Welcome to my 7-day overdue trade deadline grades. We'll be grading each team's moves this deadline whether they traded their best player or they stood pat. A heavy part of my assessment on each team's trade deadline grades is the direction of the team graded, so lottery teams might get an A+ for not making a move because they're already losing with their current roster while contending teams might get an F for not constructing a competent roster to utilize in the playoffs. I'll be spinning a wheel to determine who I'll be grading next. Enjoy reading.
Part 1: Trail Blazers, Bucks, Lakers, Knicks, Jazz, Rockets
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PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: B+
Powell Trade: F
McCollum Trade: A+
Alexander-Walker Trade: A
It's a rebuild, right? A rebuild but with Dame? Yeah, I'm not buying it. Dame is getting traded after his first 10 regular season games when he's back healthy next season unless they go 9-1 on that stretch and actually show signs of making some noise in the West. That's not a bad thing though, they're just trying to keep their choices alive. I'll give them their due praise for that.
Getting rid of McCollum's contract is one good thing, as that backcourt duo is never ever going to fit defensively enough to win them a championship. But they did not only do that, but also they got JOSH HART in return.. and a first-round pick that is likely going to be a top 10 pick. With the correct draft picks, two top 10 picks should keep their chances of making the playoffs alive. They will probably draft 2 forwards who could start games and help this team's defense. Josh Hart probably starts too and Simons will be the 6th man (We don't want Dame and CJ 2.0). Nurk has already stated that he wants to stay in Portland (that's why they didn't trade him) and will probably get a large enough bag. The bench is trash right now but I think they could get decent enough players to fill those rotation slots up via free agency with the cap space they've created and that giant $21M trade exception they just created from the McCollum trade (Jerami Grant??? 👀👀).
The Powell trade was garbage though, I don't believe that it was the biggest offer they got. Keon Johnson, it's up to you to prove it wrong buddy.
They traded Nickeil for a second-round pick too. I guess they didn't want another ball-dominant guard alongside Dame and Ant. It was understandable. It's not as if Nickeil has been good this year (trust me).
Next season will be the determinant for Portland on what to commit to. If they become a top team then that's good! If not, then you have Anfernee -- and your two lottery picks! I think it's an overall win for Portland, thanks to New Orleans.
Trail Blazers Potential 2022 Lineup:
Damian Lillard - Josh Hart - (Lottery pick) - (Lottery pick) - Jusuf Nurkic
Bench:
Anfernee Simons - (FA Acquisition) - (FA Acquisition) - Justise Winslow - (FA Acquisition)
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MILWAUKEE BUCKS: A
Basically they traded DiVincenzo for Ibaka. It's good that they are already preparing for the worst with whatever happens with Brook's back. Ibaka still has defensive presence in the paint when you need and some outside shooting in small volumes at the 5 and they took advantage of the fact that no other team wants him for his contract. Donte has been pretty poor from 3 since he came back from his injury so it was probably his time to go as well. Solid move by the Bucks.
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LOS ANGELES LAKERS: B+
Not being able to get Cam Reddish, which was a name linked to the Lakers hours before the deadline, was disappointing for them. I would've been impressed if they had pulled it off and immeditaely gave them an A+ but besides that, there wasn't really enough valuable pieces to move. To get talent, you should give talent and the Lakers don't have the second part of that phrase. The only deal available for Westbrook was a trade for John Wall and I was glad they didn't pull the trigger on that. That alone deserved some credit. Not trading the 2027 pick was another strong move by the Lakers and I think they were quite firm on not moving it or else Cam Reddish is a Laker now. So, whatever happened with Westbrook happened and all they could do now is to FIGURE IT OUT! The offseason was the offseason and it was deserving of an F grade from the start but I think they made a lot of good decisions this deadline. THT is starting to play good now anyways, just hope it is consistent.
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NEW YORK KNICKS: F
What are the even trying to do? 😂😂😂 There is some CLEAR dysfunction and lack of communication between the management and Thibs. The Cam Reddish trade was a flop. Thibs was the lowest guy on him and the Knicks management were the highest bidders on him.
I also think not being able to trade Mitchell Robinson was a flop. He could have a real high chance of leaving the Knicks in free agency and just let him walk for nothing. Jericho Sims, you're up next.
A bunch of old veterans on a lineup that is not winning games too and the problem is that a couple of them are untradeable contracts.
Your #1 option is unhappy and has regressed drastically to where it's quite clear the peak has past. You have too many wins to tank for a top 3 pick and too few to make it to the play-in.
I think the Knicks are going to be stuck in the lottery again for a good couple of years. The only thing saving this team right now is the fact that they are in New York and are a free agent destination. If they could land Brunson or Simons in free agency then... OK more mediocrity I guess LOL.
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UTAH JAZZ: F
The failure to pursue Norman Powell and Robert Covington was what deserved them an F. Nothing else needs to be said. This team is going nowhere near the NBA Finals the next couple of years until they learn how to build around Rudy properly.
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HOUSTON ROCKETS: A+
The Rockets are the masters of posturing in this year's trade deadline. They know that trading Wall for Westbrook doesn't give them anything unless the Lakers give a first-round pick. They are confident that Gordon's value would only increase in the offseason as it takes off a year from his contract and that they are willing to wait until the offseason to get more for him than Ricky Rubio and 2 second round picks. They are OK to stand pat. There will be no losses and only more gains.
The Rockets also got Schroder who should help out with floor general duties for a team that doesn't have a lot of them, which could unlock some of their players who are better with playing off-ball.
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Part 2: Hawks, Thunder, Wizards, Pelicans, Raptors, Magic
Part 3: Timberwolves, Kings, Mavericks, Spurs, Clippers
Part 4: Hornets, Suns, Pistons, Warriors, Heat, Grizzlies, Bulls