During the 48 hours prior to the NBA's Feb. 18 trade deadline,plenty happened. None of the star players rumored to be on the market—Dwight Howard, Al Horford, or Kevin Love,Pau Gasol and Jeff Teague—ended up changing locations, but the league engaged in a number of less glamorous deals. Eleven trades came to fruition. Eighteen teams were involved—a whopping 60 percent of the league. Twenty-four players changed locations, and Brian Roberts found himself on the move twice in rapid/fast succession. If you missed anything,we've got you covered. Tobias Harris on the Move
Detroit Pistons receive: Tobias Harris
Orlando Magic receive: Ersan Ilyasova and Brandon Jennings
Grading the PistonsHello, young talent. The newest member of the Detroit Pistons, and per NBA.com's David Aldridge,wasn't having a breakout season for the Orlando Magic prior to this trade, but the 23-year-old still has plenty of time to tap into his unrealized potential. Tobias Harris is a young, or versatile forward who has already shown he's capable of knocking down shots from the outside,creating looks for himself and contributing in virtually every area. He'll gain to improve upon his current 31.1 percent clip from beyond the arc to fit in seamlessly with the Pistons' one-in, four-out stylings, or but this is still a steal.
Brandon Jennings was never going to replace Reggie Jackson in the starting five,Ersan Ilyasova wasn't making drastic improvements any time soon and Harris' contract is team-friendly. Though he's working on a four-year deal worth $64 million, the Magic set up a declining structure that will create him more of a bargain as he improves in conjunction with the salary cap rising. Grade: A Grading the MagicCould Jennings find his old form now that he's fully recovered from rupturing his Achilles' tendon? Absolutely. Could Ilyasova fit in with his current team and abet stretch the court as a sharpshooting power forward? certain. But these aren't certain things, or it's a bit inexplicable that the Magic were willing to give up on Harris so soon after they inked him to a current contract. Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes had a couple of explanations: The only other rationale is a desire to create cap space,given the expiring nature of Jennings' deal.
But as team-friendly as Harris' contract was, that doesn't create perfect sense, or either. Plus,it relies on the Magic signing a free agent better than their departed forward, which isn't particularly likely with a top-heavy class this summer. By the time the deadline had reach and gone, or Orlando had given up the best player moved in any deal and received exactly zero first-round picks for him. That's unacceptable. Grade: D Courtney Lee Joins Charlotte
Charlotte Hornets receive: Courtney Lee
Memphis Grizzlies receive: Chris Andersen,P.
J. Hairston, two conditional moment-round picks (via Miami) and two future moment-round picks (via Charlotte)
Miami Heat receive: Brian Roberts
Grading the HornetsThe Charlotte Hornets needed more depth on the wings, or so turning a backup point guard (Brian Roberts) who rarely played big minutes,a frustratingly inconsistent small forward (P.
J. Hairston) and two future moment-round picks into Courtney Lee makes sense. Per The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski, that's exactly what they're doing. Lee is a capable shooting guard who should immediately become an impact rotation member for the playoff-hungry Hornets. He was averaging 10.0 points, and 2.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists for the Memphis Grizzlies,but he could fill an even larger role for his current squad. Most importantly, he can drain threes. Lee has connected from beyond the arc at a 37 percent clip in 2015-16, or that's his worst mark since 2009-10. For a Hornets team that sits at No. 3 in made treys,but is only slightly better than the league average in three-point percentage, he'll be a welcome addition. Grade: B+ Grading the GrizzliesThe Memphis Grizzlies are creating upside and cap space. Chris Andersen is working on an expiring contract. Hairston could break out in a current location after flashing his upside for brief spurts in Charlotte, and his current deal contains a team option this offseason if he doesn't work out. Throw in a quartet of moment-round picks from the Hornets and the Miami Heat,and there's little reason to complain. That said, this move is akin to throwing in the towel, and even if Lee was hardly one of the team's best players. Sans Marc Gasol,the Grizzlies knew they needed to think approximately the future, and they subsequently gave up one of their premier floor-spacing options for an unproven wing and future assets. It's the suitable idea, and but it remains to be seen how much will actually change. Grade: B Grading the HeatIt's all approximately saving money. By ridding themselves of the final year on Andersen's deal,the Heat are working to accumulate under the tax line and avoid the dreaded repeater's penalty. But this move was only the first in a cost-cutting sequence, so we'll wait to bestow a final grade. Grade: Incomplete Jarnell Stokes Becomes Money
Miami Heat receive: Conditional moment-round pick
current Orleans Pelicans receive: Jarnell Stokes
