With the NBA trade deadline over and done with, the
BasketballNews.com staff wants to share our thoughts on the moves
that went down. Since Nekias Duncan thoroughly graded each and every trade from the
past week, we wanted the rest of our team to react to the
results of the ever-so-eventful week.
Our writers have discussed their winners and losers of the trade deadline.
Now, in our latest Roundtable, we asked our writers the following
question:
Which under-the-radar
move from the NBA trade deadline is your
favorite?
Alex Kennedy: Leading up to the trade
deadline, I was really hoping that the Detroit Pistons would
acquire Marvin Bagley III from the Sacramento Kings, because he
seemed like the perfect buy-low addition for them. Bagley fits with
Detroit's young core and this is the kind of low-risk, high-reward
trade that I love. Bagley needed a change of scenery, and the
Pistons only had to give up Josh Jackson, Trey Lyles and two future
second-round picks to take a flier on the No. 2 overall pick in the
2018 NBA Draft.
Spencer Davies: It feels like Serge Ibaka to
the Milwaukee Bucks could really pan out if the big man finds the
footing he had last season prior to that untimely back injury. He’s
knocking down 38.7% of his triples, so he’ll be able to stretch the
floor. Defensively, he doesn’t have quite the same lift as he did
before, but he’s a big body to get through on the interior. We
should all remember that Ibaka is somehow still only 32 years old.
Let’s just hope he stays on the floor this time around and gets to
play in the postseason. I’m also a huge fan of what the Detroit
Pistons did to snatch-up Marvin Bagley III. It wasn’t that long ago
that the young forward was making waves across the prospect world.
It seemed he was stuck in purgatory in Sacramento, with no
organizational continuity and different head coach after different
head coach. Bagley is 22… Twenty-two. The Pistons acquired a
potential long-term fit for free, essentially, next to Cade
Cunningham. Treat it like a free draft pick.
Ethan Fuller: While the Celtics were one of my
trade deadline winners, I do
also really like the Derrick White trade from the Spurs'
perspective. White was a questionable fit on the timeline of a San
Antonio team loaded with young guards. The Spurs received a
first-round pick this summer for the rebuild and a first-round swap
for 2028, which is always a good gamble. Romeo Langford is another
interesting flier for them to take. Add in the first-round pick
from Toronto in the Thad Young trade, and San Antonio has seriously
started a stockpile of potential young talent without giving up
major pieces.
Moke Hamilton: It’s hard to not be
thrilled with the Los Angeles Clippers finding a way to walk away
from the deadline with Norman Powell and Robert Covington. Assuming
Paul George and Kawhi Leonard eventually return to form, they’ll
have an excellent two-way supporting cast that will have them
considered among the NBA's favorites. As far as this season is
concerned, I like the Bucks’ acquisition of Serge Ibaka. Serge is
still trying to find himself after undergoing back surgery, but
he’s been showing signs lately. Bobby Portis has emerged as a
starting-caliber center and Serge will give Milwaukee a very
similar skill set coming off their bench. At this point, we don’t
know if Brook Lopez will be able to return to form, so Serge
provides insurance in that regard as well.
Bryan Fonseca: Thaddeus Young to the Raptors.
It'll be fun to watch him play regularly again, and he fits right
into what Toronto does. They'll be even scrappier, somehow, and
could win a playoff series against the right team.
Evan Sidery: Phoenix reuniting with Torrey Craig was
an underrated move on Thursday. Trading Jalen Smith, an unproven
lottery pick who didn't pan out, plus their 2022 second-round pick
to Indiana for Craig helps fill an immediate concern. The Suns will
rely upon Craig’s versatility as they try to go on another deep
playoff run. JaVale McGee and Craig will bring havoc in the Suns'
second unit, but another dimension is more small-ball
possibilities. The Suns' second unit looks incredible on paper:
Cameron Payne, Landry Shamet, Cameron Johnson, Torrey Craig and
JaVale McGee. Phoenix can be so multiple now with their lineups —
always a plus for a championship-chasing team.
Mat Issa: I think the Raptors came away like
bandits snagging Thad Young for virtually nothing. He’s always had
a really additive and versatile skill set that has allowed him to
morph himself into whatever role the team he plays on needs (energy
guy, post scorer, playmaking hub, etc.) In Toronto, he’ll provide
some much-needed playmaking (he’s probably already one of the five
best passers on the roster) and add some more size to the mix.
Mark Schindler: I loved the Pistons adding
Marvin Bagley III. They've truly lacked a real vertical threat
around the rim on offense, and he adds that dynamic alongside Cade
Cunnigham. He's made subtle improvements in his game this season —
a change of environment could really be a boon for his further
development.
Justin Lewis: Torrey Craig to Phoenix was nice.
I was personally hoping that Memphis would snag him. The Suns look
like the odds-on favorite to win it all, taking for granted the
team's health. Adding Craig and Aaron Holiday to the mix just adds
to their roster depth without messing with any of the
chemistry.
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