NBA Trade Rumors: Deadline day is here and we keep you up to date by grading every deal that takes place
It’s officially here; NBA Trade Deadline day. In the past few weeks, there have been a number of trade rumors and whispers that have dominated the league’s newswire. However, all of that will finally come to an end today at 3 p.m. ET, when the trade deadline officially takes place.
Teams will only be able to upgrade their rosters through the buyout market after the deadline, so it’s important for every playoff contender to evaluate their needs and make one last-ditch effort to get any deals they have in motion done.
We will keep this updated throughout the day, as the deals come across the wire. Let’s grade the deals from the NBA’s Trade Deadline day.
You can see our grades on the huge four-team, 12-player trade that took place yesterday here.
Washington has traded Jordan McRae to Denver for Shabazz Napier, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 6, 2020
Andre Drummond lands in Cleveland
The fact that the Pistons traded Andre Drummond isn’t exactly surprising, it’s the fact that they traded him for practically nothing is what is somewhat surprising. There was a little-to-no market for Drummond and the Cavs clearly took advantage of that. Good for them.
I’m not sure if the Cavs plan on extending Drummond beyond this season (assuming he opts out and tests free agency during the summer), but it’s a worthwhile move that could end up paying dividends for this team in the future.
Grade
Cavs: B
Pistons: C-
Clippers land Marcus Morris
Marcus Morris is a player that both The Clippers and Lakers were both feverishly after, in addition to a number of other playoff contenders, I’d imagine. In the end, it was the Clippers who would outbid the Lakers and the other suitors.
And Morris is a huge addition to this squad, one that many already consider being the best in the Western Conference. Morris is the ideal 3-and-D wing that all championship teams need on their roster and will fit right in next to Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. The Knicks did well in getting what they could for Morris, and their fans really can’t complain.
Grades
Clippers: B+
Knicks: B+
Wizards: B
The Wolves finally lands D’Angelo Russell
This is likely going to be the biggest trade of the deadline day. D’Angelo Russell finally makes his way to the Minnesota Timberwolves and is united with Karl-Anthony Towns. While I’m intrigued by the KAT, D-Russ duo I’m even more excited about the possibility of Andrew Wiggins coming into his own with the Warriors.
Despite his hot start to the season, he was clearly in need of a fresh start. He gets that in an unbelievable organization next to Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. Both teams will come out looking good.
Grades
Wolves: B+
Warriors: A
Clippers trade Derrick Walton Jr.
It’s not a huge trade, at that’s putting it nicely, but the LA Clippers moved Derrick Walton Jr. to the Atlanta Hawks for cash. Yea, there’s not really much to say other than that. The good news is that we could give both these teams passing grades because…meh.
Grades
Clippers: C
Hawks: C
Miami lands Andre Iguodala
Update: Minnesota joined this and send Gorgui Dieng to the Grizzlies for James Johnson
In what could still end up being a bigger deal, for the time being, it appears that the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder have agreed to a two-team deal. The key parts here are Justise Winslow, who will be getting a fresh start in Memphis. The same could be said about Dion Waiters, who saw his role with the Heat dwindle since his first season with the club.
The Heat gets their veteran wing in Andre Iguodala who they hope will help fill the gaps on this team’s depth chart. This deal could end up changing by the end of the day, but from the looks of it it appears the Grizzlies come away as the big winners.
Grades
Heat: C-
Grizzlies: A
Sixers add Alec Burks, Glenn Robinson III
This move is not entirely surprising, and it was a move that the Sixers definitely needed to make. They desperately needed some added shooting and that’s exactly what both Robinson and Burks can bring to the table.
Robinson is averaging 40 percent from 3-point range this season and is actually averaging 47 percent from 3 during his last 10 games. Burks is equally impressive from deep, averaging 38 percent from deep this season with the Warriors.
These are not moves that will actually headline today, but there’s no question that the Sixers improved their depth and roster.
As for the Warriors, getting three picks for two players that aren’t likely part of their future isn’t a terrible way to start what could end up being an eventual trade deadline day.
Grades
Warriors: B+
76ers: B
Keep updating this page in order to get the latest from the deals that are official on NBA Trade Deadline day.