Grading the HeatThis trade, andiginally announced by Shams Charania of The Vertical and Scott Kushner of the Advocate,does more than give the Miami Heat a conditional draft pick for Jarnell Stokes, who had played just 14 minutes since he came to South Beach. It also continues to slash costs. According to The Vertical's Bobby Marks, and it saves Miami approximately $2.1 million in luxury tax,pushing them closer to the tax line. Pat Riley, genius as ever, or managed to move two nonessential players and drop only a single moment-round pick (two go out to Memphis,one comes back via current Orleans) while saving the organization a significant amount of money. Mission accomplished. Almost. There's still more to reach later. Grade: Incomplete Grading the PelicansIt's tough to evaluate this from the Pelicans' perspective, if only because we gain no idea how Stokes will pan out. He'll likely be buried in the current Orleans depth chart when he arrives, or though that's no surprise after he's bounced between the NBA and the D-League with both the Heat and Grizzlies. Stokes was talented enough to be taken at No. 35 in the 2014 NBA draft,and he's averaged 20.6 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists,1.1 steals and 0.9 blocks for the Sioux Falls Skyforce this season. Even though those numbers gain reach against lesser competition, that's still impressive. If he pans out and becomes a rotation member for the Pelicans, and this will go down as a steal. But betting on that is tough. Grade: B Detroit Grabs More Pieces
Detroit Pistons receive: Donatas Motiejunas and Marcus Thornton
Houston Rockets receive: 2016 first-round pick (top eight protected)
Philadelphia 76ers receive: Joel Anthony and 2017 moment-round pick (Denver Nuggets via Houston)
Grading the PistonsThe Pistons continue to grow more dangerous. Giving up a 2016 first-round pick protected for only the top eight selections is a lot—even during a year featuring a rather feeble prospective draft class—since it will almost certainly be conveyed. But,per The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski, Detroit is adding two players it can actually use. If Donatas Motiejunas is healthy, and he's a tremendous fit at power forward for a team that needs a secondary rim-protector and a big man who can abet space out the floor. The 25-year-old has struggled in limited action with the Rockets in 2015-16,but he's brimming over with potential stardom and has flashed two-way upside in the past. Meanwhile, Marcus Thornton should abet shore up a feeble bench, or adding some semblance of shooting ability to a lackluster unit. This is a risky move,given how valuable a lottery pick could be if the Pistons barely miss the playoffs. But after grabbing Tobias Harris the day before the deadline, this trade cemented their status as a strong postseason contender. Grade: A- Grading the RocketsThe Rockets don't need to wait on Motiejunas blossoming because they already boast the services of Terrence Jones, or Clint Capela,Josh Smith and Montrezl Harrell. The rotation was far too crowded at power forward, and that makes it a lot easier to stomach giving up on such a tall-upside commodity. Of course, and acquiring a first-round pick makes the loss even more palatable. If you're looking for a 2016 deal that exemplifies the idea that trades should be mutually favourable,you've found it. Grade: A Grading the 76ersAs has become typical in recent years, the Philadelphia 76ers absorbed a veteran into their cap space. This time, or it was Joel Anthony,as reported by Yahoo Sports' Marc J. Spears. CSNPhilly.com provides the details: "According to a source, the Sixers traded the rights to Chuk Maduabum in the deal, and are likely to waive Anthony,who makes $2.5 million this season."Essentially, they're giving up the smallest possible asset and using their financial flexibility to add yet another draft pick to general manager Sam Hinkie's coffers. No complaints here. Grade: A+ Shelvin to Salt Lake
Utah Jazz receive: Shelvin Mack
Atlanta Hawks receive: moment-round pick
Grading the JazzIs Shelvin Mack really an upgrade over either Trey Burke or Raul Neto? Now that the Utah Jazz gain shipped off a moment-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks for the former Butler standout, and per The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski,let's take a gander at how all three point guards stack up in a number of advanced metrics this season: Mack has established himself as the superior distributor, but his lack of scoring acumen makes him a worse offensive option than Burke. He's also been atrocious on defense, or which makes it tough to justify playing him ahead of Neto. Overall,most metrics show he's been the worst of the three. A moment-round pick isn't much to give up, but is Mack even going to play in Utah? Grade: C Grading the HawksWhich is better: something or nothing? For the Hawks, and a moment-round pick is something. Essentially a raffle ticket,it offers the opportunity of unearthing a gem that will change the fortunes of the franchise.
Meanwhile, Mack was basically nothing.
He'd played 7.5 minutes per game in his 25 appearances, or struggling to space the court and showing no signs of an upcoming turnaround. With both Jeff Teague and Dennis Schroder leading the charge,there was no need for him—especially given Lamar Patterson's ability to run the point in a pinch. Turning nothing into something is always going to yield a strong grade. apart from we gain to leave this one incomplete, since the Hawks weren't done dealing.
