Grade the Trades: Evaluating the 5 most significant deals of the NBA Trade Deadline

Trade #2:

This was a great move for Philadelphia. They needed more shooting and firepower on the perimeter and Hield is as good as they come. Since entering the league in 2016, Hield is fourth amongst active players in threes made with over 1,800. He has been a marksman this season as well, shooting over 38 percent and he will fit in nicely with Tyrese Maxey in the absence of Joel Embiid. They basically traded two non-rotation pieces for an elite shooter.

At the time, this felt like a puzzling move for the Pacers. While Hield had been looking for a change of scenery for a long time now, Indy has been much improved this season. They are currently sixth in the Eastern Conference and are within striking distance of a top four seed. Trading away your best shooter for an older player in Morris and a non-factor in Korkmaz makes no sense. However…

Indy was able to flip Morris and one of the second rounders they acquired from Philly to the San Antonio Spurs for Doug McDermott. McDermott has been lights out from three-point range this season at 44 percent and will fit in nicely with this Pacers offense. The move itself was puzzling for the Pacers, but the final result was not as bad. 

This trade almost felt like a salary dump for the Pacers and their so-called trash turned out to be Philly’s treasure. The Sixers addressed a big need and Hield also gives them another player that can help the team stay afloat in the absence of Embiid. As for Indy, trading Hield was confusing, but they were able to acquire another veteran shooter in the end. 

Sixers grade: A-

Pacers grade: B+