NFL
By: Stephen Garner
As the dust settles on the 2021-22 NBA trade deadline and exchanged players get acclimated with their new franchises, the wait is on to see just how effective each swap was.
Nothing grabs the collective attention of NBA fans quite like transactions (or the potential of one surfacing), and this season’s deadline did not fall short on entertainment value, spontaneity, or causing audible “wtf’s?” as we all followed and frantically refreshed our timelines.
Sidenote: shout out to all of you who did not fall for the many fake trades posted by trolls out there, salute.
I present to you my five favorite trades from this deadline and why they made the cut.
1.) Simmons to Brooklyn
Unfairly maligned by the masses, which was oftentimes spearheaded by pundits misusing their platforms/power/influence, Ben Simmons has seen a face change over the last seven months.
People have questioned his character, his heart, his mental toughness, and all other intangible qualities relevant to an athlete in his absence from the game.
Are all those criticisms wrong? Not necessarily.
Are they all apt? Nope.
The former first overall pick has evolved both an all-star and all NBA level talent. He’s also a premier playmaker and the most versatile defender.
One low light, albeit on the brightest stage, is a microcosm of the unfair reactionary era we are in.
People fail to acknowledge his efforts as one of the main reasons Trae Young struggled (5-23, 2-11 from 3) in game 7, because of what happened in that moment at the end of the game.
Fast forward to now, and Simmons hasn’t played an official game since said stain in his image.
He has, though, found new life and is on a team (beyond) well-equipped to maximize the skills and talents that Simmons has, in abundance.
In acquiring Simmons, the Nets also acquired Seth Curry and Andre Drummond.
Curry, a marksman with an on-court rapport already established with Simmons, is the perfect ancillary piece to have on the floor with strong primary options the likes of the Nets top 3.
He’s also a specialist in off-ball movement and was quickly thrust into that role in his first game of action with Brooklyn, coming off pindowns, using the Iverson cuts that Nash has had Irving run, and pin downs-a-plenty.
For Simmons, having a talent like this for initial action to move a set defense is vital. Add to that the fact that either screening for Curry or on the opposite side will be Durant and Irving, you see the picture being painted.
He’s surrounded with above-league-average shooters and scorers to complement his facilitation abilities, as well as capable passers who can hit him on the roll (hopefully he embraces doing this, even more, ie Giannis) and take advantage of his cutability.
On the defensive end, however, is where I feel his impact will be most felt with this team.
The Nets lacked frontcourt size, versatility/viability, and consistent rebounding in their rendition prior to the February 10th deadline.
Since then, they’ve fortified themselves with two players in Simmons and Drummond to address each of those areas. Along with allowing Claxton to be less depended on and therefore more effective making his impact in switching and closing airspaces.
Both are elite rebounders. Drummond is a solid contrast to what Aldridge brings in the starting lineup.
Simmons on that end gives them the most switchable piece in the league outside of Giannis and allows them to address their glaring weakness in point of attack defense immediately, as well as a wing stopper, and an anchor, all in one.
They have him now to go small ball as the 5 (or 4 with Durant if you choose to look at it that way), which will likely be their closing lineup.
Of course, there are still questions pertaining to where he is mentally, but that’s not my/our job to gauge in all honesty.
Aside from those, questions about his fear of the freethrow line, and ability or prowess to shoot still persist and are relevant. They’ve become far less relevant however when surrounded by the collection of talent he now has in Brooklyn.
2.) Harden to Philly
Morey got his guy back, and all seems to be well in Philadelphia (for now at least, we’ve been here before with Harden).
The Sixers now have a premier playmaker paired with Joel Embiid, and past that they have THE guy they’ve longed for all season.
Now’s the time to make it work. At first glance, it seems like the perfect pairing, a dominant low post talent with a premier perimeter talent.
However, take a closer look and you find room for question.
Yes, Embiid is a low post technician, especially from the left block. However, what’s allowed his game to grow so dominant is this freedom and upped usage, with which he’s showcased play initiation and a prolific midrange hang pull-up.
Lol c'mon man… pic.twitter.com/1JmC3xON4z
— Stephen PridGeon ☯️🏁 (@StayTrueSDot3) January 16, 2022
Then, him being given the creative leash to tap into his post playmaking ability in skipping it from the post to the second side for quality looks and dominating possessions for vital stretches of the game. His games seemingly grown because he was allowed this freedom.
This will now have to be tapered back, at least to some extent, with the presence of Harden.
Yes, they’ll be staggered over the course of 48 minutes but when it’s winning time and each teams best five are on the floor, will Philly’s offensive actions be as effective with Harden now on the floor?
Can Tobias function as the number three option specifically around these two talents?
Is Tyrese Maxey’s growth stunted and what are the ramifications for him with the addition of Harden? Also, can Maxey grow in his point of attack defense? As it’ll become a pressing need in coexisting around Harden.
How does Thybulle fit into their offense now?
What do the non-Embiid minutes look like as Drummond was having a great season behind their MVP candidate? As of now it’s Millsap (who they received with Harden from Brooklyn) presumed to get those minutes.
