NBA Trade Deadline Roundup: Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant On The Move!
The NBA trade deadline has come and gone and it was one of the more eventful deadlines in recent memory. There were plenty of players on the move leading up to and at the deadline including huge names that have changed the landscape of the league. We will analyze the impact of the biggest deals that went down.
NBA Deals Before The Trade Deadline
Kevin Durant to the Suns
The biggest and most surprising move of the deadline was KD being shipped to Phoenix for a haul. The full trade was Durant and TJ Warren for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four first-round picks, and a pick swap. Crowder has since been flipped but more on that later. We aren’t going to get into the Nets right now. This is great for them long-term as the Suns went all in, nevertheless, it most likely makes them non-contenders for the next few years as their Big 3 never panned out after playing a total of 16 games together.
For the Suns, they immediately become a championship-or-bust team. Health will likely be their first biggest hurdle with Chris Paul and KD dealing with a ton of injuries in recent years. Durant hasn’t been able to stay on the court since his Achilles injury, and Paul tends to get injured late in the season and playoffs. We still wouldn’t bet on them to win a championship. However, this definitely gives them a better shot and makes them much more fun to watch. Durant is still a top-five player in the league when healthy. If things click, CP3, Devin Booker, Durant, and Deandre Ayton will be a force to be reckoned with. The concern will be a lack of depth after moving a handful of underrated assets and a complete lack of defense.
Kyrie Irving to the Mavs
If the Nets could do this over my guess is they would have taken the Lakers’ offer and received two first-round picks. At the time of the deal, they were trying to build around KD and didn’t have plans to trade him though. Brooklyn instead received a first, two seconds, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Dorian Finney-Smith. The Mavs also added Markief Morris who is at least a notable addition.
It remains to be seen whether or not this is a good trade for the Mavs. Kyrie is a volatile and unpredictable person. There is a chance he’s a rental for the rest of the year so if they don’t win it all this is a bust move. However, he does vastly improve their chances of a championship run. When focused and healthy Kyrie is one of the most skilled players in the league. He’ll be a free agent after this season and it’s anyone’s guess where he will end up signing a new contract. Our prediction is he will be playing in Los Angeles, Dalla,s or Phoenix.
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D’Angelo Russell to the Lakers
D-Lo is back in purple and gold in an intriguing move by the Lakers. Russell Westbrook is also a major piece that was moved, but he’s likely to be bought out by the Jazz so we’ll refrain from discussing his impact for the time being. Currently, he’s being linked to the Clippers and Heat should he be bought out. The full trade was the Lakers receiving D-Lo, Malik Beasly, and Jarred Vanderbilt. The Jazz got Russ and a 2027 top-four protected first-rounds, and the T-Wolves landed Mike Conley, three second-round picks, and three other players. Our focus here is on the Lakers though, who also traded away Thomas Bryant for Davon Reed and three second-round picks, and Patrick Beverly for Mo Bamba.
The big question is, is this enough to propel the Lakers into the playoffs? When in reality, if they can just stay healthy, they are already good enough to make the playoffs. However, these moves definitely improve the team and add shooting. The pieces fit much better now. Still, what this comes down to will be the availability of Bron and AD. If they do manage to sneak into the playoffs and are clicking this is a team that no one will be interested in playing in the first round.
Eric Gordon to the Clippers
Reggie Jackson to the Hornets
The Clippers have added Gordon and three second-round picks in a three-team deal that sees the Grizzlies getting Luke Kennard and the Rockets landing John Wall, Danny Green, and a first. The addition of Gordon made Reggie Jackson expendable so he, along with a second-round pick, was shipped to Charlotte for Mason Plumlee.
We aren’t huge fans of these moves. Gordon is well past his prime and less productive than Jackson on a per-minute basis. Jackson has been clutch for the Clippers and a key piece to their success while Kawhi and PG were injured over the past few years. He’s also two years younger and is a nice bench piece they could have had stick around as a sixth man for the next few years. Gordon also has a long history of health issues. Many may disagree, but we would have stuck with Jackson in LA.
Jae Crowder to the Bucks
After being traded to the Nets, Crowder was flipped to the Bucks in a three-team deal. The Nets received five second-round picks and the Pacers added George Hill, Serge Ibaka, Jordan Nwora, and two seconds. This deal makes sense for everyone, but for the immediate future, the Bucks are the team that matters. We love this move for Milwaukee. This absolutely will help them in the playoffs. Crowder will never be a superstar, but he’s the kind of player you need to win big games. He is a strong defender with big-game experience and a track record of hitting big shots. This move will pay dividends come playoff time.
Josh Hart to the Knicks
The Knicks added Hart for Cam Reddish two others and a first-rounder. The Knicks had essentially exiled Reddish who was desperately in need of a fresh start which he’ll get in Portland and Hart is a nice piece for the Knicks. He has the ability to score in bunches, is an excellent rebounder, and plays hard on defense. He’s not good enough to make the Knicks any kind of real threat in the east, but he definitely makes the team better and is another piece they can build around moving forward.
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