Trade Grades
Click here for link to Orlando Magic Trade Grades
Click here for link to Cleveland Cavaliers Trade Grades
Cavaliers get: PF Channing Frye
Magic get: SG Jared Cunningham, second-round pick
Blazers get: C/PF Anderson Varejao (waived), top-10 protected 2018 first-rounder (via Cleveland)
As President Neil Olshey put it: “This was an opportunistic way to use our cap room to acquire a valuable asset”. Of course, the 'valuable asset' that the Blazers got here, is that future first-rounder courtesy of the Cavs. That's really all there is to it. Portland didn't give anything of significance, and ended up waiving Varejao's unsightly 2 year/$20 million deal. What more is there to say?
Grade: A
Trade Grades
Click here for link to Portland Trail Blazers' Trade Grades
Heat get: More $$$
Blazers get: PG Brian Roberts, second-round pick
Free is free! Portland here pulled off an absolute beauty. For starters, they don't lose anything, and with the second-rounder, the trade is already a net plus. But Roberts, after being limited to mop-up duty behind PG's Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lin in Charlotte, and also projected to have about the same role in Miami, may finally have found his niche. His presence alone finally gives superstar PG Damian Lillard a legitimate backup, meaning breakout SG/PG C.J McCollum may at last be able to shift alongside his backcourt partner at the shooting guard position more often. Roberts has also shown he is deserving of a backup role this season, averaging 15.7 points per 36 minutes, and the fact that there is zero risk attached to his expiring $2.85 million contract is simply the icing on the cake.
Grade: A+
Trade Grades
Click here for link to Cleveland Cavaliers Trade Grades
Trail Blazers get: C/PF Brendan Haywood (waived), SF/SG Mike Miller, 2019 and 2020 second-round picks from Cleveland
Cavaliers get: cash considerations, $10.5 million trade exception, $2.85 million trade exception
I mean, free draft picks are free draft picks, right? Portland took advantage of Cleveland’s desperation to acquire those hefty trade exceptions, and they lose absolutely nothing in return. They waived Haywood’s fully non-guaranteed 1 year/$10.5 million contract, so that doesn’t count against their cap at all. The only thing that does count against their cap is Miller’s 1 year/$2.85 million deal, but that is actually very reasonable for an excellent three-point marksman like himself. No need to over-analyze this one. Free draft picks ladies and gentlemen, free picks.
Grade: A
Trade Grades
Click here for link to Brooklyn Nets Trade Grade
Nets get: Draft rights to SF Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (#23 pick), PG Steve Blake
Blazers get: C/PF Mason Plumlee, SG/SF Pat Connaughton (#41 pick)
As the Blazers have two key free agent big men that could go elsewhere, acquiring another quality backup big makes sense. They did have to give up a solid backup point guard and a guy in Hollis-Jefferson that would’ve been a perfect fit, but it looks like they got almost a fair deal here. Almost.
Blake has always been no more than a backup point guard, and that’s especially true now that he’s 35 years old. He can knock down threes, however, as he hit one a game on an efficient 35.2% from beyond the arc. Blake is a solid defender, and also averaged 3.6 assists per game last year, and he can effectively run the second unit, doing so when superstar PG Damian Lillard needed a breather. However, he is very limited offensively, and it won’t be too difficult for the Blazers to replace him.
Hollis-Jefferson is probably the most valuable piece of this deal for either side. The #23 pick has a completely busted jump shot, and although that’s a glaring weakness, it’s really his only one. Hollis-Jefferson is a fantastic defender that can guard multiple positions. He boasts tremendous physical gifts as well: his length, strength, speed, quickness and athleticism are all outstanding, and that stuff just isn’t teachable. He has a high motor, superb handles, and can slash to the basket and finish. His defensive skills and intangibles will translate from college to the NBA right away, but he will need to develop a solid jumper if he wants to become an offensive force in the pros. There was definitely a short and a long-term role for Hollis-Jefferson in Portland, and it’s a shame they couldn’t find away to keep him around, especially with another attractive trade chip in PF/C Noah Vonleh.
Plumlee is a quality big man, a good rotational piece that can rebound and defend, as well as the ability to occasionally get a basket or two. His offensive game is limited, but he’s still just 25 years old and is only a two-year veteran, so there’s more time for development there. His production was sound this season: 8.7 points on an efficient 57.3%, 6.2 rebounds, and a combined 1.6 blocks and steals per game in 21.3 minutes. He shouldn’t be relied upon as a full-time starter, but could usurp C Robin Lopez’s role as a 25-30 minutes per game guy should Lopez depart in free agency.
