This year's NBA trade deadline was on February 6th, 2020 at 3PM eastern. A lot of moves were made that shifted the NBA balance a bit. We will be going over five important trades that's happened.
1. Timberwolves Finally Land D-Lo
Warriors get: Andrew Wiggins, top-three protected 2021 first-round pick, 2021 second-round pick
Timberwolves get: D'Angelo Russell, Omari Spellman, Jacob Evans
The Warriors trading D-Lo was also a shock. He was getting such a high usage rate with Steph not being able to play. So it seemed like he was destined to stay there even after Steph made his return. He was having a great year. But to have him go to the Timberwolves could be a scary sight. He's now getting to play with one of the best big men in the league with Karl Anthony Towns. It will be weird not seeing Wiggins there though…
2. Rockets say bye to Capela and hello to small ball
Houston Rockets get: Robert Covington, Jordan Bell
Atlanta Hawks get: Clint Capela, Nene
Minnesota Timberwolves get: Malik Beasley, Juancho Hernangomez, Evan Turner, Jarred Vanderbilt, first-round pick from the Brooklyn Nets that was transferred by the Hawks.
Denver Nuggets get: Gerald Green, Noah Vonleh, Keita Bates-Diop, Shabazz Napier, first-round pick from Rockets
This trade made no sense for us personally. We don't see the purpose in getting rid of the biggest person on your team. Unless you were doing that to strengthen it. This hurts the Rockets in our mind because what's going to happen when they encounter teams that have players over 7'? It's tough trying to guard someone that has a few inches on you.
3. Iggy heads to South Beach to join rising contender in East
The Miami Heat get: Andre Iguodala, Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill
The Memphis Grizzlies get: Justise Winslow, Gorgui Dieng, Dion Waiters
Minnesota Timberwolves get: James Johnson
In a surprising move the Grizzlies ship Iggy to Miami. People thought he would be heading to LA to play for the Lakers or Clipper but instead he heads to South Beach to play with a Heat team that has shocked a lot of teams this year. The Grizzlies finally get rid of Iggy who was causing a lot of tension for the young grizzlies while the Heat add not only Iggy but Jae Crowder to so expect the Heats defense to be improved. As for the Grizzlies they get Justise Winslow and Dion Waiters who as of right now they waived. So they just have Winslow and Dieng.
4. Pistons Send Drummond to Cleveland
Cavaliers get: Andre Drummond
Pistons get: John Henson, Brandon Knight, second-round pick
There were many trades that caught us, and I'm sure the rest of the world by surprise. Perhaps the biggest one was the acquisition of Andre Drummond by the Cleveland Cavaliers. We never expected to see him in anything other than a Pistons jersey for his career. He is a staple as to why they are even talked about. The man is a literal walking double double. So for them to get rid of him in that fashion really shocked us. And it shocked him to according to his tweets that followed the trade.
5. Clips Strengthen Bench with Morris
Clippers get: Marcus Morris, Isaiah Thomas
Wizards get: Jerome Robinson
Knicks get: Moe Harkless, Clippers 2020 first round pick, 2023 second-round pick via Detroit, PG Issuf Sanos
The Clipper continued to load their already great team with one of the best bench players in the league in Marcus Morris. He was being targeted by the Lakers also but yet again the Clippers beat the Lakers. Marcus Morris ends up playing for a contender instead of the Knicks and the Clippers add women scoring off the bench.
How will all these teams fair after acquiring and sending off these players? We will find out soon enough as All Star break is approaching. We will see who will enter the break on a high or struggling and needing some adjustments.