I’m sure you’re wondering what the hell happened today at the NBA trade deadline, but you’re not the only one. I still have no fucking clue how virtually no players were traded. I remember looking back and forth at the tv and my phone. Surely someone would be traded eventually I thought to myself. But nope, it was all just a tease. Crickets. Slowly but surely all the big names being mentioned George, Rose, Drummond, Butler, Jackson, all stayed put. After what seemed to be a lot of talking for Danny Aige and the Celtics was fore not. A few trades did come through, though, just not the names we hoped.
The first trade and perhaps the most significant of the day had the Dallas Mavericks receiving former Kentucky Wildcat Nerlens Noel from the Philadelphia Sixers. The Sixers received second-year player Justin Anderson and Andrew Bogut. The trade also sends Dallas’ 2017 first round draft pick, which is top 18 protected this year. It turns into two 2nd round picks if it is not redeemed this season. It’s a shame the Sixers couldn’t get more being that Noel was a sixth overall pick in the 2013 draft. Noel provides the Mavericks some much-needed youth as he’s still only 22-years-old. He can serve as a high-energy big man who is explosive, can finish at the rim, and block shots. A bevy of injuries, as well as log jam at his position, caused Noel to inevitably be traded as well as limit him. For his career, per 36 minutes, he puts up 20.2ppg 7.6rpg and1.6 blocks a game. Respectable numbers but far from what was expected of him. The Sixers, on the other hand, will use the trade to clear up Noel’s contract and look to trade Andrew Bogut. If not they will most likely release Bogut, while Anderson will be a nice young defensive presence for them. All and all Mavericks got the upper hand as Noel’s value was at its lowest ever. Teams knew they needed to move him with Okafor, Embid, Saric.
The other trade of any significance sent Cameron Payne, Anthony Morrow, and Joffrey Lauvergne to the Bulls and the Thunder adding Taj Gibson, Doug McDermott, and a 2018 second round pick. The move gives Russel Westbrook some much-needed shooting help. Taj Gibson has a great mid-range jumper and McDermott is known for the deep ball, shooting 39.9 percent for his career. Glad Russ finally got a little help, I’m not his biggest fan but he’s working with nothing out there and is competing his ass off in Oklahoma City. The Bulls get a veteran shooter in Morrow and a talented second-year point guard Cameron Payne out of Murray State. The Frenchmen Lauvergne is a nice backup center who can provide some spark off the bench. The Thunder got the best of this with Gibson who’s a strong veteran presence and Doug who teams have to respect. Chicago thinks very highly of Payne but he’s just potential at this point.
Other minuscule trades include the Suns receiving Mike Scott from the Atlanta Hawks for cash.
The Nuggets traded a second-round pick for Roy Hibbert to the Bucks. Why anyone would trade anything for the big goon is beside me. Hibbert is irrelevant.
The Rockets cleared salary cap room sending K.J McDaniel’s to the Nets.
Also, sending ex-Cuse’ point guard Tyler Ennis to the Lakers in return for Marcelo Huertas who will be waived.
The Rockets cleared salary cap room sending K.J McDaniel’s to the Nets. Also, sending ex-Cuse’ point guard Tyler Ennis to the Lakers in return for Marcelo Huertas who will be waived.
Unfortunately, none of these trades really sweeten the pot at all. We’re simply left here shaking our heads at what could have been. Magic Johnson could have made a deal with his ex-rival and GM of the Indiana Pacers Larry Bird for forward Paul George. The Celtics could have added a talent like Paul George or even Jimmy Butler. I can see why the Lakers wanted to hold onto their young talent and let them develop and rebuild. But the Celtics don’t have an excuse. If they added either player, they would have been immediate serious contenders to dethrone the Cavs. Andre Drummond was another big name they could have got. They have enough draft picks to trade for almost anyone, yet they are going to sit on their thumbs. Doesn’t make sense to me, though, once the Celtics drafted Jaylen Brown with the 3rd overall pick last year, value was lost. The same thing will happen this year if they draft either point guards Markelle Fultz or Lonzo Ball. Yes, they are immense talents but being that Isiah Thomas will be playing 80 percent of the time, they will lose minutes and value. Teams will know they need to unload him with Thomas around. To think they could have added that pick and maybe Jae Crowder to get Jimmy Butler is troubling if you’re a Boston fan. Butler is of the best two-way players in the game and would immediately give the Cavs a run for their money. In fact, if Cleveland wasn’t full strength the Celtics could have had the upper hand. Danny Ainge fucked up.