There is a lot of grey area here, however, when you’re in their position, you take whatever may come with acquiring an all-word talent the likes of Harden. The pick and roll offense, though Embiid has never truly been the roller type, should certainly suffice. They’ll figure things out over time to be relevant in the season’s conclusion, regardless of the questions surrounding their roster.
3.) McCollum to New Orleans
There were reports from ESPNs Brian Windhorst weeks ago echoing that there wasn’t much action around McCollum’s name outside of New Orleans. Sure enough, the deal would surface a few days before the deadline.
The Pelicans, who were a mess initially, have rebounded and have their sights set on the Play-In realm.
Speaking to their roster, they lacked primary creation, individual creation, off-ball movement, and 3-point shooting.
In acquiring McCollum, they addressed each of those entities in one player, which helps tremendously in the evolution of Brandon Ingram offensively.
In his first game with the Pels, CJ McCollum was on 4-5 hours of sleep. He shot 6-of-21 and admitted he didn't have his legs under him.
In his next 3 games, he averaged 29.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists and had back-to-back 0 turnover games while shooting .581/.400/.900.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) February 16, 2022
They also added Larry Nance Jr. and Tony Snell.
Sheeesh. Nance with Ingram & Herb Jones is wild length & activity defensively. The playmaking abilities between CJ, BI, & Nance as a 3rd option in facilitating is gonna be crazy too. Still got JV down there as well. Ok New Orleans
— Stephen PridGeon ☯️🏁 (@StayTrueSDot3) February 8, 2022
These three acquisitions are all experienced pieces that will help position the young talents the Pelicans already had, more sensically.
Another direct beneficiary of this trade will be Herb Jones. The Alabama product has slowly found his way offensively, while performing as one of the better defensive talents. He’s on the fast track surely, and the addition of McCollum will allow for him to grow even more offensively.
Specifically with McCollum, how he goes about getting his buckets offensively should help this team immensely. They were solely reliant upon Ingram who has certainly been up to ask.
W/o Zion this season, he has seven 8+ assist games. The Pels are 4-3 in those & he's averaging 26 in said outings. Last night he had 23 while tying his season-high in assists (12) & blocks (2) for a road win in Denver https://t.co/SZV5ryhaS6 pic.twitter.com/hJy1ekfPDM
— Stephen PridGeon ☯️🏁 (@StayTrueSDot3) February 5, 2022
He’s also racked up a player of the week honor.
However, long-term, this certainly wasn’t the way they’d grow formidable. Now in tandem with McCollum, both should develop some on-court synergy that begins to piece together an identity for the Pelicans in this new rendition under Willie Green.
As they await the Williamson reintegration, as well as the ingratiation of Nance Jr who will surely be impactful for this group, their fans can find solace knowing better days are ahead and this season will be a timestamp in that.
4.) LeVert to Cleveland
Also a few days before the deadline, Cleveland acquired Caris LeVert in exchange for Rubio, a first, and two seconds.
LeVert would quickly show Cleveland fans what would be in-store within his first few games, including a seemingly revengeful showing vs the Pacers
Having a player of his talents, and in his stature even more so, alongside Darius Garland presents a daunting tandem to defend.
LeVert is a very solid scorer and playmaker who gets after it defensively, taking advantage of that aforementioned stature.
A change of scenery, one that has him back in relevance as the Cavs vie for top-6 positioning in the East, his dynamic and ability to play both on and off the ball with Garland plus the plethora of pick and roll partnerships they can establish, should make the Cavaliers that much more ready for the playoffs stage.
Of note: LeVerts two playoff showings were very fruitful as he stepped his game up each time, averaging 20.7 PPG with a 43/44/72 shooting split. With nearly six assists and five rebounds as well.
His experience will be important moving forward.
5.) Sabonis to Sacramento
Surprising at first, Sabonis found himself headed to Sacramento (along with Holiday, Lamb, and a second-round pick) on deadline day for Haliburton, Hield, and Thompson.
The Kings, in theory, chose Fox over Haliburton as they pivoted away from their stud second-year guard, and got an extremely versatile offensive weapon.
Sabonis and his level of skill had been boxed in with the Pacers and that was partly because of how he was used in their systems, but also because of his pairing with Turner in their rotations.
The shakes are released.
The 2021 Skills competition champ has a plethora of depths to his versatility on offense.
Whether it’s running a break, working from the post, playmaking in dribble handoffs scenarios, playmaking as a screener or on the short roll with high IQ decision making, or even creating with a live dribble. He has a soft touch and is extremely creative in getting to his many spots inside the arch with his handle.
He knows how to navigate the floor individually but also in tandem with dynamic guards, which makes his pairing with Fox intriguing.
We can begin to see where the Kings are at least attempting to go with this thing. Whether they can stick to it is another question, but allow yourself to get lost in the present moment as their prices begin to make sense in relation.
As we enter the All-Star break then return for the home stretch, keep in mind all these pieces that have moved and how their additions help said, teams. I also loved the Derrick White trade for the Celtics as he brings some high IQ playmaking, defense, and off-ball movement, the Clippers adding Powell and Covington for when they have Leonard and George back, Craig returning to Phoenix, and even Dinwiddie and Bertans going to Dallas as both will likely be more tradable assets than Porzingis in the coming seasons plus both help in the now as Doncic begins to start peaking.
