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NBA Trade Deadline: Grading all 30 teams on their trades

By Josh Cornelissen

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) /
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NBA Trade Deadline
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 06: Norman Powell #24 of the Los Angeles Clippers dribbles the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks in the fourth quarter at Crypto.com Arena on February 06, 2022 in Los Angeles, California, 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 Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

NBA Trade Deadline Grades: Chasing West Play-in

LA Clippers

Just a week or so ago, it looked like the LA Clippers might be preparing to sell off some veterans and sink a little more towards the bottom of the standings, especially with the news that Kawhi Leonard was not expected back this season and that Paul George was an unknown.

Instead, they beat the Los Angeles Lakers on national television and then executed an expensive trade, flipping salary and whatever assets for Norman Powell and Robert Covington. They used the deadline this season to set up for the deepest possible team next season, no matter the cost.

Then they got even more clever, finding Serge Ibaka not a place to be salary-dumped, but a team that actually wanted and valued him in Milwaukee. Thus, they reduced their tax bill significantly, completely canceling out the added cost of the Powell/Covington deal.

Using exactly one draft pick (a second) and a project prospect, they got significantly deeper on the wing and less expensive. It was a pair of masterful moves by a team looking three steps ahead.

Grade: A-

Sacramento Kings

Here is a phrase that will shake you to your core – the Sacramento Kings won a trade. They did! They somehow turned Marvin Bagley III, a bust of a pick outside their rotation and likely to leave this offseason, into a young guard in Donte DiVincenzo who still boasts reasonable upside to be a long-term starter.

Their other trade wasn’t quite so positive, as they moved phenom sophomore guard Tyrese Haliburton as the central piece in a package for Domantas Sabonis. Say what you will about the folly of a bad team flipping a young stud for an older one, but Sabonis is immediately the best player the Kings have had since Cousins left. He had an excellent debut for the team and will help them win some games, which is the lowered bar that this team is just trying to clear.

Grade: B-

New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans had a truly abysmal start to the season, but since have been a .500 team behind a strong year from Brandon Ingram and the emergence of rookie forward Herb Jones.

They decided not to accept another losing year but instead cashed in some assets for a player who would help them win games. CJ McCollum is overpaid and aging but he is also a talented outside creator at the guard position and immediately gives this team offensive zest they did not have.

Giving up Josh Hart is a tough blow, as is giving up multiple draft picks for a player in McCollum whose contract is not going to age well. The Pelicans need Zion Williamson back to do much of anything, and once he is back, playing McCollum, Williamson, and Ingram together is likely a recipe for a porous defense. Not having Hart around to help shore that up may be a painful pill to swallow down the line.

Grade: C