An eventful trade deadline has given a lot of teams new players. We do our best to break down each trade and give a nuanced take on how things look for each team.
Memphis trades Courtney Lee for four second-rounders
| From | To | Player | Age | 2016 MP/G | 2016 PoP48 | $/Yr (Millions) | Contract Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEM | CHO | Courtney Lee | 30 | 29.2 | 1.4 | 5.6 | 1 |
| CHO | MIA | Brian Roberts | 30 | 11.1 | 0.1 | 2.9 | 1 |
| MIA | MEM | Chris Andersen | 37 | 5.1 | 2.2 | 5 | 1 |
| CHO | MEM | P.J. Hairston | 23 | 19.5 | -3.3 | 1.2 | 1 |
Notes
Memphis picked up two second round picks from both Miami and Charlotte in the trade.
Memphis Take
Memphis turns an expiring Courtney Lee into four second round picks. They did pick up Chris Andersen, who was once quite productive. He's 37 years old, and his age exceeds his minutes played this season. P.J. Hairston has been terrible his first two seasons and is expiring. Don't expect either player to matter this season. While this will help Memphis get some decent contracts down the line, it will hurt their playoff chances this season as Lee was their third best player. We're not huge fans of that tradeoff.
Charlotte Take
Charlotte gets a productive Courtney Lee (and his Bird Rights) for the cost of two second round picks. They also managed to dump an unproductive player. This was a great trade for them, especially given that they are in the playoff race.
Miami Take
Miami gets to dump some salary, and all it cost them was two second round picks. How things have changed. Any moves made entirely to save money are never that exciting.
Orlando gets a two-for-one
| From | To | Player | Age | 2016 MP/G | 2016 PoP48 | $/Yr (Millions) | Contract Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DET | ORL | Brandon Jennings | 26 | 18.1 | 0.7 | 8.3 | 1 |
| DET | ORL | Ersan Ilyasova | 28.2 | 27.6 | 0.1 | 8.2 | 2* |
| ORL | DET | Tobias Harris | 23.2 | 32.9 | 0.1 | 16 | 4 |
Notes
* Ersan Ilyasova's contract is not guaranteed for next season. The Magic have an $8.4 team option on him.
Detroit Take
This feels like a step back this season. Tobias Harris has never really been that great. He's been close to average. The thing is both Jennings and Ilyasova are close to average as well. Now, if Detroit thinks Tobias Harris has a bigger ceiling, which he might given his age, then maybe this trade will work out. Still, if Tobias doesn't get better fast, it will look like a mistake.
Orlando Take
I love this move for Orlando. First, they get rid of their only truly expensive contract, and it's on a player that isn't that productive. Next, they get two productive players. Finally, it looks like they'll be playing some of their more productive players like Aaron Gordon and Ilyasova -- see the Frye trade below.
Miami dumps Jarnell Stokes' salary to New Orleans
| From | To | Player | Age | 2016 MP/G | 2016 PoP48 | $/Yr (Millions) | Contract Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIA | NOP | Jarnell Stokes | 22 | 2.6 | 5.7 | 1.0 | 2* |
Notes
* 2016-2017 is a team option. New Orleans owns restricted free agency rights to Stokes.
New Orleans gets cash in the deal. Miami gets a protected second-round draft pick.
New Orleans Take
Provided they plan on giving Stokes minutes, I like this trade. He's likely better than most second round picks would be. And given that Miami gave them cash too, this is a pretty riskless trade.
Miami Take
Miami is in "shed salary mode." Never a huge fan of this, but, at least, they got a pick.
Houston gives Detroit some leftovers
| From | To | Player | Age | 2016 MP/G | 2016 PoP48 | $/Yr (Millions) | Contract Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOU | DET | Dontas Motiejunas | 25 | 13.4 | -5.7 | 2.3 | 1 |
| HOU | DET | Marcus Thornton | 28 | 18.8 | -1.3 | 0.95 | 1 |
| DET | HOU | Joel Anthony | 33 | 4.0 | 5.7 | 2.5 | 2 |
Notes
Houston gets Detroit's 2016 first round draft pick, top eight protected.
Joel Anthony's 2016-2017 year is only partially guaranteed.
