NBA Trade Grade Log
The NBA offseason is under way and we’ve already seen some heavy-hitting blockbuster trades around the league. I’m going to keep track of all of the wild trades we have going down here and give some immediate feedback and grades for every team involved.
Bogdan Bogdanovic to the Bucks
Bucks acquire: Bogdan Bogdanovic
Kings acquire: Donte DiVincenzo, Ersan Ilyasova, D.J. Wilson
Bucks grade: B
Milwaukee is shaking the league to its core tonight. Their ownership met with Giannis Antetokounmpo this morning and it seems they promised him a championship starting lineup on a silver platter. Bogdan Bogdanovic has averaged 13.5 points per game over three years with the Kings as a sometimes-starter and sometimes-sixth man. His career 3-point percentage of 37.4% is very strong, especially when you consider his steady diet of off-the-dribble and on-the-move shots. He’ll fit right in as a sharpshooter in this lineup and his efficiency should see a significant boost with all of the scoring potency surrounding him. The only reason I’m not pushing this into A-range is I firmly believe Donte DiVincenzo has a strong future in this league and the Bucks could really regret letting him go.
Kings grade: A
The writing was on the wall for Bogdan Bogdanovic to leave this offseason and the Kings were smart to get in front of that possibility. However, for the Kings to get a significant prospect in return in Donte DiVincenzo makes this a clear win. DiVincenzo flashed strong two-way play off the bench for Milwaukee last year with per-36 numbers of 14.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 2.0 steals. He also boosted his 3-point percentage from 26.5% to 33.6%. He’s trending up in a hurry and while he’s not nearly the shooter Bogdanovic is, his defensive impact and strong two-way potential is enticing for Sacramento. In the meantime, Buddy Hield steps back into the starting lineup and should benefit greatly from a full season as the starter. The Kings lose a significant piece but do well to recover a long-term asset in return.
Jrue Holiday to the Milwaukee Bucks
Bucks acquire: Jrue Holiday
Pelicans acquire: Eric Bledsoe, George Hill, 3 first-round picks (including 2020 #24), 2 pick swaps
Bucks grade: C+
With Giannis Antetokounmpo due for an extension and several teams chomping at the bit with the thought of signing the 2-time MVP next summer, Milwaukee felt pressure into making a move to help their team improve in the coming season. Jrue Holiday certainly does that as one of the best defensive guards in the NBA and a player who’s averaged 19+ points and 6+ assists per game over each of the past three seasons. Bledsoe has been a very good two-way point guard for Milwaukee, but Holiday is a clear upgrade and the prospect of dealing with him, Khris Middleton, and Giannis on the wing has to be a terrifying thought for Eastern Conference squads. However, it remains to be seen if Holiday will be enough to get Giannis to stay and the amount of draft capital the Bucks just gave up could be catastrophic. Holiday makes the Bucks a bit better in the short-term, but in the long run this could be incredibly regrettable. A scenario where the Bucks lose Giannis and end up drafting in the lottery with their picks headed to New Orleans is petrifying, especially with the 2022 double draft on the way.
Pelicans grade: A
The team that’s shipping away their high-profile star for future assets usually ends up ahead in the long run, and that’s exactly where the Pelicans will find themselves in a few years. It’s unlikely Eric Bledsoe and George Hill move the needle much in New Orleans and I’m expecting the Pels to look to trade these guys as soon as possible. The real prize is the draft capital, and the Pelicans are now loaded with young players and draft assets, perhaps more so than any non-Thunder team. New Orleans has a crowded backcourt now with Bledsoe and Hill joining Lonzo Ball, Frank Jackson, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker as players who can all pick up minutes at point guard, but the Pelicans can likely flip those former Bucks guards for more assets down the line. I expected a bidding war to ensue for Jrue Holiday on draft night, but the Pelicans did as well as they could have expected and now look to a season focused on developing their young talent.
