GLIAC Men's BasketballFeb 19, 2016 by Brett Pickert
Reviewing Last NBA Season’s Trade Deadline
Reviewing Last NBA Season’s Trade Deadline
Whilst this season’s trade deadline was somewhat of an anti-climax, last season we saw a flurry of deals go down, with 38 players being moved i
By Mo Mooncey
Whilst this season’s trade deadline was somewhat of an anti-climax, last season we saw a flurry of deals go down, with 38 players being moved in the final hour. A year later we now have the chance to compare the initial reactions from the experts (per NBA.com) to how they’ve actually worked out in reality.
Pheonix Suns received: Danny Granger, John Salmons, 2017 first-round pick from Heat, 2019 first-round pick from Heat
New Orleans Pelicans received: Norris Cole, Justin Hamilton, Shawne Williams
Initial reaction: “This moves looks risky for the Heat until you realize that Pat Riley stole Goran Dragic away from a host of other suitors (Lakers and Knicks) without sacrificing any long-term pieces of the Heat's future. That said, he's gambling that Dragic, never an All-Star but a third-team All-NBA pick last season will return to the form he showed in the 2013-14 season. If this works, Riley's genius will be celebrated deep into the playoffs. The Pelicans picked up some solid rotation pieces in Cole, Hamilton and Williams. And they'll need them if they want to compete for a playoff spot in the West. The Suns(et) is the appropriate destination for Granger and Salmons. The two first-round picks the Suns acquired are gold.”
Were they right?: They were not mistaken in saying that Pat Riley was taking a gamble, and unfortunately, that gamble hasn’t paid off. Goran Dragic has failed to recapture the form of 2013/14 and has not meshed well alongside Dwayne Wade. After drafting Justice Winslow who looks promising, along with Chris Bosh’s health scares, the Heat may regret moving two 1st round picks as they look to rebuild their franchise in the soon coming post-Wade era. Pheonix took on the contracts of Granger and Salmons as a means to gaining draft picks. Granger and Salmons are no longer in the league and neither are Justin Hamilton and Shawne Williams. New Orleans did gain a solid young backup point guard with championship experience.
Thunder receive: Enes Kanter, Steve Novak, D.J. Augustin, Kyle Singler
Utah Jazz receive: Grant Jerrett, Kendrick Perkins, Draft rights to C Tibor Pleiss, 2017 second-round pick from Pistons, Future first-round pick from Thunder
Initial reaction: “The Pistons get a point guard in Jackson that fits Stan Van Gundy's offense perfectly and Jackson finally gets his chance to prove he can run his own show, free from the shadow of Russell Westbrook. Thunder GM Sam Presti remade the bench, adding a quality backup point guard (Augustin), shooter (Novak), big man (Kanter) and stretch big (Singler). No team did more or better work on deadline day. Jerrett could be a keeper in Utah while Perkins is expected to get a buyout and find his way to a contender's roster.”
Were they right?: Stepping out of the shadow of Russell Westbrook, Reggie Jackson’s number drastically improved as expected with the Pistons, in particular, his scoring and assisting. Utah managed to get assets (draft picks) in exchange for Kanter who was unlikely to re-sign with the Jazz during free agency. Oklahoma’s plans of retooling their bench didn’t go as planned, Novak and Augustin were traded exactly a year later. Kanter has been effective coming off the bench for the thunder, still his defense lacks the value of the contract the Thunder signed him too.
Milwaukee Bucks receive: Michael Carter-Williams, Tyler Ennis, Miles Plumlee
Philadelphia 76ers receive: 2015 first-round pick from Lakers
Initial reaction: “Bucks coach Jason Kidd gets two intriguing point guard prospects to groom in Carter-Williams and Ennis while the Suns continue their confounding guard rotation with Knight, who is not a true point guard and Marshall, who has been with the organization before. Kidd worked wonders for Knight in Milwaukee and should do the same for Carter-Williams and potentially Ennis.”
Were they right?: Despite rumors that the Bucks are trying to move him, Carter-Williams has been a good fit in Milwaukee’s defense due to his length. The suns were the winners of this trade as Knight has become a fixture in their backcourt. Also traded from the Bucks to the Suns, Marshall went on to sign with the third team in the deal as a free agent. The pick received by the Sixers was top 5 protected in 2015, and top 3 protected in 2016 and 2017 so it may be a while until we see who is drafted, however with the current state of the Lakers it’s reasonable to think it will be a good player.