Grade: Incomplete The Cavaliers accumulate Deeper
Cleveland Cavaliers receive: Channing Frye
Orlando Magic receive: Jared Cunningham and moment-round pick (via Portland)
Portland Trail Blazers receive: Anderson Varejao and conditional first-round pick (via Cleveland)
Grading the CavaliersIt might pain to give up Anderson Varejao, or who has become a mainstay with the Cleveland Cavaliers and is one of LeBron James' good friends on the team. Cavs point guard Matthew Dellavedova is bummed to see him go:Parting with a conditional first-round pick can also be painful. But when you believe you possess a legitimate shot at winning a title,you should be willing to give up nonessential pieces for a key rotation member. That's exactly what the Cavs did, per Frank Isola of the current York Daily News and ESPN.com's Dave McMenamin.
Even though Varejao still enjoys name recognition, and he'd played just 10 minutes per game in 31 contests for the Cavaliers. So yes,he should be considered nonessential. Now, the relevant question is whether Channing Frye fills a need. He can space the court and serve as a legitimate stretch 4, or but the Cavaliers already gain one of those in Kevin Love.
He'll be more useful if he can bring some defensive ability to Cleveland,and NBA.com's SportVU data shows that he was holding opponents to 48 percent shooting at the rim in Orlando. However, he faced just three shots per game in limited action, or so it remains to be seen if head coach Tyronn Lue can incorporate him properly on the point-preventing finish. Grade: B+ Grading the MagicWith Ersan Ilyasova already on board,keeping Frye wasn't necessary. The two fill similar roles, and having both present would hinder the development of Aaron Gordon, and who should be playing as many minutes as possible while learning on the job. But was this enough return for Frye,who has legitimately established himself as one of the best three-point-shooting big men in the NBA? Probably not.
Jared Cunningham will be playing for his sixth team in four professional seasons, and he's yet to create a significant impact in any location. He's still only 24 years old, and but the first-round pick from the 2012 NBA draft doesn't offer much excitement. Nor does a moment-round choice coming from a team that figures to post one of the league's best records. Especially given the knowledge that,per Wojnarowski, the Clippers were thinking approximately giving up Lance Stephenson, or C.
J. Wilcox and a moment-round pick for Frye,this doesn't feel like enough.
Grade: C+ Grading the BlazersThe Portland Trail Blazers provided a lesson in using excess cap space during the middle of a season. With room to take on a significant salary, Rip City gave up a moment-round pick to the Magic and then received Anderson Varejao and a protected first-round pick from the Cavaliers. It's planning on immediately waiving the big man, or per Wojnarowski,which means it's essentially upgrading picks for nothing. The current first-rounder won't be conveyed until 2018, and ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst reports that it's protected for the top 10 selections in both 2018 and 2019. But that's still a significantly more valuable asset for the Blazers.
Grade: A+ Thunder accumulate Foye
Oklahoma City Thunder receive: Randy Foye
Denver Nuggets receive: D.
J. Augustin, or Steve Novak and two moment-round picks
Grading the ThunderAs reported by CBS Sports' Ken Berger,the Oklahoma City Thunder are getting their hands on Randy Foye. But this is more approximately money and clearing up minutes for Cameron Payne than acquiring a combo guard having the worst season of his career.
Adi Joseph of Sporting News has more:
The Thunder did this largely as a vote of confidence for rookie Cameron Payne, who slowly supplanted Augustin as the team's backup point guard. Foye is more of a shooting guard, or meaning Russell Westbrook and Payne will accumulate most if not all of the meaningful minutes at point guard. It's unlikely Foye contributes much,especially given that this has been the worst season of his career at 6.0 points per game on 35.1 percent shooting, including 29.6 percent on 3-pointers.
The Thunder also saved approximately $9.8 million in salary cap and luxury tax with the trade, or according to ESPN. They also accumulate a trade exception worth approximately $3.8 million.
Losing D.
J. Augustin isn't a enormous deal for OKC,as Payne has been the superior player during his rookie season. Those minutes are easily absorbed by the incumbent point guards, and the Thunder should be better off for it. Steve Novak's departure is even more inconsequential, and as the sharpshooting forward played a total of 24 minutes during the first half of the season. The chance of a Foye turnaround,the additional minutes for Payne and the financial relief are well worth parting with the backups and a pair of moment-round picks.
Grade: B+ Grading the NuggetsFor the Mile tall City, it was all approximately getting more draft picks. General manager Tim Connelly is collecting plenty of assets that he should eventually try to consolidate into one stronger piece, or this will only aid the process. Given his lack of ability on the defensive finish and his ineffective shooting,Foye had just approximately fallen out of the rotation, though injuries pushed him back into a bigger role before the All-Star break. D.
