The 2018 NBA trade deadline is now behind us, and it was a little busier than expected. A dozen deals were completed on Thursday, after four more trades were finalized in the 10 days prior to the deadline.
The Cavaliers stole the show on deadline day, completing three trades that sent out a total of six players and saw them land four new players: George Hill, Rodney Hood, Jordan Clarkson, and Larry Nance. It was a fascinating roster overhaul for the Cavs, who surrendered their own 2018 first-round pick along with Isaiah Thomas, Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, Jae Crowder, Iman Shumpert, and Channing Frye, but hung onto the Nets’ 2018 first-rounder.
Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype spoke to several players from around the NBA to get their trade-deadline impressions, and the Cavaliers were the team mentioned most frequently. Trevor Booker called Cleveland the deadline’s “biggest winner,” while an anonymous Eastern Conference guard lauded the Cavs for acquiring several “guys who are hungry.” Multiple players pointed specifically to Hood as a player who will have an impact in Cleveland.
The Lakers also received praise from more than one player who spoke to Kennedy. L.A. only made one trade on deadline day, but it was a big one — in exchange for Clarkson and Nance, two players on multiyear contracts, the Lakers took on a pair of expiring contracts and nabbed the Cavs’ 2018 first-round pick. The move puts the team in great position to go after two star free agents in 2018 or 2019.
The Jazz, who moved Hood and Joe Johnson and landed Crowder and Rose, will also active on deadline day, as were the Heat, who reunited with old friends Wade and Luke Babbitt. The Knicks and Suns each picked up a former top-10 pick, with New York acquiring Emmanuel Mudiay and Phoenix trading for Elfrid Payton. The Pistons added bench depth in the form of James Ennis and Jameer Nelson, while the Trail Blazers got out of the tax. The Nuggets and Mavericks were among the other teams who were active.
Conversely, several potential title contenders had very quiet deadlines. The Spurs, Rockets, Warriors, and Celtics didn’t make any trades on Thursday, and the Raptors‘ only deal was a back-of-the-bench move. Some potential sellers were unexpectedly quiet too, as the Clippers hung onto Avery Bradley and DeAndre Jordan, the Grizzlies kept Tyreke Evans, and the Hawks retained Dewayne Dedmon, Marco Belinelli, and Ersan Ilyasova.
Our full 2018 trade deadline recap can be found right here.
Based on all those moves, and even a few trades from last week too, if you want to count the Blake Griffin and Nikola Mirotic swaps as deadline deals: Which teams – or players – do you think were the winners and losers of this year’s trade deadline?
As multiple 2017 blockbuster trades have shown, our early impressions of a trade can sometimes be off base (just ask the Pacers, who are very happy with Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis these days). But we’re still curious to know what you think of the latest deals from around the NBA. Jump into the comment section below to share your thoughts!
the cavs got guys who are hungry, but i dont think it made them better than boston or toronto
i also wouldve liked toronto to get deandre jordan. that wouldve beeen a big move
Did I miss something ?
Did the writer offer an opinion of “losers” of the Trade Deadline period …. or are we to assume all that had ‘little, or no activity’ are the “losers” ?
If I missed it – I apologize.
Our Community Shootaround posts are designed to be reader discussions, rather than opinion columns, so I generally don’t include my own takes.
Fair enough ….
THX !
I feel like Knicks are losers (as usual). They dealt the wrong Center (should have been O’Quinn), and then dealt from a thin position to create another four player logjam at the point. Whether it was worth taking a flyer on Muniday or not, the Knicks continue to give far too many minutes to Jack, and this move, unless Jack’s minutes are scaled, is just taking more development minutes away from Frank.
Usual dumb Knicks moves.
I like the Hood trade; I have been advocating for that. But there was more Utah talent (apparently) available than Laker talent that would have been worth the Cavs first pick. I doubt LAL needed that 1st to agree to the trade! I hope the boss was not trying too hard to be bad-a$$ and ignoring MY ideas! ha
Clarkson better be good! But I think LAL won that one.
I was lately advocating Cody Z from Charlotte’s new center logjam, Dinwiddie and Carroll from the Nets (same trade value, but with someone for Durant), and Favors/Udoh/Sefolosha/etc… useful loose marbles.
James will likely like the new Cavs more, but he might have Durant coverage probably unless they repurpose Hood, which I doubt they do effectively with time so short.
With so many players left, a lot of teams must be maintaining continuity or looking forward to the Buyout market. Maybe Nurkic, Vucevic, Lopez. They could just sign Reed or Bogut.
Are you suggesting that Nurkic or Vucevic will be bought out? Somehow I doubt that completely
Wishful thinking
So much for Clippers plans. All talk no balls! Trading Griffin was pretty huge, specially after just signing hin for 5 years.
I can see DAJ playing on next season but being traded at the last minute, along with Sweet Lou.
Yet keeping Doc and Austin to run the show
I like the Hernangomez trade for Charlotte. Taking a low risk on a potentially high reward player.