San Antonio Spurs – mild winner
After four years of being in NBA purgatory – not good enough to escape the first round, but not bad enough to snag a great lottery pick – the team finally picked a direction with the DeJounte Murray trade, and was handsomely rewarded with picks.
The cherry on top is the absence of free-agent signings, leaving their cap space pristine, to absorb Russell Westbrook’s contract, or any other big salary moved in part of a superstar trade. Even if they aren’t called to facilitate such a trade, they may have opportunities during the regular season as a result of keeping their powder dry.
Atlanta Hawks – mild winner
Yes, both teams can and did, win trades with each other. Trae Young is one of the worst defensive players in the NBA, so bringing in an ace perimeter defender is a win. They paid a hefty price – three unprotected picks, and an unprotected pick swap – but without acquiring a second fringe All-Star, they risked entering 2018-2022 Spurs purgatory.
While the jury’s out on their trading Kevin Huerter to the Kings, it doesn’t appear on the surface to be a terrible move.