Our three-part trade-deadline coverage concludes with the league’s bottom-ten squads. While play-in or lottery bound now, they too have decisions to make about their respective futures.
OTHER DEADLINE SECTIONS: Contenders | Playoff-Hopefuls
New Orleans Pelicans
Heading into the trade deadline, the Pelicans are both buyers and sellers. The team is desperate to get better while struggling to win at the same time. Following their shaky form, post all-star break, New Orleans is as close to Houston as they are to Dallas. The inconsistent form provides a glimmer of hope for the team trying to qualify for play-in games. Regardless they are buyers or sellers, the same names will reoccur in trade talks. Eric Bledsoe, Lonzo Ball and J.J. Redick.
From a team-construction perspective, Lonzo is a player New Orleans must keep. A perfect compliment to Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, Ball’s impressive shooting, passing and defense makes him a prototypical championship-level point guard. Bledsoe is much more likely to be traded, with the Clippers potentially being a destination, despite Marc Stein reporting their interest in Ball.
The Clippers, with a well-chronicled need for a playmaking upgrade, are exploring trade routes to acquiring New Orleans' Lonzo Ball before next Thursday's NBA trade deadline, league sources say.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) March 19, 2021
Similar to Ball, Redick will garner attention from many teams. His evolved two-man game with Zion and his lethal shooting make it extremely hard to move on from. As well, his excellent locker-room presence and mentorship are invaluable. The Pelicans will look to make a few moves before the deadline. A package like Luke Kennard, Terance Mann, and draft compensation could be enough for Bledsoe.
— Vance Abreu
Oklahoma City Thunder
Everyone in Oklahoma City knows that the Thunder are going to be active by the deadline. 32 picks (18 1sts, 14 2nds) in the next seven years doesn’t seem enough for GM Sam Presti, who wants to keep piling assets for OKC’s rebuilding plan. There are two names in the actual roster that will have to be followed carefully in the deadline: George Hill and Al Horford. Both vets have drawn interest around the league, and could really help a contender.
Hill’s case is easier than Horford’s due to their contract differences. Hill will probably be on another team after the deadline, but Horford’s trade could be more difficult. The Boston Celtics, for example, could use him and absorb his contract with their $28.5M traded-player exception, but it’s uncertain if they are going to pull the trigger.
Other players like Kenrich Williams and Mike Muscala — who have been very solid for the Thunder — could be sleepers in the deadline sweepstakes. No matter who’s leaving the franchise, Presti will seek (and get) assets for them. Either young players or more picks, OKC will be a tough franchise to negotiate with.
— Santiago Núñez
Toronto Raptors
Celtics get: Norman Powell
Raptors get: Tristan Thompson, Aaron Nesmith, 2021 first-round pick
On the surface level, this seems like a weak return for Powell. The 27-year-old is putting up near-all-star-level numbers on a depleted Toronto team. Here’s the issue:
Powell is becoming a free agent at the end of this season. No question about it. He has a player option for $11.6 million, and right now there’s another Powell in the league that already makes more than he does: Dwight Powell, the Mavericks big who averages 4.2 points in over 14 minutes per game.
Knowing potential buyers will be paying for a rental tanks the value of the ‘real’ Powell. In this trade, the Raptors fill one of their gaps with a new backup center in Thompson, and Boston is likely willing to let them pick between Nesmith and Romeo Langford for the young, cheap, lottery guard type to take a shot on. They also acquire an extra pick for the rebuild — one that continues to gain value as the Celtics struggle to stay above .500.
— Dylan Corey
Sacramento Kings
The Kings should be sellers. They still could make a run for the play-in tournament, but this has been termed a “gap year” for the Kings by Sam Amick of the Athletic. Realistically, the Kings don’t have the depth to be a serious playoff contending team.
