The winners and losers of the 2020 NBA trade deadline
A look at the good and bad from the deadline.
Whew. Has your head stopped spinning from a pretty busy 2020 NBA trade deadline?
There’s a lot to sift through from a process that took a few days and had some breaking news up to 3 p.m. Eastern on Thursday — a few big names changing zip codes, some smaller trades that could have short- and long-term ramifications, and a 12-player whopper that was just plain fun. But that’s what this post is for: a look at who won this week and who lost.
Let’s look at the teams, players, front office members and others who claimed victory and who lost out.
Winners
Pat Riley
Okay, so he didn’t get Danilo Gallinari, which is too bad. But the move for Andre Iguodala was a smart one for a young team that could use some defensive help and championship experience. And don’t overlook the Jae Crowder acquisition, he could help on both ends in the postseason. The Heat also left open cap room down the road if a certain long-limbed MVP decides he wants out of Milwaukee. All in all, Riley wins. Again.
Andre Iguodala
He sat back, collected a paycheck, then got dealt to a contender and got a $30 million extension. Pretty good, I’d say.
Memphis Grizzlies
What the Griz have done in the last calendar year is nothing short of remarkable. They’ve collected future assets, young stars and some tradeable expiring contracts to put together a tough, talented roster. Justise Winslow can’t stay healthy, but he’s worth the risk because we’ve seen what his talent is when he’s on the court. Dion Waiters had some troubles that got him suspended by the Heat, but this is his newest chance … and he’s just two seasons removed from averaging 14.3 ppg.
Western Conference big men
The Rockets are going small by dealing Clint Capela and didn’t get a bench big man to at least have in the rotation for the playoffs. Anthony Davis, Nikola Jokic, Rudy Gobert and Steven Adams are smiling right now.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Getting rid of Andrew Wiggins contract was HUGE. Getting Karl-Anthony Towns’ buddy D’Angelo Russell was also HUGE. It might cost them a really high pick, but let’s worry about that later. They won on Thursday.
Los Angeles Clippers
Marcus Morris comes West and didn’t cost much, adding serious depth to a team that could use it.
Los Angeles Lakers (if they get Darren Collison)
We’ll wait to see if the Lakers get the veteran guard to help them with shooting. Otherwise, they just saw the Clips get Marcus Morris, a big upgrade. Also, good news! Kyle Kuzma is still a Laker!
New York Knicks
They got back an expiring deal (Moe Harkless) and a first-round pick for Morris, who they could actually re-sign this offseason if they so choose. And if they did, they got back something for nothing. That’s an actual savvy move right there!
Losers
Eastern contenders not named the Miami Heat
Save for the 76ers — who got Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III from the Warriors and dealt James Ennis, some solid moves all around — the rest of the top East teams did nothing. Not that they needed to, but it didn’t help to see the Heat upgrade their bench with Iggy.
I almost listed the Sixers as winners, but I’d like to see if Burks and Robinson make a huge difference first.
Milwaukee Bucks (in the summer of 2021)
I mean, I’d be nervous if I was the Bucks’ front office if I don’t win a ring this year. The “Giannis Antetokounmpo might leave!!!” talk could get louder and Miami keeps looking like a really good destination.
Detroit Pistons
To be fair, they were hamstrung. Either they faced losing Andre Drummond if he opted out this summer and getting nothing in return, or they traded him with other teams knowing that fact and getting basically next to nothing in return. They went for the latter option and got some cap space this summer and a second-round pick. The franchise didn’t deal Derrick Rose despite the fact that the return might have been really good. So they end up here.
Cleveland Cavaliers
This isn’t about Drummond, who I guess is worth a flier on when you give up next to nothing. They couldn’t find anyone to take Tristan Thompson? Not even the Rockets? I guess he’ll be bought out.
UPDATE: … or maybe not?