NBA Trade Deadline 2018: Grading The Trades

With nearly half of NBA teams projected to pay the luxury tax next season, it appeared that a league-wide cap crunch would make for a ho-hum deadline day. But then Cavaliers GM Koby Altman decided to hit the reset button and flip six of Cleveland’s roster spots.

Altman’s mid-season insta-rebuild provided some fireworks as the deadline approached, but the rest of the league was relatively quiet with mostly peripheral deals. Below, we assign grades for each team that made a move.

Three-way trade: Rodney Hood and George Hill to Cavs, Jae Crowder and Derrick Rose to Jazz, Iman Shumpert and Joe Johnson to Kings

ESPN’s Dave McMenamin tweeted some strong comments from Altman about how serious the Cavaliers took the chemistry issues that prevented the team from meeting expectations.

“We felt like we were on a slow death march, and that’s not something I wanted to be a part of.”

Strong words from Cleveland GM Koby Altman on a media conference call about the culture of the Cavs he felt he had to change: "We felt like we were on a slow death march and that's not something I wanted to be a part of"

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 9, 2018

Altman’s actions on deadline day were decisive and put him squarely in the conversation for NBA Executive of the Year. He addressed the fractured chemistry and made the team significantly younger and more athletic, all while preserving Brooklyn’s unprotected 2018 first-round draft pick. Take a bow, Mr. Altman.

Basketball Insiders on Tuesday broke down the hidden potential of former Jazz shooting guard Rodney Hood. He ranks 101st of 106 shooting guards in defensive Real Plus-Minus and will be a significant defensive downgrade from Jae Crowder. However, on the offensive end, Hood is a multi-talented player who gets buckets but remains humble and low-key. He won’t replace Kyrie Irving, but he could develop into the best perimeter scorer LeBron James has played with since Irving departed.

While Hood struggles defensively, George Hill is known as a two-way stalwart. If he can remain healthy, he’ll provide exactly the leadership by example Cleveland needs after all the finger-pointing.

Grade for the Cavaliers: A+

With Hood sharing the same position with emergent rookie Donovan Mitchell, the Jazz decided to get something for Hood rather than keep him as he entered restricted free agency. Crowder is known as one of the best defensive small forwards in the NBA and shot almost 40 percent from three in Boston last season. Normally such a three-and-D stud would be untouchable, but for some reason, it didn’t work out in Cleveland.

For the Jazz, Crowder is a worthy gamble who should lock down the other wing position next to Mitchell. He’s on one of the NBA’s most team-friendly deals with two more guaranteed seasons at under $8 million per. There’s some danger that Hood could blow up in Cleveland and make the Jazz regret this decision. Utah is expected to waive or buy out Derrick Rose.

Grade for the Jazz: B

The Kings made a valiant effort to supplement a young core with veterans last summer, but it simply didn’t work out. With Sacramento lottery-bound despite its veteran investments, it was time to move off some salary and commit to youth. The Kings got out of $19 million Hill will make next season, and his absence should lead to better draft position.

Joe Johnson will likely be bought out but, according to league sources, Iman Shumpert is more likely to opt into the final year at $11 million remaining on his contract. Basketball Insiders publisher Steve Kyler tweeted that he has that from a source close to Shumpert.

I have had this conversation – according to sources close to Shump, barring some eruption of production in Sacramento, far more likely Shump opts for $11 million than not. Injuries and bare marketplace a HUGE factor. https://t.co/ZTFJQWOg0C

— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) February 8, 2018

The Kings will also receive a 2020 second-round draft pick.

Grade for the Kings: B

Lakers trade Larry Nance, Jordan Clarkson to Cavs for Isaiah Thomas, Channing Fry, and Cleveland’s first-round pick

There’s no telling, based on what he did with the Lakers, what Larry Nance can become. Can he be as good as Tristan Thompson? Only time will tell. But the key to this deal is that Cleveland moved on from Thomas and got two young, athletic players in return for a piece that didn’t fit. Losing Channing Fry’s floor-stretching ability will hurt with Kevin Love injured, but that was the cost of doing business.

Grade for Cavaliers: A

For the Lakers, regardless of what Thomas does for the rest of the season, this was about opening two potential maximum salary slots for the offseason to pursue stars. Jordan Clarkson was the team’s third-leading scorer, but that doesn’t count for much when the team is destined for the lottery. The Lakers should also be applauded for getting Cleveland’s first-round pick in an environment where teams are clinging to their picks with a death grip.

Grade for Lakers: B

Cavaliers trade Dwyane Wade to Heat

This one was tricky, and it’s again a tribute to Altman for the master craftsmanship he displayed ahead of the deadline. To give incoming guards Hood and Clarkson a real opportunity to assimilate, it was important to open up minutes for them. With Dwyane Wade still in Cleveland, that would have meant forcing those players to compete for minutes with one of James’ closest friends. Wade’s return to Miami allows him to finish his career the way he wants to while opening the floor for Hood and Clarkson to make their own imprint for the Cavaliers. Cleveland gets a protected second-round pick.

Grade for Cavaliers and Heat: A+

Bulls trade Jameer Nelson to Pistons for Willie Reed

Basketball Insiders has already given the Pistons glowing marks for landing Blake Griffin in exchange for expendable pieces. With Reggie Jackson still ailing, point guard remains a major area of concern in Detroit. Jameer Nelson was solid for the Nuggets last season and should have a bit left in the tank as he rejoins Stan Van Gundy, his coach in Orlando. The Bulls are engaged in a youth movement and should dedicate point guard minutes to developing talent. Chicago has waived Willie Reed and will have the option to swap second-round picks in the deal.

