We just experienced one of the most hectic and mind-blowing NBA trade deadlines we've had in a long time! Every team in the NBA made a trade this week except the Wizards, Cavaliers and Bulls, that's a lot of names and picks moving around! In short we have stronger contenders, a new favourite to win the Championship and the Western Conference have regained their stronghold over the League! Let's get in the most notable moves!
Dallas Mavericks Trade For Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving demanded a trade from the Nets on February 3rd after contract extension disagreements between the All-Star and the Nets' front office. Three days later on February 6th Brooklyn granted Irving his wish and sent him to Dallas in a trade that saw the Mavericks acquire both Kyrie Irving and Markieff Morris, in return Brooklyn received Spencer Dinwiddie, Dorian Finney-Smith & draft compensation.
This gives Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic a superstar running mate in Kyrie Irving, previously Dallas made the conference finals with a backcourt of Luka and Jalen Brunson, Kyrie Irving is an upgrade from Brunson and a significant on at that! Trading for Irving also addresses the big issue Dallas had which was offensive output when Luka isn't on the floor.
Nets Grade: C
Mavericks Grade: B
Kevin Durant Joins CP3, Devin Booker & Ayton In Phoenix!
In the aftermath of the Kyrie Irving trade the world believed the Nets were still in a great place to compete in the East, however Kevin Durant wasn't sold and worked alongside the Nets to get him in Arizona with the Suns. Brooklyn traded Kevin Durant and T.J Warren to Phoenix for Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, four 1st-round picks & a 2028 pick swap.
Durant joins a core in Phoenix that made a NBA Finals appearance not long ago. He grows their big three of Ayton, Booker and Paul to a big four! This makes KD's Suns the instant favourite on paper to make the Finals and win it all, especially with both Booker & Durant's ability to play off the ball. There is a question for their depth but this could be addressed in the buyout market.
Nets Grade: A
Suns Grade: A
Lakers send Westbrook For D'Angelo Russell Reunion In Three Team Trade!
After LeBron James expressed his frustrations towards the Lakers for not being able to land Kyrie Irving, the writing was on the wall for Westbrook to be moved. Shortly after LeBron breaks the NBA scoring record, LA get involved in a three team, eight player trade with the Timberwolves and Jazz. Russell Westbrook was traded to Utah alongside Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones and 2027 & a 1st-round pick. Mike Conley landed in Minnesota with Nickeil Alexander-Walker, 2024 and 2 second-round picks plus a pick swap. D'Angelo Russell was traded back to the Lakers plus Malik Beasley and Jarred Vanderbilt.
D'Angelo Russell fixes a lot of issues the Lakers have had all season, he gives them a floor spacer, something they desperately needed from the guard spot. Previously dealing with a backcourt of Beverly and Westbrook there wasn't much spacing for their star duo of Davis and James. D'Angelo helps ease that ailment in the Lakers offense and the addition of both Beasley plus Vanderbilt gives LA much needed depth.
The Timberwolves needed more of a pure point guard to help make Rudy Gobert more effective via the pick and roll, Conley is an ideal fit as he has previously had success at this with Gobert in Utah before he was traded. Russell Westbrook is most likely to be in the buyout market and trading away Beasley and Vanderbilt help Utah enter the Wembanyama sweepstakes.
Lakers Grade: B
Jazz Grade: C
Timberwolves Grade: C
Clippers, Grizzlies and Rockets exchange role players in three team deal!
The Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies added some shooting to their backcourt with the help of the Rockets in a strange trade that saw Luke Kennard get sent to Memphis, Danny Green and John Wall traded to Houston and Eric Gordon sent to LA with 3 second-round picks.
John Wall is likely to be bought out after being traded back to Houston, Danny Green could also be bought out too. Luke Kennard is a great pickup by Memphis, gives them some much needed depth. The Rockets, who are in a rebuild get out of the Eric Gordon contract & the rights to Bucks’ pick with Clippers in 2023. It seems like all parties ended up happy with the outcome of these moves.
Clippers Grade: C
Rockets Grade: B
Memphis Grade: B
Denver Nuggets Say Goodbye To Hyland!
Denver Nuggets send their young spark plug Bones Hyland to the Clippers for two second-round picks. This is a huge win for the Clippers who could potentially mould Hyland into an elite sixth man. Having history with two legendary sixth men in Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams, Bones Hyland could take strides to become as lethal for the PG/Kawhi Clippers.
Nuggets Grade: D
Clippers Grade: B
Warriors Trade For Gary Payton II After Letting Wiseman & Picks Go!
The Warriors initially sent James Wiseman to the Pistons in a three team trade that saw Saddiq Bey land in Atlanta, Kevin Knox and 5 second-round picks end up in Oakland. After the surprise trade, Golden State sent Kevin Knox and five second-round picks to Portland to gain back their former defensive dynamo Gary Payton II.
Warriors Grade: C
Trailblazers Grade: C
Pistons Grade: C
Hawks Grade: B
Other Trades
Josh Hart traded to New York for Cam Reddish and a future first-round pick.
Celtics receive Mike Mascula for two second-round picks and forward Justin Jackson.
Thomas Bryant traded to Denver for Davon Reed & 3 future second-round picks.
Matisse Thybulle lands in Portland in three-team trade.
Mo Bamba is traded to the Lakers for Pat Bev.
Darius Bazley traded to suns for Dario Saric & second-round pick.
Garrison Mathews & Bruno Fernando traded to Atlanta while Rockets receive Frank Kaminsky and Justin Holiday.
Pelicans trade for Josh Richardson and send Devonte' Graham & 4 future second-round picks to San Antonio