NBA: Trade Deadline Update
The 2017 NBA Trade Deadline is now a thing of the past, but it did not go by without making some noise, as a couple of big names will be switching cities in preparation for a potential playoff run. Our team will run through some of the biggest deals that came to fruition, and touch on a couple of trades that failed to go through.
Demarcus Cousins Traded to New Orleans:
The Kings sent shockwaves around the NBA a few days ago when they sent big man Demarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for draft picks and a few players. Many people right after the trade called the Kings out on social media, saying the trade was extremely dumb to give away their best player by far on the team. But, the trade simply isn’t as bad as it seems for the Kings. Let’s consider the fact that the Kings were essentially mediocre with Cousins around. They had never made the playoffs while Cousins was there, and their odds of making the postseason this year looked bleak. Without Cousins, Sacramento can now tank the rest of the season and going forward for better draft picks, and a chance to build the team again the right way. Next, Cousins has a big personality. It had become clear that there was a divide between him and the coaching staff over the years, and the situation has been toxic for a while now. With this deal, Cousins gets a fresh start in a new home, and so does the Kings coaching staff with some new players. Finally, let’s look at this from the Pelicans perspective. While on paper this Pelicans team looks scary good with Anthony Davis and Cousins, two former Kentucky stars, what happens if Cousins decides not to re-sign with the team after the 2017-18 season? What if Cousins and Davis don’t get along too well? However, if Cousins does decide to re-up with the Pelicans, they could be the team that could be the Achilles heel for the Warriors in the Western Conference going forward. The trade may have looked like a slam dunk for the Pelicans on the outset, but after taking a closer look, I think both teams made out of this trade very well.
Mason Plumlee Traded to Denver:
This one makes sense for both sides. The Nuggets should be trying to find a big man that meshes well with Nikola Jokic and his unique blend of passing and ball handling. Jusuf Nurkic wasn't that guy. Nurkic liked isolation post-ups. He also isn't particularly springy defensively. Adding Mason Plumlee gives the Nuggets an athletic big who can cover some ground. His off-ball cutting should mesh well with Jokic's passing. From the Blazers' point of view, this trade makes sense. Ed Davis can cover for Nurkic's lack of explosiveness defensively. Offensively, Nurkic won't be a giant addition (turns the ball over a lot, doesn't move well off the ball), but he'll be serviceable.
Lou Williams Traded to Houston:
Boomin' out in South Gwinnett like Lou Will! I love this trade for the Rockets. Houston has a cache of scorers, and trading for Williams gives them yet another one. Williams is a potent scorer off the dribble, and he can help provide offense when James Harden goes to the bench to rest. He's a perfect addition for Houston. The Lakers definitely got the short end of this deal. Corey Brewer is an aging player on a team that should be embracing the youth movement. The first-round pick sweetens the pot a little bit. However, Houston's team success this year probably means that this draft pick will end up being somewhere in the mid 20's. That isn't great value, considering they probably won't get too much out of Brewer.
Nerlens Noel Traded to Dallas:
Nerlens Noel, who has been on the trading block for the last two seasons, was finally dealt. While at Kentucky, he was a potential No. 1 overall pick but because of injuries, he has had a slow start to his career. This season, Noel has averaged 8.9 points and 5.0 rebounds, and will bring some athleticism to the Dallas front court. Philadelphia has a lot of young big men in Joel Embiid and Jahlil Okafor, and they desperately needed a veteran post presence. Andrew Bogut will give them that, even if his stint in Philly in short lived, while Justin Anderson can be a solid role player. 76ers could also get Dallas' first round pick, which is top-18 protected.
Serge Ibaka Traded to Toronto:
Toronto needed one more big man to stretch the floor, play good defense, and be able to guard Kevin Love, if the Raptors meet Cleveland in the Eastern Conference Finals again. They got just that. Serge Ibaka scores 15.1 points per game and adds 6.8 boards. Orlando will get a legitimate outside threat in Terrence Ross which could make up for some of the loss that was suffered following Victor Oladipo and Tobias Harris leaving. They will also get a 2017 first round draft pick, which will likely come in the 20-30 range.
Taj Gibson Traded to Oklahoma City:
Oklahoma City has been looking for inside scoring since Ibaka's departure and they have that back in Taj Gibson, who averages 11.1 points and 7.0 rebounds a game. He will likely start for the Thunder, alongside Steven Adams. Doug McDermott is also a part of the deal and will attempt to add depth to the bench. Chicago gets the Thunder's 2015 first round pick, Cameron Payne, and Anthony Morrow and Joffrey Lauvergne. Payne has the most potential and will have more room to grow with the Bulls.
Paul George Stays in Indiana:
Indiana had several suitors vying for their superstar small forward including the Celtics, Lakers, and Nuggets. After everything that has happened, Paul George will stay put for now. Boston seemed to have the best chance at landing George, but it would have likely meant giving up the potential No. 1 overall draft pick. Magic Johnson, a day after trading Williams to the Rockets, was also interested in acquiring the Pacers best player. Indiana most likely wanted D'Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram, or Julius Randle, all of who the Lakers would not part with. So, for now, George remains in Indiana, but with his 2018 free agency looming, he may not be there for very much longer.
Jimmy Buter Stays in Chicago:
Chicago has tried to make moves over the last couple of deadline's to get some quality players and high draft picks for Jimmy Butler, but it never seems to go down. Boston was also reportedly interested in Butler joining the Celtics, but if Danny Ainge wasn't going to give up the No. 1 pick for George, then he wasn't going to for Butler either.
Carmelo Anthony Stays in New York:
It's been a wild ride in the Knicks organization since Phil Jackson took over. He has attempted to turn the depleted team into a contender, by drafting Kristaps Porzingis and getting Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah last summer, but it just hasn't happened. To add insult to injury, he and his All-Star forward, Carmelo Anthony, are at odds. It doesn't seem like both are going to last in the Big Apple which meant Anthony was on the trading block for some time. However, because of Cleveland's inability to deal Kevin Love, and the Celtics and Clippers deciding otherwise, Anthony will remain a Knick for the time being.
Photo Credit: Pro Basketball Talk.
