NBA Trades 2017: Post-Deadline Roundup and Twitter Reaction
While the real fireworks happened in the days leading up to Thursday's deadline, the flurry of rumors and speculation resulted in a few big deals before the 3 p.m. ET cutoff.
OK, maybe not big. More like medium. But still.
The Philadelphia 76ers resolved their center logjam, the Toronto Raptors continued fortifying their roster for a playoff push, and the Oklahoma City Thunder added toughness and shooting help for Russell Westbrook. Then...a few other things happened.
To be clear: We won't cover DeMarcus Cousins, Bojan Bogdanovic, Lou Williams, et al. Nor will this be an in memoriam for all the rumors that died in this year's trade winds. Goodbye Paul George, Jimmy Butler, every Boston Celtic; we'll see you all this summer.
Here is a look at every deal that actually went down Thursday, along with some of the best in-the-moment reactions. (Read: Memes and GIFs. Duh.)
Nerlens Noel Goes to Dallas
Mavericks Receive: Nerlens Noel
76ers Receive: Justin Anderson, Andrew Bogut and a protected first-round pick
For years, Sam Hinkie took criticism for spending his trade deadlines flipping players for future assets. New Sixers general manager Bryan Colangelo took a page out of Hinkie's book with arguably much worse results Thursday, sending Nerlens Noel to the Dallas Mavericks for Justin Anderson, Andrew Bogut and a top-18 protected first-round pick.
On the surface, that deal looks underwhelming. Noel is a promising young defensive center who has shown promise as a rim-runner, though he remains raw offensively. Anderson is at best a rotation wing player, Bogut's little more than contract filler, and that aforementioned first-round pick isn't as it seems.
ESPN's Zach Lowe reported the pick converts to a pair of second-round selections if it falls outside the top 18 in 2017. The Mavericks are 22-34 and will have to make a real run down the stretch for Philly to have any chance at getting the pick.
Twitter, understandably, was confused:
Joel Embiid, however, continues to Trust the Process:
Suns Send P.J. Tucker to Toronto
Raptors Receive: P.J. Tucker
Suns Receive: Jared Sullinger, two future second-round picks
The Raptors seized on the Cleveland Cavaliers' seeming vulnerability by trading for Serge Ibaka earlier this month, and they continued adding pieces Thursday, acquiring P.J. Tucker from the Suns. Tucker is a swing forward who can play the 3 and 4, and provide solid defense and the occasional shot from three-point range.
Toronto will likely use him similarly to DeMarre Carroll, and he'll slot in as a natural wing backup. The cost isn't especially prohibitive even in a deep draft. Second-round picks can be bought in most years, so the Raps could reacquire what they're losing here if they wanted to.
Sullinger is a potential buyout candidate whom the Suns picked up to help them reach the salary floor.
Reaction on the deal mostly centered on Toronto's end:
Bulls Send McDermott, Gibson to Oklahoma City
Thunder Receive: Doug McDermott, Taj Gibson, 2018 second-round pick
Bulls Receive: Cameron Payne, Anthony Morrow, Joffrey Lauvergne
The Bulls moved longtime veteran leader Taj Gibson and their best shooter, Doug McDermott, to Oklahoma City in a trade that left some scratching their heads. In exchange, Chicago got yet another ball-handler in Cameron Payne, a bench shooter in Anthony Morrow and center Joffrey Lauvergne.
There's not much to say here other than the Thunder made an obvious upgrade, while the Bulls continued their series of confounding moves that date back more than a year. Oklahoma City is one of the NBA's worst three-point shooting teams, and McDermott has developed into a solid bench piece. Gibson isn't the defender he was a few years ago, but he's played well this season and is a respected voice.
The Twitter chorus was near-unanimous in OKC's favor:
"The Thunder are 2nd to last in 3pt% and just added McDermott at 37.6%. The Bulls are last, sent McDermott and got Payne shooting 30.8%
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) February 23, 2017"
"The Thunder will now somehow find a draft pick, draft a good backup PG, then flip him for great return in 3 years
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) February 23, 2017"
"The Thunder will now somehow find a draft pick, draft a good backup PG, then flip him for great return in 3 years
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) February 23, 2017"
On a less happy note:
The Others
This will come as a shock: There's not much hoopla when fringe rotation players get shuffled around for cash, so we're going to quickly move through the remaining deals.
The Suns continued their climb to the salary floor by adding Mike Scott from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for cash considerations. The Ringer's Bill Simmons was teeming with excitement:
Dan Wolken of USA Today remembered Scott's one shining moment in Atlanta fondly:
Also traded into relative nothingness was Roy Hibbert, whose career in Milwaukee consisted of seven games watched from the bench. He will go to the Denver Nuggets for a protected second-round pick, which will in all likelihood dissolve into no compensation.
Woody Paige of The Gazette put things into proper perspective:
The Houston Rockets were also involved in two money-clearing moves, sending K.J. McDaniel to the Brooklyn Nets and Tyler Ennis to the Los Angeles Lakers. They'll receive a heavily protected second-rounder to send McDaniel into Brooklyn's cap space. Marcelo Huertas will come over from the Lakers but will be waived.
The takeaway: Expect the Rockets to be attached to every major player who receives a buyout:
Overall, it was a bit of a snoozefest. Most of Basketball Twitter came away feeling underwhelmed. The memes, emoji tracking and social media stalking all wound up feeling like it was a waste of time. Perhaps we all should have been spending more time forging relationships, telling our families we love them and working to solve the problems of the world.
JK, see you all next year.
Trade information via SB Nation deadline tracker.
