NBA Trade Deadline: Grading all 30 teams on their trades

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 09: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on February 09, 2021 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 09: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers dribbles the ball against the Sacramento Kings during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on February 09, 2021 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 12
Next
NBA Trade Deadline
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 15: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Spencer Dinwiddie #26 and Davis Bertans #42 of the Washington Wizards in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on October 15, 2021 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Wizards 115-113, NBA Trade Deadline: Grading all 30 teams on their trades NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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.