So what did happen at last Thursday’s NBA Trade Deadline? Honestly, everything and nothing. About 29 players — nearly 10 per cent of the league — changed teams within a matter of 10 minutes. Many of these moves won’t be significant for a few years, but let’s check them out anyway.
After trading Marcus Thornton and Cleveland’s first round pick to the Phoenix Suns for Isaiah “PIZZA GUY” Thomas, the Boston Celtics are one piece closer to crushing their enemies, achieving their goals and securing their legacy. Going forward it’ll be interesting to see how the trade affects rookie Marcus Smart’s role as a starting point guard. One thing is clear, though. The Hawks better get ready for a five game series against the Celtics that Adam Silver later describes as “a ratings black hole.” I could go on, but then this column would be called “Why the 20-31 Boston Celtics Were Only One Piece Away From Banner 18.”
The Suns were the busiest team at the trade deadline. Besides trading away “THE PIZZA GUY,” they also unloaded Goran Dragic, Tyler Ennis, Miles Plumlee and the Lakers top five protected first round draft pick. So how did this all unfold? Goran Dragic kicked it off by saying he didn’t trust the organization anymore and wouldn’t re-sign. DRAMA! In a three team deal, the Suns got Danny Granger, Justin “I’ve Never Heard of This Guy” Hamilton, and two first round picks. The Heat got “BEST PAL BROTHERS” Goran and Zoran Dragic and John Salmons, while the Pelicans got Shawne Williams and Norris Cole. It’s unfortunate that Chris Bosh’s health issues diminished the excitement of the trade. Although his season is over, from what I’ve heard he’ll be able to play next year. And more importantly, it’s not life threatening. GET WELL SOON CHRIS!
The Suns then acquired Brandon Knight by sending the Lakers protected first rounder to the Philadelphia 76ers, and Tyler Ennis and Miles Plumlee to the Milwaukee Bucks. In exchange for the pick, Philly sent Michael Carter-Williams to Milwaukee to help facilitate the trade. This was the most interesting trade of the day. The 76ers got another draft pick that has an outside chance of falling in the 6-10 range this year. The Suns got Knight who’s been playing at an all-star level and should enjoy his pseudo-shooting guard role next to Eric Bledsoe.
Milwaukee’s part in the deal seemed a little odd at first but I’m GETTING ON BOARD. Knight’s a restricted free agent this offseason, and would tie up a lot of their cap if they signed him. In exchange they got Tyler Ennis and Michael Carter-Williams who are both on rookie contracts. On a personal note, I’m excited to see a good Canadian kid in Tyler Ennis finally get a chance to play after being buried behind three point guards in Phoenix. I could only find one video of his NBA career on Youtube, and it’s titled “11 points and two assists!” Bringing in MCW is really interesting too. He adds EVEN MORE length to an already wingspan rich starting five. DEFENSE?! And MCW gets a great mentor in head coach Jason Kidd, who also came into the league as a guard with a lot of great tools and no semblance of a working jump shot.
The 76ers made a couple other trades at the deadline. They swapped Cenk “Okay Seriously, Who the Fuck Is This Guy” Akyol for Javale McGee, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s 2015 first round pick and the rights to Chukwudiebere Maduabum. Check out Maduabum’s Wikipedia page. His career milestones include, Quatar, Estonia and Return to Estonia! The 76ers saw how desperate the Denver Nuggets were to get rid of Javale McGee’s contract and said “if you give us him, a pick, and Estonian superstar Chukwudiebere Maduabum, we’ll give you basically nothing.”
The 76ers also traded K.J. McDaniels away. Surprise surprise they got another second round pick. The front office sent season ticket holders a video of Sam Hinkie in a bathtub filled with finalized trade contracts for second round picks. He’s shirtless, smoking a cigar. He looks into the camera, “I want you all to pray for Joel Embiid’s foot to heal properly…. or we’re fucked.”
Anyway, let’s turn our attention to OKC and Portland, two teams making moves that might actually affect the post-season. In a three team deal, the Thunder sent Kendrick Perkins, a first round pick and a second round pick to the Utah Jazz, and Reggie Jackson to the Pistons. In return they got Enes Kanter, Kyle Singler, D.J. Augstin and Steve Novak. Enes Kanter gives them a poor man’s Brook Lopez and the other three players can help to space the floor around KD and Westbrook. Overall it’s a pretty solid deal for the Thunder, but problems with Kevin Durant’s foot might limit them in the playoffs.
Portland also made a big deal, trading Will Barton, Victor Claver, Thomas Robinson and a 2016 lottery-projected pick up for Arron Afflalo and Alzonzo Gee. It’s definitely a good pick up, but I’m surprised they didn’t do more to get Jeff Green when he was on the Celtics. He could have offered a similar scoring threat but from the SF and PF position.
The final trade appealed to the romantic in me. I value analytics, but they can disconnect us from the real reasons to love sports. I mean, isn’t it kind of wonderful that in a single season Flip Saunders turned a lottery pick into a 38-year old averaging less than seven points per game, only for it to be almost unanimously celebrated by fans? It’s beautiful we can still love something that others can’t see value in. That we don’t forget what people gave us, even if it they ultimately came up short. That our love for the game isn’t measured in wins and losses, but in the collective experience we share with others. The trade isn’t going to help them win and basic stats could tell you it’s not a great move, but not everything needs to be analyzed. Some things should just be enjoyed. Welcome home Kevin Garnett.