Connaughton, the #41 pick, could materialize as a solid rotational piece in the pros. The effort is always there with him: he has a high motor, is tough, physical, and is always hard-working when he’s on the floor, especially on defense. He’s also an excellent shooter that already has NBA three-point range (the pro 3-point line is a few feet further back than the college line). However, he is already 22 years old, so his long-term upside has is capped, and really isn’t particularly quick, especially when slashing to the basket. He’s also a bit undersized for his position. Still, he provides excellent insurance for the Blazers, as both SG/SF Wesley Matthews and SG/SF Arron Afflalo hit free agency, with no guarantee of either’s return.
If you add up what the Blazers gave versus what they got, they come out as slight losers of this deal. Connaughton and Blake essentially cancel out, and Plumlee is a guy that you could just have by spending x-million dollars on Robin Lopez. Losing an electric, high-upside guy like Hollis-Jefferson definitely hurts, but Portland got enough in return to not earn too much of a bad grade here.
Grade: B-
Click here for the Charlotte Hornets' Trade Grade
Trade Grades
Hornets get: SF/SG Nicolas Batum
Blazers get: PF/C Noah Vonleh, SG/SF Gerald Henderson
As Portland’s star PG Damian Lillard put it (via Twitter): “Toughest part of the business…” He’s absolutely right. In theory, a starting five consisting of Lillard, SG/SF Wesley Matthews, star SF/SG Nicolas Batum, superstar PF/C LaMarcus Aldridge, and C Robin Lopez -- all while SG/SF Arron Afflalo competes for Sixth Man of the Year -- would compete for a title. However, it was just not meant to be. Afflalo was acquired mid-season from the Denver Nuggets to back up Matthews, but Matthews himself went down with a season-ending injury shortly thereafter, thrusting Afflalo almost immediately into the starting role. Now, Portland is working against the cap with many free agents such as Matthews, Lopez and most importantly: Aldridge. Keeping Batum and re-signing everyone, all while giving the bench a necessary revamp, was just not realistic money-wise. So as unfortunate as it is and as key to the Blazers’ recent success as Batum was, GM Neil Olshey was forced to make the best of a bad situation, and he did, netting a solid return package for the all-around star.
Batum is actually coming off a disappointing season, which is another reason to give Olshey props in receiving the okay package that he did. Take a look at the chart below, comparing Batum’s career-year in 2014, with his regrettable past season:
Year Games Played Minutes FG% 3PT% Rebounds Assists Points
2014 82 36.0 .465 .361 7.5 5.1 13.0
2015 71 33.5 .400 .324 5.9 4.8 9.4
For starters, his offensive decline was most alarming. After becoming a respectable scorer in 2014 with admirable efficiency, particularly from beyond the arc, Batum’s numbers fell off a cliff this season, as did his percentages. Not to mention that he was also able to play all 82 games last season, the drop-off in Batum’s all-around game was perhaps the worst, as that had always been the heart of his value. The assist differential is negligible, but rebounding is an aspect of Batum’s game that he had always excelled in. However, this can be brushed aside as an “off year” for him, as his defensive contributions were still huge for this team, and Batum remains a perimeter defensive ace. Still, the combined $24 million he’s owed over the next two seasons just wasn’t worth it for his lack of production, which is why he needed to be traded, given Portland’s tricky financial situation. Batum should be able to regain his old form next year with Charlotte, however.
SG/SF Gerald Henderson was and is a solid scorer, but not much more. The Duke product has averaged 14.2 points per game over the last four years, with that number dropping slightly to 12.1 this past year, all without a reliable three-point shot. He’s an average defender, but doesn’t do much in the rebounding or assisting departments. As a ball-dominant scorer that can’t really space the floor well, he doesn’t figure to usurp Batum’s role at starting small forward. Rather, he could be the leader of the second unit, taking over perhaps Afflalo’s role as the latter gets promoted to the starting five in place of Batum. Henderson is on a reasonable $6 million expiring contract, and is a nice pickup that could somewhat replace Batum.
