Trade deadline shakes up NBA
The 2019 NBA trade deadline was on Feb. 7, at 3 p.m. ET, and several teams have a new outlook for the second half of the season, while others are looking forward to next season. Notable players involved in trades before the deadline include Kristaps Porzingis, Tobias Harris, and Marc Gasol. Additionally, this year’s trade conversation would be incomplete without mentioning the situation surrounding all-star forward Anthony Davis.
Everything you need to know about the 2019 Trade Deadline:
This year’s NBA trade deadline will go down as one of the most historic in NBA history, mainly because of the speculation behind Anthony Davis. On Jan. 28, Davis decided not to sign a contract extension and requested to be traded. Since then, teams, such as the New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers engaged in several discussions with the New Orleans Pelicans in hopes of landing the superstar.
Each team had different intentions as Boston Celtics General Manager, Danny Ainge, urged the Pelican’s front office to wait until the offseason to deal Davis, while the Lakers offered multiple packages that included Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Kyle Kuzma, Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, Michael Beasley, and multiple first round draft picks. One advantage the Lakers had over the Celtics was the ability to execute the trade immediately if the Pelicans accepted the terms. According to NBA regulations, the Celtics cannot trade for Anthony Davis until Kyrie Irving declines his player option this summer.
Despite the intensive talks between teams, New Orleans opted not to trade Anthony Davis before the trade deadline and has pushed all potential deals to the offseason at the earliest. The publicity surrounding Davis this past week was just a preview for what is to come this summer, as several teams will be trying to land the generational talent that Davis possesses.
Although Anthony Davis was not traded, several other outstanding players swapped teams with expectations of helping their new franchise make a deep playoff run or even an NBA Finals appearance, such as the Philadelphia 76ers acquisition of Tobias Harris, and the Toronto Raptors acquisition of Marc Gasol. Meanwhile, other teams, like the Los Angeles Clippers and Chicago Bulls, are in the rebuilding phrase and trying to acquire a young group of players that they can grow the franchise around and use as strong role players for elite scorers. As we look towards the second half of the season, below are all the recent moves in the NBA that are sure to shake up the playoff bracket and lead to another exciting season of NBA basketball.
Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards
Chicago Bulls Acquired: Otto Porter Jr.
Washington Wizards Acquired: Bobby Portis, Jabari Parker, 2023 second-round pick
My take: I think the Bulls won this trade because although they are in a huge rebuilding phase, they obtained a great perimeter player and lock down defender that will be part of an outstanding supporting cast in the future if the Bulls front office chooses to keep him. Both Bobby Portis and Jabari Parker have been in the league for over four years, and we have yet to see the upside they were projected to bring to the franchise, partly due to injury, but also inconsistency.
Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors
Memphis Grizzlies Acquired: Jonas Valanciunas, CJ Miles, Delon Wright, 2024 second-round pick
Toronto Raptors Acquired: Marc Gasol
My take: The Grizzlies cut ties with long time star, Gasol, and Toronto improves its defense with him. The Raptors won this trade, and the potential success with Leonard and Gasol is something to look out for. Without a doubt, I think the Raptors will be a top seed in the East because they potentially have one of the greatest defensive starting lineup the league has ever seen.
Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Clippers
Philadelphia 76ers Acquired: Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanovic, Mike Scott
Los Angeles Clippers Acquired: Landry Shamet, Wilson Chandler, Mike Muscala, 2020 first-round pick, 2021 first-round pick (via Miami), 2021 second-round pick, 2023 second-round pick
My take: My, oh, my, the 76ers went all in to receive Tobias Harris, who is having an all-star season. After acquiring Jimmy Butler, the 76ers continued to have chemistry issues because of multiple players requiring the ball, but with Harris they increase the ability to shoot the ball, and that will spread out the floor for more predominant players like Jimmy Butler and Joel Embiid. Nonetheless, the 76ers now have a remarkable starting five, and have their eyes set on the Finals.