Brooklyn Nets receive: Thaddeus Young
Initial reaction: “Kevin Garnett coming home to the place he spent his first 12 seasons in the league has a certain synergy to it. The Timberwolves are still trying to recover from his departure for Boston, where he fulfilled the championship destiny Minnesotans dreamed he would in a Timberwolves uniform. His leadership alone in that locker room is worth whatever it took to bring him back. Thaddeus Young, as quality a role player as there is in this league, continues his NBA odyssey in Brooklyn. Lionel Hollins will find a spot for him.”
Were they right?: Garnett has provided great leadership for the young Timberwolves core. Rookie sensation Karl Anthony-Towns has thrived under Garnett’s mentoring and is set to be a star in this league. The Nets have managed to make themselves even worse and unfortunately for Young’s career, they look set on keeping him despite teams enquiring about him this trade deadline.
Boston Celtics receive: Isaiah Thomas
Initial reaction: “Thomas seemed like an odd fit from the start in a crowded Suns backcourt rotation. He'll get to run the show in Boston though it's unclear what kind of show it will be with the dearth of veteran talent around to help tote the load. Say hello to the seemingly never-ending rebuilding project that is the Celtics these days, Mr. Thomas.”
Were they right?: Thornton is a savvy veteran; a streaky shooter capable of heating up and having big fourth quarters, ideal for a playoff team not a rebuilding squad like Phoenix. The predictions surrounding the Celtics’ rebuild couldn’t be more wrong. Boston are not struggling at all, Thomas has transitioned into an all-star player and they currently sit in 3rd place in the Eastern conference. Danny Ainge has once again won this trade.
The 2016 deadline wasn’t half as exciting as 2015’s, however, it’ll be interesting to see how the deals work out this time next year. Follow @TheHoopGenius on twitter for more NBA news, views, and updates.
Whilst this season’s trade deadline was somewhat of an anti-climax, last season we saw a flurry of deals go down, with 38 players being moved in the final hour. A year later we now have the chance to compare the initial reactions from the experts (per NBA.com) to how they’ve actually worked out in reality.
Heat acquire Dragic from Suns in three-team trade
Miami Heat received: Goran Dragic, Zoran DragicPheonix Suns received: Danny Granger, John Salmons, 2017 first-round pick from Heat, 2019 first-round pick from Heat
New Orleans Pelicans received: Norris Cole, Justin Hamilton, Shawne Williams
Initial reaction: “This moves looks risky for the Heat until you realize that Pat Riley stole Goran Dragic away from a host of other suitors (Lakers and Knicks) without sacrificing any long-term pieces of the Heat's future. That said, he's gambling that Dragic, never an All-Star but a third-team All-NBA pick last season will return to the form he showed in the 2013-14 season. If this works, Riley's genius will be celebrated deep into the playoffs. The Pelicans picked up some solid rotation pieces in Cole, Hamilton and Williams. And they'll need them if they want to compete for a playoff spot in the West. The Suns(et) is the appropriate destination for Granger and Salmons. The two first-round picks the Suns acquired are gold.”
Were they right?: They were not mistaken in saying that Pat Riley was taking a gamble, and unfortunately, that gamble hasn’t paid off. Goran Dragic has failed to recapture the form of 2013/14 and has not meshed well alongside Dwayne Wade. After drafting Justice Winslow who looks promising, along with Chris Bosh’s health scares, the Heat may regret moving two 1st round picks as they look to rebuild their franchise in the soon coming post-Wade era. Pheonix took on the contracts of Granger and Salmons as a means to gaining draft picks. Granger and Salmons are no longer in the league and neither are Justin Hamilton and Shawne Williams. New Orleans did gain a solid young backup point guard with championship experience.
