Denver Nuggets: C+
It’s not surprising to see Denver stick with their team through the deadline, with the injuries to Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. However, it would have been nice to see win-now moves be made by the Nuggets’ front office in the midst of another MVP-caliber season by Nikola Jokic, single-handedly carrying them to the playoffs.
Fringe pieces such as Jeff Green, JaMychal Green, and even Will Barton could have been packaged with picks to make a run at someone like former Nugget Jerami Grant, but it wasn’t in the cards. Waiting for the returns of Murray and Porter Jr., even if it’s in the next calendar year, is a decent-enough decision.
Detroit Pistons: B+
The Pistons had one of the most active trade deadlines without actually doing too much. Jerami Grant was linked with almost every playoff team, yet ended up staying with the Pistons for the rest of the season. This is likely heading towards a deal in the offseason, where he’ll be on the last year of his contract. On the flip side, the Pistons did acquire Marvin Bagley III in a four-team trade where they sent back Josh Jackson and Trey Lyles.
This type of low-cost move is one the Pistons should continue to make, giving young players an opportunity to set their careers on the right track in a situation filled with opportunity. If Bagley finds himself, Detroit holds his rights in restricted free agency, free to bring him back on a new deal if they wish.