2022 NBA Trade Deadline
The 2022 NBA trade deadline has now come and gone; this trade deadline, we saw a combination of blockbuster deals, surprising deals that came out of no where, and roster maneuvering to free up cap space.
There is plenty to discuss from this year’s deadline; so here is a recap of the trades that went down, as well as the winners and losers of each trade:
Lakers trade Rajon Rando to Cavs (Jan. 3)
Cavaliers get: Rajon Rondo
Lakers get: Draft rights to Louis Labeyrie
Winner: Cavaliers
Grade: D
As we know. Rondo is getting near the end of his career, however his passing skills are still decent.
Jazz trade Oni to Thunder (Jan. 4)
Thunder get: Miye Oni & Future 2nd-round pick
Jazz get: Cash considerations
Winner: Jazz
Grade: D+
Oni, now in his 3rd year, hasn’t done much for the Jazz, so getting rid of him is considered a win.
Hawks trade Reddish to Knicks (Jan. 13)
Hawks get: Kevin Knox II & Protected 1st-round pick
Knicks get: Cam Reddish, Solomon Hill, & 2025 2nd-round pick
Winner: Hawks
Grade: B-
The Hawks won this deal because they acquired a protected 1st round-pick for a few players who haven’t panned out as well as they projected.
Bryn Forbes to Nuggets in a 3-team deal (Jan. 19)
Nuggets get: Bryn Forbes
Celtics get: Bol Bol & P.J. Dozier
Spurs get: Juancho Hernangomez, Future 2nd-round pick, & Cash considerations
Winner: Nuggets
Grade: B
In this deal, the Nuggets didn’t have to give up much to acquire Forbes. Forbes will be a good role player off the bench and his defense is very good.
Blazers trade Powell, Covington to Clippers (Feb. 4)
Clippers get: Norman Powell & Robert Covington
Blazers get: Eric Bledsoe, Justise Winslow, Keon Johnson, & 2025 2nd-round pick (via Detroit)
Winner: Clippers
Grade: A-
In this deal the Clippers got rid of a sizeable Bledsoe contract, they also acquired two good role players in Powell and Covington.
Cavs acquire LeVert from Pacers (Feb. 7)
Cavaliers get: Caris LeVert & 2022 2nd-round pick (via Miami)
Pacers get: Ricky Rubio, 2022 1st-round pick (lottery protected), 2022 2nd-round pick (via Houston), & 2022 2nd-round pick (via Utah)
Winner: Both
Grade: B+
In this trade the Cavs will be getting a much needed player for their playoff push. For the Pacers they will be getting a collection of draft picks.
Blazers send McCollum to Pelicans (Feb. 8)
Pelicans get: C.J. McColllum, Larry Nance Jr., & Tony Snell
Blazers get: Josh Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Tomas Satoransky, Didi Louzada, 2022 1st-round pick (protected), 2026 2nd-round pick, & 2027 2nd-round pick
Winner: Blazers
Grade: B
In this trade the Blazers freed up some money by sending McCollum to the Pelicans, they also acquired a solid bucket getter in Josh Hart, and depending on what happens with the 1st round-pick they got, it could turn out to be even better.
Kings get Sabonis from Pacers (Feb. 8)
Pacers get: Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, & Tristan Thompson
Kings get: Domantas Sabonis, Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb, & 2023 2nd-round pick
Winner: Pacers
Grade: A-
In this trade the Pacers were able to get rid of some pretty big contracts which will help them in the near future. They also acquired a pretty good guard in Hield.
Thunder add Okpala in Heat trade (Feb. 9)
Heat get: 2026 2nd-round pick
Thunder get: KZ Okpala
Winner: Heat
Grade: C-
In this trade the Heat got rid of a player that didn’t end up panning out for them. They also didn’t take any big contracts in this trade, just a draft pick.
Alexander-Walker gets traded again in 3-team deal (Feb. 9)
Jazz get: Nickeil Alexander-Walker (via Portland) & Juancho Hernangomez (via San Antonio
Blazers get: Joe Ingles (via Utah), Elijah Hughes (via Utah), & 2nd-round pick (via Utah)
Spurs get: Tomas Satoransky (via Portland) & 2nd-round pick (via Utah)
Winner: Jazz
Grade: B+
In this trade the Jazz were able to get rid of some money, they also acquired a really good bench player who could help tremendously in their playoff push.