Grade for Pistons and Bulls: B

Grizzlies trade James Ennis to Pistons for Brice Johnson

This is a peripheral move headlined by James Ennis, a former second-round pick of the HEAT who has shown some promise as an offensive swingman. The Pistons are leaving no stone unturned in the quest to load up for a playoff run. The Grizzlies also picked up a future second-round pick.

Grade for Pistons and Grizzlies: B-

Knicks trade Willy Hernangomez to Hornets for Johnny O’Bryant

With Kristaps Porzingis lost for the season to a torn ACL and Joakim Noah in exile, the Knicks suddenly had minutes available to placate Willy Hernangomez. Instead, the team traded him for a pair of second-round picks from the Hornets and Johnny O’Bryant, whom the Knicks immediately waived. They will say it was about the draft assets, but this was a typical Machiavellian move. Porzingis lost his season then lost his best friend on the team in a matter of hours.

Grade for the Knicks: F

For the Hornets, this was about getting a player that made the All-Rookie first team last year. With Dwight Howard starting and Cody Zeller coming back from injury, Charlotte doesn’t present a significantly-better opportunity for Hernangomez to find minutes. But this was a savvy move by the Hornets to grab a valuable player who was only available so cheap because the Knicks refused to showcase him before moving him.

Grade for the Hornets: B

Three-way trade: Emmanuel Mudiay to Knicks, Devin Harris to Nuggets and Doug McDermott to Mavericks

Emmanuel Mudiay and Doug McDermott are former lottery picks who have not lived up to expectations. Devin Harris has been a quality backup point guard for a long time, but he’s getting toward the end of his career. Denver also picks up the Clippers’ 2018 second-round pick via the Knicks while the Mavs get a second from the Nuggets. There’s nothing to get overly excited about here for any of the parties involved.

Grade for the Knicks, Nuggets, and Mavericks: C+

Magic trade Elfrid Payton to Suns for second-round pick

Speaking of former lottery picks that haven’t panned out, the Magic finally decided to move on from Elfrid Payton. Keep in mind that Orlando also gave up on Payton’s former backcourt mate Victor Oladipo, who is now an All-Star for the Pacers. Payton has improved his outside shot but doesn’t appear to have that kind of potential. By trading him, the Magic can improve the odds of landing a top draft pick.

Grade for the Magic: C

For the Suns, who have suffered a similar run of draft picks that haven’t panned out, this move is low-risk and potentially high-reward. Phoenix has nothing to lose other than more games on its way to another lottery pick.

Grade for the Suns: B

Pelicans trade Dante Cunningham to Nets for Rashad Vaughn

The Nets had just traded Tyler Zeller to the Bucks to obtain Rashad Vaughn before moving him on to the Pelicans for Dante Cunningham. Vaughn is another young point guard who failed to carve out a role in Milwaukee. Cunningham became expendable in New Orleans after the Pelicans traded for Nikola Mirotic. He could help the Nets win a few more games, which could hurt draft position for the Cavaliers, owners of Brooklyn’s unrestricted 2018 first-round draft pick. There’s not much cause for exuberance among the directly-involved parties.

Grade for the Nets and Pelicans: C

Trail Blazers trade Noah Vonleh to Bulls for Milocan Rakovic

Continuing a theme, Noah Vonleh is another former high draft pick who hasn’t become a significant contributor. Players are always the right opportunity away from taking the next step in their career, so a fresh start in Chicago could be just what he needs. For the Trail Blazers, this was about getting under the luxury tax. It may only buy Portland a season out of luxury tax territory, but that means the clock isn’t ticking toward repeater tax penalties. This was a sensible move for both parties.

Grade for the Bulls and Trail Blazers: B

Hawks trade Luke Babbitt to Heat for Okaro White

In 34 games Luke Babbitt started for the HEAT between Jan. 17 and March 29 of last year, Miami went 26-8. With the Hawks, Babbitt hasn’t been able to carve out a significant role. The Miami Herald has speculated that the trade for Babbitt might have to do with the strained shoulder Kelly Olynyk suffered, which caused him to miss Wednesday’s loss to the visiting Rockets. It was Olynyk’s first missed game of the season. The Hawks, which have already waived Okaro White, are on pace for one of the top picks in the draft and don’t need Babbitt.

Grade for the HEAT and Hawks: B

Wizards trade Sheldon Mac to Hawks for protected second-round pick

The Wizards are facing so massive a cap crunch that even the little bit of space saved by sending away Sheldon Mac makes a difference. The Hawks also received cash considerations and have already waived Mac.

Grade for the Wizards and Hawks: B

Raptors trade Bruno Caboclo to Kings for Malachi Richardson

It’s the end of an era in Toronto with the departure of Bruno Caboclo, one of the oddest draft picks in recent memory. When he was announced as the 20th pick of the 2014 NBA Draft, dismay set in among Raptors fans since few draft observers had Caboclo on their boards. Analyst Fran Fraschilla quipped on ESPN’s broadcast of the draft that Caboclo looked “two years away from being two years away.” Four years later, it appears Fraschilla overestimated Caboclo.

Grade for the Raptors and Kings: C