With recent trades in the NBA offseason there's been an insane amount of pick and player movement which has completely shifted the "value" of a player. Not only is this being seen league-wide, but it's also impacting the way people approach trades on fanspo. But why? How has the degree of player value shifted so far right that even role players and specialty guys (3&D) are garnering so much value that it's almost become inconceivable to formulate logical trade packages.
In 2017 (just 5 years ago) there were a number of big names that changed teams, with minimal pick movement.
Jimmy Butler was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves along with the #16 pick in the draft in exchange for Zach Lavine, Kris Dunn, and the #7 pick in the draft. Only two picks were included in this deal.
Chris Paul was also sent from the LA Clippers to the Houston Rockets that year. The Clippers received Pat Bev, Montrezl Harrell, Lou Williams and some other un-notable pieces who are no longer in the NBA. Only one pick was involved in this deal. The Clippers received Houston's 2018 FRP which even had a top 3 protection.
Paul George was acquired by the OKC Thunder in exchange for Oladipo and Sabonis. With ZERO picks involved.
In 2018 the Detorit Pistons received Blake Griffin (and others no longer in the league) for Avery Bradley, Tobias Harris, and Boban. The Clippers only got 1 first round pick in that deal, for a then very productive and highly sought after Griffin.
Eric Bledsoe (again highly sought after at that time) was acquired by the Bucks in exchange for 2 FRP's and Greg Monroe from the Phoenix Suns.
In 2019 The Raptors acquired Marc Gasol who had just come off another great year averaging over 17ppg, over 8reb over 4ast, and almost 1stl and 2blocks. For this Memphis got Valanciunas, Delon Wright, CJ Miles and ZERO FRP's.
Sacramento was able to acquire Harrison Barnes for an over-the-hill Zach Randolph and Justin Jackson with ZERO picks involved.
Philly was able to get Tobias Harris, Boban, and Mike Scott for Wilson Chandler, Mike Muscala, Landry Shamet and 2 future FRP's.
Dallas was able to get BOTH Kristaps and THJ for an aging DeAndre Jordan, Wes Matthews and Dennis Smith Jr and only gave up 2 FRP's.
Philly was also able to acquire Jimmy Butler that year and only had to give up Robert Covington, Saric, and Jerryd Bayless with ZERO FRP's.
Again people.. This was JUST 3 years ago. Zero FRP's were exchanged in order to acquire a guy who is viewed as a star in this league. THREE YEARS AGO.
How about just two years ago? Remember when D'Angelo Russell was acquired by the T-Wolves? The Warriors somehow got Wiggins AND a FRP. Yet that one FRP was the only one involved in the trade.
How about Clint Capela to the Hawks? Atlanta gave up Evan turner and ONE FRP, for Clint Capela.
What about JUST ONE YEAR AGO PEOPLE!!!
Aaron Gordon was Acquired by the Denver Nuggets in which they gave up Gary Harris RJ Hampton and ONE FRP.
Or the Bulls getting Vucevic from the Magic and only giving up 2FRP's... I'll admit, they did still give up WCJ and hindsight, not the best deal. But still only TWO picks.
Portland acquired Norman Powell for GTJ and ZERO picks.
How about the Houston Rockets only giving up a SRP to get KPJ? ZERO FRP's were exchanged.
Just this year... The Pelicans got a Star player in CJ McCollum and gave up ONE FRP.
Caris LeVert was acquired by the cavs for a Lottery Protected FRP.
The Clippers got Norman Powell and Covington for ZERO FRP's.
Yes.. You have your outliers. You have your PG trade which netted OKC 5 FRP's. You have your James Harden trade"S" which NETted the Rockets a plethora of picks. You have your less recent Kevin Garnet and Paul Pierce trade which gutted the Nets organization for the better part of a decade. BUT those were for SUPER STAR caliber players. But now we're seeing guys like Rudy Gobert go for 5 picks. Dejounte Murray go for 3 picks. But even Gobert has been a 3 time All-Star and 6 time All-Defensive 1st Team. But the history of the NBA shows us that these are COMPLETE OUTLIERS. The majority of NBA trades contain 1 or no FRPs.
People..... Please... Do not let recent Overpays by a few front offices in the NBA dictate how we value every single player in the NBA. For years the NBA has operated without the fleecing of organizations for role players and good starters. Not every player in the NBA is worth 2+ picks. Not every starter in the league is worth 3+ picks. Those trade packages are for STARS and SUPER STARS. Not guys who have never and will never make an All-Star team. Not guys who excel at being a 3&D. Understand the true value of a player and the true value of picks.
THANK YOU!