There have been many trades in the past week or so. I decided to grade all of them, from the Ben Simmons/ Jame Harden trade to CJ McCollum to the Pels.
Harden for Simmons:
Nets get: Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, Ben Simmons, 2 2022 1st round picks
76ers get: James Harden, Paul Millsap
Grades for the Nets: B+
Grades for the 76ers: C+
The Nets got Ben Simmons, who is a very tall guard with nice defense and ball handling. He is a crappy shooter, but Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving will make up for it. Seth Curry is averaging 15 points this season, and will be great help on the starting five. The Nets also need a cushion in Andre Drummond so they have at least one big dude on the court who will rebound and play in the paint with vigor. The 76ers finally got rid of Ben Simmons and got James Harden, but James Harden has had injury woes with his hamstring and it seems like his prime is behind him. Paul Millsap is eh, so the Nets definitely won this trade.
Portland deals CJ McCollum, others for Alexander-Walker, others:
Portland Trail Blazers get: Tomas Satoransky, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Josh Hart, Didi Louzana, 2022 first round pick, 2026&2027 second round picks
New Orleans Pelicans get: CJ McCollum, Tony Snell, Larry Nance Jr.
Grades for the Blazers: B
Grades for the Pelicans: A-
This is HUGE for the Pelicans. They now have a big three in Zion Williamson, provided he can be healthy, Brandon Ingram, a great young scorer, and CJ McCollum, one of the best current shooters, plus veterans like Tony Snell, Jonas Valenciunas, and Garrett Temple, they could actually go somewhere. The Blazers were waiting to get rid of McCollum and got some nice young talent they could possibly build on Damain Lillard.
Sabonis traded to KINGS for Haliburton?
Kings get: Devontas Sabonis, Jeremy Lamb, Justin Holiday, 2023 2nd round pick
Pacers get: Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, Tristan Thompson
Grades for the Kings: B
Grades for the Pacers: B+
The Pacers need shooting skills, Buddy and Tyrese can help with that definitely. Tristan Thompson provides good D and rebounding. The Kings get Sabonis, which is big because Sabonis is a rebounding, paint dominating, passing big man, and nice role players like Lamb and Holiday. Nice for both teams in a pretty even trade.
LaVert to Cleveland Cavs for Rubio, multiple draft picks
Cavs get: Caris LaVert, 2022 2nd round pick
Pacers get: Ricky Rubio, 2022 1st round pick, 2 2022 2nd round picks
Grades for the Cavs: A
Grades for the Pacers: B+
It is a good trade for both teams. With Ricky Rubio out with the torn ACL, the Cavs decided to let him go for a different guard in their thinning layer of guards. Caris LaVert is a great scorer and closer. The Pacers get draft picks to build their future plus a great leader in Rubio.
Porzingis traded to Wizards for Spencer Dinwiddie
Mavericks get: Spencer Dinwiddie, Davis Bertans
Wizards get: Kristaps Porzingis, 2022 2nd round pick
Grades for Mavericks: A-
Grades for Wizards: C
I’m not saying Porzingis is bad or anything, but this really talented big is an all-star…when he is actually healthy. The Mavs traded him to the Wizards for the same reason the Knicks gave him away in 2018-2019. He is not durable. The Mavericks pressed the refresh button and got a nice guard in Dinwiddie, who can create his own shot, unlike Porzingis, and a promising big in Bertans.
DiVincenzo traded to Kings in 4-team deal
Bucks get: Serge Ibaka, 2 2nd round picks, Cash considerations
Clippers get: Rodney Hood, Semi Ojeleye, Vanja Marinkovic(His draft rights)
Kings get: Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Jackson, Trey Lyles, David Michineau, 2nd round pick
Pistons get: Marvin Bagley III
Grades for the Bucks; B+
Grades for the Clippers: C
Grades for the Kings: A
Grades for the Pistons: B-
The Bucks get a nice veteran power forward to play for Brook Lopez in wake of his injury. He’s strong and can shoot the three, making the D spread out more. I don’t know about how Semi Ojeleye plays, and I don’t know who this Vanja guy is, so…but I know Rodney Hood. He’s a nice three point shooter with some decent defense. The Clippers got rid of Ibaka, who seemed to not really be playing all that great. Time will tell if they messed up. The Kings got DiVincenzo, a very talented guard who’s playing well. He was important to the Bucks and it really hurt to see him break his ankle early in the last postseason. But DiVincenzo is a good player. Marvin Bagley III is very talented, but he is not very durable. We’ll see how that works. When healthy, Bagley can average fifteen a game.
Harrell TRADED to Hornets for Ish Smith, Vernon Carey Jr.
Hornets get: Montrezl Harrell
Wizards get: Ish Smith, Vernon Carey Jr., 2023 2nd round pick
Grades for the Hornets: B+
Grades for the Wizards: D
WHY did the Wizards trade Montrezl Harrell!? And for what!!?? Ish Smith averages only nine points a night, AND Vernon Carey Jr… well… I DON’T EVEN KNOW WHO THIS GUY IS!!! I know that Harrell is a lot better than these guys. So nice trade for the Hornets….
Joe Ingles traded in 3-team agreement
Jazz get: Nickiel Alexander-Walker, Juancho Hernangomez
Blazers get: Joe Ingles, Elijah Hughes, 2nd round pick
Spurs get: Tomas Satoransky, 2nd round pick
Grades for the Jazz: B
Grades for the Blazers: B
Grades for the Spurs: C+
The Jazz got Alexander-Walker, who has a lot of potential. He averaged 13 points a night, which is not bad. He will be a nice fit off the bench behind Mike Conley. The Blazers are obviously looking towards the future because Joe Ingles is out all year with a torn ACL, but he is a pretty good player. The Spurs really did not do anything bad or good.
Blazers give away Norman Powell, Robert Covington to the Clippers
Blazers get: Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, Keon Johnson, 2025 2nd round pick
Clippers get: Norman Powell, Robert Covington
Grades for the Blazers: B
Grades for the Clippers: A
This was a great trade for the Clips and here’s why: Norman Powell is an elite scorer and a great defender. Robert Covington is a great example of a three and D type of player. The Clippers are trying to do something, and when Paul George and Kawhi Leornard come back, the Clippers will be a problem! The Blazers got a role player in Eric Bledsoe, an all-around guard, and a great defensive addition in Winslow. Decent trade for them also.