Magic make a trade for Bol & Dozier (Feb. 10)
Magic get: Bol Bol, PJ Dozier, future 2nd-round pick, & cash considerations
Celtics get: 2023 2nd-round pick
Winner: Magic
Grade: C+
In this trade the Magic were able to get a tall defender, a draft pick, and cash just for a future 2nd round-pick.
Raptors trade Dragic (Feb. 10)
Raptors get: Thaddeus Young, Drew Eubanks, & 2022 2nd-round pick
Spurs get: Goran Dragic & 2022 1st-round pick
Winner: Spurs
Grade: B-
In this trade the Spurs would acquire a 1st round-pick. They would then get rid of Dragic after acquiring him
Suns deal for Aaron Holiday (Feb. 10)
Suns get: Aaron Holiday
Wizards get: Cash considerations
Winner: Suns
Grade: C-
In this trade all the Suns are doing is adding some much needed bench depth.
Craig returns to Suns (Feb. 10)
Suns get: Torrey Craig & cash considerations
Pacers get: Jalen Smith & 2022 2nd-round pick
Winner: Pacers
Grade: C+
In this trade the Pacers were able to get rid of a veteran for a new young player who could be on the rise in Smith.
Hornets acquire Harrell from Wizards (Feb. 10)
Hornets get: Montrezl Harrell
Wizards get: Vernon Carey Jr., Ish Smith, & 2023 2nd-round pick (Boston’s pick via Charlotte)
Winner: Hornets
Grade: B+
In this trade the Hornets get their 6th man off the bench, this will for sure help them in the playoff push.
Bucks acquire Ibaka in 4-team trade (Feb. 10)
Bucks get: Serge Ibaka (via LA Clippers), 2nd-round pick (via Sacramento), 2nd-round pick (via Detroit), & cash considerations (via LA Clippers)
Clippers get: Rodney Hood (via Milwaukee), Semi Ojeleye (via Milwaukee), & Vanja Marinkovic (via Sacremento)
Kings get: Donte DiVincenzo (via Milwaukee), Josh Jackson (via Detroit), Trey Lyles (via Detroit), David Michineau (via LA Clippers), & 2nd-round pick (via Detroit)
Pistons get: Marvin Bagley III (via Sacramento)
Winner: Bucks
Grade: A-
This trade was a massive one, as the Bucks did give up some good talent, they did however acquire Ibaka and a couple of draft picks; Ibaka will make a big impact on this team in the playoffs.
Theis returns to Celtics (Feb. 10)
Celtics get: Daniel Theis
Rockets get: Dennis Schroder, Enes Freedom, & Bruno Fernando
Winner: Celtics
Grade: C
In this trade the Celtics got rid of a big contract in Schroder, they also reacquired a familiar face with Theis; his defense will definitely make an immediate impact.
Celtics acquire White from Spurs (Feb. 10)
Celtics get: Derrick White
Spurs get: Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford, 2022 1st-round pick, & 2028 1st-round pick swap
Winner: Celtics
Grade: B-
In this trade, in terms of playoff hopes is very good for the Celtics. White will provide good defense for the Celtics and hopefully can shut down the good guards.
Mavericks send Porzingis to Wizards (Feb. 10)
Mavericks get: Spencer Dinwiddie & Davis Bertans
Wizards get: Kristaps Porzingis & 2022 2nd-round pick
Winner: Mavericks
Grade: B+
In this trade, the Mavericks got rid of a big contract and injury prone player in Porzingis. Dinwiddie will make a quick impact in his starting role with Dallas.
Sixers land Harden in exchange for Simmons (Feb. 10)
76ers get: Paul Millsap & James Harden
Nets get: Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, Ben Simmons, 2022 1st-round pick, & 2027 1st-round pick
Winner: 76ers & Ben Simmons
Grade: A
After more than half the season, Simmons has finally received his wish, but the bigger question is if he will be ready for them. However, it was a big asking price as the 76ers were able to snag Harden from the Nets; Harden will play a pivotal role in trying to bring the 76ers a championship.