PF/C Noah Vonleh, unlike Henderson, is a wild card that you don’t know exactly what you’re going to get from. He was the number nine pick in last year’s draft, and he was actually supposed to go in the top five. It’s all about upside with Vonleh, as he was tagged as incredibly raw at the draft, but could possess superstar potential. He is a rare breed, one the can defend and block shots but also space the floor and knock down threes, along with excellent rebounding skills. His production this past year was expectedly poor: 3.3 points, and 3.4 rebounds in just 10 .4 minutes per game. As he is still very raw and bursting with two-way potential, Vonleh could be dealt to another team to allow the Blazers to move up higher in the draft from the #23 pick. If he stays, he should supply key frontcourt depth and insurance in case superstar PF/C LaMarcus Aldridge departs for the short-term, and Vonleh will probably offer more in the long-term.
All in all, Olshey got a cost-efficient replacement and a high-upside big man in exchange for a contract that he didn’t really want in the first place, given Batum’s recent poor season. Could trading for Vonleh mean the Blazers think there’s a high chance of Aldridge leaving, and this is his replacement? Perhaps, but that’s probably reading too much into it: Portland just lacked big men depth, and I maintain that they should explore trade options for Vonleh, as they are a team that should focus on winning now and can’t afford to wait on a development timetable. This gives them that opportunity to win now, as they now have more financial flexibility heading into a very key offseason. I like the move, but Portland still gave up a star for two guys who will be no more than role players next season.
Grade: B+
Trade Grades
Trail Blazers get: SG/SF Arron Afflalo, SF Alonzo Gee
Nuggets get: SG Will Barton, PF Thomas Robinson, SF/PF Victor Claver, second-rounder, 2016 first-rounder (lottery-protected, turns into 2 second-rounders if not conveyed)
As the deadline approached, it was evident that Portland needed scoring punch on the wing off the bench. This pretty much narrowed it down to two targets: SF/PF Wilson Chandler or SG/SF Arron Afflalo, both with the Denver Nuggets. I still maintain that they should have chosen the former, but Afflalo is a terrific fit nonetheless. He's averaging 14.5 ppg to go with 1.5 threes, and is a nice luxury to have when you consider SF/SG Nicolas Batum's disappointing season. As a contending team with a need to fill, trading away these future assets for an impact player like Afflalo makes plenty of sense.
Grade: A-
Click here for link to Orlando Magic Trade Grades
Click here for link to Cleveland Cavaliers Trade Grades
Cavaliers get: PF Channing Frye
Magic get: SG Jared Cunningham, second-round pick
Blazers get: C/PF Anderson Varejao (waived), top-10 protected 2018 first-rounder (via Cleveland)
As President Neil Olshey put it: “This was an opportunistic way to use our cap room to acquire a valuable asset”. Of course, the 'valuable asset' that the Blazers got here, is that future first-rounder courtesy of the Cavs. That's really all there is to it. Portland didn't give anything of significance, and ended up waiving Varejao's unsightly 2 year/$20 million deal. What more is there to say?
Grade: A
Trade Grades
Click here for link to Portland Trail Blazers' Trade Grades
Heat get: More $$$
Blazers get: PG Brian Roberts, second-round pick
Free is free! Portland here pulled off an absolute beauty. For starters, they don't lose anything, and with the second-rounder, the trade is already a net plus. But Roberts, after being limited to mop-up duty behind PG's Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lin in Charlotte, and also projected to have about the same role in Miami, may finally have found his niche. His presence alone finally gives superstar PG Damian Lillard a legitimate backup, meaning breakout SG/PG C.J McCollum may at last be able to shift alongside his backcourt partner at the shooting guard position more often. Roberts has also shown he is deserving of a backup role this season, averaging 15.7 points per 36 minutes, and the fact that there is zero risk attached to his expiring $2.85 million contract is simply the icing on the cake.
Grade: A+
Trade Grades
Click here for link to Cleveland Cavaliers Trade Grades
Trail Blazers get: C/PF Brendan Haywood (waived), SF/SG Mike Miller, 2019 and 2020 second-round picks from Cleveland
Cavaliers get: cash considerations, $10.5 million trade exception, $2.85 million trade exception
I mean, free draft picks are free draft picks, right? Portland took advantage of Cleveland’s desperation to acquire those hefty trade exceptions, and they lose absolutely nothing in return. They waived Haywood’s fully non-guaranteed 1 year/$10.5 million contract, so that doesn’t count against their cap at all. The only thing that does count against their cap is Miller’s 1 year/$2.85 million deal, but that is actually very reasonable for an excellent three-point marksman like himself. No need to over-analyze this one. Free draft picks ladies and gentlemen, free picks.