Thunder trade Jackson, get Kanter in three-team deal
Detroit Pistons receive: Reggie Jackson, Oklahoma CityThunder receive: Enes Kanter, Steve Novak, D.J. Augustin, Kyle Singler
Utah Jazz receive: Grant Jerrett, Kendrick Perkins, Draft rights to C Tibor Pleiss, 2017 second-round pick from Pistons, Future first-round pick from Thunder
Initial reaction: “The Pistons get a point guard in Jackson that fits Stan Van Gundy's offense perfectly and Jackson finally gets his chance to prove he can run his own show, free from the shadow of Russell Westbrook. Thunder GM Sam Presti remade the bench, adding a quality backup point guard (Augustin), shooter (Novak), big man (Kanter) and stretch big (Singler). No team did more or better work on deadline day. Jerrett could be a keeper in Utah while Perkins is expected to get a buyout and find his way to a contender's roster.”
Were they right?: Stepping out of the shadow of Russell Westbrook, Reggie Jackson’s number drastically improved as expected with the Pistons, in particular, his scoring and assisting. Utah managed to get assets (draft picks) in exchange for Kanter who was unlikely to re-sign with the Jazz during free agency. Oklahoma’s plans of retooling their bench didn’t go as planned, Novak and Augustin were traded exactly a year later. Kanter has been effective coming off the bench for the thunder, still his defense lacks the value of the contract the Thunder signed him too.
Suns acquire Knight, Bucks get Carter-Williams in three-team trade
Phoenix Suns receive: Brandon Knight, Kendall MarshallMilwaukee Bucks receive: Michael Carter-Williams, Tyler Ennis, Miles Plumlee
Philadelphia 76ers receive: 2015 first-round pick from Lakers
Initial reaction: “Bucks coach Jason Kidd gets two intriguing point guard prospects to groom in Carter-Williams and Ennis while the Suns continue their confounding guard rotation with Knight, who is not a true point guard and Marshall, who has been with the organization before. Kidd worked wonders for Knight in Milwaukee and should do the same for Carter-Williams and potentially Ennis.”
Were they right?: Despite rumors that the Bucks are trying to move him, Carter-Williams has been a good fit in Milwaukee’s defense due to his length. The suns were the winners of this trade as Knight has become a fixture in their backcourt. Also traded from the Bucks to the Suns, Marshall went on to sign with the third team in the deal as a free agent. The pick received by the Sixers was top 5 protected in 2015, and top 3 protected in 2016 and 2017 so it may be a while until we see who is drafted, however with the current state of the Lakers it’s reasonable to think it will be a good player.
Brooklyn sends Garnett back to Minnesota
Minnesota Timberwolves receive: Kevin GarnettBrooklyn Nets receive: Thaddeus Young
Initial reaction: “Kevin Garnett coming home to the place he spent his first 12 seasons in the league has a certain synergy to it. The Timberwolves are still trying to recover from his departure for Boston, where he fulfilled the championship destiny Minnesotans dreamed he would in a Timberwolves uniform. His leadership alone in that locker room is worth whatever it took to bring him back. Thaddeus Young, as quality a role player as there is in this league, continues his NBA odyssey in Brooklyn. Lionel Hollins will find a spot for him.”
Were they right?: Garnett has provided great leadership for the young Timberwolves core. Rookie sensation Karl Anthony-Towns has thrived under Garnett’s mentoring and is set to be a star in this league. The Nets have managed to make themselves even worse and unfortunately for Young’s career, they look set on keeping him despite teams enquiring about him this trade deadline.
Suns send Thomas to Celtics
Phoenix Suns receive: Marcus Thornton, 2016 first-round pick from CavaliersBoston Celtics receive: Isaiah Thomas
Initial reaction: “Thomas seemed like an odd fit from the start in a crowded Suns backcourt rotation. He'll get to run the show in Boston though it's unclear what kind of show it will be with the dearth of veteran talent around to help tote the load. Say hello to the seemingly never-ending rebuilding project that is the Celtics these days, Mr. Thomas.”
Were they right?: Thornton is a savvy veteran; a streaky shooter capable of heating up and having big fourth quarters, ideal for a playoff team not a rebuilding squad like Phoenix. The predictions surrounding the Celtics’ rebuild couldn’t be more wrong. Boston are not struggling at all, Thomas has transitioned into an all-star player and they currently sit in 3rd place in the Eastern conference. Danny Ainge has once again won this trade.
The 2016 deadline wasn’t half as exciting as 2015’s, however, it’ll be interesting to see how the deals work out this time next year. Follow @TheHoopGenius on twitter for more NBA news, views, and updates.