With the NBA trade deadline now over, the NBA odds have been constantly changing as teams improve for this year while others decline to prepare for the future. Teams like the Nets have traded away stars like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving to teams that are preparing for a playoff run, while teams like the Timberwolves are acquiring draft picks to prepare for the future.
With new looks for teams, below is a list of the trades that have recently occurred and their respective grades as to what they gave up and what they received in return.
Kyrie Irving to Dallas Mavericks
Mavericks get: PG Kyrie Irving, PF/C Markieff Morris
Nets get: PG Spencer Dinwiddie, SF Dorian Finney-Smith, 2029 first-round pick, 2027 second-round pick, 2029 second-round pick
The Brooklyn Nets’ back and forth with Kyrie Irving has been going on for months following his trade request during the off-season to now his most recent trade request that the Nets granted. The trade moved Irving to the Western Conference to join Luka Donic on the Dallas Mavericks as they gear up for a playoff run.
Time will tell if his off-court distractions continue with the Mavericks, but another concern from fans is Irving’s injury history. With his contract up this summer, it will be interesting to see if his time with Dallas is short-term. Grade: B
For Brooklyn, they get Spencer Dinwiddie along with Dorian Finney-Smith, who has been a solid role player for the Mavericks for seven seasons. The draft picks are further out, and only time will tell if those were worth trading for, as the first one doesn’t come into play until 2027.
While they gained in losing a distraction like Kyrie Irving and getting something in return for someone they were not going to re-sign this summer, they may not have got enough for a strong playoff team. Grade: C
Timberwolves, Jazz, Lakers Three-Team Trade
Lakers receive: D’Angelo Russell, Malik Beasley, Jarred Vanderbilt
Timberwolves receive: Mike Conley, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, second-round picks in 2024, 2025 and 2026
Jazz receive: Russell Westbrook, Juan Toscano-Anderson, Damian Jones, Lakers 2027 first-round pick
The trade of Russell Westbrook has been months in the waiting as talks had been building since the offseason, and in return, they get two solid offensive players and one solid defender. The Lakers hope Russell’s second stint with the team will be more successful, but his lack of defense is cause for concern despite his strong offensive play.
While this trade dumps Westbrook, the return still just isn’t great enough to create a solid force built for the playoffs. Grade C+
Likely not going to attain Russell this summer, the Timberwolves decided to trade him along with Vanderbilt. In return, they get a veteran player in Mike Conley, who can help guide the rest of their young team.
They also receive a solid role player in Nickeil Alexander-Walker and multiple second-round picks, which will come in use in building their future. With Conley fitting great into their scheme and getting something for a player they weren’t going to re-sign, this is a solid trade for Minnesota. Grade B-
While the word has it, they may not even keep Westbrook, the Utah Jazz continue to shed players from their roster in order to build for the future. While the pick doesn’t come into play until 2027, the Utah Jazz have gained another first-round pick which makes it a total of 15 between now and 2029. While gaining a first-round pick is nice, the rest just isn’t enough to make this worth it. Grade C+
Timberwolves, Jazz, Lakers Three-Team Trade
Suns receive: Kevin Durant, T.J. Warren
Nets receive: Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Jae Crowder, 4 first-round picks, a 2028 pick swap
Like with Kyrie Irving, the Nets had been dealing with trade requests from Kevin Durant this offseason but could not find a deal for him. One of his preferred destinations was the Phoenix Suns, and his wish finally came true as of 1 A.M. February 9th.
He, along with T.J. Warren, heads to the West to join the likes of Chris Paul, Deandre Ayton, and Devin Booker. Now considered the best team in the west according to the latest odds, the Suns are prepared and built to last in the NBA playoffs. With a fully healthy roster, this team may be more than just the best team in the Western Conference. Grade A
After dealing with two-star players who did not want to be there anymore, the Brooklyn Nets received solid players in Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, and Jae Crowder (now traded to the Bucks for five second-round picks).
They also gain four first-round picks to help build on the future. Still considered in the playoffs with a 35-22 record, this team may soon find themselves falling slowly down the ladder as they no longer have their star power in both Kyrie and Durant. Grade C+
