Hoops Habit
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
11 of 12
Next
NBA Trade Deadline
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – FEBRUARY 10: Jerami Grant #9 of the Detroit Pistons tries to drive around Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half at Little Caesars Arena on February 10, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan, 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

NBA Trade Deadline Grades: Bottom of the Standings

Detroit Pistons

The Detroit Pistons seem like they are still multiple years away from building their young core into something meaningful, and with the Kings seemingly pulling Harrison Barnes from the market, the Pistons boasted the one true difference-making combo forward out there.

Instead of accepting the best offer, the Pistons held off, perhaps saving a Jerami Grant deal for the offseason. Surely his value is at its highest now, when a team trading for him would get 1.5 seasons out of him (and two playoff runs), rather than just one.

The one move Detroit did make was trading two fringe players and two second-round picks for Marvin Bagley III. It’s a complete head-scratcher; Bagley hasn’t been good, and even if the Pistons want to roll the dice on a reclamation project, they could have easily waited until this summer and signed him to whatever deal they wanted.

Grade: D+

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets were in the midst of a number of trade rumors, from Christian Wood to Eric Gordon and even John Wall. Somehow, the only deal they made was getting off of Daniel Theis’ contract, a contract that looked bizarre the moment he inked it in free agency this past summer. In return, they got three veterans they are unlikely to keep around, highlighted by Dennis Schroder.

Grade: B-

Orlando Magic

Another team with plenty of veterans that could have helped other teams, the Orlando Magic didn’t move any of them. Robin Lopez, Gary Harris, Terrence Ross – none of them were moved. In fact, the only trade the Magic made was taking on two minor salaries for injured players to clear Boston from the luxury tax.

Grade: C+

Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder have emerged from the trade deadline relatively unscathed, boasting only a single trade with Miami to adjust the conditions of a pick. The salary floor is still 20 million over the Thunder’s team salary, which means each player on the roster will be paid a portion of the remainder. Given how many teams are in the luxury tax, it’s incredible that no one other than the Heat used the Thunder to facilitate the move.

Grade: C-