Pulling the trigger on a trade in the middle of the season is always a risk. A team can destroy its chemistry, or give up a key cog in their system for a chance to change the dynamic and spark some magic. It takes time for new players to become acclimated, so the immediate returns often aren’t great. At the same time, sometimes trades can propel a team over the top. Sometimes the reward outweighs the risk, and with that in mind it’s time to revisit the mid-season trades to see how each team has fared.
Dallas Mavericks trade Jameer Nelson, Jae Crowder, Brandan Wright, 2015 1st round pick, 2016 2nd round pick, $12.9 million trade exception to Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics trade Rajon Rondo and Dwight Powell to Dallas Mavericks
For the Dallas Mavericks, bringing in Rajon Rondo was supposed to be the final piece of a lethal offense. The point guard was the position where they struggled most, so they shipped out Jameer Nelson along with some draft picks and expected to succeed. So far, though, the results have been a mixed bag. Their offense has actually played worse with him on the floor, as his lack of a consistent jumper has clogged up the space that was once there for Dirk Nowitzki and Monta Ellis. Perhaps sending away Wright, a valuable bench forward, has hurt them as well. The defense has improved, and Dallas has played .500 basketball since the move, but that won’t get them to the playoffs in the loaded west. For all the value they gave up, this trade has not worked out as they hoped.
On Boston’s side, the true success of this trade will be told through the draft picks they received. Wright and Nelson were traded to the Suns and Nuggets, respectively, and Boston made it clear they valued the trade exception and picks more than winning now.
Houston Rockets trade Troy Daniels, 2015 2nd round pick, 2016 2nd round pick, cash to Minnesota Timberwolves, rights to Sergei Lishouk, 2015 2nd round pick to Philadelphia 76ers
Minnesota Timberwolves trade Corey Brewer to Houston Rockets, Ronny Turiaf to Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers trade Alexey Shved to Houston Rockets
Houston made it clear they were all in on this season when they traded for Corey Brewer and Alexey Shved to shore up their bench. Brewer has played a valuable role off the bench, but Shved has yet to consistently crack the rotation. Brewer and Trevor Ariza play similar roles, with Brewer acting as a “poor man’s Ariza.” Sending Troy Daniels was fairly innocuous, as he was a D-League call up who hit a few big shots in the playoffs, but had little production beyond that. So far, this trade has been fairly successful for Houston, but was not a slam-dunk.
Minnesota and Philadelphia were in this trade for the draft picks, and Minnesota particularly wanted to clear out space for younger players like Andrew Wiggins and Zach Lavine to play more minutes. This trade was all about potential upside down the road, and for that it remains to be seen how to valuate this trade.
New York Knicks trade J.R. Smith, Iman Shumpert to Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers trade Dion Waiters to Oklahoma City Thunder, Lou Amundson, Alex Kirk, 2019 2nd round pick to New York Knicks
Oklahoma City Thunder trade Lance Thomas to New York Knicks, 2015 1st round pick to Cleveland Cavaliers
In another three-team trade, Oklahoma City attempted to establish some depth by bringing in Dion Waiters from the Cavs. Waiters was unhappy with his role there and OKC was apt to provide insurance if Kevin Durant were to get hurt again. Waiters has played reasonably well off the bench, but OKC has struggled as a whole. His role continues to evolve, and the Thunder have been pleased with his performance so far.
The Knicks decided to switch up their chemistry by unloading Smith and having to give up Shumpert, who they liked but had been injury-plagued. In return they received a bevy of fringe players who have now carved out a role, but the real selling point here for their involvement was clearing cap space for next year’s free agent class.
Cleveland received a defensive stopper in Shumpert, and so far has gotten a revitalized J.R. Smith. Smith recently admitted that he did not live up to his potential in NYC because he was busy enjoying the nightlife, so for the first time Cleveland’s relative lack of things to do has helped a player be happy there. Waiters and Kyrie Irving always seemed to clash, so ditching him and receiving a 1st round pick seems to have worked in their favor. So far they are the winners of this trade.
Cleveland Cavaliers trade two 2015 1st round picks to Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets trade Timofey Mozgov, 2015 2nd round pick to Cleveland Cavaliers
Not content with their roster after that previous trade, Cleveland packaged their 1st round pick as well as the one they received from OKC to add a defensive anchor in the paint. Mozgov was a much needed addition once Anderson Varejao was lost for the season. So far, he has played pretty well for Cleveland, who have been rolling since LeBron James returned from injury. Mozgov leaves a crowded frontcourt in Denver for greener pastures, and a chance for a playoff run, in Cleveland (seriously, has Cleveland ever been the hot spot before?).
Denver wanted to see what they had in Jusuf Nurkic, so getting rid of Mozgov seemed to be a reasonable move. Once you take into consideration the value they received with two 1st round picks, this deal is a winner. Denver is building for the future, and picks have more value to them than a decent center.
Boston Celtics trade Jeff Green, trade exception to Memphis Grizzlies
Memphis Grizzlies trade Tayshaun Prince, future 1st round pick to Boston Celtics, Quincy Pondexter, 2015 2nd round pick to New Orleans Pelicans
New Orleans Pelicans trade Austin Rivers to Boston Celtics, Russ Smith to Memphis Grizzlies
Three-team trades are the fad these days, eh? This trade seemed like a no-brainer for the Grizzlies, who needed depth on the wing and sought balance in their lineup. Green has played well in Memphis so far, and certainly plays the part with the grind-it-out style and letting his play do the talking. He provides another three-point shooting option, and his defense is underrated. Prince was no longer as effective as Memphis needed, and they were able to package him with a future first round pick to snag Green.
Boston simply wanted to get something for Green before he walked this offseason. They received Rivers, who they promptly sent to L.A. to play for his dad with the Clippers (in yet another three-team trade), but the pick they got is what they really were after.
New Orleans did not need Rivers, but did need wing depth. Pondexter knew his role in Memphis and played it well, and will continue to play well in New Orleans. They received a second round pick as well, and can’t be too displeased with their effort in this trade.