Grade: A
Trade Grades
Click here for link to Brooklyn Nets Trade Grade
Nets get: Draft rights to SF Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (#23 pick), PG Steve Blake
Blazers get: C/PF Mason Plumlee, SG/SF Pat Connaughton (#41 pick)
As the Blazers have two key free agent big men that could go elsewhere, acquiring another quality backup big makes sense. They did have to give up a solid backup point guard and a guy in Hollis-Jefferson that would’ve been a perfect fit, but it looks like they got almost a fair deal here. Almost.
Blake has always been no more than a backup point guard, and that’s especially true now that he’s 35 years old. He can knock down threes, however, as he hit one a game on an efficient 35.2% from beyond the arc. Blake is a solid defender, and also averaged 3.6 assists per game last year, and he can effectively run the second unit, doing so when superstar PG Damian Lillard needed a breather. However, he is very limited offensively, and it won’t be too difficult for the Blazers to replace him.
Hollis-Jefferson is probably the most valuable piece of this deal for either side. The #23 pick has a completely busted jump shot, and although that’s a glaring weakness, it’s really his only one. Hollis-Jefferson is a fantastic defender that can guard multiple positions. He boasts tremendous physical gifts as well: his length, strength, speed, quickness and athleticism are all outstanding, and that stuff just isn’t teachable. He has a high motor, superb handles, and can slash to the basket and finish. His defensive skills and intangibles will translate from college to the NBA right away, but he will need to develop a solid jumper if he wants to become an offensive force in the pros. There was definitely a short and a long-term role for Hollis-Jefferson in Portland, and it’s a shame they couldn’t find away to keep him around, especially with another attractive trade chip in PF/C Noah Vonleh.
Plumlee is a quality big man, a good rotational piece that can rebound and defend, as well as the ability to occasionally get a basket or two. His offensive game is limited, but he’s still just 25 years old and is only a two-year veteran, so there’s more time for development there. His production was sound this season: 8.7 points on an efficient 57.3%, 6.2 rebounds, and a combined 1.6 blocks and steals per game in 21.3 minutes. He shouldn’t be relied upon as a full-time starter, but could usurp C Robin Lopez’s role as a 25-30 minutes per game guy should Lopez depart in free agency.
Connaughton, the #41 pick, could materialize as a solid rotational piece in the pros. The effort is always there with him: he has a high motor, is tough, physical, and is always hard-working when he’s on the floor, especially on defense. He’s also an excellent shooter that already has NBA three-point range (the pro 3-point line is a few feet further back than the college line). However, he is already 22 years old, so his long-term upside has is capped, and really isn’t particularly quick, especially when slashing to the basket. He’s also a bit undersized for his position. Still, he provides excellent insurance for the Blazers, as both SG/SF Wesley Matthews and SG/SF Arron Afflalo hit free agency, with no guarantee of either’s return.
If you add up what the Blazers gave versus what they got, they come out as slight losers of this deal. Connaughton and Blake essentially cancel out, and Plumlee is a guy that you could just have by spending x-million dollars on Robin Lopez. Losing an electric, high-upside guy like Hollis-Jefferson definitely hurts, but Portland got enough in return to not earn too much of a bad grade here.
Grade: B-
Click here for the Charlotte Hornets' Trade Grade
Trade Grades
Hornets get: SF/SG Nicolas Batum
Blazers get: PF/C Noah Vonleh, SG/SF Gerald Henderson
As Portland’s star PG Damian Lillard put it (via Twitter): “Toughest part of the business…” He’s absolutely right. In theory, a starting five consisting of Lillard, SG/SF Wesley Matthews, star SF/SG Nicolas Batum, superstar PF/C LaMarcus Aldridge, and C Robin Lopez -- all while SG/SF Arron Afflalo competes for Sixth Man of the Year -- would compete for a title. However, it was just not meant to be. Afflalo was acquired mid-season from the Denver Nuggets to back up Matthews, but Matthews himself went down with a season-ending injury shortly thereafter, thrusting Afflalo almost immediately into the starting role. Now, Portland is working against the cap with many free agents such as Matthews, Lopez and most importantly: Aldridge. Keeping Batum and re-signing everyone, all while giving the bench a necessary revamp, was just not realistic money-wise. So as unfortunate as it is and as key to the Blazers’ recent success as Batum was, GM Neil Olshey was forced to make the best of a bad situation, and he did, netting a solid return package for the all-around star.
