The NBA Trade Deadline is a flurry of excitement and activity every year. Speculation and rumors swirling, smokescreens pumped out en masse, and at least a couple of trades coming out of nowhere to mix in with those we predicted weeks and months in advance.
The 2022 NBA Trade Deadline has passed, and it was a fascinating flurry of activity. What grade did each of the league’s 30 teams earn?
Yet, there was something unique about this year. Trades started early and continued blowing our minds right up until the deadline. Two Eastern Conference contenders in the same division, and with just 101 miles between their arenas, swapped All-Star players on max contracts.
Another former All-Star on a max deal was traded for two negative-value contracts. The Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks… somehow did nothing. And on and on.
How did each team do? Let’s evaluate what each team did at and around the deadline to advance towards its franchise goals. We’ll take into account the deals they did make and the deals they didn’t. What grade belongs with each team?
We’ll group the 30 teams in the league to talk about them, and then for our last slide provide all of the grades from best to worst.