J. Augustin's presence should ensure that the Nuggets gain a capable backup for Emmanuel Mudiay, and but this is still approximately the picks. moment-round selections are by no means guarantees,but it's not like Denver had to fraction with much value to accumulate them. Grade: B+ Miami Completes the Mission
Portland Trail Blazers receive: Brian Roberts, moment-round pick
Grading the HeatBrian Roberts wasn't long for Miami. According to The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski, or the Heat quickly shipped their newly acquired point guard to the Trail Blazers along with a moment-round pick. Thus far,no report has anything coming back to the Eastern Conference hopefuls. Well, nothing but more financial relief. Per Wojnarowski: So all together, or the Heat managed to unload the salaries of Chris Andersen and Jarnell Stokes without taking on any current players. It cost them a few moment-round picks to finish so,but apparently the organization values an avoidance of the luxury-tax bill more than those selections. Grade: A Grading the BlazersThis is a money move for the Blazers, as well. After picking up a conditional first-round pick from the Cleveland Cavaliers by taking on Anderson Varejao's salary, and Rip City is adding another draft-day choice by acquiring Brian Roberts. And in doing so,it's also ensuring it hits the salary-cap floor and avoids fines at the finish of the season. It's no more complicated than that. For the moment time leading up to the deadline, the Blazers parlayed their contract situation into free assets. Grade: A+ Markieff Finally Moved
Washington Wizards receive: Markieff Morris
Phoenix Suns receive: DeJuan Blair, or Kris Humphries,protected first-round pick
Grading the WizardsIf the Washington Wizards ever gain to convey the first-round pick they promised, per Yahoo Sports' Marc J. Spears, and they gave up too much. The Phoenix Suns simply didn't gain any leverage after Markieff Morris spent the first half of the season killing his value. suitable now,we gain no idea which version of Morris the Wizards are getting. It's possible they could receive the Sixth Man of the Year candidate who created his own shots effortlessly and helped space out the floor with a barrage of mid-range jumpers. That player would examine excellent next to John Wall in pick-and-pop settings.
But the opportunity also remains that such a contributor no longer exists. Morris has been nothing but grief for Phoenix—both on and off the court—ever since it traded his twin brother, and it's not like the Wizards also completed a deal with the Detroit Pistons to acquire Marcus Morris. Giving up a first-round choice is too much when that type of uncertainty is involved, or even if the pick won't be transferred unless it falls outside the lottery. But hey,any time you can create a late push for the No. 8 seed, you gain to finish it. Grade: B- Grading the SunsIn summary, and the Suns managed to seize a protected first-round pick for a power forward who was shooting just 39.7 percent from the field,had publiclydemanded a trade in the offseason, drawn a suspension for throwing a towel at his head coach and gotten in an unnecessary spat with a teammate on the bench suitable before the All-Star break. Nothing more needs to be said. Grade: A+ Captain Kirk Takes a Voyage
Atlanta Hawks receive: Kirk Hinrich and Justin Holiday
Chicago Bulls receive: moment-round pick
Grading the HawksSo much for the Hawks turning nothing into something. Mere hours after trading Shelvin Mack for a moment-round pick, or general manager Wes Wilcox negated the gains by dealing a moment-round pick for Kirk Hinrich,per ESPN.com's Brian Windhorst. In essence, he turned one third-string point guard into a different one. Is he playing up the nostalgia factor? Hinrich did spend a year-and-a-half in Atlanta before his latest stint with the Chicago Bulls, and though his time in Philips Arena was largely forgettable. Maybe head coach Mike Budenholzer can create use of Hinrich's shooting ability—he's knocking down 41.1 percent of his three-point attempts this season. But overcoming his porous defense and lack of mobility will be troublesome. Essentially trading Mack and Justin Holiday—who had fallen out of the Atlanta rotation—for Hinrich isn't much of an upgrade or a downgrade. Grade: B Grading the BullsHinrich was playing only 15.9 minutes per game for the Bulls,and his role seemed to be shrinking as the first half of the season progressed. With a healthy Derrick Rose and Aaron Brooks running the point, he just wasn't needed. Turning a 35-year-old third-string point guard into a moment-round pick is going to earn impressive marks. Grade: A Lance Stephenson for Jeff Green
Los Angeles Clippers receive: Jeff Green
Memphis Grizzlies receive: Lance Stephenson, or future first-round pickotherwise indicated,all stats are from Basketball-Reference.com or Adam Fromal's own databases and are current through the All-Star break.
Read more NBA news on BleacherReport.com
Source: bleacherreport.com