This year’s trade deadline sure was a dramatic one, with most of the day spent waiting for the big dominoes to fall — Raptors fans know all about that, of course, since they were waiting to see what would happen with Kyle Lowry.
As the deadline grew closer, teams connected to Lowry took themselves out of the running and made other moves, while the Orlando Magic also stood out as probably the NBA’s most prominent seller as this year’s deadline. We counted 15 trades in all on deadline day, ranging from trades that were cap-related non-news to at least one genuine stunner.
Let’s recap the news by the one measure that matters most: How big was that Woj bomb when you saw the notification on your phone?
15. (GSW) Marquese Chriss for (SAS) the draft rights to Cady Lalanne
Marquese Chriss is out for the year and the Warriors want the luxury tax savings. Cady Lalanne was a 2015 draft pick who will probably never come to the NBA. It’s the mandatory trade deadline Woj fizzler.
14. (TOR) Matt Thomas for (UTA) a second-round pick
RIP to the Mr. 99% era in Toronto. It was a lot of fun.
13. (SAC) Nemanja Bjelica for (MIA) Moe Harkless and Chris Silva
Nemanja Bjelica is a decent stretch 4 when he plays; he was not playing for the Kings. Will he play for the Heat?
12. (WAS) Troy Brown and Moritz Wagner for (CHI) Daniel Gafford and Chandler Hutchison; (CHI) Moritz Wagner for (BOS) Daniel Theis
Listen, on the lowest of keys, Daniel Theis has held it down as Boston’s starting center for the last two seasons, and Daniel Gafford’s advanced stats are really, really interesting. Why are we getting NBA 2K trade finder vibes from this one, though?
11. (CLE) JaVale McGee for (DEN) Isaiah Hartenstein and two second-round picks
Just picture this: Double-center lineups with Nikola Jokic throwing lobs to JaVale McGee.
10. (TOR) Terence Davis for (SAC) a future second-round pick
After an encouraging rookie season last year, Terence Davis wasn’t able to get any momentum going this year. He spent most of the year glued to the end of the bench, and the Raps are going to cut loose for a second-rounder.
9. (DET) Delon Wright for (SAC) Cory Joseph and two second-round picks
What we see: Former Raptors back-up point guard trade for former Raptors back-up point guard.
8. (NOP) J.J. Redick and Nicolo Melli for (DAL) James Johnson, Wesley Iwundu and a second-round pick
One of the best shooters in NBA history just got Luka Doncic as his new set-up man. Honestly, this has a chance to get out of hand.
7. (ATL) Rajon Rondo for (LAC) Lou Williams, two second-round picks and cash considerations
After winning a chip with the Lakers last year, he’ll try to do the same with the Clippers this year. It’s cool to see Lou Will — a Georgia native — go back to Atlanta, where he played previously. A Lou Will and Trae Young backcourt might never get a defensive stop ever.
6. (OKC) George Hill for (PHI) Tony Bradley and two future second-round picks; (PHI) Terrance Ferguson for (NYK) Austin Rivers and Iggy Brazdeikis
Also known as the one where Raptors fans found out that Kyle Lowry wasn’t going to Philly.
5. (ORL) Evan Fournier for (BOS) two second-round picks
Hey! Evan Fournier is underrated, and this is a nice little pick-up on what seems to be good value for the Celtics, who needed a little extra gas this season next to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. It’s not making headlines, but for the hoops-savvy, this could be a pretty consequential move in the East come playoff time.
4. (HOU) Victor Oladipo for (MIA) Avery Bradley, Kelly Olynyk and a draft pick swap
Also known as the one where Raptors fans found out that Kyle Lowry wasn’t going to Miami. (Here’s hoping Oladipo can turn things around for himself in Miami!)
3. (TOR) Norman Powell for (POR) Gary Trent and Rodney Hood
From the sound of things, maybe half of the league was interested in Norman Powell, which makes sense considering the incredible scoring season he’s having. The Raps are getting back a good young shooter in Gary Trent Jr. who has some playoff experience to his resume already at 22 years old, although he’s going to be a restricted free agent in the offseason.
2. (ORL) Aaron Gordon and Gary Clark for (DEN) Gary Harris, RJ Hampton and a first-round pick
We know Aaron Gordon from participating in (and being robbed of wins in…?) a handful of slam dunk contests, as well as Kyrie Irving’s Uncle Drew movie. In Orlando, he’s been a solid player, but what we’ve always wanted to know is if he would be better off as an elite supporting cast player instead of a creator — it just fits his athleticism and versatility. Anyone can look good playing off Nikola Jokic’s dimes, but AG could look really, really good.
1. (ORL) Nikola Vucevic and Al-Farouq Aminu for (CHI) Wendell Carter, Otto Porter and two first-round picks
A TEN OUT OF TEN WOJ BOMB. Nikola Vucevic is, extremely quietly, a two-time All-Star having a fantastic season in Orlando, and it sounded like the Magic weren’t going to move their franchise centerpiece unless it was for a king’s ransom. That was probably misdirection to drive prices up, since, as we know now, the fire sale in Orlando was open on deadline day. Still, Vooch is going to form a pretty insane core next to Zach LaVine. Nuggets East, anyone?
