Latest trades, latest grades

By Owen Pannell | KZA Sports

Celtics- A

Receive - Anfernee Simons, 2 Future Seconds

This is a good trade for the Celtics. They get off Holiday’s contract and bring in talented young scorer in Anfernee Simons who definitely could be an All Star one day. With Tatum out all of next year, adding Simons will definitely help with the offense.

Trail Blazers- C

Receive - Jrue Holiday

I don’t understand this at all for Portland. They give up future assets and their best player for a guard, which they have a plethora of, who is way past his prime. They aren’t a win now team in the West (they honestly might be if they were in the East) so this is not a good move for the Blazers. They will likely be fighting for a play-in spot next season, and everyone knows that’s a terrible spot to be in. The only positive is they didn’t give any future firsts.

Pelicans- C+

Receive - Jordan Poole, Sadiq Bay, #40 pick (Micah Peavy)

I don’t really see this trade for the Pelicans, they give up a vet PG with only 1 year left on his contract for a worse player, who is a massive shot chucker. We will see if Poole actually contributes next season as the Pelicans will try to make the playoffs.

Wizards- A-

Receive - CJ McCollum, Kelly Olynyk, Future Second

I like this trade for Washington. They bring in a vet with an expiring deal who can definitely help mentor their young guards, and bring leadership to this young team. It’s not even crazy to say that this team could compete for a playoff spot next year.

Celtics- C

Receive - Georges Niang, Future Second

Getting basically nothing as a return for Kristaps hurts, but they really had no choice. He was a big time contributor to their championship run, so it is less bad since they got a ring out of him.

Hawks- A+

Receive - Kristaps Porzingis, Future Second

Bringing in Kristaps for this cheap is an amazing move for Atlanta. This certainly makes them contenders in the East, he is a perfect pairing with Trae, and they didn’t hurt their future from this. 

Nets- A+

Receive - Terance Mann, #22 pick (Drake Powell)

Barely giving up anything for the 22nd pick is an obvious A+, and Drake Powell has potential to be an elite defender eventually.

Bulls- B+

Receive - Isaac Okoro

Once again the Bulls did not get any draft capital, but it is still a solid trade. Okoro is a solid 3&D wing at only 24 years old, and Ball did not match their timeline.

Cavaliers- A

Receive - Lonzo Ball

With the potential of losing Garland, and it is almost certain they lose Jerome, this is a great addition for Cleveland. Lonzo will be a great backup PG if he can stay healthy, and they only gave up a low rotation wing.

Thunder- C-

Receive - Colby Jones (waived), 2029 Second

OKC needed a roster spot, but trading a SRP to get rid of Jones after spending 5 2nds last year hurts. He was never going to get a real shot on the Thunder though.

Wizards- A+

Receive - Dillon Jones, Future Second

Taking a flyer on a first round pick from last year while giving up next to nothing is always smart when you’re a team like the Wizards. Jones could develop into a solid bench guy if they play their cards right.

Jazz- F

Receive - Jusuf Nurkic

Utah really fumbled Sexton’s value. They couldn’t get anything of value in return, and even had to give up a pick to get rid of him. Absolute disaster.

Hornets- A+

Receive - Collin Sexton, Future Second

Trading an old, bad, center for a good, young bench scorer plus a pick is the definition of a steal. Perfect trade for Charlotte.

Nuggets- A+

Receive - Cam Johnson

This is an elite trade for Denver. Getting off that atrocious MPJ contract and adding a great 3&D player who is also a good playmaker and rebounder, while only having to throw in 1 first is insane. This definitely improves their team as they try and compete with OKC and the rest of the stacked West.

Nets- C+

Receive - Michael Porter Jr, 2032 First

Brooklyn should have gotten more for Johnson. The 2031 first should be valuable, but it is so far away and MPJ is not a good player to have on this team, especially when they have a ton of young players trying to get shots up and develop. The Nets did not capitalize on Cam’s value.

Kings- C-

Receive - Dario Saric

I don’t know how the Kings couldn’t get a single 2nd round pick out of Valanciunis, big mistake.

Nuggets- A+

Receive - Jonas Valanciunas

Denver keeps cooking this offseason, getting a free upgrade at their backup C position. Jonas will come in and instantly be one of the better backup bigs in the league, and all they gave up was their current backup. Huge win for the Nuggets

Bucks- C+

Receive - Vasilije Micic

They gave up multiple 2nds to get off the Pat Connaughton contract, I’m not sure I like the move because this also got their roster worse. I see why they did it, but I’m not the biggest fan.

Hornets- A+

Receive - Pat Connaughton, 2 Future Seconds

Love this for Charlotte, getting 2 seconds for Micic is a great move. Simple A+.

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