Batum is actually coming off a disappointing season, which is another reason to give Olshey props in receiving the okay package that he did. Take a look at the chart below, comparing Batum’s career-year in 2014, with his regrettable past season:
Year Games Played Minutes FG% 3PT% Rebounds Assists Points
2014 82 36.0 .465 .361 7.5 5.1 13.0
2015 71 33.5 .400 .324 5.9 4.8 9.4
For starters, his offensive decline was most alarming. After becoming a respectable scorer in 2014 with admirable efficiency, particularly from beyond the arc, Batum’s numbers fell off a cliff this season, as did his percentages. Not to mention that he was also able to play all 82 games last season, the drop-off in Batum’s all-around game was perhaps the worst, as that had always been the heart of his value. The assist differential is negligible, but rebounding is an aspect of Batum’s game that he had always excelled in. However, this can be brushed aside as an “off year” for him, as his defensive contributions were still huge for this team, and Batum remains a perimeter defensive ace. Still, the combined $24 million he’s owed over the next two seasons just wasn’t worth it for his lack of production, which is why he needed to be traded, given Portland’s tricky financial situation. Batum should be able to regain his old form next year with Charlotte, however.
SG/SF Gerald Henderson was and is a solid scorer, but not much more. The Duke product has averaged 14.2 points per game over the last four years, with that number dropping slightly to 12.1 this past year, all without a reliable three-point shot. He’s an average defender, but doesn’t do much in the rebounding or assisting departments. As a ball-dominant scorer that can’t really space the floor well, he doesn’t figure to usurp Batum’s role at starting small forward. Rather, he could be the leader of the second unit, taking over perhaps Afflalo’s role as the latter gets promoted to the starting five in place of Batum. Henderson is on a reasonable $6 million expiring contract, and is a nice pickup that could somewhat replace Batum.
PF/C Noah Vonleh, unlike Henderson, is a wild card that you don’t know exactly what you’re going to get from. He was the number nine pick in last year’s draft, and he was actually supposed to go in the top five. It’s all about upside with Vonleh, as he was tagged as incredibly raw at the draft, but could possess superstar potential. He is a rare breed, one the can defend and block shots but also space the floor and knock down threes, along with excellent rebounding skills. His production this past year was expectedly poor: 3.3 points, and 3.4 rebounds in just 10 .4 minutes per game. As he is still very raw and bursting with two-way potential, Vonleh could be dealt to another team to allow the Blazers to move up higher in the draft from the #23 pick. If he stays, he should supply key frontcourt depth and insurance in case superstar PF/C LaMarcus Aldridge departs for the short-term, and Vonleh will probably offer more in the long-term.
All in all, Olshey got a cost-efficient replacement and a high-upside big man in exchange for a contract that he didn’t really want in the first place, given Batum’s recent poor season. Could trading for Vonleh mean the Blazers think there’s a high chance of Aldridge leaving, and this is his replacement? Perhaps, but that’s probably reading too much into it: Portland just lacked big men depth, and I maintain that they should explore trade options for Vonleh, as they are a team that should focus on winning now and can’t afford to wait on a development timetable. This gives them that opportunity to win now, as they now have more financial flexibility heading into a very key offseason. I like the move, but Portland still gave up a star for two guys who will be no more than role players next season.
Grade: B+
Trade Grades
Trail Blazers get: SG/SF Arron Afflalo, SF Alonzo Gee
Nuggets get: SG Will Barton, PF Thomas Robinson, SF/PF Victor Claver, second-rounder, 2016 first-rounder (lottery-protected, turns into 2 second-rounders if not conveyed)
As the deadline approached, it was evident that Portland needed scoring punch on the wing off the bench. This pretty much narrowed it down to two targets: SF/PF Wilson Chandler or SG/SF Arron Afflalo, both with the Denver Nuggets. I still maintain that they should have chosen the former, but Afflalo is a terrific fit nonetheless. He's averaging 14.5 ppg to go with 1.5 threes, and is a nice luxury to have when you consider SF/SG Nicolas Batum's disappointing season. As a contending team with a need to fill, trading away these future assets for an impact player like Afflalo makes plenty of sense.
Grade: A-