Robert Covington to the Portland Trail Blazers
Trail Blazers acquire: Robert Covington
Rockets acquire: Trevor Ariza, 2020 first-round pick (#16), protected 2021 first-round pick
Trail Blazers Grade: B+
The Western Conference is going to be a bloodbath this season and there’s no question that the Blazers needed to make a significant upgrade in order to push for a playoff spot this season. Covington is the perfect switchable 3-and-D wing to pair with Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum and he’s likely an immediate upgrade over all of the forwards Portland had last season. Additionally, we saw Covington play 3-5 for Houston and his versatility is a massive plus for this team. Trevor Ariza isn’t needed with Covington in and the 2020 first-round pick was at #16, not the most valuable range. For a team looking to win now, they should be comfortable moving this type of capital for a player the caliber of Covington.
Rockets Grade: B
New Houston general manager Rafael Stone makes his first move in office, and you have to imagine this is the precursor for more big trades to come. James Harden rejected a $103 million contract extension from the Rockets on Monday and it seems like Houston is getting ready to ship out Harden, Russell Westbrook, and basically anyone else who can net them long-term value. Ariza is a wash at 35 years old and it’s unclear how much more he has left in the tank, but the Rockets were able to turn Covington into some draft capital that they desperately needed to acquire.
Chris Paul to the Phoenix Suns
Suns acquire: Chris Paul, Abdel Nader
Thunder acquire: Kelly Oubre, Ricky Rubio, Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque, 2022 first-round pick
Suns grade: B-
Phoenix has never been a free agency destination and landing an impact player the caliber of Chris Paul isn’t an easy proposition. The Suns exploded during their time in the Orlando bubble with an 8-0 record and already looked primed for a playoff run, but Chris Paul gives this team a strong chance to end its 10-year playoff drought. Kelly Oubre was a fan favorite, but CP3 is a clear upgrade over Rubio. It is worth considering that he’s a 35-year-old guard with an injury history who’s being paid $41+ million per year over the next two seasons, so the downside is real, but I believe in this team’s ability to be a force next season.
Thunder grade: A
How many first-round picks does a franchise need? Well, 16 first-rounders over 6 years puts this team in an absurd situation moving forward. Sam Presti has this team built for the long haul with the best collection of assets in the NBA and the 2022 first-round pick comes at the perfect time in the year of the much-hyped double draft. The Thunder have now acquired three first-round picks and two first-round pick swaps all for trading away Russell Westbrook last offseason and the Thunder continue to siphon assets from all over the NBA. Oubre could be a high-impact player for OKC this year and Jerome and Lecque have some long-term potential. The real prize is the first-round pick, and the Thunder have the flexibility to do whatever they want moving forward.
Dennis Schroder to the Los Angeles Lakers
Lakers acquire: Dennis Schroder
Thunder acquire: Danny Green, 2020 first-round pick (#28)
Lakers grade: B-
Los Angeles had one clear way to improve its team this offseason - by trading its first-round pick and Green’s $15-million expiring contract. The Lakers were clearly disappointed with what they got from Green in his first season in the purple and gold, particularly in the playoffs where he shot just 34.7% from the field and 33.9% from 3. However, Green’s size and defensive ability on the wing will be missed. Schroder will replace Rajon Rondo as this team’s secondary ball-handler, a role that became increasingly important in the playoffs. Rondo was never the scorer Schroder is - he averaged 18.9 points per game with the Thunder last season - but his 38.5% 3-point shooting was a career-high and likely unsustainable. Schroder will have the ball in his hands way less on the Lakers and while he will contribute as a scorer in a sixth-man role, it’s unclear whether that production is more valuable than Green’s size and defense. The lost opportunity cost of what the Lakers could have done with their assets this offseason also pushes their grade down a bit, but Schroder is 27 years old and becomes an important part of this team’s core moving forward.
Thunder grade: A
It’s incredibly difficult to find anything to complain about for OKC here. They’re compiling an absurd amount of future draft capital and they’re clearly not looking to win now. Whatever scoring they lose from Schroder’s departure can be picked up by other players and OKC is way more interested in draft assets than anything they could have gotten from their 27-year-old point guard. The Thunder originally gave up a first-round pick to get Schroder a couple of years ago and OKC ends up ahead of schedule with its draft assets now. Green also has potential long-term trade value - if he shoots well to start the season, there’s a strong chance he can be flipped again at the trade deadline to a contending team looking to add a 3-and-D wing.