Detroit has the restricted free agency rights to Motiejunas.
Houston Take
Houston basically does a salary dump and gets back a first round pick. I actually applaud this move as Motiejunas doesn't seem to be panning out, and Marcus Thornton's peak appears to be average. I won't bother talking about Joel Anthony, if you scroll down, you'll see why.
Detroit Take
They traded for two below average players, and it cost them a pick. I could see Thornton returning to form and being average, which might help replace Brandon Jennings. It's possible Motiejunas turns a corner, but I'm not counting on it.
Cavaliers upgrade Varejao
| From | To | Player | Age | 2016 MP/G | 2016 PoP48 | $/Yr (Millions) | Contract Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLE | ORL | Jared Cunningham | 24 | 8.9 | -0.1 | 0.95 | 1 |
| CLE | POR | Anderson Varejao | 33 | 10.0 | -1.4 | 10* | 3* |
| ORL | CLE | Channing Frye | 32 | 17.1 | 0.2 | 7.8 | 3 |
Notes
* Varejao's contract is only partially guaranteed. It appears if the Blazers waive him, they're only on the hook for around $5 million.
Orlando gets a future second-round pick from Cleveland.
Portland gets Cleveland's 2018 first round pick (top-10 protected.)
Cleveland Take
Cleveland manages to make a marginal upgrade on Varejao. Varejao was once quite productive. Now he's old and beaten up. The Cavs are in "win now and spend big" mode. That means they have little room to maneuver. I'm not sure this was the best deal out there. Still, it gives LeBron a slightly better shot at a title, so I guess it's a win.
Orlando Take
Orlando manages to shed Channing Frye's contract. He's been flirting with being an average player. An average, in his thirties player on a multi-year deal, is not ideal. They picked up Ilyasova, so this move makes complete sense.
Portland Take
Portland takes advantage of being below the salary floor. It's likely they'll spend around $5 million to buy out Varejao's contract and spread that over three seasons. Basically, they just spend money they were going to have to, and they get a draft pick out of the deal! Maybe being smart with money in the NBA pays off!
Some guards play musical chairs
| From | To | Player | Age | 2016 MP/G | 2016 PoP48 | $/Yr (Millions) | Contract Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATL | UTA | Shelvin Mack | 25 | 7.5 | -2.8 | 2.4 | 2 |
| ATL | CHI | Justin Holiday | 26 | 10.1 | -4.5 | 1.0 | 2 |
| CHI | ATL | Kirk Hinrich | 35 | 15.9 | -1.0 | 2.9 | 1 |
Notes
Atlanta acquires a second-round pick from Utah.
Chicago acquires a second-round pick from Atlanta.
Atlanta Take
I guess Kirk Hinrich is an upgrade. Still, given his age and productivity, this move definitely falls into the deck chair category.
Utah Take
Shelvin Mack has never played a season where he's been above average. He hasn't really hit major minutes either. As such, it's not like he really helps the Jazz out that much. Still, he may be better than an average second-rounder would be.
Chicago Take
The only real issue I have is that the backcourt for the Bulls is pretty bare outside of Jimmy Butler. It's not like losing Hinrich really hurts, and a future pick kind of helps. All in all this trade has me pretty underwhelmed.
Denver fleeces OKC.
| From | To | Player | Age | 2016 MP/G | 2016 PoP48 | $/Yr (Millions) | Contract Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEN | OKC | Randy Foye | 32 | 19.8 | -2.5 | 3.1 | 1 |
| OKC | DEN | D.J. Augustin | 28 | 15.3 | -1.4 | 3.0 | 1 |
| OKC | DEN | Steve Novak | 32 | 3.4 | 3.4 | 3.8 | 1 |
Notes
OKC included cash in the deal, somewhere up to $1.9 million.
Denver Take
I've never been a fan of Randy Foye, given that he's never been productive. The fact that the Nuggets turned him into two second-rounders is just awesome. Augustin isn't that great, but if Jameer Nelson is injured, then he'll work as a backup. Of course, he's currently an upgrade over Emmanual Mudiay! Novak is likely to be waived so he won't mean much long term.