Bridging the gap (year): Why the Kings' Luke Walton is safe for now and where the long-suffering franchise goes next, at @TheAthletic (w/ @mr_jasonjones)https://t.co/wnWZoSBLF3
— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) March 5, 2021
Harrison Barnes is said to be highly coveted by the Celtics, but the Kings don’t seem enamored with what the Celtics are offering, players like Romeo Langford and/or Aaron Nesmith plus a very late first-round draft choice (probably 18-24). The Kings have to weigh whether it is worth giving up Barnes, who is on an descending contract with two years remaining and provides veteran leadership for the young core of De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton.
Buddy Hield is often mentioned as being on the trading block because he has three years and $60 million remaining on his deal, but the market for Hield is thought to be soft. Getting rid of Hield could give McNair some financial flexibility, but it could also subtract from the Kings already-thin depth.
— Dave Andrade
Cleveland Cavaliers
Cavaliers receive: Tyrese Maxey, Tony Bradley, 2021 first-round pick
76ers receive: Larry Nance Jr.
Thunder receive: Mike Scott, 2023 second-round pick
The Cavaliers have had some exciting development from their young players through the losses. Getting stud center Jarrett Allen for scraps was an early-season coup. Even with the contributions from Larry Nance and the Sexland backcourt, the Cavs are still on the outside looking in. They seem to want to involve themselves in any deal that could net them assets, but Nance is the one that could command a top-level return.
Enter the 76ers. Relative to other contenders, they’ve been blessed with good injury luck to their core players. They’re still keeping pace with the Brooklyn superpower at the top of the East. Adding Nance adds to a formidable front line, and his playmaking and shooting skills fit their offense perfectly. Cashing in on their assets would bring the Cavs to the table over a player they’re hesitant to trade.
Maxey has flashed in limited time but is squeezed for opportunity with the Sixers. The Cavs can offer him all the run he wants off the bench and he’s essentially a redraft. Adding another pick this year fits what should be a wide-open end of the roster after this season. Nance has never played better and they should get out of the casino before the table runs cold.
Since a 3-for-1 deal would make it difficult for Cleveland to orchestrate other trades in what should be a busy deadline, other basement teams with roster/exception space like Oklahoma City will have to involve themselves to make a deal work. Philly can afford to kick along a decent seconds to work this deal out.
— Charlie Cummings
Washington Wizards
Fire Scott Brooks
Do it yesterday. For the third year in a row, the Wizards are a sub-.400 (yes, .400) team. Brooks has struggled to get his star players to mesh, albeit in the midst of trades, major injuries and the whole pandemic thing. What’s worse is that none of the youth on the roster has developed. The team is a mix of over-the-hill names and young guys who can’t get a chance.
The Xs and Os of firing Brooks are evident, but why now? Washington sits not far behind the play-in; not great, not terrible. They do have the easiest remaining schedule of all Eastern teams as a bonus. Washington is also sitting on the sixth pick in a loaded draft. Firing a coach that has gone past his practical use could give them a big kick in either direction.
This team certainly has talent, and the right coach to match the situation could change their fortunes. Take the Atlanta Hawks as an example. Lloyd Pierce was brought in to coach up a young, floundering team ripe with talent. Said talent has taken off to new heights, yet the Hawks as a team couldn’t get over the playoff hump. Pierce made way for Nate McMillan, longtime steady coaching hand, and the Hawks reeled off eight in a row amidst the change. A floor-raising coach brought this talent together rather quickly, and the kick in the pants of a coach getting fired helped the team as well.
Scott Brooks isn’t in Washington to develop, he was brought in to coach the finished product. And under his tenure the product has slowly unraveled back to mediocre, the worst place to be in the league. Give Robert Pack or Tony Brown a deserved chance with this team. In terms of the direction of the team, it can’t get any worse.
Or just trade Robin Lopez for some seconds and pretend everything is okay. Your call, Mr. Sheppard.
— Charlie Cummings
Orlando Magic
Orlando receives: Rodney Hood, Harry Giles, Gary Trent Jr., 2022 2nd round pick, 2024 2nd round pick via ATL
Portland receives: Aaron Gordon, Dwayne Bacon
After a hot start to the season, the Magic have fallen off hard. They currently sit at 14-28, good for 14th in the East. It has become clear their core is not good enough to realistically compete for anything beyond the last playoff spot and a first-round exit. It is time to begin thinking about using their assets to acquire pieces for the future.
