Hoop Talk - The NBA Roundup: 2017 Trade Deadline Recap

Written by Zeke Perez Jr.

(Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

The weeks leading up to the NBA trade deadline bring about gossip and rumors that would make a reality TV fan’s head spin. In the end, plenty of deals get done; a mix of some splashy big player trades and a slew of small, financial moves. Here’s a timeline and rundown of every single deal made this year and a few thoughts on some that weren’t.



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​February 2
Bucks Receive: Spencer Hawes (C), Roy Hibbert (C)
Hornets Receive: Miles Plumlee (C)
Not a flashy trade and shouldn’t make much of an impact other than depth. Milwaukee later moved Hibbert to Denver anyway.
 
February 13
Nuggets Receive: Mason Plumlee (C), 2018 2nd round pick, cash considerations
Trailblazers Receive: Jusuf Nurkic (C), 2017 1st round pick
As expected, the Nuggets parted ways with Nurkic in a deal that should benefit all parties involved. Nurk gets a change of scenery; the Nuggets get a tremendous passer and backup center in Plumlee; the Blazers add another first round pick to their stockpile; the Nuggets get a pick and $2 million.
 
Cavaliers Receive: Protected 2017 2nd round pick
Hornets Receive: Chris Andersen (C), cash considerations
Pretty much a dump move for both teams. The Cavs freed up a roster spot by trading away the injured 38-year-old Andersen and the Hornets immediately waived him upon arrival. The Cavs get a future asset as well as room to acquire another player and the Hornets get cash.
 
February 14
Raptors Receive: Serge Ibaka (F)
Magic Receive: Terrence Ross (G), 2017 1st round pick
This trade makes the Orlando Magic look really bad in the long run. The Magic gave up a lot last year (Oladipo, Ilyasova, and an early 1st round pick) to get Ibaka in the first place. Now, with the threat of him leaving for nothing as a free agent, they were only able to recoup a sixth-man and a worse draft pick. Ibaka’s numbers weren’t great during his time in Orlando, but he should benefit the Raptors.
 
February 20
Pelicans Receive: DeMarcus Cousins (F/C), Omri Casspi (F)
Kings Receive: Buddy Hield (G), Tyreke Evans (G/F), Langston Galloway (G), 2017 1st round pick, 2017 2nd round pick
Wow…in the biggest and most unexpected trade of the deadline, the Kings backtracked on their stance that they weren’t going to move Cousins. The Kings lost the only star they’ve managed to draft out of a decade of lottery picks and didn’t get an equal return. Oh, not to mention that GM Vlade Divac admitted that they received and turned down a better offer a few days earlier. That, the loss of Boogie, the lack of a return, and flip-flopping after telling their superstar that they wanted him around for a long time all highlight the dumpster fire that is Sacramento’s ownership and front office. As for the Pelicans, time will tell how their new duo of bigs – Cousins and Anthony Davis – play together. 

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February 21
Lakers Receive: Corey Brewer (F), unprotected 2017 1st round pick
Rockets Receive: Lou Williams (G)
Another trade that benefits both teams. The Rockets’ system is ideal for a productive, efficient shooter like Williams, who should boost Houston’s offense as they look to contend in the playoffs. The Lakers add a veteran and an asset.
 
February 22
Wizards Receive: Bojan Bogdanovic (F), Chris McCullough (F)
Nets Receive: Andrew Nicholson (F), Marcus Thornton (G), 2017 1st round pick
The Wizards’ bench should get some scoring help from Bogdanovic. They also free up some salary space by unloading Nicholson’s unfriendly contract. The Nets will benefit from the much-needed draft pick. Not a spectacular trade for either team. Just average.
 
Hawks Receive: Ersan Ilyasova (F)
76ers Receive: Tiago Splitter (F/C), 2017 2nd round pick, draft pick option
Meh. Ilyasova has now been traded five times in two years and Splitter didn’t work out in Philly.  
 
February 23 a.k.a. Deadline Day!
Mavericks Receive: Nerlens Noel (F/C)
76ers Receive: Andrew Bogut (C), Justin Anderson (F), conditional 1st round pick
Rumors had been swirling about regarding the Sixers possibly trading big-man Jahlil Okafor. Instead, they dealt their former 1st round pick from 2013, Nerlens Noel. Joel Embiid, drated in 2014, is now Philly’s longest tenured player, as the team looks to build around “The Process”. By acquiring Noel, Dallas looks to make a run at the up for grabs 8-seed in this year’s playoffs. The Sixers will likely buy-out Bogut’s contract.
 
Thunder Receive: Taj Gibson (F), Doug McDermott (F), 2018 2nd round pick
Bulls Receive: Anthony Morrow (G), Joffrey Lauvergne (C), Cameron Payne (G)
Uhh…is everything okay, Chicago? Do you need to talk? This move by the Bulls front office is… questionable, to put it very mildly. Chicago gave up their starting power forward in Taj Gibson and their best three-point shooter in Dougie McBuckets. In exchange, they got another point guard (added to the four they already have) in Cameron Payne and a couple spare parts. With the Bulls keeping Jimmy Butler while failing to add any considerable pieces (in fact, losing some), I’m not sure at all what their game plan is. 

Nuggets Receive: Roy Hibbert (C)
Bucks Receive: Protected future 2nd round pick
While this was primarily done to get the Nuggets closer to the salary floor, Hibbert could provide some solid bench minutes down the stretch.

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Nets Receive: K.J. McDaniels (G)
Rockets Receive: Nothing but cap space ($3 million)
Yawn. Boring financial move to free up money that’s typical near deadline time.
 
Lakers Receive: Tyler Ennis (G)
Rockets Receive: Marcelo Huertas (G)
The Rockets waived Huertas immediately, so…no big deal (literally). Frees up cap space for Houston.
 


​Suns Receive: Mike Scott (F)
Hawks Receive: Protected 2nd round pick, cash considerations
See Nets-Rockets trade analysis above.
 
Suns Receive: Jared Sullinger (C), 2017 and 2018 2nd round picks
Raptors Receive: P.J. Tucker (F)
Tucker should give Toronto some defensive help for the playoffs.
 
Trades That Didn’t Happen

• The Nuggets made a play at Pacers’ superstar Paul George. The deal didn’t gain any traction and PG was apparently unlikely to stay with Denver long-term anyway.
• The “annual Ricky Rubio trade rumor” was (once again...) just a rumor, despite some late talks about swapping him for Derrick Rose.
• The Bulls weighed the interest in Jimmy Butler, but ultimately decided to stand pat.
• The Celtics had been linked to a number of different players and many expected a big move. Instead, Boston is exercising patience and moving forward with Isaiah Thomas and the rest of the core, a move they feel pretty good about.
• After a month of trade talk, Jahlil Okafor stays with the 76ers. 

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