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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: Grading all 30 teams on their trades
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 13: Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the Dallas Mavericks brings the ball up court against the Charlotte Hornets during their game at Spectrum Center on October 13, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina, 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 Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

NBA Trade Deadline Grades: The Zinger

Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks traded for Kristaps Porzingis some years ago, hoping he would be the second star to pair with Luka Doncic. But a combination of injuries, poor deployment, and a poor fit have seemingly proven to the Mavs that the two will never win together at a high level.

Given how close Dallas came each of the past two postseasons to beating the LA Clippers, it seems like that conclusion may not be true, but it was firm enough for the Mavs to act on.

Porzingis is now with the Washington Wizards, sent with a second-round pick in exchange for Davis Bertans and Spencer Dinwiddie. Those two make just as much money as Porzingis, but the money being split into two contracts afford the Mavericks more flexibility moving forward.

Dinwiddie could end up being the starting point guard for the Mavs moving forward, but he has proven this year that he is not at his best when playing off a ball-dominant star. Bertans has been a downright bad player since inking his lucrative contract.

Dallas made a move simply to get rid of Porzingis – a move they may come to regret if this configuration doesn’t get off the ground and they don’t find their way to a replacement “star” to pair with Doncic. In the immediate term, they drop from the realm of “super-fringe contenders” to “first-round exit.”

Grade: D

Washington Wizards

The biggest move for the Wizards was turning Dinwiddie and Bertans into Kristaps Porzingis. Regardless of if he plays again this season, his combination of rim protection and perimeter shooting makes him an excellent fit with almost any other star player, which bodes well for enticing Bradley Beal to stay. That is, of course, provided Porzingis can get healthy from his latest lower-body malady. It was a low-cost swing at a high-upside player.

By adding a big and losing a point guard, the Wizards produced a roster imbalance they corrected by making another trade with the Charlotte Hornets. They sent productive backup big man Montrezl Harrell to the Hornets in exchange for Ish Smith, Vernon Carey Jr., and a second-round pick.

With a packed center rotation and the need for another point guard, this deal made sense, although it wasn’t some sort of home run. Finally, they continued the point guard dance by sending Aaron Holiday to the Phoenix Suns for cash.

Grade: B