NBA Trade Deadline Deals: One Year Later

The NBA trade deadline is often a flurry of moves – some expected, others seemingly out of nowhere. Some are made for playoff pushes, others to clear cap space. As the minutes count down to 3 p.m. ET on February 19, there will be transactions that leave a lasting impression and those that have people asking “remember that?” Take a look back at the trades made on the 2014 deadline day and their impact a year later.

Nuggets Traded Andre Miller to Wizards

The details: As part of a three-team trade, the Denver Nuggets traded Andre Miller to the Washington Wizards. To complete the deal, the Wizards also received a 2014 second-round draft pick from the Philadelphia 76ers. The Nuggets received Jan Vesely from the Wizards, and the 76ers received Eric Maynor a protected 2015 second-round draft pick from the Wizards as well as a 2016 second-round draft pick from the Nuggets.

Why it happened: Miller conflicted with Nuggets head coach Brian Shaw and wasn’t playing by the time he was moved. As a result, the Wizards landed a veteran point guard who could contribute on the court and be a positive presence in the locker room. The Wizards reached Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals.

One year later: This trade proved to be most valuable for the Wizards and was the most significant move of the day. Miller has become a veteran leader to guards John Wall and Bradley Beal as the team ranks among the top in the Eastern Conference. Both Vesely (Fenerbahce Ulker, Turkey) and Maynor (Pallacanestro Varese, Italy) are playing overseas this season.

Pacers Traded Danny Granger to the 76ers

The details: The Indiana Pacers traded Danny Granger to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for Lavoy Allen and Evan Turner.

Why it happened: Granger’s nine-year run with the Pacers came to an end as the team surged in the East. Looking to boost their playoff roster, the Pacers traded the oft-injured Granger for former number two pick Turner and big man Allen.

The 76ers waived Granger and he signed with the Los Angeles Clippers to add depth in the playoffs. Turner ended up struggling to fit on the Pacers, as his numbers dropped from 17.4 points as a starter to 7.1 off the bench.

One year later: Granger signed a multi-year deal with the Miami HEAT. Turner joined the Celtics in a move that is viewed by many as a “redemption” season. Allen re-signed with the Pacers.

Rockets Traded Aaron Brooks to Nuggets

The details: The Houston Rockets traded Aaron Brooks to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Jordan Hamilton.

Why it happened: A starter at one point in his career, Brooks was coming off the Rockets’ bench behind Patrick Beverley as well as Jeremy Lin, averaging 16.7 minutes per game. The Nuggets, who traded Andre Miller at the deadline, received backcourt depth while the Rockets got an expiring contract in return. Brooks had to approve the trade in order for it to be completed.

One year later: Brooks signed with the Bulls this past offseason in a reserve role. Hamilton was acquired by the Utah Jazz in October and waived the following month. He is now a member of the Reno Bighorns of the NBA D-League.

Bobcats Traded for Gary Neal, Luke Ridnour from Bucks

The details: The Milwaukee Bucks swapped guards Gary Neal and Luke Ridnour with the Charlotte Bobcats for forward Jeff Adrien and guard Ramon Sessions.

Why it happened: The Bobcats were looking to bolster their roster as they made their playoff push. Neal had three years of postseason experience with the San Antonio Spurs while Ridnour had been to the playoffs twice. The Bucks received a pair of expiring contracts in return.

One year later: All of these players have changed teams. Neal was recently traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Mo Williams deal. Ridnour signed with the Orlando Magic over the summer. Sessions inked a deal with the Sacramento Kings. Adrien was waived by the Timberwolves after signing with them in late November. He is playing in China for the Guangdong Southern Tigers.

Raptors, Spurs Swap de Colo, Daye

The details: The Toronto Raptors trade Austin Daye to the San Antonio Spurs for Nando de Colo.

Why it happened: Neither player had a major role on their team, but the Spurs were crowded in the backcourt and swapped a guard for a forward. Both Daye and de Colo appeared in one playoff game. Daye won a title as a member of the Spurs championship run.

One year later: Daye was waived by the Spurs in mid-January. He currently plays for the Erie BayHawks (D-League). de Colo is playing for CSKA Moscow in Russia.

76ers Traded Hawes to Cavaliers

The details: The Philadelphia 76ers traded Spencer Hawes to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Earl Clark, Henry Sims and two 2014 second-round picks.

Why it happened: The Cavaliers had recently traded Andrew Bynum. They added depth to their frontcourt by acquiring the 7’1 Hawes, who had an expiring contract. The 76ers received assets instead of risking receiving nothing if Hawes walked at the end of the season. The 76ers waived Clark the following day.

One year later: Hawes signed a deal with the Los Angeles Clippers in the offseason and is a backup big man. Sims is averaging 8.9 points and 5.3 rebounds for the 76ers. Clark, who since had spent brief spurts with multiple NBA teams, was waived by the Houston Rockets in October. He signed with the Shandong Lions in China.

HEAT Traded Roger Mason to Kings

The details: The Miami HEAT traded Roger Mason and cash to the Sacramento Kings for a conditional 2015 second-round draft pick.

Why it happened: Looking to defend their title, the HEAT moved Mason to clear roster space. The Kings waived him two days later.

One year later: Mason is out of the NBA.

Clippers Traded Jamison to Hawks

The details: The Los Angeles Clippers traded Antawn Jamison and cash to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for the draft rights Cenk Akyol.

With it happened: Sending Jamison to the Hawks was a money-saving move that also cleared up roster space for the Clippers. In Hawks, in return, received cash and waived Jamison the next day. The Hawks had drafted Akyol in 2005 and he has never played in the NBA.

One year later: Jamison is an analyst for Time Warner Cable SportsNet in Los Angeles. In January, the Clippers traded the draft rights to Akyol as part of a deal with the 76ers. He is currently playing for Anadolu Efes in Turkey.

Clippers Traded Mullens to 76ers

The details: The Los Angeles Clippers traded Byron Mullens to the Philadelphia 76ers for a conditional future second-round draft pick.

Why it happened: Like the Jamison deal, the Clippers benefited on the books and on the roster. He had only appeared in 27 games and was averaging 6.2 minutes.

One year later: Mullens plays for the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA Development League.