Gary Trent Jr. has enjoyed a breakout season for the Trail Blazers filling in admirably for the injured C.J. McCollum averaging 15.0 points per game. He is still young and would provide the perfect floor spacing to compliment Markelle Fultz. Harry Giles is also young and has potential to become a solid rotational player. Aaron Gordon has officially requested a trade, and Portland has been in the mix for Gordon for a while now, so a trade to Portland seems very realistic.
— Presley Cable
Detroit Pistons
Pistons receive: Vincent Poirier, 2023 second-round pick
Sixers receive: Wayne Ellington
Pain. That’s what this season has amounted to in Detroit. The losing isn’t shocking, but it’s the manner in which they are that’s disappointing. Immediately losing Killian Hayes for half the year was a gut punch. An ugly Blake Griffin exit didn’t help. The players Detroit has acquired and drafted look strong, but this first half still leaves a bitter taste.
They’re still in a strange situation for the deadline. Jerami Grant is a Most Improved Player candidate and should be completely off the table. Mason Plumlee was signed for Killian Hayes the way a catcher can be signed for a certain pitcher in baseball. He’s important for developing the roster and they’d be silly to not see that experiment out for the year. But for a basement team, most of Detroit’s roster is either young, under reasonable control or both. It’s a good problem to have but leaves them as modest sellers.
Though he’s been in a modest slump since the start of February, Wayne Ellington is shooting 42% from deep on six attempts this season. He may not be a true needle-mover for a contender at this stage but his explosive shooting ability could help teams like the Lakers, Bucks and Sixers shore up on quality depth.
A first-round pick is likely too rich and Ellington won’t garner a young player worth rostering for future seasons, however. Philadelphia can offer expiring salary in Poirier and a 2023 second where Detroit gets the best of Atlanta, Charlotte or Brooklyn’s choice. The odds of one of those teams being in the top five or 10 picks in the round is pretty high, which should get Philly ahead of the other teams calling.
— Charlie Cummings
Houston Rockets
Fresh off a 20-game losing streak, the Rockets appear to be a major seller as the trade deadline approaches. Almost every player on the team could be on the trade block for the right price.
Victor Oladipo is possibly the top talent on the trade market. The former All-Star guard is averaging 20.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.7 assists on the season. He enters free agency after this year, but could be a great add for contending teams with his defensive skillset and scoring ability.
Several role players may find new teams as well. Danuel House Jr. is a 3&D forward on a cheap contract through next season. Sterling Brown possesses a similar skillset at guard and forward too, so both he and House should draw some interest from teams in search of depth. Sharpshooting guard Ben McLemore could also be on the move, but his shooting efficiency has regressed which might drop his value.
The Rockets find themselves entering rebuild mode in the post-Harden era, so they’ll likely pursue draft picks and young players with upside in whatever trades they make. With this season looking lost for the Rockets, expect a fire sale in Houston.
— Keagan Smith
Minnesota Timberwolves
Timberwolves receive: Thaddeus Young, Daniel Oturu
Clippers receive: Ricky Rubio, Daniel Gafford
Bulls receive: Patrick Beverley, Patrick Patterson, Terance Mann, 2023 2nd-Round Pick
Though Minnesota is receiving a veteran who can help a team win with Thaddeus Young, the Timberwolves should still bottom out this season in order to keep their first-round pick. Young would compliment Towns well and is the leader this Minnesota team has lacked for years now. The Clippers make a change at point guard by adding Ricky Rubio who could orchestrate a sometimes-bland Clippers offense.
As for Chicago, the Bulls pair Patrick Beverley with Zach LaVine to provide a more balanced backcourt. He’s not Lonzo Ball, but Beverley fills the same role Ball would give Chicago. Overall, this three-team, seven player trade can help each team whether it be more for a short term situation (like LA) or lineup fix (like Minnesota and Chicago).
— Rex Foster
OTHER DEADLINE SECTIONS: Contenders | Playoff-Hopefuls
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