Key Deals

Bucks-Suns-Sixers Trade

Bucks Receive: Michael Carter-Williams, Tyler Ennis and Miles Plumlee

Suns Receive: Brandon Knight

Sixers Receive: 2015 First Round Pick

This was arguably the biggest trade of the day. Last year’s Rookie of the Year Michael Carter-Williams traded to the Bucks in a three team blockbuster trade. The Bucks seem to be the winner of this trade. Michael Carter-Williams is a solid player who has the potential to be a star and putting his skill set in the hands of Jason Kidd, a similar player to MCW in his time. The sky seems to be the limit for the Syracuse product. Adding Tyler Ennis and Miles Plumlee gives the Bucks another talented, yet raw, guard in Ennis and big man depth in Plumlee, which is especially important after parting ways with Larry Sanders. For the Suns this trade makes sense, especially when taken into consideration the other trades they have made. Brandon Knight is having the best season of his career and a back court of him and Eric Bledsoe is definitely one that has the potential to be dangerous. For the 76ers, the trade is a head scratcher, but this seems to fit the ‘6ers’ plan, which appears to be to acquire as many draft picks as possible and hope to eventually find the franchise player they so desperately need.

Heat- Suns- Pelicans Three-Way Deal

Heat Receive: Goran Dragic and Zoran Dragic

Suns Receive: Danny Granger, John Salmons and 2 first round picks from Miami

Pelicans Receive: Norris Cole, Justin Hamilton and Shawne Williams

This is a good trade for the Miami Heat as they upgraded their point guard position and now have a very formidable backcourt with Goran Dragic and Dwyane Wade. For the Phoenix Suns the trade is an interesting one. Granger and Salmons are not key players but the two draft picks from Miami could prove valuable because both of Miami’s stars are on the wrong side of 30. The Pelicans got a formidable backup point guard in Norris Cole who is a young player who has proven his value in several NBA Championships.

Thunder- Pistons- Jazz Deal

Thunder Receive: Enes Kanter, Steve Novak, Kyle Singler and D.J. Augustin

Jazz Receive: Grant Jerrett, Kendrick Perkins, Draft rights to Tibor Pleiss and future first and second round picks

Pistons Receive: Reggie Jackson

This trade was the biggest splash of the day. The Pistons got a solid young point guard in Reggie Jackson who continues to develop and grow as a player. In my view, the winner of this trade is the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder upgraded at center, a position that needed upgrading and added two sharpshooters in Steve Novak and Kyle Singler, and replaced Reggie Jackson with D.J. Augustin. This trade puts the Thunder in a good position to make a playoff run.

Trail Blazers- Nuggets Trade

Trail Blazers Receive: Arron Afflalo and Alonzo Gee

Nuggets Receive: Will Barton, Victor Claver, Thomas Robinson and a first round draft pick (lottery protected)

This is a very good trade for the Trail Blazers who are gearing up for a playoff run. Aaron Afflalo will give them a veteran presence off the bench who can give them a spark of quick scoring. The Nuggets’ side of the deal is not great, they have already waived Thomas Robinson and Victor Claver. They are however, optimistic about Will Barton’s potential in the league.

Nets- Timberwolves Trade

Nets Receive: Thad Young

Timberwolves Receive: Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett heads back to Minnesota where he started his career, leaving the Brooklyn Nets’ playoff chase. Garnett will likely finish this season, retire and buy into the T-Wolves’ ownership. For the Nets, the deal is coup. Thad Young is a solid player who is entering his prime and is a definite upgrade from Kevin Garnett. The Nets lucked out that the Timberwolves were willing to overpay to bring The Big Ticket back to Minnesota.