OKC Take
Another odd trade for OKC. Last seasons they added Waiters. This season they added Foye? They're doing their best to waste what little time they have left on Durant and Westbrook's contracts. If Foye takes some of Waiters minutes, it improves OKC. Still, there are easier ways to do that. As a Nuggets fan, I'm fine with their "solution."
Miami sheds some more salary
| From | To | Player | Age | 2016 MP/G | 2016 PoP48 | $/Yr (Millions) | Contract Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MIA | POR | Brian Roberts | 30 | 11.1 | 0.1 | 2.9 | 1 |
Notes
Portland also receives a future second-round pick.
Portland Take
Portland benefited this trade deadline by having salary cap space to let a few teams shed salary. They get a free pick here, and Brian Roberts is a decent player if they need him.
Miami Take
When you have LeBron James, money seems like no object -- see the current Cavaliers. Miami felt that way not long ago. Now they are in shedding mode. This move saves them from hitting the repeat penalty deal. Brian Roberts wasn't anything special, so this deal is alright. Still, the most boring trades are ones like these.
Wizards invest in potential
| From | To | Player | Age | 2016 MP/G | 2016 PoP48 | $/Yr (Millions) | Contract Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHO | WAS | Markieff Morris | 26 | 24.8 | -7.5 | 8 | 4 |
| WAS | PHO | Kris Humphries | 31 | 16.6 | -2.1 | 4.5 | 2* |
| WAS | PHO | DeJuan Blair | 26 | 7.5 | -10.0 | 2 | 2* |
Notes
* Phoenix has the team option on Kris Humphries and DeJuan Blair in 2016-2017.
Phoenix Take
Markieff Morris looked like he might be a productive big two seasons ago. Since then, he hasn't been great. To be fair, Phoenix management has been a bit of a mess. They were able to trade an expiring deal for a first-rounder. Kris Humphries and DeJuan Blair were productive once, but both look over the hill. If either show life, Phoenix can keep them for cheap. If not, they can let them go.
Washington Take
This is a lot like Detroit's deal for Tobias Harris. Kris Humphries and DeJuan Blair weren't productive players. As such they're hoping Markieff Morris turns into a productive player. I'm a not a fan of gambling a first round pick on it. Still, it's a minimal risk.
The Rockets ... I don't even know anymore
| From | To | Player | Age | 2016 MP/G | 2016 PoP48 | $/Yr (Millions) | Contract Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HOU | PHI | Joel Anthony | 33 | 4.0 | 5.7 | 2.5 | 2 |
Notes
76ers acquire a second-round pick from Houston.
Houston acquires the rights to Chuk Maduabum.
Philadelphia Take
Philly trades the rights to a player for a pick in the future. They're likely to waive Joel Anthony, so this is just the 76ers stockpiling more picks. Business as usual!
Houston Take
Maduabum's Wikipedia page is a fun read. He's been a prospect since 2011. Anyway, who knows, maybe in a few seasons he'll help the Rockets. I guess we can talk about it then.
The Grizzlies redeem themselves?
| From | To | Player | Age | 2016 MP/G | 2016 PoP48 | $/Yr (Millions) | Contract Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MEM | LAC | Jeff Green | 29 | 29.1 | 9.5 | 1 | |
| LAC | MEM | Lance Stephenson | 25 | 15.8 | 9.2 | 2* |
Notes
Memphis acquires a first round pick from Memphis.
* Memphis has a team option on Lance Stephenson's 2017 year.
Memphis Take
First, turning a subpar Jeff Green into a first-round pick is a win on its own. After a rocky start, Stephenson has become a productive player again. If Memphis keeps him and plays him, this trade is an upgrade and a pick, which is a complete win.
Los Angeles Clippers Take
Jeff Green? I can't help but laugh at the Clippers. They have one of the best cores in basketball and can't seem to get them decent support. With drama with Blake Griffin, it appears the Clippers are destined to waste the greatness that is Chris Paul. They did luck into playing the Spurs without Kawhi Leonard yesterday, so their trade deadline day wasn't all bad.
Whew! It was a busy trade deadline! Have to thank basketballinsiders.com for salary data, basketball-reference.com for player age info, and SBNation's list of trades. There was a ton of data, so I have no doubt I may have gotten a contract deal wrong here or there. Let me know if I missed anything in the comments!
-Dre