NBA Trade Grades

Blazers acquire Zach Collins (No. 10 pick) from Kings for Justin Jackson (No. 15 pick), Harry Giles (No. 20 pick)
The Blazers owned the 15th- and 20th-overall picks in the 2017 NBA Draft, and they used both to move up to the 10th spot. They acquired one of the top talents available in Zach Collins, who gives Portland some much-needed talent inside.

The Kings, meanwhile, made a couple of solid picks. Justin Jackson was selected to replace impending free agent Rudy Gay, while Harry Giles would've easily been a top-10 pick had he not suffered injuries. Giles has undergone at least three knee procedures, so he's a huge risk. However, the reward is enormous, and the athletic forward is well worth the risk at No. 20.

I don't think there's a clear winner in this trade, as I think it was very logical for both sides.

Grade for Blazers - B+
Grade for Kings - B+

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76ers acquire Anzejs Pasecniks from Magic for protected 2020 1st-rounder, 2020 2nd-rounder
Sam Hinkie built the 76ers into this potential juggernaut by acquiring as many draft selections as possible. Thus, I can't really get behind Philadelphia trading future first-round choices, even if they happen to be protected. The legendary Hinkie wouldn't have stood for this, so this is something the 76ers should've avoided.

That said, Pasecniks has loads of potential, as he's a 7-foot-2 big man with a nice shooting touch. He won't play in the NBA next year, but he could be a contributor down the road. I don't hate this move for Philadelphia, but like I said, giving up picks isn't the Hinkie way.

Grade for 76ers - B-
Grade for Magic - B+

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Nuggets acquire Trey Lyles, No. 24 pick from Jazz for No. 13 pick
I'm not going to grade every trade in the 2017 NBA Draft, as most were selections sold for cash considerations. This one strikes me as significant because a real player was dealt.

While Trey Lyles is a real player, he hasn't accomplished much since being the 12th-overall choice in the 2015 NBA Draft. He has averaged 6.1 and 6.2 points per game in two seasons, and he seems like just an average backup at best. He's still young and has potential though, so I won't grade this too poorly for Denver. However, I don't think Lyles is worth the difference between Tyler Lydon (24th pick) and Donovan Mitchell (13th pick).

Grade for Nuggets - C+
Grade for Jazz - B+

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Timberwolves acquire Jimmy Butler, No. 16 pick from Bulls for Kris Dunn, Zach LaVine, No. 7 pick
NBA trades like this usually work out the same way. When a superstar is dealt, the team that obtains him ends up winning the trade. And I don't see why this would be any different.

Butler is a legitimate superstar, and he gives Minnesota a tremendous one-two punch with Karl-Anthony Towns behind Andrew Wiggins. The Timberwolves could be in the playoffs next year because of this deal. It's a great deal for them, and moving down from No. 7 to 16 doesn't seem like a huge deal in this particular class.

As for the Bulls, they're getting damaged goods in Zach LaVine, as he is coming off a torn ACL. Dunn has potential, at least, but he hasn't shown much yet. Chicago has potential with this deal, but the Timberwolves made out much better.

Grade for Timberwolves - A
Grade for Bulls - C+

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Bullets acquire Tim Frazier from Pelicans for 52nd-overall pick
This is a nice bargain for the Bullets. Tim Frazier played well in Jrue Holiday's absence last season, averaging 7.1 points and 5.2 assists per game. He's a quality backup, and he's almost certainly better than anything Washington could have obtained with the 52nd-overall pick. Players taken at that juncture are either pedestrian talents or foreigners who will never come stateside. Frazier will actually be a nice depth piece for the Bullets as they attempt to dethrone the Cavaliers.

The Bullets are the clear winners of this trade. It's fair to question why the Pelicans dealt Frazier, who is reasonably priced at his $2 million salary. The only explanation I can come up with is that New Orleans plans on selecting a point guard in the 2017 NBA Draft (check out our 2017 NBA Mock Draft here), but that still doesn't excuse not getting proper value for Frazier.

Grade for Bullets - A
Grade for Pelicans - D

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Hornets acquire Dwight Howard, 31st-overall pick from Hawks for Miles Plumlee, Marco Belenelli, 41st-overall pick
Remember when Dwight Howard was considered one of the top players in the NBA? His value has plummeted tremendously in recent years, and it has now reached a laughably low level.

The 31st- and 41st-overall picks are effectively the same, so this is Atlanta trading Howard for Miles Plumlee and Marco Belenelli. The latter is a below-average guard who scored 10.5 points per game this past season. Plumlee, meanwhile, is just a pedestrian reserve center who is owed close to $40 million over the past three years. This is what Howard was dealt for.

Howard has regressed sharply in recent years. He averaged 13.5 points and 12.7 rebounds per game in 2016-17. He's owed about $57 million over the next two seasons. He's only 31, but he has a lot of wear on his tires and will likely never perform on a high level again. Still, the Hornets are getting the better end of this deal, as it appears as though the Hawks are now in full tank mode.

Grade for Hornets - B
Grade for Hawks - C

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Nets acquire D'Angelo Russell and Timofey Mozgov from Lakers for Brook Lopez, 27th-overall pick
I saw some reactions on Twitter proclaiming this to be a horrible trade for the Lakers. I wouldn't agree with that at all. In fact, I believe they won this deal quite easily.

D'Angelo Russell was a big problem in the Lakers' locker room. Ever since his cell phone incident, he made enemies on the team, and his play on the court didn't do him any favors, as he constantly took bad shots. Getting rid of him for value was the right move. The value may not be apparent here, but Brook Lopez has an expiring contract after the 2017-18 season. Given that, as well as Timofey Mozgov and his atrocious contract being off the books, the Lakers will have the cap space to pursue Paul George, who has stated his desire to go to the team, and perhaps even LeBron James, who wants to play in Los Angeles. James may choose the Clippers, but the Lakers will at least be in the running with the amount of money they'll have available.

As for the Nets, this really depends on whether Russell matures as both a player and a person. It's possible he could grow up, but I wouldn't bet on it happening. It was also a poor move to acquire Mozgov's albatross of a contract.

Grade for Nets - C
Grade for Lakers - A-

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76ers acquire No. 1 overall pick in 2017 NBA Draft from Celtics for No. 3, and either Lakers' 2018 pick or Kings' 2019 pick
The 76ers will be selecting Washington guard Markelle Fultz with their top choice, as Fultz was in Philadelphia for a workout and a physical Saturday evening. All went well, apparently, as the 76ers and Celtics agreed to terms on a deal.

The Celtics are the clear winners of this trade. Fultz never made much sense for them anyway because of Isaiah Thomas, so it was in their best interest to trade down. They can select Josh Jackson or Lonzo Ball at No. 3 and be just fine. Plus, they're getting a very high pick in either the Lakers or Kings' choice, depending on protections. This is huge for a Boston team that is going to be challenging the Cavaliers to be the team that will ultimately lose to the Warriors in the NBA Finals.

As for the 76ers, it's nice that they're making a bold move like this, as Fultz, Ben Simmons and Joel Oden, I mean, Embiid will potentially form a terrific trio if the latter can stay healthy. However, I'm not a big fan of giving up extra assets, and Philadelphia is surrendering a huge one. It was of my opinion that there are three elite-level players in this draft, so the 76ers were in a good spot at No. 3. I don't think they needed to trade, but if Fultz pans out as an All-Star, Philadelphia won't be complaining that it surrendered a high selection.

Grade for 76ers - B
Grade for Celtics - A+

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