will happen).
There were surprise names that weren’t moved, and lots of other activity on smaller moves, such as Rondo to the Clippers for Lou Williams. Some Clipper fans were upset about this, but just watching Rondo in his first game, it’s obvious that it’s an upgrade. Considering the pressure that the Clippers now face come playoff time based on last year’s failure, they need someone to step up in the big moments and contribute—Playoff Rondo is legendary, while Playoff Lou Williams is something that does not exist.
Now, a quick word on two interesting trends that deserve a more in-depth discussion that will not be provided in the following sentences:
The buyout market is slightly troubling, with considerable names now just sitting out and waiting to be bought out so they can join the Lakers or Nets. I’m a Lakers fan, and I think that everyone needs to calm down about how valuable Drummond actually is going to be considering that he can’t make a free throw. This being said, the Lakers getting him for like $800,000 for the rest of the season is absurd, and will lead to some really weird stuff in the next couple years if it isn’t addressed.
Finally, draft picks galore! Hey, maybe the Thunder can collect 30 first-round and 30 second-round picks in each of the next drafts through 2035. Maybe Houston was actually right to not trade for Simmons, a guaranteed All-Star, but rather for a big serving of draft picks, some of which aren’t even that great. Maybe the Pelicans really do have a plan with all those pick swaps with the Lakers and Bucks. What I’m trying to say is this: while it might make sense in the moment to just gather all these picks, you have to actually do something with them. You have to package them for something better or think about what the plan is, if there is one at all. Collecting second-rounders? Collecting pick-swaps with better teams? These are virtually worthless. Collecting first-round picks that are protected? Now you aren’t even guaranteed the pick. The Thunder may have 34 picks over seven years, but there aren’t 34 spots on the roster - that’s not how professional sports works. This trend where GMs trade an All-Star and ask for 10 picks in return isn’t to the benefit of the team, but rather to please the fans with the idea of future stars and save the GM’s job. Draft picks have interestingly enough become extremely undervalued and overvalued at the same time.
All in all, it was a good trade deadline, and some interesting moves were made. Time to gear up for the back portion of this season and start getting excited about the playoffs.
