Friday Five's featuring Versatile Trade Targets

Friday Five’s featuring Versatile Trade Targets

By: Stephen Garner

Five’s is featuring a lot of versatility this week.

Monday at 2pm marked the countdown to the highly sought-after NBA trade deadline. It’s officially open season in terms of transactions, and rumors are swirling rapidly.

Aside from big names I’d like to see make their way to new teams, like Ben Simmons (Atlanta, Cleveland, Minnesota) or Domantas Sabonis (Memphis, Dallas) here are the five names I feel could be most impactful if they can find themselves in a new situation.

PJ Washington

The Charlotte Hornets are currently 7th in the East at 23-9 and fairing better than I thought they would have, in position to potentially duck the Play-In. Washington has gone from starting his first two seasons to coming off the bench this season, and has seen a -6 drop in MPG as well. He is, however, enjoying a career high 3P% on a career-high in attempts per game. He’s a modern day big at 6’7, extremely versatile on both ends and capable of playing both the 4 and the 5 in small ball iterations. Could push the needle for a contender (I have more to come on this specifically for him soon ).

Robert Covington

One of the quintessential 3&D mainstays of the league, RoCo hasn’t lost his touch or feel for impact even amidst the high variance and lack of talent in the less glamorous end for Portland.

Portlands defense was second to last last season (116.7) & is dead last as of today (116.2)

In that, Robert Covington's still somehow remained effective individually. Of only 14 guys averaging a block & steal a game, he has the 5th highest 3p% (34.1)

A contender HAS to free him

— Stephen PridGeon (@StayTrueSDot3) January 8, 2022

He’s good for a block and steal a night while sniping above league average and is a capable passer within a structured offense. His presence fortifies a defense that already has functioning pieces on that end, especially when he can be used low-man, play at the nail in help, or chase.

Eric Gordon

He has the 2nd highest 3p% for players attempting north of 2.5 from deep a game. He’s shooting 45.2% on his 5.2 attempts a night, averaging 14.8 PPG. He’s still a versatile combo guard with a quick first step and pyrotechnic-like explosiveness to bring off the bench and playmaking ability. He’s also not a slouch defensively and has been in the moments needed for a championship run a few times over. Acquiring him assures minutes won when your starters rest on most nights.

Buddy Hield

A high (and I mean high) volume yet efficient sniper from deep, Buddy Hield is no stranger to trade rumors. He’s increased his attempts from deep every season of his career, yet while he’s at a bit less than last season his 38% clip still holds true. He’s been linked to Philadelphia for a few seasons now, and we can tack on yet another season where he’ll be included in discussions. His skillset is begging to be a part of a team with contending aspirations. He has three years left on his deal, however his cap hit descends from this season’s $23.1 M.

Jerami Grant

A word used for each player has been versatility, as that’s the name of the game these days. Here we have one of the league’s most versatile. Grant was a runner-up for sixth man of the year last season in his first as focal point of a team, and is averaging 20-4-2 this season. His foundation is as a hustle/energy defensive guy that does the little things, but his games expanded to becoming both a capable shooter (36.6 from deep over the last 4 seasons) and playmaker at 2 assists a game in the same stretch.