Philadelphia 76ers and Houston Rockets
Philadelphia 76ers Acquired: James Ennis
Houston Rockets Acquired: 2021 Second-round pick
My take: Ennis is having a career-best year, shooting 36.7 percent from the three point line, and looks to have a substantial role off the bench, especially with the powerhouse starting lineup the 76ers now have. If Ennis can provide solid backup minutes and make a difference of the bench, the 76ers won this trade big time.
New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks
NY Knicks receive: Dennis Smith Jr., DeAndre Jordan, Wesley Matthews, two first-round picks
Dallas Mavericks receive: Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Trey Burke, Courtney Lee
My take: The combination of Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis will be one the deadliest duos in the league, and to top it off, both are under the age of 23. The Mavericks by far improved the most after the trade deadline, receiving Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Trey Burke, Courtney Lee, Zach Randolph, and Justin Jackson. This is one team to look out for next season when everyone is healthy. Meanwhile, Dennis Smith, Jr. looks for a new start as he heads to the Big Apple, which I think will take his talents to the next level. If the Knicks can acquire two elite free agents this offseason, they will join a rising star in Dennis Smith Jr. and emerge once again to the top of the East.
Orlando Magic and Philadelphia 76ers
Orlando Magic Acquired: Markelle Fultz
Philadelphia 76ers Acquired: Jonathon Simmons, 2020 first-round pick (via Thunder), future second-round pick
My take: With goals of making a Finals appearance, the 76ers dealt away the former number one pick because they had no role for him on the team to work himself back to star caliber. It is sad to see the rough start of Fultz, but a new start with the Magic may help fans forget about the underwhelming start of his career. Regardless, Simmons is a great pickup to come off the bench for the already deep Sixers team.
Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, and Detroit Pistons
Milwaukee Bucks Acquired: Nikola Mirotic
New Orleans Pelicans Acquired: Jason Smith, Stanley Johnson, four second-round picks
Detroit Pistons Acquired: Thon Maker
My take: Giannis Antetokounmpo shared that Maker’s departure hurt a lot, but the acquisition of Mirotic will provide offensive aid for the Bucks. The Pelicans hope to be lucky with the young Johnson as they clear cap space in this trade.
Sacramento Kings and Dallas Mavericks
Sacramento Kings Acquired: Harrison Barnes
Dallas Mavericks Acquired: Justin Jackson, Zach Randolph
My take: The Kings had a promising first half of the season, and with the acquisition of Barnes, the Mavericks leading scorer, they have the potential to take the league by storm and be in playoff contention sooner than later.
LA Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies
LA Clippers Acquired: Garrett Temple, JaMychal Green
Memphis Grizzlies Acquired: Avery Bradley
My take: Even though Bradley is a two-time NBA All-Defensive player, his efficiency lacked on the Clippers, and the organization is focusing its energy on establishing a timeline for the future to aid in their rebuilding process. Temple is a player that will bring veteran leadership, and Green provides great young potential for a growing team.
Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, and Sacramento Kings
Cleveland Cavaliers Acquired: Marquese Chriss, Brandon Knight, 2019 first-round pick
Houston Rockets Acquired: Wade Baldwin, Iman Shumpert, Nik Stauskas
Sacramento Kings Acquired: Alec Burks, second-round pick
My take: The addition of Shumpert adds more championship experience to a promising Rockets team with James Harden at the helm. Stauskas and Baldwin can’t seem to find a home, being traded three times within the last week.
Trade between Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Acquired: Michael Beasley, Ivica Zubac
Los Angeles Lakers Acquired: Mike Muscala
My take: The Lakers made this move in order to clear up a roster spot. Carmelo Anthony is in favor of this last spot. The Clippers received a solid big man in Zubac, as well as an experienced NBA veteran with Beasley.
Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers
Sacramento Kings Acquired: Caleb Swanigan
Portland Trail Blazers Acquired: Skal Labissiere
My take: Both of these players were talented big men during their college years at Purdue and Kentucky, but since their arrival in the NBA, they haven’t lived up to their full potential, so it will be interesting to see how they develop with their new team. If they can have a promising second half of the season, there is a huge upside for both of these players.
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