The last day to be able to trade in the NBA was February 18 and trades were made on the last day. There weren’t any blockbuster trades that will shake up the league but enough to change the league in a few years.
“I hope that this years trade will actually shake up the league and create a huge upset,” sophomore, Ryan Kuchii said.
Tobias Harris who was the Orlando Magics starting small forward was traded to the Detroit Pistons for Brandon Jennings and Ersan Ilyasova. This will help Detroit with their front court situation. With the addition of a solid small forward/power forward Detroit is looking for a playoff push. With this move the Magics are are looking to clear up cap space and look towards the future as they are out of the playoffs.
Courtney Lee was a starter of the Memphis Grizzlies and he was sent to the Charlotte Hornets. The Memphis Grizzlies got P.J. Hairston, and Chris Andersen from the Miami Heat. The Charlotte Hornets received four second draft picks 2017, 2018, and two in 2019.
Donatas Motiejunas and Marcus Thornton of the Houston Rockets were shipped over to the Detroit Pistons while the Houston Rockets got Joel Anthony and a first round pick in the 2016 draft. It’s not like Motiejunas will make a huge improvement for the Pistons as he is coming off a back surgery, however Thornton will be a good veteran shooter that will help spark up the bench.
Channing Frye of the Orlando Magic was sent to the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Cavaliers received a future second round pick from Portland. The Trail Blazers recieved Anderson Varejao and a future first round pick from Portland. The Magic received q second-round pick in the 2020 draft from Cleveland and Jared Cunningham. This trade helps out the Cavaliers by trading in Varejao for a 6’11 veteran shooter Frye.
Randy Foye of the Denver Nuggets was sent to the Oklahoma City Thunders. The Thunders received D.J. Augustin, Steve Novak, two second-round draft picks, and cash considerations. This trade works out well for both teams as Foye will be able to add depth to the Thunders at the number two position and the Thunders save some cap space as well to sign other promising free agents.
Markieff Morris of the Phonex Suns was sent over to the Washington Wizards and DeJuan Blair, Kris Humphries, and a first-round pick in the 2016 draft were given to the Phonex Suns. This trade works out for the Wizards because Morris was having troubles with the Phonex administrative staff and was causing problems for them. Blair and Humphries couldn’t keep up with the fast paced tempo of the Wizards offense and a change may help their potential.
Jeff Green of the Memphis Grizzlies was sent over to the Los Angeles Clippers and the Memphis Grizzlies got Lance Stephenson and a future first round pick. This works out well for both teams because Stephenson didn’t quite fit in well with the Clippers. The Clippers will make great use of Jeff Green whose been averaging 12.2 points and 4.5 rebounds in just under 30 minutes per game.
A three-team deal between the Hawks, Jazz and Bulls: the Jazz got Shelvin Mack from Atlanta, the Bulls received third-year guard Justin Holiday (from Atlanta) and a second-round draft pick from Utah, and the Hawks landed veteran point guard Kirk Hinrich from Chicago.
“What we gave away Kirk. Are you serious! The Bulls have traded away a player who has given up his body and soul to the Chicago Bulls and always gives his all each and every game he’s played in. The Bulls messed up big time. You’ll be missed Captain Kirk,” senior, Ethan Lee said.
Will these lineup changes effect the NBA? We’ll soon find out.
