Post by Kevin O'Connor on Mar 29, 2021 15:15:45 GMT -5
The trade deadline in the NBA was blockbuster after blockbuster, keeping the fans enthralled right up until the clock struck 3 pm est. Now that the real deadline has passed there's only one more thing to look forward too: BBall 26's trade deadline! This is the week that makes or breaks seasons and lights fires for rebuilding campaigns. The deadline might be a few days away, but we've already been graced by some crazy deals that could have major playoff implications. It's only right then that Kevin O'Conner returns to give his highly valued opinion on each of these deals.
1. Clippers Raptors Trade
Toronto Trades:
Gordon Hayward (17.76, 17.76)
Doug McDermott (3 mil)
Clippers Trade:
DeAndre Jordan 21.36 - (2 mil coming in this year covered by someone), 21.36 for 2021-2022
Lonnie Walker (2.89, 4.45, RFA)
LAC 2021 1st round pick
GSW 2021 1st round pick
The Raptors were forced to be sellers at the deadline due to injuries and real-life trades that left them middle of the pack in an extremely competitive eastern conference. Gordon Hayward was one of the more coveted trade targets and one of the Raptor's best assets, so him moving around the deadline didn't come as too much of a surprise. On face value, Gordon is 31 years old with the best basketball of his career probably behind him. Lamelo Ball is primed to take on the main scoring role for the Hornets sooner rather than later. In the present moment though, Hayward is a consistent 30 a game scorer who will likely produce even more with Ball's unfortunate injury.
The Clippers were also somewhat forced into this move with an injury to their star big man Mitchell Robinson, though it seems like they made off quite well. Giving up 2 late first rounders and Lonnie Walker, who probably will never be a great scorer in this league, seems like chump change for a great contributor like Hayward, and this gives the Clippers a genuine chance to compete for the championship. On the flip side though, the Raptors were going into the offseason with no first round picks in a loaded 2021 draft class and this trade gives them 2 shots at getting late round steals and jumpstarting their rebuild. If Gordon Hayward regresses next season, the Clippers could have a bad contract on their hands.
Clippers: A-
Clippers sure know how to flip first rounders. Snagging Mcdermott on top of Hayward gets the Clippers almost 50 fantasy points a game on their championship run even if they do strike out a bit in the future. Only an A- because both the acquisitions were white guys.
Raptors: C+
Taking on that massive Deandre Jordan contract hurts the most here and on paper the deal doesn't look amazing for the Raptors. But at the end of the day 2 firsts and a 22 year old young player with potential is not a terrible haul for an aging Hayward. At least the Raptors can say they got 2 late firsts for their 30 point scorer, unlike the Spurs who decided to trade a 28-32 point a game scorer for just a bottom 5 first round pick, but alas that's a topic for another day.
1. Clippers Raptors Trade
Toronto Trades:
Gordon Hayward (17.76, 17.76)
Doug McDermott (3 mil)
Clippers Trade:
DeAndre Jordan 21.36 - (2 mil coming in this year covered by someone), 21.36 for 2021-2022
Lonnie Walker (2.89, 4.45, RFA)
LAC 2021 1st round pick
GSW 2021 1st round pick
The Raptors were forced to be sellers at the deadline due to injuries and real-life trades that left them middle of the pack in an extremely competitive eastern conference. Gordon Hayward was one of the more coveted trade targets and one of the Raptor's best assets, so him moving around the deadline didn't come as too much of a surprise. On face value, Gordon is 31 years old with the best basketball of his career probably behind him. Lamelo Ball is primed to take on the main scoring role for the Hornets sooner rather than later. In the present moment though, Hayward is a consistent 30 a game scorer who will likely produce even more with Ball's unfortunate injury.
The Clippers were also somewhat forced into this move with an injury to their star big man Mitchell Robinson, though it seems like they made off quite well. Giving up 2 late first rounders and Lonnie Walker, who probably will never be a great scorer in this league, seems like chump change for a great contributor like Hayward, and this gives the Clippers a genuine chance to compete for the championship. On the flip side though, the Raptors were going into the offseason with no first round picks in a loaded 2021 draft class and this trade gives them 2 shots at getting late round steals and jumpstarting their rebuild. If Gordon Hayward regresses next season, the Clippers could have a bad contract on their hands.
Clippers: A-
Clippers sure know how to flip first rounders. Snagging Mcdermott on top of Hayward gets the Clippers almost 50 fantasy points a game on their championship run even if they do strike out a bit in the future. Only an A- because both the acquisitions were white guys.
Raptors: C+
Taking on that massive Deandre Jordan contract hurts the most here and on paper the deal doesn't look amazing for the Raptors. But at the end of the day 2 firsts and a 22 year old young player with potential is not a terrible haul for an aging Hayward. At least the Raptors can say they got 2 late firsts for their 30 point scorer, unlike the Spurs who decided to trade a 28-32 point a game scorer for just a bottom 5 first round pick, but alas that's a topic for another day.